Kerala Grand Journey

Arrive in Kochi and settle into your stay.

Spend the afternoon exploring Fort Kochi, one of Kerala's most atmospheric historic neighbourhoods. Walk along the waterfront to see the famous Chinese fishing nets, then wander through the old streets around St. Francis Church, Mattancherry and Jew Town.

The evening is free to enjoy Fort Kochi's cafés, restaurants and relaxed coastal atmosphere.

Today is a longer travel day. We'll start early in the morning. The journey to Munnar via Athirappilly can take around 5–6 hours of driving, depending on traffic and road conditions. The longer drive is balanced with a proper stop at Athirappilly.

Leave Kochi early and head towards Athirappilly Waterfalls, Kerala's most famous waterfall.

Spend time at the viewpoints and walk around the falls before continuing towards Munnar.

From Athirappilly, the road climbs deeper into the Western Ghats. The scenery gradually changes from tropical forests to mountain roads and, eventually, Munnar's famous tea plantations.

Arrive in Munnar in the evening, check in and keep the rest of the night relaxed.

Today is all about Munnar's famous tea country.

Start your morning among the rolling tea gardens covering Munnar's hills.

Visit the Tea Museum to learn how tea shaped the region, then continue through the hills towards Mattupetty Dam and Kundala Lake.

If weather and timing allow, continue towards the higher viewpoints around Top Station before returning to Munnar.

Leave Munnar after breakfast and travel through the Cardamom Hills towards Thekkady.

The tea plantations gradually give way to dense forests and spice-growing country.

Visit a working spice plantation and see cardamom, pepper, cinnamon and other spices growing in the hills.

Arrive in Thekkady by afternoon and check into your stay. The rest of the evening is free to explore Kumily or relax at the hotel.

Start the morning with one of Thekkady's signature experiences.

Cruise across Periyar Lake inside Periyar Tiger Reserve, watching the forested shoreline for elephants, sambar deer, gaur, wild boar and birds.

After the safari, return to Thekkady, collect your luggage and begin the drive towards Alleppey.

By afternoon, the landscape changes completely as the Western Ghats give way to Kerala's backwaters.

Board your private houseboat and begin cruising through the backwaters.

Pass paddy fields, coconut palms, narrow canals and small villages as the boat slowly makes its way through Kerala's waterways.

Enjoy dinner aboard the houseboat before spending the night on the water.

Wake up on the backwaters and enjoy breakfast aboard the houseboat before disembarking.

Today you move beyond Kerala's most famous backwater destination and discover a quieter side of the coast.

Stop at Munroe Island, where Ashtamudi Lake meets the Kallada River.

Take a short local boat ride through the island's narrow waterways, passing coconut groves, canals and village life.

Continue towards the Kollam coast.

Make a short stop around Paravur–Pozhikkara, where the backwaters and Arabian Sea come remarkably close together.

It's a beautiful photography stop before continuing south.

Arrive in Varkala by evening and check into your stay.

Today is dedicated to discovering Varkala beyond its main tourist strip.

Start at the famous Varkala Cliff, overlooking the Arabian Sea and Papanasam Beach.

Walk along the cliff, explore the cafés and shops and spend time at the beach.

Later, head towards one of Varkala's quieter coastal spots.

Visit Thiruvambady Beach, known for its distinctive darker sand and quieter atmosphere compared with the main Varkala beach.

Before returning, visit Janardhana Swamy Temple, an ancient temple close to Papanasam Beach.

Spend the evening back around the Varkala Cliff.

Leave Varkala after breakfast and continue south along Kerala's coastline.

Stop at Azhimala Shiva Temple, dramatically positioned above the Arabian Sea.

The highlight is the enormous 58-foot Shiva statue, overlooking the coastline. Spend some time around the temple and viewpoints before continuing south.

Continue to Poovar, where the backwaters meet the Arabian Sea.

Take a boat through the waterways and mangroves of Poovar Island, passing coconut-lined channels and the meeting point of the river, lake and sea.

Continue to Kovalam in the late afternoon.

End the day around Kovalam's famous Lighthouse Beach and its crescent-shaped coastline.

Start the final day at a relaxed pace and head north from Kovalam.

Take a short boat ride from Nedunganda across the backwaters to Ponnumthuruthu, also known as Golden Island.

Explore the quiet island, visit the historic Shiva-Parvati temple and spend some time photographing the coconut-covered surroundings.

Allow around 2 hours for the complete experience, including the boat ride and time on the island.

After returning to the mainland, continue towards Thiruvananthapuram.

Visit the magnificent Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple during its afternoon/evening opening window.

After the temple, continue to the airport or railway station for your onward journey.

End of journey.