KERALA & the MALABAR COAST

Backwaters, Spice Trails & Coastal Elegance

Discover a slower, more immersive side of ‘God’s own country‘where tranquil backwaters, mist covered tea plantations, historic trading ports and palm fringed beaches come together to create one of the country’s most captivating regions. From the cultural heritage of Kochi to the serene waterways of Allepy and the spice – scented hills of Periyar, Kerala offers a journey rich in nature, tradition and authentic local experiences.

8-Day Itinerary: Kochi, Munnar, Periyar & Alleppey

A well-paced eight-day journey through the heart of Kerala — from the characterful streets of Kochi to the rolling tea estates of Munnar, the wildlife-rich forests of Periyar and the tranquil backwater channels of Alleppey. Each day moves at a comfortable pace, with good local guides, well-chosen stays and authentic experiences woven naturally into the trip.

This is only a suggested itinerary. It can be curated as per your preferences.

Day 1 – Arrival in Kochi

Arrive at Cochin International Airport, where your driver will be waiting to take you into the heart of Fort Kochi. Check in to your chosen heritage hotel — a nicely restored colonial building close to the waterfront. Spend the afternoon wandering at your own pace through narrow lanes lined with Portuguese-era churches, old synagogues and spice shops. As evening falls, watch the famous Chinese fishing nets dip into the harbour, then sit down to a relaxed welcome dinner featuring some of the classic flavours of Kerala’s coastal cooking.

Day 2 – Kochi: Culture, Cuisine & Hidden Corners

Start the morning with a guided walk through Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, taking in the Dutch Palace, the Paradesi Synagogue and some of the galleries that have made Kochi one of India’s most creative cities. Drop into a working spice warehouse to get a sense of the trade that shaped this coast for centuries. In the afternoon, join a hands-on cooking class with a local cook, learning to prepare a few Kerala dishes using ingredients picked up from the nearby market. The evening is yours — perhaps a Kathakali performance or a simple coastal dinner.

Day 3 – Kochi → Munnar

Approx. drive: Kochi → Munnar ~130 km / 4–5 hours by private vehicle.

Leave Kochi in the cool of the morning, climbing steadily into the Western Ghats as the scenery shifts from coastal plains to rolling hills covered in tea. The drive is a pleasure in itself — winding roads pass waterfalls, rubber plantations and small roadside chai stalls that are well worth a stop. Arrive in Munnar by early afternoon and check in to your plantation guesthouse, or a boutique hotel. In the late afternoon, take a walk through the estate with someone who knows the tea, learning a little about how it’s grown and processed, before a relaxed dinner.

Day 4 – Munnar: Tea Estates, High Ranges & Eravikulam

Rise early for a walk through the tea gardens while the light is still soft and the hills are quiet. Head out to Eravikulam National Park, home to the endangered Nilgiri tahr, for a morning excursion along easy trails with impressive high-altitude scenery. Back at the guesthouse, enjoy a relaxed brunch before spending the afternoon as you please — a spa treatment, a visit to a small tea processing unit for a tasting, or simply sitting on the verandah watching the mist roll in across the hills.

Day 5 – A Second Day in Munnar

There’s no real need to rush in Munnar, so a second day here is time well spent. In the morning, head into the surrounding hills on a guided walk to some of the less-visited viewpoints and forest fringes — good country for spotting gaur, sambar and a variety of birds. After lunch, the afternoon is unscheduled: visit the small tea museum, browse the local market for spices and homemade preserves, or simply read on the verandah as the clouds drift over the high ranges. A quiet, easy day that makes the whole trip feel less like a schedule and more like a journey.

Day 6 – Munnar → Periyar (Thekkady)

Approx. drive: Munnar → Periyar (Thekkady) ~90–110 km / 3–4 hours by private vehicle. After breakfast, head off through the Cardamom Hills, the road passing through forests that smell of pepper, cinnamon and wild cardamom. Arrive in Thekkady and check in to your comfortable lodge at the edge of Periyar Tiger Reserve. In the afternoon, take a boat out on Periyar Lake — a peaceful experience with good chances of spotting wild elephants, gaur and waterbirds along the shoreline. End the day with a walk through a spice garden and a dinner of local Keralan dishes.

day 7 – periyar (thekkady)

Early morning proceed on a guided safari through the fringes of the Periyar tiger reserve. Return back for a relaxed breakfast in your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure for you to soak in the bio diversity of this region. In the evening witness a traditional Kalaripayattu martial arts performance or a vibrant Kathakali show.

Day 8 – Periyar → Alleppey (Alappuzha)

Approx. drive: Periyar → Alleppey ~140–160 km / 4–5 hours by private vehicle. Start the morning with an optional nature walk in Periyar’s buffer zone, listening for birds and watching for langurs in the trees. After a late breakfast, your driver takes you west through Kerala’s green interior — past rubber and coconut groves, paddy fields and quiet villages. On arrival in Alleppey, the pace slows right down. Board your houseboat — a traditional kettuvallam — and settle in as the crew navigates the backwater channels. Fresh fish, good food and the gentle sound of water make for a genuinely peaceful evening.

Day 9 – Alleppey Backwaters → Kochi Departure

Approx. drive: Alleppey → Kochi ~60–80 km / 1.5–2.5 hours by private vehicle. Wake to birdsong, the calls of fishermen and the rustle of palms. Enjoy a final breakfast on the houseboat as the morning light catches the water. Disembark mid-morning and transfer by private vehicle back to Kochi, arriving comfortably in time for your onward flight. A gentle end to a journey that has moved at Kerala’s own easy pace.

Note: All driving distances and journey times are approximate and may vary depending on road conditions, traffic and any stops along the way. The itinerary is flexible and can be adjusted to suit your pace and interests.

explore more journeys

• Kerala Backwaters Slow Travel – Alleppey, Kumarakom & village life on the water
• Munnar & The High Ranges – Tea estates, misty trails & cool mountain air
• Malabar Coast & Spice Ports – Fort Kochi, Muziris & quiet beaches along the Arabian Sea
• Forests of South Kerala – Periyar, Thekkady & the cardamom hills
• Ayurveda & Coastal Retreats – Kovalam, Marari & backwater wellness stays.

best time to visit

• October – March : Best overall time for Kerala & the Malabar Coast – warm, mostly dry days and comfortable evenings for Kochi, the backwaters and coastal journeys.
• Mid‑August – September : Monsoon starts to ease, landscapes stay green and crowds are fewer – a good shoulder season if you’re flexible on weather.

Beyond the guidebook

Thoughtfully curated, privately guided moments across Kerala and the Malabar Coast — from quiet backwater rituals to chef-led spice garden dinners and sunrise tea estate walks — tailored to the way you like to travel.

• Private tea estate sunrise & planters’ breakfast – Munnar
  Begin before dawn with exclusive access to a working tea estate, walking with a senior estate host as the hills lighten and pluckers begin their day. End with a traditional planters’ breakfast set up in a secluded corner of the gardens.
• Chef’s table in a spice garden – Thekkady / Periyar
  Visit a family‑run spice plantation with a local botanist, then sit down at a private chef’s table in the garden: a multi-course tasting menu built around cardamom, pepper and seasonal produce, paired with carefully chosen regional drinks.
• Intimate Theyyam or temple ritual with local host – North Kerala / Malabar
  Rather than a large festival crowd, join a respected local host for an intimate introduction to a Theyyam performance or evening temple ritual – with context, etiquette and behind‑the‑scenes access arranged in advance.
• Boutique houseboat with curated backwater route – Alleppey
  Charter a hand‑picked, design‑led houseboat with a dedicated crew and private guide. Cruise quieter canals away from the main traffic, stopping at small homesteads, toddy shops and a candlelit jetty dinner set up just for you.
• Coastal tasting trail & art studios – Malabar Coast
  Spend an unhurried afternoon following a bespoke tasting trail of Malabar snacks and seafood in local joints you’d never find alone, weaving in visits to a couple of small contemporary art studios and restored mansions along the way.