Kerala-God’s Own Country

Explore Munnar, a hill station in the Western Ghats located approximately 5,250 feet (1,600 meters) above sea level. Spend the day visiting the Eravikulam National Park, dropping by a tea plantation, relaxing at one of the waterfalls, or simply walking around the picturesque villages. There is an option to go boating at Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, and Kundala Lake. You will be engulfed by breathtaking manicured emerald-green tea plantations wherever you go. At every turn, you’ll want to stop and click pictures. In the evening, you must see Kathakali or Kalaripayattu, which is a very energetic Kerala Martial Arts show.

Start early as it takes 3-4 hours to reach Thekkady from Munnar. Thekkady is the center for visiting Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary & National Park. Spread over 300 square miles, Periyar National Park is home to species like tigers, elephants, bison, deer, and langurs. There is a scenic lake at the heart of the sanctuary. You can explore the sanctuary, enjoy a lake cruise, and admire the elephants frolicking in the lake. Consider a spice plantation tour to learn about Kerala’s spices

Kerala is famous for its scenic backwaters, which are a network of interconnected brackish lagoons, canals, and lakes that run parallel to the Arabian Sea coast. Backwaters connected by artificial canals form an economical mode of transportation. For centuries, locals in Kerala have used the backwaters for transportation, fishing, and agriculture. Most of the travelers visiting Kerala have one activity on their bucket list – to cruise along the enchanting backwater regions of Kerala. Kumarakom and Alleppey are the two best locations to explore the backwaters. They are two corners of Vembanad Lake but provide different experiences. Alleppey is a town-based destination whereas Kumarakom is a group of small islets.

You have the entire day to enjoy the various attractions of your chosen location – Kumarakom or Alleppey. You don’t have to rush around ticking attractions off your list. These locations are ideal for indulging in famed ayurvedic treatments, sampling delectable cuisine, rejuvenating yourself, and learning yoga.

Drive to Kovalam from Alleppey / Kumarakom will take approximately 4/4.5 hrs. respectively. It is time to explore the beautiful beaches of Kerala and what better place than Kovalam? The beaches of Kovalam are in demand due to low tidal waves and shallow waters which makes them ideal for sea bathing. You can spend a day here visiting the Lighthouse and the spectacular crescent beaches – Kovalam Beach, Lighthouse Beach, and Samudra Beach. Kovalam is also known for its temples.

The capital city of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, is just 16 km away from Kovalam. If you want, you can explore a few interesting places in Thiruvananthapuram – Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Napier Museum, Observatory, etc. This also brings us to the end of the 7-day Kerala Itinerary. You can head back to your next destination from Thiruvananthapuram.