India’s west coast and lush south pair beautifully in 10 days: the Krishna River cuts through Sangli’s temple-dotted plains; Goa glows with Indo‑Portuguese streets, seafood thalis, and golden beaches; Kerala’s Kochi and Alleppey reveal serene canals; and Munnar rises into cool tea‑clad hills.

Historically, this arc threads Deccan trade routes, Portuguese spice ports, and British-era plantations. You’ll stroll Latin quarters in Panjim, skim mangroves by kayak, drift on a houseboat past village life, and hike storied tea estates where Nilgiri breezes carry cardamom on the air.

Practical notes: Expect warm, humid coastlines and cooler Munnar nights (carry a light layer). Try Goan recheado masala, Kerala karimeen pollichathu, and Malabar parotta. Trains and short flights connect easily; book popular activities and houseboats in advance during high season (Nov–Mar).

Sangli (Maharashtra)

Sitting on the Krishna River, Sangli is known for its Ganapati Temple, sugarcane belt, and neighboring Miraj—famed for handcrafted sitars and sarods. It’s a relaxed, authentic Maharashtrian gateway for your onward train to Goa.

• Top sights: Sangli Ganapati Temple, Irwin Bridge sunset, Krishna Ghat, Sagareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary (nearby), and Miraj instrument workshops.
• Good to know: Early mornings are ideal for riverside walks; misal pav and cutting chai are local staples.

Where to stay (Sangli): Browse stays on Hotels.com – Sangli or apartments via VRBO – Sangli.

Getting to your first city: Fly to Pune (PNQ) or Mumbai (BOM) on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com, then train to Sangli/Miraj on Trip.com Trains. Pune–Sangli is ~4.5–5.5 hours (from ~$8–18 in AC classes); Mumbai overnight options run ~10–12 hours.

Day 1: Arrive Sangli

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs at the riverfront—walk Irwin Bridge for breezes and views. Pay respects at Sangli Ganapati Temple, a local landmark with a serene courtyard.

Evening: Set up connectivity with this easy eSIM so you’re covered for the whole trip: India Data eSIM (0.5GB daily to 20GB/30 days).

For dinner, seek out a classic Maharashtrian thali—ask your hotel for the current favorite near Ganapati Temple—and finish with hot gulab jamun from a neighborhood sweet shop.

Day 2: Morning Train to Goa; North Goa Sunset

Morning: Board a train from Sangli/Miraj to Madgaon (Goa) via Londa on Trip.com Trains. Journey ~6–7 hours; AC Chair Car/3AC typically ~$9–20. Private car transfer takes ~6–7 hours over the ghats.

Afternoon: Check in and decompress on Candolim or Anjuna beach. Snack on poi (Goan bread) with chorizo at a beach shack.

Evening: Dinner at Vinayak Family Restaurant (Assagao) for a stellar fish thali or pomfret recheado. Nightcap at Joseph Bar in Fontainhas—tiny, atmospheric, and very Goan.

Goa

Goa’s layered identity shows in its Baroque churches, azulejo signs, and spice-laced kitchens. North Goa hums with beach life; Panjim’s Fontainhas is a pastel maze; the islands on the Mandovi feel unstuck in time.

• Don’t miss: Fontainhas heritage lanes, Old Goa churches, island ferries, Arabian Sea sunsets, and the grandma‑style Goan fish thali.
• Stay north for beaches/nightlife; stay south for sprawling sands and quieter resorts.

Where to stay (Goa): Splurge at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa (Benaulim) or The Leela Goa (Cavelossim). Midrange family favorite: Holiday Inn Resort Goa (Mobor) or Novotel Goa Resort & Spa (Candolim). Hostels: The Funky Monkey Hostel (Anjuna) or The Old Quarter Hostel (Panjim). Browse more on Hotels.com – Goa or VRBO – Goa.

Day 3: Fontainhas, Panjim Flavors, and River Cruise

Morning: Heritage walk through Panjim’s Latin Quarter—the story-rich heart of old Goa. Join the Fontainhas Heritage Walk by Make It Happen.

Pause for specialty coffee and cakes at Bodega in Altinho.

Afternoon: Visit Sé Cathedral and Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa, then a late seafood lunch at Ritz Classic (Panjim)—order crab xec xec and rawa-fried kingfish.

Evening: Glide along the Mandovi on the Paradise Dinner Cruise for live music, Goan dance, and skyline views.

Day 4: Grand Island Adventure and Nightlife

Morning: Boat out for snorkeling and scuba with the Grand Island Water Sports Combo Package—a perennial favorite for beginners and casual divers.

Afternoon: Lounge on Sinquerim’s calm strip near Aguada; late lunch at Baba Au Rhum (Anjuna) for wood-fired pizzas and fresh bakes.

Evening: Cocktails and live music at Cohiba (near Aguada). For dinner, Black Sheep Bistro (Panjim) serves inventive plates like ros omelet croquettes and chorizo jam toast.

Day 5: Mangroves or Islands, South Goa Sands

Morning: Kayak through mirror-still mangroves with Goa Kayaking: Sal Backwaters Mangroves Magic for birdlife and quiet creeks.

Prefer land? Ferry to Divar for paddy fields and sleepy village lanes.

Afternoon: Head south for wide beaches—Colva, Betalbatim, or Cavelossim. Snack on poi with cafreal-spiced chicken.

Evening: Dinner at Martin’s Corner (Betalbatim) or Fisherman’s Wharf (Cavelossim). Pack for tomorrow’s flight.

Kerala: Kochi (Fort Kochi & Ernakulam) + Alleppey (Alappuzha)

Kochi mixes spice-trade history, Dutch and Portuguese forts, synagogues, and Chinese fishing nets with a contemporary art and café scene. An hour south, Alleppey opens into the famed Kerala backwaters—canals ribboned with palms and rice paddies.

• Top experiences: Fort Kochi heritage walk, Kathakali performance, backwater day cruise or overnight houseboat, and market-fresh seafood.
• Food favorites: karimeen pollichathu (pearl spot in banana leaf), appam and stew, prawn moilee, and Malabar parotta with beef fry.

Where to stay: In Kochi, compare boutique hotels and apartments on Hotels.com – Kochi and VRBO – Kochi. For Alleppey houseboats and homestays, start with Hotels.com – Alappuzha.

Goa → Kochi travel: Fly GOI/GOX to COK on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com; nonstop ~1h30 (often $50–120) or ~3–4h via BLR. Overnight trains Madgaon–Ernakulam run ~14–16h on Trip.com Trains.

Day 6: Fly to Kochi, Fort Kochi by Foot

Morning: Morning flight to Kochi; check in near Fort Kochi or MG Road.

Afternoon: Explore Fort Kochi’s layered history on a guided stroll—Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis Church, and Mattancherry’s spice-scented streets—on Kochi Tour Guide: Heritage walking tour.

Coffee and a slice at Kashi Art Café in between galleries.

Evening: Watch traditional Kathakali at a local center, then dinner on the water at Seagull Restaurant—try prawn moilee and appam.

Day 7: Alleppey Backwater Day on a Houseboat

Board a private houseboat for a languid cruise through Alleppey’s canals with a Keralan lunch on deck: Kochi Private Tour: Backwater Houseboat Day Cruise in Alleppey.

Expect coconut palms mirrored in still waters, toddy shops, and village life unfolding along the banks. Return to Kochi by evening and dine at Grand Pavilion (MG Road) for karimeen pollichathu.

Munnar (Kerala)

Munnar’s rolling carpets of tea, misty ridgelines, and cool air made it the British Raj’s summer escape. Today it’s a paradise for sunrise viewpoints, spice gardens, and scenic hikes.

• Highlights: Top Station panoramas, Eravikulam National Park (Nilgiri tahr habitat—seasonal access), tea factory visits, and cardamom-curtained valleys.
• Pack: A light jacket, sturdy shoes, and sun protection—mountain UV can be sneaky.

Where to stay (Munnar): Comfy modern views at The Panoramic Getaway, family-friendly Club Mahindra Munnar, or budget‑social at Zostel Munnar. Also browse Hotels.com – Munnar and VRBO – Munnar.

Getting there: Kochi to Munnar is a scenic 4–5 hours by private car (from ~$50–70) or 5–6 hours by bus. Return to Kochi Airport (COK) in ~4–5 hours.

Day 8: Kochi → Munnar, Tea Museum, Sunset Tea Walk

Morning: Depart Kochi after an early breakfast; pause at Cheeyappara and Valara falls en route.

Afternoon: Check in and visit the Tea Museum to trace Munnar’s plantation history and taste fresh brews.

Evening: Join the Munnar Tea Plantation Walk with Sunset View—gentle trails through luminous tea gardens as the light softens.

Dinner at Rapsy Restaurant for Kerala parotta with beef fry or shawarma-style plates.

Day 9: Wild Elephants, Lakes, and High Vistas

Morning: Head out on the Anakulam Wild Life Jeep Safari—with luck, you’ll spot herds drinking at the river and traverse spice-scented hamlets.

Afternoon: Drive to Top Station for sweeping views toward Tamil Nadu; stop by Kundala Lake for a pedal boat or quiet stroll.

Evening: Vegetarian feast at Hotel Saravana Bhavan (Munnar Market)—crispy dosas, mini tiffin, and filter coffee.

Day 10: Viewpoints and Departure

Morning: Sunrise at Pothamedu View Point, then a leisurely breakfast. Pick up tea and spices at a reputable plantation store.

Afternoon: Drive back to Kochi Airport (4–5 hours). For onward flights across India or international, compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Optional Food & Culture Add-Ons (if you extend)

• Panjim food crawl with tavern stops: Food And Drink Walking Tour in Panjim.

  

• Old Goa churches with a historian: Heritage walk in Old Goa.

  

• Eco-style country boat in Kochi’s village canals: Half Day Village Backwater Eco Country Boat Cruise.

  

Where you’ve just been: a riverside temple town, a former Portuguese capital by the sea, canals where coconut trees kiss the water, and hills stitched in tea. This 10-day itinerary balances heritage, beaches, backwaters, and hiking—an India journey with rhythm, rest, and unforgettable flavors.