From the sugarcane belt along the Krishna River to the white sands of Goa and the misty tea slopes of Munnar, this 10-day India itinerary blends living history with coastal bliss and mountain calm. You’ll trace Portuguese-era lanes in Panjim, watch fishermen raise Chinese nets in Kochi, and drift past coconut palms on a Kerala houseboat.

Goa’s story stretches from 16th‑century colonies to a modern beach culture; Fontainhas still glows in pastel hues while spice plantations perfume the hinterland. Kerala whispers on the water—narrow canals, paddy fields, toddy shops—before the road climbs into the Western Ghats, where tea estates ripple like green corduroy.

Expect spice-forward cuisine (from fiery misal to mellow veg thalis and Goan seafood), early starts for treks and transfers, and warm tropical weather. Book trains and flights in advance during peak season (Nov–Feb). Carry cash for small eateries, modest clothing for temples, and rain protection if traveling June–Sept.

Sangli

Sangli sits on the banks of the Krishna River, known for turmeric, grapes, and a quietly devotional rhythm. Nearby Miraj is famed for luthiers who craft sitars and tanpuras for maestros across India. This is a gentle place to start: riverside sunsets, temple bells, and spicy Kolhapuri-influenced plates.

• Top sights: Sangameshwar Temple at Haripur, Sangli Ganapati Temple, Miraj musical-instrument workshops, Sagareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, Dandoba Hill Forest to the north.
• What to eat: Misal pav for breakfast; Kolhapuri-style mutton thali; seasonal grapes and jaggery sweets.
• Good to know: The nearest rail hub is Miraj Junction; the closest airports are Kolhapur (KLH) and Belagavi (IXG).

Stay: Browse stays on VRBO Sangli or hotels via Hotels.com Sangli.

Getting in: Fly to Pune, Belagavi, or Mumbai on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com, then take a train to Miraj/Sangli on Trip.com Trains (from Pune ~6–7h; from Mumbai ~10–11h). Private cars from Kolhapur Airport take ~1.5–2h.

Day 1: Arrive Sangli, Krishna River Sunset

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stroll the Krishna riverfront near Haripur; the Sangameshwar Temple at the Krishna–Warana confluence hums with evening aarti. It’s a calming first look at this river city.

Evening: Dinner focused on Kolhapuri flavors—look for a local khanaval (family-run eatery) serving mutton sukka, tambda rassa (red curry) and pandhra rassa (white broth). For a simple dessert, try kulfi or fresh sugarcane juice.

Useful on-arrival add‑on (connectivity):

India Data eSIM from 0.5GB Daily to 20GB 30 Days: grab reliable data without visiting a store—ideal for train tickets and maps.

Day 2: Temples, Craft, and a Kolhapur Lunch Detour

Morning: Drive to Sagareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary (about 1h). This unique temple-dotted, human-made forest has easy trails, langurs, and expansive views—perfect for a light hike.

Afternoon: Head into Miraj to see instrument-making workshops where artisans shape gourds and carve necks for sitars and tanpuras. With time, detour 1.5h to Kolhapur for a legendary lunch: Dehati Misal’s fiery misal pav or Hotel Opal’s mutton thali.

Evening: Back in Sangli, wander the main market for turmeric, jaggery, and seasonal grapes. Early night—tomorrow is a travel morning.

Goa

Goa is more than beaches: it’s Indo‑Portuguese mansions, spice groves, tide-washed chapels, taverns with feni cocktails, and a joyous food scene that runs from fish thali to cutting-edge Asian plates. North Goa hums with heritage and nightlife; South Goa slows to a whisper along sweeping sands.

• Top sights: Fontainhas Latin Quarter, Old Goa churches, Aguada Fort, Palolem and Agonda beaches, Divar and Chorao islands, spice plantations.
• What to eat: Prawn balchão, xacuti, choriz pav, poi bread, bebinca, seafood grills.
• When to go: Nov–Mar is dry and breezy; Monsoon (Jun–Sept) is lush but many beach shacks close.

Stay: North Goa (energy and heritage) or South Goa (quieter resorts). Browse VRBO Goa and Hotels.com Goa. Specific picks: Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa (Cavelossim), The Leela Goa (Mobor), Novotel Goa Resort & Spa (Candolim), Holiday Inn Resort Goa (Mobor). Budget/hostels: The Funky Monkey Hostel (Anjuna), The Old Quarter Hostel (Panjim).

Getting there from Sangli: Morning train Miraj/Madgaon on Trip.com Trains (~5.5–7h, ₹300–1,000 / $4–12). A private car via NH48/NH66 takes ~6–7h.

Day 3: To Goa, Pastels of Fontainhas

Morning: Train from Miraj to Madgaon; taxi to your hotel. Drop bags and freshen up.

Afternoon: Explore Panjim’s Fontainhas—a warren of azulejo-tiled homes, bakeries, and tiny chapels. Join a guided stroll to decode the neighborhood’s Portuguese past.

Fontainhas Heritage Walk by Make It Happen: stories of taverns, breadmakers (poder), and pastel façades—plus insider stops.

Evening: Dinner in Panjim: Ritz Classic (iconic fish thali; go early), Kokni Kanteen (crispy rawa-fry fish, crab curry), or Viva Panjim (Goan classics in a heritage home). Nightcap at Joseph Bar, a neighborhood tavern.

Day 4: Aguada Fort, Candolim Sands, and Sea Breezes

Morning: Head to Fort Aguada for sweeping Arabian Sea views. Continue into the restored Aguada Jail precinct with a guide to uncover liberation-era stories.

Private Aguada Jail Heritage Walk Tour: a compelling look at Goa’s fortifications and freedom movement.

Afternoon: Beach time at Candolim or Sinquerim. Lunch options: Calamari (beach shack classics), Pousada by the Beach (Goan plates by the sea), or Bomras (Assagao; modern Burmese—book ahead).

Evening: Sunset at Chapora Fort, then dinner at Vinayak Family Restaurant (Assagao; fried calamari, fish curry rice) or Thalassa (Greek plates with coastal views and lively music).

Day 5: Grand Island Adventure and Coastal Eats

Full-day outing: boat to Grande Island for snorkeling/scuba, a beach grill, and chances to spot dolphins offshore. It’s splashy, social, and great for first-timers.

Grand Island Water Sports Combo Package: typical inclusions are scuba, snorkeling, lunch, and transfers.

Post-tour dinner: Fisherman’s Wharf (rava-fried prawns, poi sandwiches) or Gunpowder (Assagao; regional Indian with a Kerala tilt, if you can snag a reservation).

Day 6: South Goa Calm and Backwater Kayaking

Morning: Drive to Palolem for a quiet swim and breakfast bowls or masala omelets at Art Resort Café or Café Inn.

Afternoon: Paddle the Sal backwaters through mangroves—kingfishers, mirror-still canals, and the odd otter if you’re lucky.

Goa Kayaking Sal Backwaters Mangroves Magic!: a serene, guide-led paddle ideal for nature lovers.

Evening: Dine at Martin’s Corner (Betalbatim; classic Goan seafood) or The Fisherman’s Wharf (Cavelossim; riverside ambience). If you’re staying near Panjim, consider the two-hour Paradise Dinner Cruise on the Mandovi with live music.

Kochi (Kerala) & Alleppey Backwaters

Kochi mixes spice-trade history with contemporary arts: colonial-era bungalows, Jewish synagogues, and those photogenic Chinese fishing nets. A short drive away, Alleppey (Alappuzha) is the gateway to Kerala’s famed backwaters—village canals shaded by palms, best seen from a slow-moving houseboat.

• Top sights: Fort Kochi lanes, Mattancherry spice godowns, synagogues, waterfront promenade, backwater canals of Alleppey and Kumarakom.
• What to eat: Kerala fish curry with coconut, appam and stew, banana fritters, toddy-shop fare.

Stay: In Kochi, browse VRBO Kochi or Hotels.com Kochi. Tonight you’ll sleep aboard a houseboat in Alleppey.

Getting there from Goa: Fly Goa (GOI/MOPA) to Kochi (COK) in ~1h25m–1h45m via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com (typical ₹4,500–9,000 / $55–110). Overnight train Madgaon–Ernakulam is ~12–14h on Trip.com Trains.

Day 7: Fly to Kochi, Board Your Houseboat

Travel morning to Kochi, then transfer ~1.5–2h to Alleppey to board a private houseboat by midday. Glide past paddy fields, village jetties, and toddy taps; savor a Kuttanad-style lunch onboard (think pearl-spot fish, veg thoran, red rice). Watch golden hour from the upper deck, and fall asleep to waterbirds and crickets.

Kochi Private Tour: Overnight Alleppey Backwaters Houseboat Cruise: private cabin, onboard chef, and the classic Kerala backwaters experience.

Munnar

Munnar rises into cool mountain air where tea gardens curve along the hillsides. The British escaped here in summer; today, trekkers and tea lovers come for mist, cardamom forests, waterfalls, and starry skies. Sunrises at Top Station and long ridge walks are unforgettable.

• Top sights: Tea plantations, Eravikulam National Park (Nilgiri tahr), Top Station, Kundala Lake, Attukad Waterfalls, KDHP Tea Museum (closed Mondays).
• What to eat: Freshly brewed estate tea, Kerala meals with banana leaf, cardamom-laced desserts.

Stay: The Panoramic Getaway (modern rooms, views), Club Mahindra Munnar (family-friendly), and budget-friendly Zostel Munnar. Also browse VRBO Munnar and Hotels.com Munnar.

Getting there from Alleppey/Kochi: Disembark and drive ~4.5–5.5h up the Ghats (hire a car/driver through your hotel). Buses run too, but the road is winding; private transfer is strongly recommended.

Day 8: Alleppey to Munnar, Tea Slopes at Sunset

Morning: Disembark the houseboat and set off for Munnar with chai and photo stops at rubber and spice plantations.

Afternoon: Check in, then head to Lockhart or Sevenmallay estates for your first look at tea gardens. Visit the KDHP Tea Museum if time allows (closed Mondays; last entry typically mid‑afternoon).

Evening: Join a guided tea plantation walk timed for golden light and a lingering sunset.

Munnar Tea Plantation Walk with Sunset View: gentle gradients, superb panoramas, and a primer on tea cultivation.

Dinner: Rapsy Restaurant (Kerala meals and Middle Eastern staples, beloved by trekkers) or Hotel Saravana Bhavan (local outpost; hearty vegetarian thali and dosa).

Day 9: Peaks, Trails, and Waterfalls

Morning: If Eravikulam National Park is open (it sometimes closes Jan–Mar for tahr calving), visit early for misty vistas and to spot the endemic Nilgiri tahr. Alternate: sunrise run to Top Station.

Afternoon: Trek a full day along ridges and through tea, grassland, and shola forest with a local guide. Pack layers and rain shell; weather shifts quickly.

Full day in hiking in Munnar (By Munnar Info): a rewarding off-road circuit with sweeping lookouts.

Evening: Hot chai and banana fritters back in town. Dinner at Hotel Guru’s or SN Restaurant for Kerala fish curry with appam; end with cardamom tea.

Day 10: Down to Kochi and Fly Out

Morning: Drive 4–5h to Kochi. If time permits, a brisk walk in Fort Kochi: Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis Church, and Mattancherry’s spice-fragrant lanes. Brunch at Kashi Art Café (great coffee, salads) or Fort House Restaurant (waterside Kerala plates).

Afternoon: Transfer to Cochin International Airport (COK) for departure. For flights use Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. If you have a few more hours next time, consider a guided Fort Kochi heritage amble:

Kochi Tour Guide – A Heritage walking tour in Fort Kochi and Mattancherry.

Intercity transport at a glance

• Sangli → Goa: Train 5.5–7h via Miraj–Madgaon on Trip.com Trains (~₹300–1,000 / $4–12). Car ~6–7h.
• Goa → Kochi: Flight 1.5h on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com (₹4,500–9,000 / $55–110). Overnight train 12–14h.
• Kochi → Alleppey: 1.5–2h by road (houseboat pickup can be arranged).
• Alleppey → Munnar: 4.5–5.5h by road (hire car/driver).
• Munnar → Kochi Airport: 4–5h by road; plan buffer for mountain traffic.

In 10 days, you’ll have touched three moods of India: the river-temple hush of Sangli, Goa’s colorful coastal culture, and Kerala’s water-and-mountain magic. Keep this guide handy—you’ll find yourself returning to its trails, taverns, and tea paths long after the trip ends.