South India has a way of slowing the heartbeat—in the best possible sense. Kerala’s backwaters and tea-clad mountains blend easily with Tamil Nadu’s grand Dravidian temples and breezy beaches. This 10-day romantic itinerary is designed for a mid-range budget, mixing unhurried days, scenic travel, and a few can’t-miss cultural experiences.

Kerala—nicknamed “God’s Own Country”—made its name on spice routes, Portuguese and Dutch forts, and serene canals that still lace Alleppey. Tamil Nadu, one of India’s oldest cultural heartlands, holds millennia of temple art and coastal towns like Mahabalipuram, where rock-cut shrines meet the Bay of Bengal.

Expect coconut-rich Kerala cuisine, filter coffee mornings in Chennai, and gentle pacing to rest: Ayurvedic massages, garden cafés, and easy sunset strolls. Monsoon note: Kerala’s heaviest rains are June–September; Tamil Nadu’s northeast monsoon peaks October–November—pack light rain gear and quick-dry layers.

Kochi (Cochin), Kerala

Gateway to Kerala, Kochi is a tapestry of spice markets, synagogue lanes, and the famed Chinese fishing nets. Fort Kochi’s colonial streets—Portuguese, Dutch, and British—make an atmospheric start to a romantic trip.

Top sights include St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica, Mattancherry Palace, and Jew Town’s antique shops. Evenings glow along the waterfront; consider a Kathakali performance to dive into Kerala’s stylized dance-drama.

Where to stay: Browse mid-range boutique stays and apartments via VRBO Kochi and hotel options on Hotels.com Kochi. Look for stays in Fort Kochi or along the harbor for easy strolls.

Getting in: Fly into Kochi (COK). Compare fares on Kiwi.com and Trip.com Flights. Local trains are handy for day trips: check Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Arrive in Kochi (Fort Kochi sunsets)

Afternoon: Arrive and settle into Fort Kochi. Stretch your legs with a gentle walk past the Chinese fishing nets and seaside promenade. Coffee and cake at Kashi Art Café or Qissa Café—airy, artsy spots perfect for jet lag.

Evening: See a traditional dance-drama at a local theatre.

Book: Kathakali Classical Dance Performance—watch expressive storytelling, elaborate makeup, and live percussion. Dinner after at Fusion Bay (Kerala seafood, try prawn mango curry) or Malabar Junction (courtyard dining, refined regional plates).

Day 2: Romantic Alleppey Houseboat (Overnight)

Board a private houseboat late morning for a slow cruise along Alleppey’s palm-lined canals. Lunch on board (veg and fish thali), afternoon village views, and a pink-and-gold backwater sunset. This is a full-day/overnight experience—relax, read, and listen to the water lap the hull.

Book: Private Overnight Alleppey Houseboat Cruise for a classic Kerala honeymoon-style escape. Expect 1.5–2 hours by car from Fort Kochi to Alleppey.

Day 3: Back to Kochi—Spa and Spice Lanes

Morning: Disembark post-breakfast; return to Fort Kochi. Brunch at Farmer’s Café (healthy Kerala plates) or Loafers Corner (light bites, balcony seats).

Afternoon: Rest with a 60–90 minute Ayurvedic massage—Abhyanga (warm oil) is restorative after travel. Wander Mattancherry: Mattancherry Palace murals and the Paradesi Synagogue’s blue-and-white tiles.

Evening: Sunset again by the nets. Dinner at Fort House Restaurant over the water; try karimeen pollichathu (pearl spot fish, banana leaf). Nightcap at a boutique hotel bar.

Day 4: Kochi Heritage and Backwater Glimpses

Morning: Explore with a local guide to unlock stories and hidden corners.

Book: Fort Kochi & Mattancherry Heritage Walk—great context for the syncretic history of Kochi.

Afternoon: If you’d prefer a shorter canal taste (after the houseboat), opt for a non-motorized eco-cruise:

Book: Half-Day Village Backwater Eco Cruise—peaceful, slow, and budget-friendly.

Evening: Dinner at Ginger House (antiques-filled setting, waterside). Early night—tomorrow you head to the hills.

Munnar, Kerala

Munnar is South India’s tea country postcard: terraced hills, curvy mist roads, and cool nights. It’s ideal for couples—sunrise viewpoints, tea tastings, and slow drives make it a natural reset.

Visit the Tea Museum, Mattupetty Dam for boating, and Top Station for sweeping valley views. Note: Eravikulam National Park may close seasonally (often Feb–Mar) for Nilgiri tahr calving; check locally—alternatives include Lockhart Gap and Kolukkumalai viewpoints.

Where to stay: Look for hillside rooms with balconies via VRBO Munnar or browse hotels on Hotels.com Munnar.

Day 5: Travel to Munnar + Tea Trails

Morning: Private car from Kochi to Munnar (4–5 hours via NH85). Expect INR 3,500–5,000 (~$45–60) for a comfortable sedan with luggage. Scenic stops en route at Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls.

Afternoon: Check in and rest. Later, visit the KDHP Tea Museum for a short factory demo and tasting; pick up malty black tea for souvenirs.

Evening: Dinner at Rapsy Restaurant (local favorites, budget-friendly) or a resort restaurant with valley views. Early sleep or stargaze—nights are crisp.

Day 6: Viewpoints, Lakes, and Leisure

Morning: Drive to Photo Point and Top Station (or Lockhart Gap if Eravikulam is closed). Bring light layers; mornings can be cool and foggy.

Afternoon: Boat ride on Mattupetty Dam or a gentle walk amid tea fields (ask your hotel for permitted paths). Break for a lingered lunch at Saravana Bhavan (veg thali, dosa, filter coffee).

Evening: Rest back at your stay—foot soak, tea on the balcony, and a quiet dinner. This is your “do-nothing” night.

Day 7: Wild Elephant Village & Waterfalls (Full-Day Tour)

Head off-road into a forest-ringed village where elephants are known to frequent riverbanks; the journey itself sweeps you across mountain roads and rural hamlets.

Book: Anakulam Wild Elephant Village Life Tour—a day-long jeep excursion with high odds of wildlife viewing, plus village life snapshots. Return for a simple dinner and deep sleep.

Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Chennai is the “Gateway to South India”—a city of temple gopurams, colonial buildings, and a coastline anchored by Marina Beach and chic ECR (East Coast Road) hangouts. It’s lively yet surprisingly soulful at dawn.

Explore the Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore, San Thome Cathedral, and the Government Museum’s bronzes. Mahabalipuram’s UNESCO-listed shore temples lie just an hour south—perfect for a day trip and beach time.

Where to stay: For breezy evenings and cafés, consider Besant Nagar/Adyar or the ECR. Browse VRBO Chennai or compare hotels on Hotels.com Chennai.

Day 8: Munnar to Chennai (Fly) + Beach Sunset

Morning: Drive from Munnar to Kochi Airport (COK), ~4 hours. Fly COK→MAA (Chennai), ~1 hr 20 min; fares often $40–90 one-way. Search Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Budget alternative: overnight train Ernakulam→Chennai (11–13 hours; AC berths), see Trip.com Trains.

Afternoon: Check in and rest. Late snack at Amethyst’s garden café (cakes, salads) or Writer’s Café (books and bakes).

Evening: Sunset stroll at Elliot’s Beach (Besant Nagar). Dinner nearby: Murugan Idli Shop (soft idlis with a quartet of chutneys) or The Marina (seafood focused, try seer fish)—both easy on the wallet.

Day 9: Mahabalipuram Temples & ECR Coast (Full-Day Tour)

Carve out the day for rock-cut marvels: Arjuna’s Penance, Pancha Rathas, and the shore temple looking out to sea. Combine culture with beach breaks and a seafood lunch.

Book: Mahabalipuram Day Tour from Chennai (with Lunch)—a relaxed, all-inclusive option. If you’d like a romantic seaside dinner afterward, head to Bay View at Fisherman’s Cove (ECR) for candlelit tables above the surf.

Day 10: Temple Mornings and Departure

Morning: Gentle start with South Indian breakfast—fluffy dosa, sambar, and filter coffee at Ratna Café or Mami Tiffin. If time allows (2–3 hours), explore Mylapore’s lanes and Kapaleeshwarar Temple with a guide.

Optional: Private Peacock Trail Walking Tour—myths, iconography, and local rituals come alive. Check out by late morning and transfer to the airport for your afternoon flight via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Eating & Coffee Shortlist (by city)

• Kochi: Kashi Art Café (creative plates), Qissa Café (breakfast and brews), Fusion Bay (Kerala seafood), Malabar Junction (romantic courtyard), Fort House (overwater setting).
• Munnar: Rapsy (hearty, traveler favorite), Saravana Bhavan (veg classics), tea tastings at resort lounges in the evening.
• Chennai/ECR: Ratna Café (legendary sambar), Murugan Idli Shop (idli-dosa), The Marina (seafood), Amethyst/Writer’s Café (coffee and cakes), Bay View at Fisherman’s Cove (date-night by the sea).

How You’ll Move Between Cities

• Kochi → Alleppey: 1.5–2 hours by car each way. Houseboat packages include meals. Consider the Overnight Houseboat Cruise.
• Kochi → Munnar: 4–5 hours by road. Arrange a private car through your hotel for comfort and scenic stops.
• Munnar → Kochi Airport → Chennai: 4-hour drive + 1h20m flight. Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Trains (Ernakulam–Chennai) take 11–13 hours—see Trip.com Trains.

Rest-First Touches You’ll Appreciate

• Two “light” days (3 and 6) for spa time, balcony tea, and slow meals.
• Most transfers start in the morning to keep afternoons free for rest.
• Romantic moments baked in: backwater sunset, tea estate viewpoints, and an oceanfront dinner.

Optional/Alternative Viator Picks (if you want more)

• Kochi:

  

  Best of Kochi private tour
• Chennai:

  

  Mahabalipuram private tour or

  

  South Indian vegetarian cooking class

Summary: Over 10 days you’ll drift along Alleppey’s canals, wake to green waves of tea in Munnar, and end in Chennai with temples and sea breezes. It’s a deliberately gentle, romantic route—rich on sights, light on rush—so you return home rested and full of South India’s flavors and stories.