10-Day Family-Friendly India Itinerary: Sangli, Goa Beaches, and Munnar Tea Hills (with Chocolate Factory Treats)
India rewards curious families: temple towns and spice markets give way to gold-sand beaches, and mountain tea gardens perfume the air. This 10-day itinerary links Sangli in Maharashtra, the coastal state of Goa, and the emerald hills of Munnar in Kerala. Travel is paced for kids and grandparents alike—with morning moves, restful afternoons, and evenings for easy dining.
History hums everywhere. Goa’s churches and colorful Fontainhas lanes speak of a 451-year Portuguese chapter; Sangli’s riverside Ganapati Temple anchors local life; Munnar’s slopes trace the 19th-century tea boom. Expect fort views, ferry rides, mangrove kayaking, and tea trails where you can talk to pluckers and taste fresh brews.
Practical notes: this route uses one intercity train and one domestic flight. Street food is safe if hot and fresh; carry bottled water, a light scarf for temple visits, and cash for rural stalls. Monsoon (June–Sept) is lush but rainy; Oct–Mar is prime for Goa beaches and Munnar hikes.
Sangli, Maharashtra
Sangli sits on the banks of the Krishna River, known for turmeric, vineyards in the Krishna Valley, and nearby Miraj—famed for handcrafted sitars and tanpuras. It’s a mellow, very local start before you roll west to Goa’s beaches. Families love the mix of temples, light hikes, and sweet shops.
- Top sights: Sangli Ganapati Temple (riverfront rituals), Dandoba Hill Forest Reserve (easy nature trails and views), Sagareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary (deer and peacocks in a serene, temple-dotted park).
- Fun to know: Many classical Indian instruments played on global stages are still shaped in nearby Miraj.
- Food notes: Start the day with misal pav and strong filter coffee; shop for jaggery and snack mixes at busy bazaars.
Where to stay (budget to mid-range): Browse family apartments and hotels on VRBO Sangli and Hotels.com Sangli.
Getting in: Most travelers fly to Pune or Mumbai, then train to Sangli/Miraj. Check flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com; then book Pune/Mumbai–Miraj/Sangli trains (6–10 hours from Mumbai; ~4–5 hours from Pune; ₹300–1,000 depending on class) via Trip.com Trains.
Helpful add-on (data while you travel):
India Data eSIM (0.5GB daily to 20GB for 30 days)
Goa
Goa blends golden beaches with Indo-Portuguese architecture, sleepy islands, and coconut-fringed backwaters. Base in Panjim or near Candolim for easy heritage walks and day trips; dedicate a day to South Goa for quieter sands and sunset dinners.
- Top sights: Fontainhas (Latin Quarter), Old Goa churches, Divar/Chorao islands by ferry, North/South Goa beaches.
- Family-friendly fun: Kayaking through mangroves, heritage walks with stories, thali lunches, and an easy Mandovi dinner cruise.
- Food loves: Goan fish curry rice, bebinca (layered dessert), poi bread, and fresh seafood at classic lunch houses.
Where to stay (handpicked):
- Upscale beachfront: Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa (Benaulim) or The Leela Goa (Cavelossim).
- Mid-range family: Novotel Goa Resort & Spa (Candolim) or Holiday Inn Resort Goa (Mobor).
- Budget/social: The Funky Monkey Hostel (Anjuna) or The Old Quarter Hostel (Panjim).
- Browse more on VRBO Goa or Hotels.com Goa.
Getting from Sangli to Goa: Morning train from Miraj Jn/Sangli to Madgaon Jn (4.5–6 hours; ₹250–900). Search and book via Trip.com Trains. Private car takes ~5–6 hours.
Great family activities (pick your favorites):
Fontainhas Heritage Walk by Make It Happen
The Nature Trail at Chorao Island
Kayaking: Sal Backwaters Mangroves Magic
Paradise Dinner Cruise (Mandovi)
Munnar, Kerala
Munnar is a cool, highland escape stitched with tea gardens, cardamom forests, and roaring monsoon waterfalls. Families can combine gentle tea walks with jeep safaris to look for wild elephants, and cap the day with hot appams and a chocolate tasting.
- Top sights: Tea estates, KDHP (Tea Museum), Top Station viewpoints, Attukad/Valara waterfalls, Anakulam for possible elephant sightings.
- Kid-approved: Tea factory demos, easy ridge hikes, sunrise jeep rides, and the Munnar Chocolate Factory for tastings.
Where to stay: The Panoramic Getaway (modern rooms, heated pool), Club Mahindra Munnar (apartment-style units), and budget/social Zostel Munnar. More options on VRBO Munnar and Hotels.com Munnar.
Getting from Goa to Munnar: Fly Goa (GOI/MOPA) → Kochi (COK) in ~1.5–3 hours (direct or via Bengaluru/Hyderabad), from ₹4,000–10,000 one-way, then private car to Munnar (4–5 hours; ₹3,500–6,000). Compare on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.
Great family activities:
Munnar Tea Trail Tour: Factory Visit & Tea Tasting
Anakulam Wild Life Jeep Safari (Wild Elephant Adventure)
Tea Plantation Walk with Sunset View
Day 1: Arrive Sangli (Afternoon Arrival)
Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs at the Sangli Ganapati Temple by the Krishna River. Watch quiet aarti rituals and let kids feed fish along the ghats.
Evening: Walk the bazaar lanes for fresh chivda and jaggery. Dinner idea: a Maharashtrian thali—ask for pithla-bhakri, solkadhi, and seasonal bhaji. For a simple coffee or hot chocolate before bed, look for a neighborhood café or a Café Coffee Day outlet on the main road.
Day 2: Sangli Outdoors + Kolhapur Taste detour
Morning: Drive to Dandoba Hill Forest Reserve (light hiking paths and views; carry hats and water). If you prefer wildlife, swap for Sagareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary—gentle walking, temple courtyards, and frequent peacock sightings.
Afternoon: Optional 1-hour drive to Kolhapur for food and the famed Mahalakshmi Temple. Lunch at Hotel Opal for a classic Kolhapuri thali (veg/non-veg; mild options available). Return to Sangli by early evening.
Evening: Early night with family games at your stay. Set up your mobile data for the journey ahead: consider the India Data eSIM for easy connectivity.
Day 3: Train to Goa + Beach Time
Morning (Travel): Board an early train Miraj/Sangli → Madgaon (4.5–6 hours; ₹250–900). Book on Trip.com Trains. Taxi 45–75 minutes to your hotel in Candolim/Panjim/Benaulim.
Afternoon: Settle in and hit a gentle beach: Candolim (lifeguards, facilities) or Benaulim (quieter sands). Snack on tender-coconut water and poi-bread sandwiches.
Evening: Panjim dinner at Ritz Classic (beloved fish curry rice and thalis). Post-dinner stroll through River Road—kids love the street ice creams.
Day 4: Old Goa & Fontainhas—Stories and Pastries
Morning: Heritage walking tour through Old Goa’s monumental churches and museum courtyards. Then roll into Fontainhas, the Latin Quarter, for azulejo tiles and pastel houses.
Afternoon (Activity): Join the Fontainhas Heritage Walk by Make It Happen for guided stories and local interactions.
Evening: Dessert crawl: Café Central (bebinca and swiss rolls) and Confeitaria 31 de Janeiro (traditional bakes). Coffee at Blue Tokai (Panjim) for pour-overs and hot chocolate for kids. Casual Goan dinner at Viva Panjim (recheado, cafreal; ask for less spice if needed).
Day 5: Chorao Island Nature + Mandovi Dinner Cruise
Morning (Activity): Ferry to Chorao Island for birds, mangroves, and paddy fields. Book The Nature Trail at Chorao Island—gentle, very family friendly.
Afternoon: Lunch at Vinayak Family Restaurant (Assagao) for excellent fish thali; or Pousada by the Beach (Calangute) for a sea-breeze meal. Beach siesta afterwards.
Evening (Activity): Board the Paradise Dinner Cruise on the Mandovi—music, Goan dance snippets, and sunset views keep kids engaged.
Day 6: Kayak the Mangroves + South Goa Sands
Morning (Activity): Glide through mirror-calm creeks on the Sal Backwaters Mangroves Magic Kayak—gentle currents, lifejackets provided.
Afternoon: South Goa beach hop: Betalbatim and Cavelossim are wide, clean, and calm. Lunch at Martin’s Corner (Betalbatim)—butter-garlic prawns, sorpotel, veg specials.
Evening: Quiet dinner at The Fisherman’s Wharf (Cavelossim)—riverside tables, live music on some nights, and plenty of kid-friendly mains.
Day 7: Fly to Kochi + Drive to Munnar
Morning (Travel): Flight Goa → Kochi (1.5–3 hours; from ₹4,000). Compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Prebook a private transfer to Munnar (4–5 hours).
Afternoon: Check in, sip your first highland chai, and stroll Blossom Park by the river for fresh, cool air.
Evening: Dinner at Rapsy Restaurant (Munnar town) for Kerala, Arabic, and kid-friendly options; or a veg feast of dosas and ghee roast at Saravana Bhavan.
Day 8: Tea Museum, Tea Trail & Munnar Chocolate Factory
Morning: Visit the KDHP Tea Museum to see antique rollers, a short film on Munnar’s tea history, and a tasting. Continue with a gentle plantation walk among tea bushes.
Afternoon (Activity): Dive deeper with the Munnar Tea Trail Tour: Factory Visit & Tasting—kids enjoy watching withering, rolling, and the aroma room.
Evening (Sweet stop): Pop into the Munnar Chocolate Factory (local “homemade chocolate” makers host tastings and show tempering/molding). Choose spice-laced bars (cardamom, chili) to take home. Dinner back in town—try Kerala meals at Hotel Gurubhavan.
Day 9: Sunrise at Top Station + Anakulam Jeep Safari + Sunset Tea Walk
Pre-dawn (Activity): Bundle up for the Top Station Sunrise Tour—cloud inversions and sweeping ridges are worth the early start.
Late Morning–Afternoon (Activity): After breakfast, head out on the Anakulam Wild Life Jeep Safari—scenic villages, river bends, and a chance (never guaranteed) to spot wild elephants.
Evening (Activity): Unwind with the Tea Plantation Walk with Sunset View—glowing hills and photo-perfect rows.
Day 10: Easy Morning + Departure (Afternoon)
Morning: Coffee and cardamom rolls at a town bakery, then last-minute shopping for tea, spices, and chocolate. Little ones can run off steam at the park or your hotel lawn.
Afternoon (Travel): Private car to Kochi Airport (4–5 hours). Fly onward via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. If you have a late flight, consider a short Kochi stop for a waterfront lunch.
Family Food & Coffee Highlights (Quick Picks)
- Sangli/around: Misal pav breakfast near the temple; Kolhapur lunch at Hotel Opal (classic thali).
- Goa: Breakfast at Café Central (Panjim); sweets at Confeitaria 31 de Janeiro; lunch thali at Ritz Classic; seafood dinners at Martin’s Corner (Betalbatim) or The Fisherman’s Wharf (Cavelossim); specialty coffee at Blue Tokai (Panjim).
- Munnar: Dosa breakfast at Saravana Bhavan; Kerala meals at Hotel Gurubhavan; multi-cuisine at Rapsy Restaurant; tea tastings on estate tours; chocolate treats at the Munnar Chocolate Factory.
Budget notes (50/100): Use trains where practical (Sangli→Goa), choose mid-range hotels with breakfast included, and book a couple of standout guided experiences (one in Goa, two in Munnar). Local eateries and thali houses keep costs friendly, without skimping on flavor.
In just 10 days, you’ll trace India’s west-to-south arc—temple towns and trains, island ferries and river cruises, tea hills and sunrise ridges. It’s paced for families, with plenty of time to taste, wander, and simply watch the landscapes change outside your window.