Kerala, nicknamed “God’s Own Country,” has lured travelers for centuries with monsoon-green hills, a maze of palm-lined backwaters, and a coastline shaped by spice trade. Arab, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, and British influences meet here—in architecture, cuisine, and the rhythms of port life in Kochi.

Beyond the sea breeze, the Western Ghats rise in velvety folds. Munnar’s tea plantations stitch endless patterns across slopes where cool mist mingles with cardamom. Wildlife sanctuaries shelter the sure-footed Nilgiri tahr, while villages still tap toddy and slow-cook seafood in clay pots.

Practical notes: The best weather is December–March; June–September brings soulful monsoon rains. Dress modestly for temples and remove shoes when required. Food is a highlight—think appam with stew, karimeen (pearl spot) roasted in banana leaf, Kerala prawn roast, and beef fry with flaky parotta. Cashless payments are widely accepted, but keep some small notes for local stalls.

Kochi

Salt on the air, Chinese fishing nets creaking at sunset, and lanes lined with cafes and antique shops—that’s Fort Kochi. Across the harbor, modern Ernakulam hums with markets and stellar restaurants. Together, they make a perfect base for history, food, and backwater day trips.

• Top sights: Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica, Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace), Paradesi Synagogue, Jew Town spice and antique lanes.
• Why visit: It’s Kerala’s cultural crossroad—walkable, atmospheric, and rich in performing arts like Kathakali and Kalaripayattu.
• Food focus: Fresh-caught seafood, Malabar biryani, and cafe culture (great coffee and cold-brew in Fort Kochi).

Stay here: Sleep in a heritage hotel in Fort Kochi or a waterfront room in Ernakulam. Browse options on VRBO Kochi or compare hotels on Hotels.com Kochi. Neighborhoods: Fort Kochi (boutique, walkable), Jew Town/Mattancherry (antique vibes), Marine Drive/Ernakulam (city views, easy airport access).

Getting in: Fly to Kochi (COK). Search fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Airport to Fort Kochi: ~1 hr 15 min by taxi (≈$15–20) or a combo of airport bus + ferry.

Munnar

Munnar is Kerala’s highland postcard: scalloped tea hills, cloud-swept viewpoints, and cool breeze. It was the British Raj’s summer escape; today it’s for sunrise chasers, tea sippers, and hikers.

• Top sights: KDHP Tea Museum, Eravikulam National Park (Nilgiri tahr), Top Station, Lockhart Gap, Attukad Falls, Kolukkumalai sunrise jeeps, spice gardens.
• Why visit: It balances gentle scenic drives with active options—treks, tea factory visits, and village routes where cardamom scents the air.
• Good to know: Eravikulam may close seasonally (often Feb–Mar) for tahr calving; check the status locally.

Stay here: Pick a hillside resort near Chithirapuram/Anaachal for views, or stay in Old Munnar for easy access to eateries. Explore VRBO Munnar or Hotels.com Munnar. Look for tea-estate stays for sunrise views.

Getting there: From Kochi to Munnar is ~4–4.5 hours by private car (≈$50–75). Buses take ~5–6 hours. For regional trains elsewhere in India, compare on Trip.com Trains (note: Munnar has no rail station).

Day 1: Arrive in Kochi, Fort Kochi Heritage & Kathakali

Afternoon: Land in Kochi and settle into Fort Kochi. Kick off with cold brew at Kashi Art Cafe (art-lined courtyard; try the chocolate cake) or Pepper House Cafe (warehouse-chic, film buffs’ hangout). Then explore with a guide to bring layers of history alive:

Kochi Tour Guide - A Heritage walking tour in Fort Kochi and Mattancherry

Highlights include the Chinese fishing nets at Vasco da Gama Square, St. Francis Church (da Gama’s first burial site), Santa Cruz Basilica, Mattancherry Palace’s murals, and the 16th-century Paradesi Synagogue with Belgian glass chandeliers.

Evening: Experience a classical dance-drama where expressive eyes and hand mudras tell epic stories:

Kathakali Classical Dance Performance

Arrive early to watch the mesmerizing makeup ritual. Dinner afterward: Oceanos (pepper crab, prawns pollichathu), Fusion Bay (Kerala prawn roast, appam), or Seagull (waterfront lager and karimeen fry under the breeze).

Day 2: Kochi to Munnar (4–4.5 hrs) + Tea Museum & Waterfalls

Morning: Depart Kochi after an early breakfast—try Kayees Rahmathulla Hotel (light, fragrant mutton biryani even in the morning) or a quick coffee at Qissa Cafe. Drive to Munnar, pausing at Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls and a spice garden en route to smell cardamom, clove, and nutmeg right off the plant.

Afternoon: Check in and head to the KDHP Tea Museum to trace the tea story from colonial-era machinery to tasting counters. If time remains, swing by Attukad Waterfalls for a breezy viewpoint and short walk.

Evening: Dinner ideas in Munnar town: Rapsy (budget-friendly Kerala/Arabian; beef fry + parotta is a classic), Saravana Bhavan (pure veg thali, crisp dosas), or Sound of Music at The Silver Tips (film-themed setting with robust Kerala curries). Sip masala chai at Tea Tales Cafe before turning in.

Day 3: Munnar Peaks, Wildlife, and Village Life

Morning: Beat the crowds to Eravikulam National Park for views of Anamudi and a chance to spot the endemic Nilgiri tahr. If the park is in its seasonal closure, substitute with the Top Station drive via Photo Point and Lockhart Gap for cinematic vistas.

Afternoon: Go off the usual track to a village famed for elephant sightings by river bends:

Anakulam Wild Elephant Village life tour

Expect a scenic jeep ride via Lekshmi hills, village stops, and the chance (never guaranteed) to witness wild elephants at natural watering spots. Pack a rain shell; weather turns fast in the Ghats.

Evening: Tea tasting back at your resort—look for orthodox, CTC, and spice-blended teas. Dinner at S.N. Restaurant for homestyle fish curry meals or at a hillside resort restaurant like The Fog Munnar (panoramic night views).

Day 4: Munnar to Kochi (morning drive) + Kerala Backwater Eco Cruise

Morning: Depart Munnar around 7:00 a.m.; reach Kochi late morning (≈4–4.5 hrs). If you’re early, snack on banana fritters and chai at a local bakery in Aluva.

Afternoon & Evening (Single activity): Trade hills for canals on a slow, non-motorized country-boat group tour through village backwaters—watch coir-making, paddy fields, and life unfold at water level. Vegetarian lunch included.

Half Day Village Backwater Eco Country Boat Cruise: Group Tour from Fort Cochin

Prefer to DIY? Trains from Ernakulam Jn. to Alappuzha take ~1–1.5 hrs and cost roughly $1–3—check schedules on Trip.com Trains. Dinner back in Kochi: The Rice Boat (Vivanta) for coastal classics, Paragon (Malabar favorites; try chicken kondattam and pathiri), or Dhe Puttu (creative puttu stacks with beef roast or veg stews).

Day 5: Kochi Markets, Last Sips, and Departure

Morning: Start with dosa at Pai Dosa on T.D. Road (endless varieties) or a light breakfast at Loafers Corner Bistro. Browse Jew Town’s spice shops (look for fresh pepper, cinnamon quills, and tea), peek into the Indo-Portuguese Museum, and swing by Dhobi Khana to see traditional laundry in action.

Short on time but want one last spin? A breezy tuk-tuk loop is ideal for craft emporiums and street art:

Adventure Tuk Tuk Tour in Kochi – Private Guided Tour

Afternoon: Depart for the airport (plan ~1–1.5 hrs). If you’ve time for an early lunch, try Fort House Restaurant (waterside, delicate fish moilee) or Kayees for a farewell biryani.

Where to Stay (Quick Picks)

Kochi: For history-soaked charm, look around Fort Kochi (boutique heritage stays). For city conveniences and mall access, pick Marine Drive/Ernakulam. Compare availability on VRBO Kochi and Hotels.com Kochi.

Munnar: Tea-view resorts near Chithirapuram/Anaachal feel secluded; Old Munnar is central to eateries and the museum. See VRBO Munnar and Hotels.com Munnar.

Transport Notes & Costs

• Flights: Search international/domestic options to COK on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.
• Kochi ↔ Munnar: Private car 4–4.5 hrs (≈$50–75) each way; KSRTC buses ~5–6 hrs.
• Kochi ↔ Backwaters (Alappuzha/nearby villages): Train ~1–1.5 hrs (≈$1–3) from Ernakulam to Alappuzha via Trip.com Trains, or hire a driver for the day (~$40–60).

Seasonal and Insider Tips: Book Kathakali and park slots in advance during Dec–Feb. Carry a light sweater for Munnar nights. In cafes, ask for “filter coffee” for South Indian-style brews; for spice shopping, whole pepper and cardamom hold up well for travel.

In five days you’ll taste Kerala’s contrasts—from sea-laced Kochi to tea-brushed Munnar and languid canals. You’ll come home with spice-scented bags, a camera full of green, and the quiet cadence of oars on backwater ripples.