Kerala, India’s “God’s Own Country,” has lured travelers for centuries with its Malabar spice ports, serene backwaters, and cool tea hills. Portuguese, Dutch, and British influences left their mark on Kochi’s architecture and cuisine, while village life unfolds quietly along canal-side rice fields and coconut groves. For families, the mix of gentle boat rides, wildlife spotting, and short walks is easy, engaging, and refreshingly unhurried.

This one-week Kerala travel itinerary focuses on two hubs—Kochi (Cochin) and Munnar—to keep logistics simple and kid-friendly, with a day cruise on the Alleppey backwaters for classic Kerala boating and photography. Expect balanced days, scenic drives, and plenty of flavorful meals: appam and stew, Syrian Christian seafood, and banana-leaf thalis. October–March is the most comfortable window; June–September brings lush monsoon greens but occasional rain delays for boats and parks.

Arrive via Cochin International Airport (COK). For flights, compare routes on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com Flights. If you’re coming overland within India, check intercity rail into Ernakulam (Kochi’s railhead) on Trip.com Trains. A taxi/ride-hail from COK to Fort Kochi takes 1–1.5 hours (about $15–25), and autos/ferries make local hops fun and affordable.

Kochi (Cochin)

Kochi is Kerala’s historic port city where spice traders and sailors once exchanged pepper for silver. In Fort Kochi, timbered bungalows meet Indo-Portuguese churches, and the famous Chinese fishing nets silhouette against flaming sunsets—photography heaven. Across the channel in Mattancherry, you’ll find the Paradesi Synagogue, the Dutch Palace, and lanes perfumed by cardamom and clove.

• Top sights: Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica, Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace), Paradesi Synagogue, Princess Street, local markets.
• Family-friendly flavors: appam with stew, prawn pollichathu, Kerala parotta with veg curries—mildly spiced options abound for kids.
• Stay central in Fort Kochi to explore on foot; autos and ferries add a dash of adventure for little travelers.

Where to stay (mid-range, family-friendly): Browse apartments and boutique stays on VRBO Kochi or compare hotels with family rooms on Hotels.com Kochi. In Fort Kochi, look for heritage homes with courtyards, on-site breakfast, and easy access to Princess Street.

Getting in: Fly into COK via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com Flights (1–1.5 hrs from BLR/MAA/BOM, ~$35–90 one-way). Trains arrive at Ernakulam Jn. or Town—see options on Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Arrive and Sunset Fort Kochi

Afternoon: Land in Kochi and settle into Fort Kochi. Stretch your legs along the seaside promenade to the Chinese fishing nets, operated by counterweights since the 15th century. Kids love watching the seesaw-like rigs; photographers get silhouettes at golden hour.

Evening: Dinner near the water: try Fusion Bay (family-run; Syrian Christian seafood—prawn mango curry, fish pollichathu), Oceanos (grilled seer fish, lemon butter squid), or Fort House Restaurant (open-air jetty tables, gentle sea breeze). For dessert and artful ambience earlier, pop into Kashi Art Café for cold coffee and chocolate cake.

Day 2: Old Kochi by Tuk-Tuk, Mattancherry Heritage, Kathakali

Morning: Hop in a three-wheeler for a fun, door-to-door circuit with a local guide on the Adventure Tuk Tuk Tour in Kochi (great for families; expect markets, spice lanes, and hidden chapels).

Start the day at Qissa Café (shakshuka, pancakes), then let your guide weave through Fort Kochi’s backstreets to St. Francis Church and Santa Cruz Basilica.

Afternoon: Cross to Mattancherry for the Paradesi Synagogue (hand-painted tiles, chandeliers) and Mattancherry Palace (murals of the Ramayana). Refuel at the iconic Kayees Rahmathulla Café (light, fragrant mutton or chicken biryani served early—go by 2 pm) or try veg thalis at Rasoi on Bazaar Road.

Evening: Introduce the family to a classical dance-drama at a Kathakali performance (arrive early to watch the elaborate makeup ritual; seats are limited). Dinner at Malabar Junction (courtyard setting; appam with stew, avial) or head to Alibaba & 41 Dishes in Ernakulam for Malabar-style grills if the kids crave hearty portions.

Day 3: Alleppey Houseboat Day Cruise (Boating & Photography Focus)

Spend the day on Kerala’s famed backwaters—slow, scenic, and endlessly photogenic. The Kochi Private Tour: Kerala Backwater Houseboat Day Cruise in Alleppey includes round-trip transfers from Fort Kochi and a 6–7 hour glide past village life, toddy shops, and emerald paddy fields. A fresh Keralan lunch is typically cooked on board—expect rice, vegetables, fish fry (veg options too).

Return by early evening; grab dinner back in Fort Kochi at Fort House Restaurant or the cozy Mary’s Kitchen (home-style Kerala meals).

Alternative for quieter canals: Opt for a non-mechanized canoe experience on the Cochin: Backwater Village Eco Boat Cruise with Lunch (gentle, eco-friendly punting boat ideal for close-up village photos).

Munnar

Four hours up the Western Ghats, Munnar’s rolling tea plantations and cool air invite slow mornings and picture-perfect viewpoints. This is prime territory for short family walks, plantation visits, and wildlife spotting—from Nilgiri tahr at Eravikulam National Park to bulbuls and sunbirds among the silver oaks.

• Top sights: Eravikulam National Park, Tea Museum, Tea gardens/Photo Point, Attukad Waterfalls, Top Station (grand vistas), Lockhart Gap.
• Great for kids: easy tea-estate trails, factory demos showing leaf-to-cup, picnic spots by streams.
• Weather tip: Evenings get cool; carry a light jacket. Roads are winding—pack snacks and motion-sickness remedies if needed.

Where to stay (scenic, mid-budget): Search cottages and family stays on VRBO Munnar or compare hotels with views on Hotels.com Munnar. Look for rooms opening onto tea slopes, on-site restaurants, and easy parking.

Getting from Kochi to Munnar: Depart Kochi by 8:00 am. It’s ~125 km, 4–5 hours by private car (about $55–75 one-way for an AC sedan) or 5–6 hours by KSRTC bus from Vyttila (approx. $3–6). Roads are hilly but scenic; tea estates begin near Adimali.

Day 4: Transfer to the Tea Hills, Museum & Golden Hour

Morning: Drive Kochi → Munnar. Stop for chai and banana fritters at a highway café near Neriamangalam Bridge—the Periyar River views are superb for photos.

Afternoon: Check in, then visit the Tea Museum (TATA Tea; typically 9:00 am–4:00 pm, closed Mondays; timing may vary during holidays—confirm locally). Exhibits trace Munnar’s plantation history; the demo shows how tender leaves become your morning brew.

Evening: Catch warm light at Photo Point and Lockhart Gap Viewpoint. Dinner at Rapsy Restaurant (kebabs, parottas, and Mexican/Indian fare that kids like) or a classic Kerala meal at Hotel Gurubhavan (try fish curry or veg thali).

Day 5: Eravikulam National Park & Tea Trail Walk

Morning: Head early to Eravikulam National Park (Rajamalai). Park buses shuttle guests uphill for sweeping views and chances to spot the endangered Nilgiri tahr. Tip: Tickets are limited; buy in advance at the park’s official counters/portal, and note the park can close seasonally during tahr calving (typically around Feb–Mar).

Afternoon: Dive deeper into tea country on the Munnar Tea Trail Tour with Factory Experience—a gentle plantation walk with demonstrations and interaction with tea pluckers; photographers will love the layered greens.

Lunch beforehand at Saravana Bhavan (Munnar) for kid-pleasing dosas and ghee roast.

Evening: Stroll Munnar Market for local chocolates and spiced cashews. Dine at Tea County (KTDC) Restaurant—order pepper chicken, veg stew, and hot chapatis with a pot of estate-fresh tea.

Day 6: Wild Elephant Village, Waterfalls & Stargazing

Morning: Take a family-friendly jeep excursion to the forest-ringed village of Anakulam on the Anakulam Wild Elephant Village Life Tour. With luck, you may observe wild elephants gathering near the river (from a safe distance, guided by locals).

Pack a few snacks and water; wear closed shoes and a light jacket.

Afternoon: On the way back, stop at Attukad Waterfalls for short paths and misty photos, or continue to Top Station if skies are clear (plan extra time; the views over the Western Ghats are extraordinary). Late lunch at Rapsy or grab hot pakoras and tea at a roadside stall.

Evening: Enjoy a relaxed dinner at Hotel Gurubhavan (veg/non-veg Kerala meals). If your stay offers a campfire, it’s a cozy way to end the hill-station chapter while the kids toast marshmallows.

Day 7: Return to Kochi & Departure

Morning: Drive Munnar → Kochi (4–5 hours). If your flight is later in the afternoon, aim to reach the city by lunch.

Afternoon (Departure): Final tastes at Dhe Puttu (innovative layered rice-cake “puttu” with veg or chicken fillings—kids love the presentation) or classic Kerala biryani at Kayees Rahmathulla Café. Coffee and cake at French Toast (MG Road) before heading to COK. Check fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com Flights.

Budget notes (50/100 mid-range): Expect $40–90 per room-night in Fort Kochi and Munnar for comfortable family properties. Houseboat day tours typically run $35–70+ per person depending on inclusions. Private car transfers between cities are ~$55–75 each way; autos in town are $1–3 per hop.

Family & photography tips: Bring a light rain jacket (even in the dry season, hill showers happen), sun protection, and a telephoto lens for wildlife. In temples and the synagogue, dress modestly; remove shoes where required. Boats may adjust routes during the monsoon—your guide will advise the safest canals on the day.

In one easy week, you’ll collect Kerala’s greatest hits: fort-town history and Kathakali, a languid Alleppey houseboat cruise, and mist-laced tea gardens in Munnar. The pace is balanced for families, with plenty of time for photos, boat rides, and flavorful meals you’ll talk about long after you’re home.