Kerala—nicknamed “God’s Own Country”—is where the Western Ghats tumble into coconut groves and slow-moving canals. The state’s story stretches from ancient spice routes to Portuguese and Dutch forts, Syrian Christian churches, and Jewish heritage, which all meet the heady aromas of pepper, cardamom, and fresh seafood.

Your week focuses on three Kerala essentials: Kochi’s history-rich waterfront, Munnar’s emerald tea plantations, and the Alleppey backwaters on a private houseboat. Expect cool mountain air, village rhythms on narrow canals, and markets perfumed with cinnamon and clove.

Practical notes: October–March is prime time; June–September brings the dramatic monsoon. Dress modestly at religious sites, carry cash for smaller eateries, and try Kerala staples like appam with stew, karimeen (pearl spot) fish, Malabar biryani, and a vegetarian sadhya meal served on banana leaf.

Kochi (Cochin)

Kochi is Kerala’s historic gateway—a harbor city where Chinese fishing nets silhouette the sunset, and lanes weave past Portuguese-era churches, synagogues, and colonial bungalows turned boutique cafés. It’s atmospheric, walkable, and deliciously food-centric.

• Top sights: Fort Kochi promenade, Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica, Mattancherry Palace, Pardesi Synagogue, and the lively spice warehouses.
• Why visit: A crash course in Kerala’s layered past plus the state’s best cafes, seafood, and arts scene (including the classical dance-drama of Kathakali).

Where to stay: Browse stays on VRBO Kochi or Hotels.com Kochi—aim for Fort Kochi to be near the sights.

Getting in: Fly into Kochi (COK). Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. A prepaid airport taxi to Fort Kochi runs ~1–1.5 hours, ~$15–25.

Munnar

Munnar is Kerala’s cool mountain retreat. Rolling tea carpets, cloud-draped ridgelines, and rare wildlife like the Nilgiri tahr make it a standout. Sunrises here glow over a quilt of plantations.

• Top sights: Tea Museum, Pothamedu and Top Station viewpoints, Mattupetty Dam, Kolukkumalai jeep sunrise, and Eravikulam National Park (seasonal closures can occur; check ahead).
• Why visit: For scenic drives, tea-history, and spice-scented air—plus hearty South Indian vegetarian meals after day hikes.

Where to stay: Search mountainous stays on VRBO Munnar or Hotels.com Munnar. Look for valley-view rooms.

How to get there: From Kochi, it’s a 4–5 hour mountain drive (130 km). A private car with driver costs ~$50–80 for a sedan; depart early to beat traffic.

Alleppey (Alappuzha)

Alleppey is the heart of the famed Kerala backwaters. Here, village life plays out on mirror-still canals fringed by rice paddies and toddy palms—all best seen from a houseboat or a quiet country canoe.

• Top experiences: Overnight houseboat cruise, village punting on narrow canals, sunset at Alappuzha Beach, and seafood feasts featuring karimeen (pearl spot) fish.
• Why visit: To slow down—watch kingfishers flash, hear temple bells, and wake up to oars tapping the water at dawn.

Where to stay: Consider a night or two ashore before or after your boat via VRBO Alleppey or Hotels.com Alleppey.

How to get there: Munnar to Alleppey is ~5–6 hours by road. Alleppey to Kochi is ~1.5–2 hours by car, or ~1–1.5 hours by train (~$1–3; check schedules on Trip.com trains).

Day 1: Arrive in Kochi (Fort Kochi sunset and seafood)

Afternoon: Land at COK and transfer to Fort Kochi. Shake off jet lag with a cold brew at Qissa Café or Kashi Art Café, both beloved for art-filled interiors and light bites.

Evening: Stroll the waterfront to watch the Chinese fishing nets at sunset—fishermen still operate these 15th-century contraptions. Dinner at Fusion Bay (home-style Syrian Christian seafood—try the coconutty prawn curry) or Oceanos (excellent karimeen pollichathu, fish baked in banana leaf).

Night: Grab a nightcap and sea breeze at Seagull Restaurant & Beer Garden, where waves lap the deck and boats drift by.

Day 2: Kochi to Munnar—tea country begins

Morning: Depart ~7:30 a.m. by private car to Munnar (4–5 hours; ~$50–80). Stop at Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls for photos and tender coconuts along the way.

Afternoon: Check in, then visit the Tea Museum to trace Munnar’s plantation history and taste fresh brews. Lunch at Rapsy Restaurant for pepper chicken or veg thali; it’s a long-time traveler favorite.

Evening: Golden-hour views from Pothamedu Viewpoint. Dinner at Hotel Saravana Bhavan (pure veg tiffin and ghee roast dosa) or Hotel Gurubhavan (spicy fish curry with kappa—tapioca).

Day 3: Wild village landscapes near Munnar (jeep day)

Full-day experience—no need to split into morning/afternoon/evening.

Join a rustic jeep outing through forest-flanked hamlets to look for wild elephants and village life at Anakulam. It’s a scenic, camera-ready day with mountain roads, river stops, and local snacks.

Anakulam Wild Elephant Village life tour (By Munnar Info)

Back in town, wind down with cardamom tea and hot banana fritters at a local bakery, then dine at your hotel’s panoramic restaurant—mountain nights get pleasantly cool.

Day 4: Munnar to Alleppey—board your private houseboat

Morning: Drive ~5–6 hours to Alleppey. Aim to check in to your houseboat by 12:30–1:00 p.m.; staff will welcome you with fresh juice and a safety briefing.

Afternoon: Cruise past rice paddies and canal-side chapels while the onboard chef serves a Kerala lunch—expect fish fry, vegetable thorans, and appam. Watch toddy tappers at work and school boats crisscrossing the backwaters.

Evening: Sunset paints the paddy fields gold. After a candlelit dinner onboard, the boat moors in a quiet canal; fall asleep to the soft creak of coir ropes and water birds calling.

Private Overnight Alleppey Houseboat Cruise from Kochi

Day 5: Backwater village life and return to Kochi

Morning: Wake to glassy canals and breakfast of appam with stew. Disembark ~9:00–9:30 a.m., then swap to a slim, non-motorized country boat to slip into narrow waterways where engines can’t go. It’s quiet, photogenic, and closer to daily life.

Full Day Backwater Village Punting Boat Cruise

Afternoon: Lunch ashore at Halais Restaurant (Alleppey classic for biryani and grilled prawns) or Indian Coffee House near the beach for masala dosa under whirring fans. Transfer to Kochi by car (~1.5–2 hours; ~$20–35) or by train to Ernakulam (~1–1.5 hours; ~$1–3; search on Trip.com trains).

Evening: Check back into Fort Kochi. Dine at Fort House Restaurant on a lantern-lit jetty—order fish molee with appam. A post-dinner wander along Princess Street reveals boutiques and gelato stops.

Day 6: Fort Kochi heritage, spices, and Kathakali

Morning: Delve into the layered history of Fort Kochi and Mattancherry on a guided walk with a local expert—great for stories you won’t get from signs.

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

Refuel at Kashi Art Café (salads, cakes, and cold coffee) or Qissa Café (egg shakshuka, sandwiches). Browse antique shops and spice stores—look for Tellicherry pepper and true cinnamon.

Afternoon: Visit the Mattancherry Palace (murals of Ramayana scenes) and Pardesi Synagogue’s blue-and-white tiles and hanging lamps. Snack on banana chips fresh from roadside kettles.

Evening: Experience a Kathakali performance—arrive early to watch the elaborate makeup ritual that turns faces into mythic masks. It’s an unforgettable window into Kerala’s classical arts.

Kathakali Classical Dance Performance

Later, dinner at Oceanos or Fusion Bay if you missed them on Day 1, or try Seagull’s waterfront grills.

Day 7: Easy Kochi morning and departure

Morning: Slow start with filter coffee and appam at a local eatery, then duck into St. Francis Church and the Santa Cruz Basilica. Pick up last-minute gifts—spices, cashews, jackfruit chips, and coir crafts.

Afternoon: Transfer to COK for your flight. Check or change flights on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. If your flight leaves late at night and you want a big finale, consider a full-day excursion to Kerala’s “Niagara,” Athirappilly & Vazhachal waterfalls (8–9 hours round-trip) on another day in town.

Athirappilly & Vazhachal Waterfalls Private Day Tour from Kochi

Food & Coffee Shortlist (by city)

• Fort Kochi: Fusion Bay (home-style seafood), Oceanos (banana-leaf-baked karimeen), Fort House Restaurant (waterfront), Seagull (sunset drinks), Kashi Art Café and Qissa Café (coffee, light bites), Mary’s Kitchen (set-meal thalis).
• Munnar: Rapsy Restaurant (Kerala, Middle Eastern touches), Hotel Saravana Bhavan (pure veg dosas and thali), Hotel Gurubhavan (fish curry), bakery stops for banana fritters and cardamom tea.
• Alleppey: Halais Restaurant (biryani and grills), Thaff Family Restaurant (seafood curries), Indian Coffee House near the beach (classic dosas), houseboat meals (ask for sadhya and karimeen).

Getting Around & Practical Tips

• Drivers: A private car with driver is the most time-efficient way between Kochi–Munnar (~4–5 hours), Munnar–Alleppey (~5–6 hours), and Alleppey–Kochi (~1.5–2 hours). Budget ~$50–90 per leg for a sedan.
• Trains: Handy for Alleppey–Ernakulam (Kochi) in ~1–1.5 hours, ~$1–3. Check times on Trip.com trains.
• Seasonality: Eravikulam National Park may close for the Nilgiri tahr calving season (often around Feb–Mar). Confirm current status locally.
• Cash & SIM: ATMs are common in towns; carry small notes for tips and ferries. A local SIM aids maps and ride-hailing in Ernakulam.
• Stays: Compare options on VRBO Kochi, VRBO Munnar, VRBO Alleppey or hotels via Hotels.com Kochi, Hotels.com Munnar, and Hotels.com Alleppey.
• Flights: Check fares and timings on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

In seven days you’ve sipped fresh tea in Munnar’s hills, slept on Alleppey’s tranquil backwaters, and walked through 500 years of Kochi’s port-city history. Kerala rewards curiosity—come hungry for spice, sunsets, and stories, and it will send you home with all three.