Kerala—India’s “God’s Own Country”—is a ribbon of emerald backwaters, coconut groves, tea-laced hills, and Arabian Sea beaches. From the spice-rich lanes of Fort Kochi to mirror-still canals in Alleppey, the state rewards an unhurried traveler with color, flavor, and calm.

Centuries of trade left layers of history here: Portuguese, Dutch, and British footprints in Kochi; Jewish merchants in Mattancherry; and inland hill stations where British planters once tended tea. Today, houseboats glide past village life while fishermen cast Chinese nets against a saffron sunset.

Practical notes: Peak season runs October–March; June–September brings the southwest monsoon (lush landscapes, heavier showers). Kerala cuisine favors coconut, curry leaves, black pepper, and seafood; spice levels vary—ask for “medium” if unsure. Cards and UPI are widely accepted; dress modestly for temples. Fly into Cochin International Airport (COK).

Kochi (Cochin)

Kochi is where Kerala’s stories converge—colonial-era churches, spice godowns perfumed with cardamom, and harbor breezes that carry the ring of fish auctions. Base yourself in atmospheric Fort Kochi for cafés and heritage walks, or across the water in Ernakulam for malls and metro connections.

• Top sights: Chinese fishing nets on Vasco da Gama Square, St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica, Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace), Paradesi Synagogue, and the street-art-lined lanes of Princess Street.
• Food & drink: Coastal seafood thalis, pepper crab, Kerala parottas, and appam-stew combos. In the evening, sample Indian wines (Sula, Grover, Fratelli) at quality hotel bars or a breezy rooftop.
• Stay here: Fort Kochi’s boutique homestays for character; island resorts for quiet harbor views; Ernakulam high-rises for amenities.

Where to book stays: Browse mid-range homestays and apartments on VRBO Kochi or compare hotels on Hotels.com Kochi.

Getting in and around: Fly into COK via Trip.com Flights. For India rail tickets (e.g., Kochi–Alappuzha), use Trip.com Trains. Taxis/ride-hailing are inexpensive; COK–Fort Kochi takes ~1.5–2 hours by car.

Day 1: Arrive in Kochi, Fort Kochi sunset

Afternoon: Arrive at COK and transfer to Fort Kochi. Check in, then stretch your legs along the seaside promenade to watch the famous Chinese fishing nets at work—photographers love the late-afternoon light. Pop into Kashi Art Café for a fresh juice and the iconic chocolate cake, or Qissa Café for cold coffee and eggs Kejriwal.

Evening: Visit St. Francis Church (resting place of Vasco da Gama, briefly) and the pastel Santa Cruz Basilica. Dinner options: The Rice Boat (Taj Malabar) for refined coastal classics like karimeen (pearl spot) pollichathu; Malabar Junction for an elegant Kerala tasting menu; or Fort House Restaurant for candlelit, pier-side seafood. For a nightcap with views, try High Note at Fragrant Nature or SkyGrill Lounge near the backwaters.

Day 2: Kochi heritage, spice lanes, and a Kathakali night

Morning: Dive into the old city with a guided exploration to cover more with less effort.

Recommended tour: Best of kochi ! A private tour in kochi with a local guide !

Expect the Chinese nets, St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz, Mattancherry Palace, Paradesi Synagogue (closed on certain religious days), and spice lanes where sacks of pepper and cardamom are traded.

Afternoon: Lunch at Fusion Bay (try fish molee and appam) or Kayees Rahmathulla Café in Mattancherry for their famed biryani. Shop afterward: browse antiques on Jew Town Road, handloom cottons, and Ayurvedic soaps. For modern retail, Ernakulam’s Broadway Market is great for spices; Lulu Mall has everything.

Evening: Catch a traditional performance—arrive early to watch the elaborate makeup ritual.

Book: Kathakali Classical Dance Performance

Dinner at The Asian Kitchen by Tokyo Bay (excellent sushi and tempura after days of curry) or pepper crab at The Grand Pavilion. For a gentle “wine tasting,” ask bartenders at The Drawing Room (Grand Hyatt) or Colony Clubhouse & Grill for a flight of Indian wines (Sula Rasa Shiraz, Grover Art Collection, Fratelli Sette).

Day 3: Tea hills on a Munnar day trip

Full-day experience (no need to split by morning/afternoon/evening): Trade sea breeze for mountain air on a scenic run into the Western Ghats. It’s 4–5 hours each way, but the views merit the early start: rolling tea estates, misty valleys, and cool weather. Highlights often include the Tata Tea Museum, Photo Point, Mattupetty Dam/Lake, and tastings of local tea and cardamom-chocolate.

Book: Private Day Trip to Munnar from Kochi (Cochin)

Pack layers and motion-sickness remedies if needed; start ~6:00 AM and return ~9:00–10:00 PM. Back in Kochi, grab a late plate of kappa (tapioca) and fish curry at Dhe Puttu or a quick dosa at Pai Dosa.

Alappuzha (Alleppey) & Marari Beach

Alleppey is Kerala’s watery heart—a lattice of canals, paddy fields, and toddy palms. Life unfolds at the waterline: laundry slapped against stone steps, canoes sliding past banana groves, children waving from footbridges. Sleep on a wooden houseboat, then unwind on Marari’s wide, golden beach 30 minutes north.

• Top experiences: Overnight houseboat cruise on Vembanad Lake and narrow canals, canoe/punting in village side-canals, Ayurvedic massages, and lazy beach hours at Marari.
• Eats: Onboard meals are cooked in traditional style—watch your chef fry karimeen and temper curries with crackling mustard seeds. On land, try Thaff Family Restaurant for hearty Kerala fare, or beach shacks like Café Catamaran for grilled prawns.

Where to book stays: Check houseboat stays or beach cottages on VRBO Alappuzha and Hotels.com Alappuzha. For the beach, browse VRBO Mararikulam and Hotels.com Mararikulam.

Getting there: From Kochi to Alappuzha: 1.5–2 hours by car (INR 2,500–3,500/$30–$45) or 1.5–1.75 hours by train from Ernakulam Jn to Alappuzha (INR 45–150/$1–$2) via Trip.com Trains.

Day 4: Kochi → Alleppey houseboat embarkation

Morning: Depart Kochi after breakfast. If traveling by train, aim for a mid-morning Ernakulam Jn → Alappuzha service (many daily). Auto or taxi 10–20 minutes from Alappuzha station gets you to the boat jetty.

Afternoon & Evening (onboard): Board around 12:00–12:30 PM for your private overnight cruise. Glide past paddy fields, coconut groves, and village churches. Lunch is a home-style spread—expect rice, avial (vegetable curry), sambar, fried fish, and papad. Pause at a toddy shop (optional) to taste fermented coconut palm nectar—mildly alcoholic and uniquely Keralan. At sunset, the boat moors; candlelit dinner follows, with the night’s soundtrack of crickets and gentle water slaps.

Book: Kochi Private Tour: Overnight Alleppey Backwaters Houseboat Cruise

Budget tip: A good private deluxe houseboat typically runs ~$120–$220 per couple in the off/shoulder season; book reputable operators, confirm AC hours, and dietary preferences.

Day 5: Disembark → Marari Beach downtime

Morning: Disembark after breakfast (~9:00 AM). Transfer 30–40 minutes to Marari Beach. Check into a cottage or eco-resort framed by palms and hammocks.

Afternoon: Beach time. Read under a palm, swim (watch for currents and follow lifeguard flags), or book a 60–90 minute Abhyanga oil massage at your resort spa for classic Ayurvedic relaxation.

Evening: Sunset over the Arabian Sea is unmissable. Dinner at Café Catamaran (grilled squid, lime-chili prawns) or at your resort—look for seafood thalis and meen pollichathu. Night is tranquil here—perfect for stargazing rather than raucous nightlife.

Day 6: Lazy morning → train back to Kochi, wine and shopping

Morning: Slow breakfast and a final walk on the sand. If you prefer one more water experience, ask your hotel to arrange a 2–3 hour canoe or punting boat through narrow canals—quieter and more intimate than big canals.

Afternoon: Head to Alappuzha station for a mid-afternoon train to Ernakulam (1.5–1.75 hours; reserve via Trip.com Trains) or take a taxi back to your Kochi hotel (~2 hours). Check in and refresh.

Evening: Souvenir time: pick up handloom stoles, coir products, and masala blends. For dinner, try Fort House again, Oceanos for Syrian Christian recipes, or The Drawing Room for grills and a curated wine list. Cap the night at Colony Clubhouse & Grill (Bolgatty) with harbor views—ask for an Indian wine flight to tick your “wine tasting” box.

Day 7: Kochi brunch and departure

Morning: Brunch at Qissa Café (shakshuka, pancakes) or Farmer’s Café (smoothie bowls, appam-and-stew). If time allows, duck back to Princess Street for last-minute spices (vacuum-packed pepper and cardamom make great gifts).

Afternoon: Transfer to COK (allow 1.5–2 hours with normal traffic). For flights out of India or domestic hops, compare fares on Trip.com Flights.

Food & Drink Shortlist (you’ll see these across days)

• Cafés: Kashi Art Café (artsy courtyard cakes), Qissa Café (all-day breakfast), Loafers Corner (espresso and people-watching).
• Lunch/dinner: Fusion Bay (Kerala seafood), Fort House (lagoon-side), Malabar Junction (refined regional), The Rice Boat (view-forward fine dining).
• Nightlife: High Note (Fort Kochi skyline), SkyGrill (open-air grills), Colony Clubhouse & Grill (sunset cocktails, Indian wine list).

Optional Add-Ons (swap into free slots if you like)

• Backwater village by punting boat (eco-friendly): Full Day Backwater Village Punting Boat Cruise

  

  (ideal if you want a quieter alternative to larger houseboats).

Money & Time Savers

• Mid-range budget (50/100): Mix boutique homestays with one resort night; focus on street-side cafés for breakfasts and one “splurge” dinner by the water.
• Transit: Trains Kochi–Alappuzha are frequent and cheap; reserve seats on Trip.com Trains. For flexibility, hire a car with driver for day trips.
• When to go: Oct–Mar is balmy; Monsoon (Jun–Sep) is lush and peaceful with fewer crowds—pack a light rain jacket.

Book These 4 High-Value Experiences We Placed in Your Week

• Best of kochi ! A private tour in kochi with a local guide !

  

• Kathakali Classical Dance Performance

  

• Private Day Trip to Munnar from Kochi (Cochin)

  

• Kochi Private Tour: Overnight Alleppey Backwaters Houseboat Cruise

  

Summary: In one easy week, you’ve traced Kerala’s greatest hits with a relaxing rhythm: Fort Kochi’s layered history, an overnight backwaters drift, beachy exhale at Marari, and a fragrant foray into the tea hills. Expect to return home with spices in your bag, sunlight in your photos, and the backwaters’ hush still in your ears.