5 days in Kerala

Day by day

1. Day 1: Backwater houseboat cruise and Chinese fishing nets

   Backwater houseboat cruise, Chinese fishing nets and Mattancherry Palace, then Kathakali performance in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Backwater houseboat cruise

      Ask for a route that leaves the main lake for narrower canals, and check the boat's licence and safety equipment before you pay. (1 night, expensive).

   2. Late morning

      Chinese fishing nets

      Come at sunset when the nets are silhouetted, and ask the fishermen before you join them on the platform. (45 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Appam and stew

      Homestays in Fort Kochi and local restaurants across central Kerala.

   4. Afternoon

      Mattancherry Palace

      Take your time in the bedchamber with the Ramayana murals; photography is not permitted inside. (1 hour, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Kathakali performance

      Arrive an hour early to watch the performers apply their make-up, which is as fascinating as the show.

2. Day 2: Paradesi Synagogue and Jew Town and St Francis Church

   Paradesi Synagogue and Jew Town, St Francis Church and Eravikulam National Park, then Varkala Cliff in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Paradesi Synagogue and Jew Town

      Visit in the morning, then browse the antique and spice shops along Jew Town Road towards Mattancherry Palace. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      St Francis Church

      Combine with the Santa Cruz Basilica and the Dutch cemetery, all within a few minutes' walk. (30 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Puttu and kadala curry

      Local breakfast places all over Kerala, usually from early morning.

   4. Afternoon

      Eravikulam National Park

      Go early to beat the queue for park buses; the park usually closes for several weeks during the tahr calving season around February and March. (2–3 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Varkala Cliff

      Walk the cliff path at sunset and stay for dinner at a cliff-top restaurant; carry a torch, as the path is unfenced in places.

3. Day 3: Munnar tea estates and Tea Museum and Top Station

   Munnar tea estates and Tea Museum, Top Station and Periyar Tiger Reserve, then Private houseboat night in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Munnar tea estates and Tea Museum

      Book a guided estate walk through your homestay; early morning walks often come with mist and the sound of pickers. (Half a day, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Top Station

      Go early in the day; clouds often roll in and hide the view by late morning. (Half a day, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Sadya

      Vegetarian restaurants serve sadya-style 'meals' at lunch; full sadyas are offered around Onam.

   4. Afternoon

      Periyar Tiger Reserve

      Take the first boat of the day for the best chance of animals at the shore, and book guided walks with the forest department rather than private operators. (Half a day, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Private houseboat night

      Book a one-bedroom houseboat from Alappuzha and watch village life drift by from the deck at sunset.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Athirappilly Falls

   About 2 hours by car from Kochi each way. Getting there: Car with driver.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Athirappilly Falls

      About 2 hours by car from Kochi (Car with driver); about 70 km.

   2. Day

      Athirappilly Falls

      Kerala's largest waterfall drops about 25 metres over a wide rock face on the Chalakudy River, surrounded by forest. Best for families and first-timers.

   3. Evening

      Back in Kerala

      Dinner: try Karimeen pollichathu.

5. Day 5: Spice plantation tour and Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

   Spice plantation tour, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and Padmanabhaswamy Temple, then Tea-estate cottage in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Spice plantation tour

      Buy whole spices on the tour or at Kumily market rather than pre-packed blends; they keep better. (1.5–2 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

      Go at dawn, when birds are most active, or see it from the water on a canoe ride. (1.5 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Karimeen pollichathu

      Toddy shops and restaurants around Alappuzha and Kumarakom, and on many houseboats.

   4. Afternoon

      Padmanabhaswamy Temple

      Non-Hindu visitors can see the gopuram from the tank and walk the old fort streets; Hindus must wear the traditional dress required at the gate. (1 hour, free).

   5. Evening

      Tea-estate cottage

      Stay in a cottage on a working estate near Munnar with views over the hills and morning walks through the tea.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Backwater houseboat cruise and Periyar Tiger Reserve before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Fort Kochi keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Ernakulam ($$) suits shopping, budget and solo travellers. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 24–30 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11.5 hours in December to 12.8 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Kerala
• 2 days in Kerala
• 3 days in Kerala

Questions travellers ask