7-Day Kerala Itinerary for First-Time Travellers: Munnar, Alleppey & Fort Kochi

Introduction: Why Kerala is Perfect for First-Time Travellers

Kerala is beautiful! That’s what we said just a few minutes after leaving Kochi Airport, and it is the best way to sum up the state known as ‘God’s own country’.

Located in the south of India, it is a world away from the more-travelled North and Rajasthan. Instead of forts, deserts and busy cities, you can find peace in a lush green tropical landscape, sleep on a houseboat along scenic backwaters and walk among growing tea in the cool mountains.

It is calmer, cleaner and, in our opinion, feels friendlier and safer, making it a great option for first-time travellers to India, especially female tourists.

In this 7-day Kerala itinerary, we’ll guide you through how to split your week between the best of Kerala, in Munnar, Alleppey and Fort Kochi. You’ll get recommendations on the top things to do in Kerala, where to stay and, of course, what to eat.

How To Get To Kerala: Flights, Trains & Road Travel

One thing we found is that Kerala is not the easiest place to travel to. 

It is much further south than most of the other major tourist areas, including Delhi, Rajasthan and Mumbai, making road or train travel almost impossible as it will take more than 24 hours!

Instead, it is best to take a flight. Plane travel in India is relatively inexpensive, and Cochin (Kochi) airport has multiple daily flights to most major Indian Cities. (Our favourite domestic airline is IndiGo)

If you’re travelling from Goa or Bangalore, you could take an overnight train. This is our favourite way to get around India. It is fun, cheap and a real bucket-list experience. See our guide on how to book Indian trains as a foreigner to help.

How To Travel Around Kerala: Why a Car or Driver is Best

Unlike most other Indian states, for your 7 days in Kerala, it is recommended to travel by car. 

This is because you won’t be travelling between cities, but instead going from one bit of nature to another. There isn’t a way to get to Munnar by train.

If you have experience driving in India, then go for a Kerala road trip, but if not, it is safer and easier to hire a driver to take you around. Even for 5 of the 7 days (all you’ll need), it still works out pretty inexpensive, especially if travelling as a couple or group..

To give you a guide: Kochi to Munnar is 4-5 hours, Munnar to Alleppey is 4-5 hours and Alleppey to Fort Kochi is around 2 hours of driving.

Best Time to Visit Kerala: Weather, Monsoons & Ideal Months

Kerala is similar to the rest of India in that there is a monsoon season and a non-monsoon season; the actual temperature stays similar year-round.

Where it differs from other places is that it has 2 monsoons! The main monsoon is from June to September, and a secondary one from October to late November.

Therefore, to get the driest, best weather conditions, the best time of year to visit Kerala is December to March. It will still be lush and green, but will also be pleasant and with fewer mosquitoes.

To be exact, February is the best month to go to Kerala as it is cheaper and quieter than the busy Christmas and New Year period.

Your 7-Day Kerala Itinerary: Munnar, Alleppey & Fort Kochi

So let’s get into it. Here’s how to spend 7 unforgettable days in Kerala, from the cool tea hills of Munnar to the tranquil backwaters of Alleppey and the heritage streets of Fort Kochi.

Day 1–2: Explore the Tea Mountains of Munnar

Munnar is the tea plantation capital of South India. At over 1600 metres above sea level, Munnar’s cooler air makes it perfect for acclimatising gently after arriving in India.

The views are stunning, the people are inviting, and the culture is incredible.

For a more in-depth look at Munnar, see our 2 days in Munnar complete guide.

Day 1 – Arrival in Munnar: Tea Views, Sadhya Lunch & Kalaripayattu Show

Drive from Kochi to Munnar 

Assuming you’ll be coming from Cochin Airport, it’s an approximately 4-hour drive up to Munnar. But this is not ‘wasted’ time. As you wind high up into the mountains, the scenery just gets more and more breathtaking. It changes from fascinating town and village chaos, to tropical rainforests, and finally the lush green tea fields in the clouds.

Stop for a traditional Keralan Lunch (Sadhya from a banana leaf)

Dive straight into Keralan food culture with a stop at Rasa Pure Veg for their traditional Keralan Sadhya. This is a selection of between 10 and 20 small vegetarian dishes for you to try. We found them all delicious, and the experience of eating off a banana leaf made it even more special.

Check into the Hotel with the Best Views in Munnar

Spend any free time relaxing and enjoying one of the best views in the world. The view from our hotel was simply stunning. You could see for miles across the mountains, and the sunset was perfect! We even had a pool to chill in and stretch out after the long journey.

Watch a Kalaripayattu (traditional martial arts) performance

Time for something a bit different. This was recommended to us by our hotel and was a great evening activity.

The ancient martial arts shown here have evolved from the warriors of Kerala’s past, and it’s as entertaining as it is interesting. You’ll see hand-to-hand combat, sword fights, and even fire jumps. What more could you want!

Day 2 – Munnar Tea Estates, Lockhart Gap Road & Chocolate Factory

Walking tour around the Lakshmi Tea Estate

We think the best way to appreciate something is to get close to it. A walking tour around a tea estate will allow you to do just that. The walking tour we did at Lakshmi tea estate was brilliant, the guide was knowledgeable, funny and spoke perfect English. 

We spent around 2 hours walking around the estate, taking in more amazing views and taking photos. We even got to visit a local Hindu temple and church. A morning well spent and definitely one of the best things to do in Munnar.

Drive along Lockhart Gap Road for panoramic mountain views

The most incredible road we’ve been on. The views are breathtaking, tea fields sprawling up the sides of the valley, and you can nearly touch them from the car window.

Stop for some amazing photo opportunities and maybe even some roadside snacks from the food vendors strategically located to tempt you in.

Visit Lockhart Tea Factory & Museum – learn Kerala’s tea history and sample fresh brews

If you are going to spend so long looking at all the tea in Munnar, you may as well find out why it is here and best of all, try some of the locally made blends.

Lockhart tea factory is one of the oldest in Kerala and dates back to British rule. It is fascinating to visit, as it is still in use today, and they use traditional machinery. You might be tempted to buy some tea boxes to take home, and who can blame you?

Stop at a local chocolate factory/shop before heading back to your hotel

Though not as famous as its tea production, chocolate is also made in Munnar. There are many places to try, but  Macofa Chocolate Factory is the best around.

They have many different interesting flavours to try, including coffee, strawberry and even Mango. The chocolate here is much less sweet than you’ll find in America and Europe, but somehow that just makes it moreish. 

Top Munnar Hotels With A View & Where to Stay

There are many hotels to choose from around Munnar, and many have incredible views, but surely none can beat The Panoramic Getaway, where we stayed.

There are so many reasons to choose this place. It serves delicious food, it is minutes from both the cultural centre for the martial arts performance and the chocolate factory, it has lovely rooms, and it is easy to get to from the main road.

But the main reason to stay here is that view, it is the best view we’ve ever seen from a hotel. Best of all, you can see it from your room, the pool, the breakfast area, the dining hall, everywhere!

Top tip: To get the view we had, book rooms between 302 and 306.

How Many Days To Spend In Munnar? 

2 days in Munnar is the perfect amount – one for exploring tea estates and views, and one for relaxing among the hills.

However, if you have more than a week in Kerala, it is definitely somewhere you could stay longer.

Other top things to do in Munnar include spotting wildlife at Eravikulam National Park, visiting the highest point at Top Station, and exploring the many dams and lakes. Or you could just chill in the hotel pool – no one would blame you!

Day 3–4: Alleppey Itinerary – Cruise the Kerala Backwaters on a Houseboat

After exploring Munnar’s mountains, it’s time to head to the heart of Kerala’s backwaters – Alleppey (Alappuzha), one of the most important places to visit in Kerala.

The backwaters in Kerala are an icon of India, and nowhere more so than in Alleppey. Cruising the backwaters on a traditional houseboat is a must-do in your 7 days in Kerala. But Alleppey is not just about the boats; there are some incredible luxury resorts for you to relax and pamper yourself, right on the water.

See our Kerala Backwaters guide for more details on how to get the most out of India’s tropical paradise.

Day 3 –  Scenic Drive from Munnar to Alleppey & Arrival at Backwater Resort

Long but stunning drive from Munnar to Alleppey

We didn’t expect to enjoy the travel in Kerala as much as we did, but there’s just so much to see from the car window that it keeps you entertained for hours.

From monkey and elephant spotting as you drive down the mountains, to taking in the chaos and entrepreneurism on the roadside and glimpsing plants and fruits you don’t get to see back home; Coconut, bananas, pineapples, you’ll see them all.

Arrive and unwind at your backwater resort 

After your long travel, it’s time to relax, and what a place to do it in.

No matter which resort you stay at, you’ll be in for a treat. Take a dip in the pool to cool off from the afternoon heat, treat yourself to a traditional Keralan Ayurverdic massage, and enjoy another classic Keralan dinner while watching the sunset over the Alleppey backwaters.

Day 4 – Alleppey Houseboat Cruise & Village Backwaters Experience

Board a private Kerala houseboat for an overnight cruise

Finally, the reason to come to Alleppey. You can either head to the boat jetty or, if you’re lucky enough to stay in a resort on the backwaters, even get picked up from there.

You’ll spend the day slowly cruising around, going through canals surrounded by palm trees and rice paddies and also out onto expansive, seemingly never-ending lakes. It is peaceful, the views are (again) incredible and completely different to what you can experience anywhere else in India.

Top Tip: Get a houseboat with an open top deck so you can relax in the sun and see as much of your surroundings as possible.

Enjoy freshly cooked Kerala meals on board (lunch, dinner & breakfast!)

One thing we didn’t expect was just how good the food would be on board. Cooked in a small kitchen, the chefs prepare huge platters of food. We had local fish, curries, rice, and bread, everything you could want for a Keralan feast.

Take a smaller canoe to explore quiet backwater villages and meet locals

You have to ask for this as it is often not included, but it is an essential part of the backwaters experience.

The houseboat takes you down the larger canals, but taking a smaller boat allows you to really see the local life in the Alleppey backwaters. Temples, children playing on the canalside, people washing clothes and utensils in the water, it gives you a glimpse into a life so different from your own. Just remember, the people are not an exhibit, so say hello and talk to them if you can.

Best Places to Stay in Alleppey (Backwater Resorts & Hotels)

There are so many options for backwater resorts in Alleppey, from super luxurious to traditional homestays. 

We stayed at Sterling Lake Palace, a short distance from the main Alleppey city, but surrounded by rice fields; it is perfect if your main priority is relaxation before your cruise. The massages were the best we had in all of India, and the pool was empty (which was a bonus), the perfect place to spend an afternoon.

Best Houseboat in Alleppey – Our Top Pick + What to Look For

If you think there are lots of hotel options in Alleppey, wait until you see the number of boats. They come in all shapes and sizes, 1-bed up to 6-bed, single or double decker, some traditional and some modern.

The best houseboat for us was the Why Not Houseboat. We had a 2-bed boat that was clean, had amazing food, had an upper deck to relax and importantly, glass surrounds downstairs to allow you to chill and eat dinner at night without being infested with mosquitoes. Would highly recommend that you seek those things, no matter which houseboat you choose.

How Many Days in Alleppey? Ideal Duration for Your Kerala Itinerary

As you can see, it is all about the relaxation; there are not that many things to do in Alleppey except the houseboat cruise.

2 days is the minimum here, and best if you have only 7 days in Kerala, but you could stay up to a week. Just unwind in your backwater resort and let the stresses of life wash away. You can see why it is a common honeymoon location.

You could also do a longer cruise. We heard from others that going on a 2-day houseboat trip allows you to go further away from the usual circuit and further out into nature.

Day 5–7: Culture & Charm in Fort Kochi

Wrap up your 7 days in Kerala with a visit to Fort Kochi, a historic port city known for its colonial architecture, fishing nets, and creative, café-filled atmosphere.

Day 5 – Travel from Alleppey to Fort Kochi

Drive from Alleppey to Fort Kochi 

A much less dramatic drive this time, but it is only 2 hours. 

You’ll disembark your houseboat around 9am and get straight on the road. For the first time in the trip, you’ll notice the greenery start to slowly give way to busier city life. But when you reach Fort Kochi itself, you’ll soon realise why it’s worth a visit.

Settle into your colonial-era style accommodation

If you are going to stay in a historical bohemian city, then why not stay in a place that matches that style? There are many lovely homestays in Kochi, many with a swimming pool, which you’ll be grateful for in the heat.

So grab a beer or lassi and enjoy some afternoon sun.

Afternoon in Fort Kochi: Café Hopping & People Watching

Once the afternoon heat begins to reduce, head out into the city and find yourself at any of the many cafes dotted around.

Fort Kochi is home to many beautiful cafes of all styles, art-y, book-y, hippy-y, you’ll find your vibe here. Have a refreshing cold coffee and spend some time people-watching, you’ll see Western digital nomads, of which Kochi has lots, Indian tourists and locals, all mixing together.

Day 6 –  Fort Kochi Historic Sights: Chinese Nets, Churches & Street Art

Visit the iconic Chinese Fishing Nets

One of the most recognisable places in any Kerala trip is the Chinese fishing nets. 

Originally built in the 1400s, these massive feats of engineering are still in use today. They are certainly worth a look, to see them in action up close and snap some great pictures.

However, as a word of caution, the people operating them may invite you on board to see; if they do, they won’t let you leave unless you pay them a hefty tip, and there’s not much to see there that you can’t see from the shore.

See the churches of Kochi – St. Francis Church and Santa Cruz Basilica 

You’ll find so many incredible temples and mosques all over India, but as an ex-Portuguese colony, Fort Kochi contains many old Christian churches that are worth your time.

If you’re Western and don’t associate India with Christianity, you may be surprised to know there are over 23 million here, and nearly 20% of people in Kerala follow the faith.

St Francis Church and especially Santa Cruz Basilica are glorious in white and wonderful interiors.

Wander the Old Town streets filled with art and colonial charm

Our favourite thing about Fort Kochi is that it is so walkable. There are few cars, lots of shops, cafes and pubs to dive into, and so much to see.

The area around Princess Street is particularly impressive with its many bright coloured buildings and street art to peruse. Be sure to take a look in Forte Kochi Hotel, a beautiful, bright yellow heritage hotel, maybe even stop for a drink or something to eat.

Eat dinner at a proper Fort Kochi establishment

As you’d expect from a major historical city, the food in Kochi is some of the best in all of Kerala and South India.

The best restaurant in Fort Kochi to have authentic Keralan cuisine is Fort Paragon restaurant. With both indoor and outdoor seating options, they serve up delicious home-style dishes. The mutton stew, Kerala Biryani and any of the fish-based curries are all top choices here.

Day 7 – Mattancherry & End of Kerala itinerary

Explore Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace)

Confusing, known as the Dutch Palace, it was originally built by the Portuguese before the Dutch carried out some renovations after they ousted the Portuguese from the area.

The palace itself is a wonderful old building in traditional Portuguese style. But it’s inside that makes the Mattancherry Palace worth the trip. There are many paintings, artefacts and even chariots of former rulers of Kochi, from the Portuguese, Indian and British lineages.

There is also an incredibly preserved and detailed painting of famous Hindu epic stories, the Ramayana and Mahabharata, all over the walls. A great introduction to a culture you may not know much about.

Jew Town: Spice Markets, Antique Shops & Paradesi Synagogue

Formerly home to a large Jewish community, today it is Fort Kochi’s main shopping area, especially for spices and perfumes. There’s also a variety of art galleries that might take your interest.

You can also go into the Paradesi Synagogue to soak up even more religious culture and history in Kerala.

It is another area that is easily walkable and is ideal for a couple of hours as your last thing to do in Kochi.

Where to stay in Fort Kochi

The main thing when choosing where to stay in Fort Kochi is the location. Kochi (or Cochin) is a large city, whereas Fort Kochi is a small touristy historic area, so make sure to base yourself there.

Staying in a boutique heritage hotel, like Secret Garden Hotel, allows you to be central and close to all the best things to do in Kochi. Equally, it is in itself just a lovely place to be. It’s quiet, peaceful, full of nature (they have cats and peacocks!) and a pool area, which is a great place to spend any spare moment you have.

How many days to spend in Fort Kochi

Fort Kochi is a lovely place to be, but there certainly aren’t as many things to do compared to a city like Jaipur or Delhi.

2 full days would be enough to cover all the sights in Kochi, but 3 days also give you time to take a slower pace, shop, and do some cafe hopping.

With 7 days in Kerala, it’s best to use your time wisely, and a maximum of 3 days for Kochi seems a reasonable amount of time.

How to Extend Your Kerala Itinerary

If you have more than 7 days in Kerala, you’re in luck — there’s plenty more to see beyond Munnar, Alleppey and Fort Kochi.

Here are some of the best ways to extend your trip for 10 days or even two weeks in Kerala:

Varkala – Clifftop Beaches & Ocean Views

Add 2–3 relaxing days after Fort Kochi or Alleppey for Kerala’s best beach escape.

• Stay in a clifftop guesthouse with panoramic sea views.
• Watch the sunset from Varkala Cliff and enjoy fresh seafood from the cafes below.
• Spend your mornings doing yoga or surfing, and your afternoons wandering through the small shops and markets.

Why go: It’s like a quieter, more soulful version of Goa – the perfect ending to a Kerala trip.

Thekkady (Periyar National Park) – Jungle, Wildlife & Spice Plantations

Add 1–2 days between Munnar and Alleppey to experience Kerala’s wildlife and spice country.

• Take a bamboo raft or lake cruise inside Periyar National Park, where you might spot elephants, monkeys and bison.
• Visit a spice plantation to see how cardamom, pepper and vanilla are grown.
• Try an Ayurvedic massage or a traditional cooking class in the cool mountain air.

Travel tip: Thekkady is about 3–4 hours from Munnar and 4–5 hours from Alleppey, so it fits neatly between them.

Where to Go After Kerala

Kerala connects easily to other amazing regions in India, making it a great starting (or ending) point for your India travels.

Goa – Relaxed Beaches & Culture

An overnight train or short flight from Kochi takes you to Goa, India’s most famous beach destination. Perfect if you want to unwind with beaches, yoga, and seafood. Stay in South Goa if you want paradise and relaxation, or North Goa if you want to party until sunrise.

Hampi – Ancient Ruins & Boulders

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Hampi offers surreal landscapes, temple ruins and incredible sunsets. You can reach it via train or flight to nearby Hospet or Bangalore.

Rajasthan – Palaces & Deserts

If you want contrast, fly north to Rajasthan for Jaipur’s palaces, Jaisalmer’s desert safaris and Udaipur’s lakes. A completely different side of India.

Rajasthan Guide and Itinerary: Here

Final Thoughts: The Perfect 7-Day Kerala Itinerary

Kerala really does live up to its name as ‘God’s Own Country’. In just one week, you can experience so many sides of this stunning state: the misty tea hills of Munnar, the peaceful backwaters of Alleppey, and the colonial charm of Fort Kochi.

Whether you’re a first-time traveller to India or returning for more, this 7-day Kerala itinerary offers a mix of nature, culture, food, and relaxation that’s hard to beat.

If you’ve been to Kerala, let us know what you think or if you have any questions, drop them in the comments below.