Kerala packs a lot of variety into a narrow state. Kochi, the hub, has a layered colonial past, Chinese fishing nets and a relaxed old quarter. From there, the backwaters of Alappuzha and Kumarakom offer houseboat stays and lakeside resorts, Munnar and Thekkady bring cool tea hills and the Periyar reserve, Wayanad in the north has forests and plantations, and in the south Varkala's cliff-top beach and the capital Thiruvananthapuram round off a trip with temples and seaside rest. Ayurvedic treatments are widely available.
The trade-offs are road time and weather. Distances are modest, but hill roads are narrow and winding, so Kochi to Munnar or Munnar to Thekkady each take several hours. The monsoon from roughly June to September is heavy, and the hills have seen landslides in recent years. The coast is humid for much of the year, and popular houseboat routes can be busy in peak season. Wayanad sits far north of the other stops and is best as a separate trip.
For parents and older travellers, Kerala is one of the more comfortable regions in India. A simple loop of Kochi, Munnar and the backwaters needs only one or two hotel changes, and a resort in Kumarakom or a single night on a houseboat gives the backwater experience without long travel. Houseboats have steps and narrow boarding, and hill roads can cause motion sickness, so plan short driving days and choose ground-floor rooms where possible.
- Ideal trip
- 6–11 days
- Destinations
- 8
- Best season
- Roughly October to March is the most comfortable time, with December and January the busiest. The monsoon (about June to September) brings heavy rain and occasional landslides in the hills, though it is a traditional season for Ayurveda; April and May are hot and humid on the coast.
- Start from
- Kochi
Destinations in this region
- KochiBase · Kerala
The main gateway, with an international airport, Fort Kochi's heritage and easy links to the hills and backwaters.
Guide coming soon — plan it with us → - Alappuzha · Kerala
The classic starting point for houseboat cruises through canals, paddy fields and village life on the backwaters.
Read the full Alappuzha guide → - Kumarakom · Kerala
Lakeside resorts on Vembanad Lake, a calmer, more comfortable way to enjoy the backwaters.
Read the full Kumarakom guide → - Munnar · Kerala
Cool tea-estate hills a few hours inland, adding a green, mild-weather break to a coastal trip.
Read the full Munnar guide → - Thekkady · Kerala
The Periyar reserve and spice plantations, with boat rides that suit those who prefer wildlife without treks.
Read the full Thekkady guide → - Wayanad · Kerala
Forests, plantations and waterfalls in northern Kerala, best as a separate or extended trip via Kozhikode.
Read the full Wayanad guide → - Varkala · Kerala
A cliff-top beach town in the south, a relaxing coastal finish before flying out of Thiruvananthapuram.
Read the full Varkala guide → - Thiruvananthapuram · Kerala
The capital, with the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, museums and an international airport for the southern end of the route.
Read the full Thiruvananthapuram guide →
Suggested routes
Kochi, Munnar and the backwaters — 6 days
- Day 1 — Kochi. Arrive and rest. In the late afternoon, walk the flat stretch around Fort Kochi beach to see the Chinese fishing nets at sunset.
- Day 2 — Kochi. Visit the Mattancherry Palace and the Paradesi Synagogue area in the morning (both are typically closed on some days, so check), then rest. In the evening, attend a short Kathakali performance with seating.
- Day 3 — Munnar. Drive to Munnar, around four to five hours, with stops at waterfalls along the way. Take motion-sickness precautions for the winding final stretch. Rest after arrival.
- Day 4 — Munnar. A morning drive through the tea estates with a stop at a tea museum. Eravikulam National Park is reached by shuttle bus but is closed for part of the year, so check before planning. Rest in the afternoon.
- Day 5 — Alappuzha. Drive down to Alappuzha, around four to five hours, and board a houseboat around midday. Spend the afternoon cruising and the night moored on the backwaters; confirm the boat has a ground-level bedroom and attached bathroom.
- Day 6 — Alappuzha. Disembark after breakfast and drive to Kochi airport, around one and a half to two hours.
Kerala from the hills to the southern coast — 11 days
- Day 1 — Kochi. Arrive and rest, with a sunset walk near the fishing nets in Fort Kochi.
- Day 2 — Kochi. Morning in Mattancherry and Jew Town, lunch and a long rest, then an evening Kathakali show.
- Day 3 — Munnar. Drive to Munnar, breaking the journey at viewpoints. Rest on arrival.
- Day 4 — Munnar. Tea estates and a tea museum in the morning; rest through the afternoon in the cool air.
- Day 5 — Thekkady. Drive to Thekkady, about three and a half to four hours through spice country. Rest, then visit a spice plantation in the late afternoon.
- Day 6 — Thekkady. Take an early boat ride on Periyar Lake for a chance to see wildlife from the water; boarding involves steps. Rest after lunch, and consider a short cultural show in the evening.
- Day 7 — Kumarakom. Drive to Kumarakom, around four hours, and check in to a lakeside resort on Vembanad Lake. Rest for the remainder of the day.
- Day 8 — Kumarakom. A slow day with a short canoe or motorboat ride in the early morning, or an Ayurvedic massage at the resort. The bird sanctuary is best at dawn, but paths can be muddy.
- Day 9 — Alappuzha. A short transfer to Alappuzha and an overnight houseboat cruise, relaxing on deck through the afternoon.
- Day 10 — Varkala. Disembark and drive to Varkala, about three hours. Rest, then watch the sunset from the cliff-top path; the steps down to the beach are steep and the sea has strong currents.
- Day 11 — Thiruvananthapuram. Drive to Thiruvananthapuram, around an hour to an hour and a half. If time allows, see the Padmanabhaswamy Temple area (strict dress code for entry) or the Napier Museum grounds before your flight.
Getting around
Kochi (Cochin) and Thiruvananthapuram have the main international airports, with Kozhikode (Calicut) closest for Wayanad; Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Varkala and Thiruvananthapuram are on the main railway line. Most families use a hired car with a driver between destinations. Kochi to Munnar usually takes around four to five hours, Munnar to Thekkady about three and a half to four hours, Thekkady to Kumarakom roughly four hours, Kumarakom to Alappuzha around an hour to an hour and a half, Alappuzha to Varkala about three hours, and Varkala to Thiruvananthapuram roughly an hour to an hour and a half. Wayanad is roughly six to seven hours from Kochi, or around three hours from Kozhikode over a ghat road.
Travelling with parents
- Keep to one or two hotel changes on a short trip; Kochi, Munnar and one backwater stay are enough for a first visit.
- Choose a houseboat with a ground-level bedroom and attached bathroom, and ask about boarding steps before booking.
- Carry motion-sickness remedies for the winding roads to Munnar and Thekkady, and plan breaks every hour or two.
- At Varkala, stay on the cliff path if steps are difficult, and swim only where lifeguards are present.
- Check with a doctor before Ayurvedic treatments if there are existing health conditions, and use established centres.
- Avoid the peak monsoon for the hill stops, when landslides and road closures can occur.
Kerala Backwaters & Coast FAQs
Houseboat or lakeside resort — which suits elderly parents better?
A resort in Kumarakom offers more space, easier access and steady facilities. A single night on a houseboat is enjoyable for most, provided the boat has a ground-level room and the boarding is manageable.
How long is the drive from Kochi to Munnar?
Usually around four to five hours, depending on traffic and stops. The last part of the road is winding, so motion-sickness precautions help.
Is Kerala safe to visit during the monsoon?
Many people visit in the monsoon for Ayurveda, but heavy rain can cause flooding and landslides, particularly in the hills. Check forecasts and local advisories, and keep plans flexible.
Should we include Wayanad in the same trip?
Wayanad is far north of the other stops, roughly six to seven hours from Kochi. It works better as a separate trip or on a longer itinerary via Kozhikode.
Is Varkala suitable for older travellers?
The cliff-top path has cafés and sea views, but reaching the beach involves steep steps and the sea can be rough. Many older visitors enjoy the cliff and skip the beach.
What is the best time for Kerala with parents?
Roughly October to March, when it is less humid. December and January are busiest, so book early.
Sources and further reading
- Kerala Tourism (official)
- Incredible India (Ministry of Tourism)
- Kerala backwaters — Wikipedia
- Periyar National Park — Wikipedia
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.