If you have eight days in Kerala, you can begin with Kochi’s old streets and finish by the sea without missing the tea hills, Periyar forest or an overnight houseboat. This sample private itinerary covers eight days and seven nights, travelling inland to the hills before continuing south along the coast. It includes several hotel changes, so it suits travellers who want variety. For a slower holiday, choose either Varkala or Kovalam and spend two nights there.
The route at a glance
- Kochi (1 night) → Munnar (2) → Thekkady (1) → Alleppey houseboat (1) → Varkala (1) → Kovalam (1)
- Arrival: Kochi airport; departure: Trivandrum airport or railway station
- Experiences: Fort Kochi, tea country, Periyar Lake, backwaters and two very different beaches
Day 1: Arrive in Kochi | A first taste of Kerala
Meet your representative at Kochi airport and travel to your hotel in Fort Kochi. If you arrive early enough, walk to the Chinese fishing nets and explore the colonial lanes with a guide. St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica, Mattancherry Palace, the Paradesi Synagogue and the Spice Market make a rewarding circuit, though opening hours and weekly closures may shape the order. Marine Drive is across the city; include it if time and energy allow. Overnight in Kochi.
Day 2: Kochi to Munnar | Into the Western Ghats
After breakfast, turn inland towards Munnar. Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls are pleasant breaks on the journey when flow and road conditions are suitable. As the road rises, tea-covered slopes replace the lowland plantations. Check in to your resort, explore the local market if you wish, and end the day with a Kathakali performance, subject to availability. Overnight in Munnar.
Day 3: Munnar | Tea and mountain viewpoints
Take a full day for Munnar’s hills. Visit the Tea Museum when open, stroll among the plantations and learn about the spices grown in this part of Kerala. Photo Point, Mattupetty Dam and Echo Point offer easy scenic stops. Build in time for a relaxed lunch rather than trying to fit every viewpoint into one afternoon. Overnight in Munnar.
Day 4: Munnar to Thekkady | Forest and spice country
Leave Munnar after breakfast and drive to Thekkady. If your arrival time allows, book an afternoon boat trip on Periyar Lake, allowing time for the reserve shuttle and advance reporting. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Choose a spice garden visit or a permitted guided nature walk as an alternative, rather than fitting every activity into one afternoon. Confirm tickets and the day’s schedule before travel. Overnight in Thekkady.
Day 5: Thekkady to Alleppey | An afternoon on the backwaters
Leave Thekkady after an early breakfast and travel directly to Alleppey, also called Alappuzha. Agree the boarding time and jetty with your houseboat operator before departure. Keep this morning free of sightseeing so that a late arrival does not shorten your afternoon cruise. Confirm lunch, dinner, the cruising route and breakfast in your booking. The boat moors for the night; an overnight stay does not mean continuous cruising. Check the cabin category, private or shared arrangement and air conditioning hours before paying. Overnight on the houseboat.
Day 6: Alleppey to Varkala | A sunset on the cliffs
Have breakfast on board, disembark and continue south to Varkala. The afternoon is yours: wander the cliff path, stop at a café and watch the Arabian Sea change colour towards sunset. The cliff steps and beach access may be uneven, so comfortable footwear helps. Overnight in Varkala.
Day 7: Varkala to Kovalam | An easy coastal day
Travel along the coast to Kovalam. Visit Lighthouse Beach and Hawa Beach, then decide whether to spend the rest of the day by the water or along the promenade. This is a good point in the trip to leave the schedule deliberately loose. Overnight in Kovalam.
Day 8: Trivandrum sightseeing and departure
After breakfast, explore Thiruvananthapuram according to your departure time. Possible stops include the exterior precinct of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Napier Museum, Sri Chitra Art Gallery and the zoological park. Temple entry restrictions and museum closure days apply, so we confirm what is open before fixing the route. Your driver then transfers you to Trivandrum airport or railway station.
Make the itinerary your own
This is a sample private journey. If your flight arrives late on day one, add a night in Kochi or reduce the sightseeing. Moving a full city tour into the Munnar transfer day would make that day busier. Kayaking, a shikara ride, bamboo rafting and cultural performances can be discussed separately, depending on location, weather and availability. Hotel and houseboat standards can be selected to suit your budget.
For a tailored quote, message Varanasi Excursion on WhatsApp at +91 90051 04999 or email info@varanasiexcursion.com with your dates, number of travellers, arrival and departure details, and preferred room category.
Questions about this eight day Kerala itinerary
How many nights are included?
The route has seven nights: one in Kochi, two in Munnar, one in Thekkady, one on an Alleppey houseboat, one in Varkala and one in Kovalam. Flights are separate from these overnight stays.
Can I visit both Varkala and Kovalam without rushing?
You can spend one night in each as shown here, but this gives you limited beach time. Choose one beach base for two nights if unpacking less and relaxing longer matter more than seeing both places.
Should I take a Periyar boat trip before the houseboat transfer?
Prefer an available afternoon slot on the Thekkady arrival day. A boat trip on the next morning adds reporting, shuttle and boating time before a substantial road transfer, which can reduce the houseboat cruise. Confirm the full schedule before booking.
Are all activities included in the price?
This article is a planning guide, not a fixed inclusion list. Ask for a written quote specifying hotels, room types, transport, guide services, entry tickets, activities, meals and houseboat arrangements.
If beaches are not a priority, compare our seven day Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady and Alleppey itinerary. For a tailored route, contact Varanasi Excursion.