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Kerala's Backwaters & Hills: the Day-by-Day Itinerary
Kerala is India in its gentlest register. You sleep on a houseboat gliding the backwaters, wake to tea gardens draped over the Munnar hills, and end on Varkala's cliff with the Arabian Sea below. The food — coconut, curry leaf, fresh fish — never misses.
Kerala's Backwaters & Hills is a 600 km loop (self-drive). It works best as 6–9 days; the plan below is the 7-day version for December, built from 210 verified places, with real road-routed transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.
Customize this plan → 6-day plan · 7-day plan · 9-day plan · best time to go
7
days
554 km
distance
13.8 h
driving
45
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- Dry season: houseboat weather on the backwaters and crisp mornings in the tea hills.
Day 1 Kochi → Munnar
🌡 11.5–30.6°C · 🌧 ~6 rain days · ☀ 11.4h light
09:00
Vasco Information Centremuseums & heritage
Rent a cycle easily and explore the nearby vibrant streets.
50 min · Kochi
09:50
Fort Kochi to Ernakulam
Enjoy a smooth urban journey through historic and modern Kochi.
50 min · Kochi · ₹6
open: 4:40AM-9:30PM
10:40
Mattancherry to Ernakulam via Fort Kochi
Experience a brief scenic ride passing Fort Kochi's landmarks.
50 min · Kochi · ₹10
open: 6AM-9:10PM
13:56
Kathakali and Kalarippayattu performancesmuseums & heritagelocal & traditional
Watch dramatic Kathakali dances and intense Kalarippayattu martial arts.
50 min · Munnar · ~₹300 per performance
open: 16:00-22:00
14:46
Floriculture Centremuseums & heritage
Browse vibrant flowers and herbs set against tea plantation backdrops.
50 min · Munnar · ₹50 adults, ₹25 children
open: Daily 08:00-18:00
15:36
KDHP Tea Museummuseums & heritage
See fascinating colonial-era artifacts and watch a lively tea-making film.
50 min · Munnar · ₹125 adults, ₹40 children
open: Tu-Su 09:00-17:00
16:26
Tall Trees Restaurant
Indulge in their famous fish fry, perfectly cooked and flavorful.
60 min · Munnar
18:30
Silverspoon Restaurant
Enjoy a hearty buffet breakfast with a mix of Indian and Western dishes.
75 min · Munnar
open: Breakfast until 11AM
Overnight: Munnar
e.g. Ayur County Resort · Devonshire Greens Leisure Hotel
Day 2 Around Munnar
🌡 11.5–30.6°C · 🌧 ~6 rain days · ☀ 11.4h light
09:00
Pothamedu View Pointcoffee & bakes
Admire coffee and cardamom plantations in a serene village setting.
50 min · Munnar
09:50
Mattupetty Damwildlife
Enjoy boating or a thrilling speed boat ride with scenic views.
50 min · Munnar
10:40
Mattupetty Indo-Swiss Farmlocal & traditional
Explore a specialised dairy farm with cool climate and green pastures.
50 min · Munnar
11:30
Top Stationhiking
Stand above the clouds with panoramic Western Ghats views.
50 min · Munnar
12:20
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuaryhiking
Discover diverse plants and animals in a protected forest area.
50 min · Munnar
13:10
Eravikulam (Rajamalai) National Parkhiking
Spot rare Nilgiri Tahr and other wildlife in rolling grasslands.
50 min · Munnar · Indian: , Foreigner: , Camera:
14:00
CampNoel
Dine in Kerala's highest altitude restaurant with panoramic mountain views.
60 min · Munnar
open: 7AM-10PM
Overnight: Munnar
e.g. Ayur County Resort · Devonshire Greens Leisure Hotel
Day 3 Thekkady (Periyar)
🌡 14.4–32.5°C · 🌧 ~7 rain days · ☀ 11.4h light
10:41
Plantationscoffee & bakeshiking
Walk through fragrant tea, coffee, and spice plantations.
50 min · Thekkady (Periyar)
11:31
Spring Valley Mountainwildlifehiking
Panoramic views of Periyar Lake, woods, and Kumily township await.
50 min · Thekkady (Periyar)
12:21
Bamboo Raftingwildlifehiking
Navigate lush forest tracts on bamboo rafts from dawn to dusk.
90 min · Thekkady (Periyar)
13:51
The Periyar Tiger Trailwildlifehiking
Join former poachers turned protectors on a forest trek.
90 min · Thekkady (Periyar)
15:21
Grampimuseums & heritage
Take in panoramic views from rocky plains and high peaks.
50 min · Thekkady (Periyar)
16:11
Mountwildlife
Feel the cool breeze over velvet lawns with views of Periyar Tiger Reserve.
50 min · Thekkady (Periyar)
18:30
Kappa Biriyanilocal & traditional
Enjoy the savory delight of tapioca biriyani paired with tangy pickles.
75 min · Thekkady (Periyar)
Overnight: Thekkady (Periyar)
e.g. Hotel Ambadi · Hotel Periyar Meadows
See the remaining 4 days of the 7-day plan →
Route map
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