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Kerala's Backwaters & Hills — a 9-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
The 9-day version for December: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 6-day plan · 7-day plan · 9-day plan · best time to go.
9
days
821 km
distance
20.5 h
driving
55
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- Dry season: houseboat weather on the backwaters and crisp mornings in the tea hills.
- Heavy transit: day 9 (6h40) runs over 6 hours on the road. Around 9 days would keep daily driving comfortable on this route — or keep the dates and start each of those days by 08:00.
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 Around Munnar
🌡 11.5–30.6°C · 🌧 ~6 rain days · ☀ 11.4h light
09:00
Thattekkad Bird Sanctuarywildlife
Hear the calls of vibrant woodpeckers and hornbills in the lush forest.
50 min · Munnar
09:50
Wild elephant spottingwildlife
Spot majestic wild elephants bathing and moving gracefully in the distance.
50 min · Munnar · ₹1000 per person
10:40
Elephant Arrival Spotwildlife
Board a gentle elephant for a thrilling forest ride amidst misty hills.
90 min · Munnar · It costs approximately ₹350 per person
12:10
Munnar Carmelagiri Elephant Parkwildlife
Experience an elephant safari through misty forests and rugged valleys.
90 min · Munnar
13:40
Yoga @Kaivalyam Retreatlocal & traditional
Practice yoga amidst tea valleys with organic meals and holistic wellness.
90 min · Munnar
15:10
Atukkad Waterfalls
Feel the mist of a beautiful waterfall surrounded by lush hills.
50 min · Munnar
16:00
Purohit Restaurant
Savor a variety of Indian cuisines, including an unlimited Gujarati Thali.
60 min · Munnar · Budget
open: 6AM-10:30PM
Overnight: Munnar
e.g. Ayur County Resort · Devonshire Greens Leisure Hotel
Day 4 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
Day 5 Around Thekkady (Periyar)
🌡 14.4–32.5°C · 🌧 ~7 rain days · ☀ 11.4h light
09:00
Pandikuzhihiking
Feast your eyes on tranquil village views from a mountain summit.
50 min · Thekkady (Periyar)
09:50
Pattumalamuseums & heritage
Wander through tea plantations to a pilgrim church atop a fill.
50 min · Thekkady (Periyar)
10:40
Wagamonhiking
Breathe cool mountain air on misty, grass-covered hills.
50 min · Thekkady (Periyar)
11:30
Boatingwildlife
Glide across Periyar Lake on a relaxing boat cruise.
90 min · Thekkady (Periyar)
13:00
Elephant rideswildlife
Experience a gentle elephant ride through the forest.
90 min · Thekkady (Periyar)
14:30
Nature Walkhiking
Discover birds and butterflies on guided forest trails.
90 min · Thekkady (Periyar)
16:00
Kalam biriyani
Relish biriyani cooked to perfection in traditional earthen vessels.
60 min · Thekkady (Periyar)
Overnight: Thekkady (Periyar)
e.g. Hotel Ambadi · Hotel Periyar Meadows
Day 6 Alleppey
🌡 22.9–32.3°C · 🌧 ~7 rain days · ☀ 11.4h light
11:34
Marari-beachbeaches & cliffshikinglocal & traditional
Soak up the sun on a spacious, clean beach with nearby temples and churches.
50 min · Alleppey
12:24
Alleppey Beachbeaches & cliffscoffee & bakes
Stroll along a wide, clean beach, enjoying food and drinks at local stalls.
90 min · Alleppey · Free
13:54
Krishnendu Ayurveda Wellness Centermuseums & heritagelocal & traditional
Relax in a traditional Kerala-style Ayurveda center with a beautiful herbal garden.
90 min · Alleppey
15:24
Jain Derasar
Experience tranquility in a calm and quiet temple with a small Jain community.
50 min · Alleppey
16:14
Karumadikkuttan
Marvel at the ancient black granite Buddha statue, Karumadi Kuttan.
50 min · Alleppey
17:04
St. Mary's Church
Admire the historic church believed to be one of the seven established by St. Thomas.
50 min · Alleppey
18:30
Indian Coffee Housebeaches & cliffscoffee & bakesmuseums & heritage
Savor cheap, tasty South Indian food and their signature coffee by the beach.
75 min · Alleppey
Overnight: Alleppey
e.g. Harbour Restaurant · Abad Turtle Beach Resort
Day 7 Alleppey → Kochi
🌡 22.9–32.3°C · 🌧 ~7 rain days · ☀ 11.4h light
09:00
Sreekrishna Swamy Temple
Indulge in a unique, secret-recipe Paal-Payasam sweet dessert at this ancient temple.
50 min · Alleppey
09:50
Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Races
Cheer as massive snake boats glide swiftly in an exciting annual race.
90 min · Alleppey
11:20
Village visits by ferry
Glide through serene backwaters, spotting local life and lush greenery.
90 min · Alleppey
12:50
Public Water Transport to Kottayam
50 min · Alleppey · ₹29
14:38
Vypeen to Ernakulam via Willingdon Island
Take a regular ferry ride with island views along the way.
50 min · Kochi · ₹9
open: 7AM-9:30PM
15:28
District Tourist Promotion Council
Discover detailed guides to Kochi's hidden gems and attractions.
50 min · Kochi
16:18
Kreamkornercoffee & bakesmuseums & heritage
Relish multicultural dishes and unbeatable cold coffee with ice-cream.
60 min · Alleppey
Overnight: Alleppey
e.g. Harbour Restaurant · Abad Turtle Beach Resort
Day 8 Varkala → back to start
🌡 18.9–33.1°C · 🌧 ~9 rain days · ☀ 11.5h light
11:10
Varkala beachbeaches & cliffs
Watch the waves from quiet cliffs that drop sharply into the sea.
90 min · Varkala
12:40
Cafe del marcoffee & bakes
Savor famous grills and steaks at this popular spot.
60 min · Varkala
Day 9 Varkala → Thekkady (Periyar)
🌡 18.9–33.1°C · 🌧 ~9 rain days · ☀ 11.5h light
12:20
Trekkingwildlife
Feel the thrill of climbing through dense jungles and misty mountain trails.
90 min · Thekkady (Periyar)
13:50
Chellarkovil
Stroll through scenic grape and coconut fields with a silver cascade nearby.
50 min · Thekkady (Periyar)
14:40
Eden Restaurant
Dine on continental dishes in a garden setting managed by Europeans.
60 min · Varkala