A 7-day backpacking trip in Kerala, India!

If you are unsure about where to go when backpacking Kerala for a week, we have the perfect solution. We put together this 7-day itinerary for travelling in Kerala, India, based on our own experience from the many times we have visited AND lived in this southern Indian state.

How to travel in Kerala

One of the main questions is, how do I travel around in Kerala? After doing the research, we found there are quite a few options from Fort Kochi.

First, you could use a Travel Agent, who will arrange your whole seven-day itinerary, including your stay and transportation in private vehicles. Although this is the easiest option, it is also the most boring and expensive.

Another option is to arrange private transportation from place to place yourself. You can then explore the area in rented vehicles like tuk-tuks/auto-rickshaws, bicycles, or scooters. This would be cheaper than the former option; however, you could be limited in the availability of options sometimes.

Alternatively, the cheapest way to travel is by local bus. It does not cost much but is also not the most comfortable. The main downside is that you will miss all the fantastic places in between, as the bus doesn’t stop for your personal sightseeing requests.

Self-drive is also an option, with cars and motorbikes available mainly from around the Airport.

But did you know that you can also RENT A TUKTUK in Kerala? It is now possible to rent your own tuk-tuk/auto/rickshaw from Fort Kochi and drive around God’s Own Country yourself! The only requirement you need is an International Driver’s Permit with a class B endorsement. After that, simply make a booking through www.tuktukrental.com, and we will take care of the rest!

Day 0 – Touchdown in Cochin

How to get from the Cochin Airport to Fort Kochi?

Once you reach Cochin International Airport, one of the most famous places to head out to will be Fort Kochi. Located around 40km away from the Airport, there are multiple ways for you to reach Fort Kochi depending on your time of arrival.

Bus The AC Volvo bus is the cheapest and most comfortable mode of transportation to Fort Kochi. It is available from 6:30 am to 6:00 pm at an interval of every 40 minutes. The trip will cost you around Rs.75 and take between 45 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on city traffic. The final stop is in the centre of Fort Kochi, where most of the resorts and homestays are within walking distance.

Taxi For a taxi, you have two options: either using a prepaid airport taxi or an Uber. The charges may vary depending on the time. For example, Uber charges from $13 – $16. The prepaid airport taxi charge will be 25-30% higher than Uber. You can find the prepaid taxi counter just outside the main exit of the Airport.

Day 1 – Fort Kochi

 

Fort Kochi, also known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, has quite a history and is thus a touristy place. It also serves as the burial ground of Vasco da Gama, the explorer who connected Europe and India via the ocean.

Fort Kochi is quite small, so it’s great to just stroll around and enjoy the historical monuments, shop, and of course, eat the delicious food you will find in the streets. At the end of the day, don’t miss out on the amazing sunset, which often forms a beautiful colour spectacle in the sky.

In and around Fort Kochi, you can find a variety of places to stay, ranging from high-end hotels to social backpacker hostels. Here are a few accommodations we recommend:

• Hostels: Happy Camper, Zostel

• Homestays: CSI Heritage Bungalow, Heavenly Homestay

• Luxury Hotels: Fragrant Nature Kochi, Old Brunton Courtyard, Old Harbour Hotel

Exploring Fort Kochi

It’s best to start your day early, around 7 am, and walk along the beach walkway and Chinese nets. Here, you can witness local fishermen taking their fishing boats out and see the characteristic Chinese fishing nets in action.

Morning

Morning Historical Walk From there, you can continue your walk towards the Dutch Cemetery, which builders constructed around 1724 in the old Dutch Colonial style. The 104 epitaphs and tombs carry the authentic records of hundreds of people of Dutch and British origin.

The St. Francis CSI Church, which the Portuguese Franciscan Friars constructed in 1503, maintains the cemetery. Even though people admire it for its structural beauty, it’s also where they initially buried the famous explorer before his remains were returned to Portugal in 1539.

Next, you can head towards Santa Cruz Basilica, constructed in a gothic style. It is a place of devotion as well as a centre of historical significance. The Portuguese laid the foundation stone of the Santa Cruz church in 1505. The British then renovated the current structure, as we see it today, in 1887.

Afternoon

Afternoon Sights and Culture Before exploring more of Fort Kochi, it will be an excellent time to have some breakfast. Some recommended places would be Kashi Arts Cafe, East India Street Cafe, or Sutra Restaurant.

After your delicious meal, you can either walk or take a tuk-tuk to the Jain Temple in Gujrati Street. It’s a very modest shrine dedicated to Shri Dharmanath. The construction might not be as impressive as the majestic ones in Rajasthan, but the pigeon feeding ritual that happens between 12:15 pm and 12:30 pm certainly catches a lot of attention! Hundreds of pigeons gather around the spires of the temple every day around 12:15 pm and wait for a gong to strike.

After witnessing this spectacle, you can head down to the Mattancherry Palace, which the Portuguese constructed in 1545 for Veera Kerala Varma, the then King of Kochi. This beautiful structure combines Keraleese and Dutch architecture. Furthermore, the Palace is home to a museum with murals and articles that the royal family used.

Exiting the Palace, you enter Jew Street, a vibrant area of Kochi. The Jews here are said to have settled in Kochi from 52 AD, making it the oldest Jewish settlement in India. Jew Street is filled with shops selling spices, antiques, clothing, and much more. The Jewish Synagogue is the only one still in use for prayers today. This Synagogue was built on land gifted by Raja Varma, the Raja of Kochi, and shares a common wall with the Palace. Inside, the main hall of the Synagogue has a collection of enormous crystal chandeliers hanging from its high ceilings.

Evening

An Evening of Performance One experience you shouldn’t miss while in Fort Kochi is the cultural show at Greenix Village. This is where they showcase the fantastic dances of Kerala. The show usually starts at 5 pm, but you can also arrive beforehand to see the artists getting ready with an intricate makeup procedure, especially for the Kathakali dance. The performance includes Kathakali, Theyyam, Kalaripayattu, and Mohaniyattam. In addition, the village has a museum, cafe, and curio shop for travellers.

Besides the many touristic places you can visit in Fort Kochi, it is also a place to experience. Simply by walking the streets, playing games with locals, and enjoying a beautiful sunset while strolling the beach, you have the opportunity to interact with the local community. Consequently, this makes your experience in this old city even more memorable.

 

Day 2 – Kumarakom

Kumarakom is a small village where you can get engulfed in the backwaters of Kerala. This picturesque village gives you a chance to explore the real village life of Kerala. There are two recommendations for accommodation here.

Firstly, you can settle into one of the amazing homestays or resorts, with the latter being more expensive. Some recommended homestays would be Aqualillies Waterfront Heritage Homestay, Brookside Heritage Homestay, and Coconut Creek Farm and Homestay. These homestays are located right at the waterfront, which is a highly recommended place to stay!

Once you’re settled in, you can hire a Shikara (a small boat) to take you around the village canals. They charge about Rs.600 (INR) per hour and can carry a maximum of four people.

Another option is to visit the Tourism Department Office and book a Village Experience Tour in a Shikara. This very local activity gets you involved in real village life activities like coconut climbing, toddy tapping, visiting local schools, and coir making. They charge about Rs.1600 (INR) per person for a 3-hour experience package, which includes a traditional Kerala meal.

The second way to get accommodated in Kumarakom is in a houseboat. Prices for this start at Rs. 6500 (INR) per night and, as you are on a boat, it also includes three meals. The journey starts at 12:00 noon and lasts until the next morning at 8:00.

Our personal advice is to go on the Village Tour, as you get more interaction with locals and a more authentic experience, rather than having an expensive, touristy place to stay.

Day 3 – Vagamon

Vagamon is a tiny hill station in Kerala, located on the borders of the Idukki district and famous for its lush greenery. Tourism has still left Vagamon quite untouched, so it’s a highly recommended place to visit.

One of the most beautiful natural sights in the area is the Vagamon Pine Forest, a human-made forest created during the British era that overlooks the entire Vagamon valley. It’s an excellent place for long walks and gives you great photography opportunities!

Another beautiful sight is Marmala Waterfalls, which is located deep in the forest after a short trek through the hillside—the best escape from the chaos of the city.

One of the best viewpoints of the Vagamon Valley is Thangalpara. It is also a pilgrimage location, as it was once the resting place of Hasrath Sheikh Fariduddin Baba, a revered Sufi Saint.

An activity you definitely should not miss when in Vagamon is paragliding! The operator offers daily flights from 11 am to 4 pm and charges Rs.3500 (INR). You can fly for 20 minutes and see a breathtaking view of the Vagamon valley from the sky!

If you are looking for a great place to stay, check out Vagamon Zostel. It is located right on the hill, in the middle of the grassland, offering stunning views and great amenities.

Day 4 – Reaching Munnar via Ramakkalmedu

This less famous road to reach Munnar is one we highly recommend. Even though the distance is greater, the scenic view that this road presents is worth travelling the extra mile. To enjoy the trip to the fullest, depart from Vagamon early and enjoy the ride!

The first significant destination along this route is the Ramakalmedu viewpoint, which gives a fantastic view of the neighbouring state, Tamil Nadu. Popularly known as the land of wind, it’s one of the best offbeat destinations in Idukki.

From here, the road that leads to Munnar is called the Lockhart Gap Road, which will be one of the best routes you will take during this trip! The drive takes you through huge tea estates and misty hills. At the Lockhart Tea Museum, you can indulge in various activities of a tea factory. There are also a few trekking options along this road called Chokramudi, Kurusumalai Lockhart, and Shivamudi.

Most importantly, when in Munnar, make sure you don’t book accommodation in the centre, as it becomes very chaotic and noisy. Instead, you can find many great resorts and homestays in Munnar located on the hills around. Another option is to find yourself a campsite and sleep more adventurously!

 

Day 5 – Munnar

 

For the first day, let’s go adventurous and go camping at Top Station. The morning view from your tent is something you do not want to miss! On the route, there are some breathtaking points to get down and watch some amazing views. For example, Mattupetty dam, Echo point, Kundala Dam, and Elephant Viewpoint are some of them. If you don’t feel like camping, you can head down to some beautiful homestays along the Vattavada village.

 

Day 6 – Munnar

After watching a beautiful sunrise from Top Station, we are heading down to a village called Kanthalloor. This tiny village with amazing landscapes has a wide variety of tropical crops. Therefore, this will be the perfect destination for your last day in Munnar. On the way, we will pass Eravikulam National Park, which is home to the endangered mountain goat, the Nilgiri Tahr. The sanctuary is spread across 97 square kilometres and has many trekking and hiking trails. This is also one of the spots where you could spot the blooming of the Neelakurinji flower, which happens only once in 12 years!

One of the most famous jaggeries (a kind of natural sugar) is produced nearby in a village called Marayoor. People say the sugar cane used for the process has a different flavour. You can visit the sugarcane farm and be a part of the production of this famous jaggery.

A few kilometres from Marayoor is a historical site where you can see Muniyara or Dolmens, which are megalithic monuments dated back to the 2nd or 3rd century BC. The best time to visit this place is during the evenings. For your last day around Munnar, we recommend staying in the village of Kanthalloor.

Other activities in which you can partake in Munnar:

• Jeep safari at Kolukkumalai

• Trekking to Meesapulimala

Day 7 – Journey back to Fort Kochi or Airport via Idukki

 

On the last day of your trip, you can head down to Fort Kochi or the Airport via Idukki. The Idukki Arch Dam is the biggest arch dam in India and is built between two granite hills.

For a fantastic panoramic view of the surroundings, head over to a place called Calvary Mount, which will be the last destination on your trip. It is an inspiring place that will give you the extra energy for the final leg of your journey back to Fort Kochi!