How To Spend Couple Of Days In Kerala India

Kerala is a land that is richly endowed with the best of nature. Be it its fine beaches, gorgeous hills, graceful lagoons or awe-inspiring art and culture, this southern state on the western coast of India has something for every kind of traveller. If you only have five days to spare, here is the ideal itinerary to get you started on your wanderlust-worthy trip to ‘God’s Own Country’. Did you know you can now travel with Culture Trip? Book now and join one of our premium small-group tours to discover the world like never before.

Day 1: Familiarise Yourself With Kerala At Kochi

Arrive in Kerala via Kochi by booking your tickets at the Cochin International Airport. Explore the city of Kochi and its most famous suburb, Fort Kochi, which is a treasure trove of art, culture and history. Begin by leaning all you can about Kerala through a visit to its museums, such as the Kerala Museum, the Kerala Folklore Theatre and Museum, the Hill Palace Museum and the Indo-Portuguese Museum. Move on to Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, where you can explore the Mattancherry Palace, the Paradesi Synagogue, the ancient curios and artifacts at Jew Town and waft through the Spice Bazaar, which is infused with the aromas of spices that have been traded across the world for centuries. Spend the evening watching the sunset at the Chinese Fishing Nets.

Day 2: The Bewitching Hill Station Of Munnar

Day 3: Idle At The Divine Backwaters Of Alappuzha

Travel to the backwaters of Alappuzha, for which you will have to book a houseboat in advance. Take the 6:20 am bus from Munnar that reaches Alappuzha at 12:50 pm or drive down, which takes a little over five hours. Hop into your houseboat and cruise over the splendid lagoons. Known as the ‘Venice of the East’, the voyage via houseboat will take you through the sights and sounds of everyday village life. Relish in authentic delicacies, such as karimeen fry (pearl spot fish), and the local alcohol, toddy. To extend the experience, stay overnight on the houseboat. This is also an apt break that will give you some rest between your journeys.

Day 4: Saunter Around At The Enticing Varkala Beach

Take the 8:15 am KSRTC bus, which reaches Varkala, the hippie hangout, at noon. Alternatively, driving down will be faster at less than three hours. This is another destination to relax in as you can laze by the famous Varkala Beach, drinking in the superb sights of the admirable cliffs that line it. Indulge in watersports and adventure activities, such as paragliding. Hang out at the cafes on top of the cliffs and catch a beautiful sunset as you bid adieu to the day.

Day 5: Explore History And Culture In Kerala’s Capital, Thiruvananthapuram

At a distance of just 44 kilometres, there are constant buses from Varkala to Thiruvananthapuram that take about two hours to reach, so choose any bus in the morning, according to your convenience. Visit the richest temple in the world, the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. Move on to the Kuthiramalika Palace (Mansion of Horses), a remnant of the rich royal history of Kerala. Spend the evening at Shankumugham Beach, marvelling at the beautiful sculpture of the mermaid, Sagarakanyaka. Conclude your trip in the capital of Kerala by booking your return flight from Trivandrum International Airport.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.