Planning a Kerala trip and finding it difficult to fit misty hill stations, wildlife and lazy backwaters into a single vacation? In this Kerala travel guide, we share our road-trip experience through Trivandrum, Alleppey (Alappuzha), Thekkady and Munnar.
We travelled to Kerala from Kolkata during the monsoon and explored tea-covered hills, scenic backwaters, wildlife, beaches and the traditional performing arts of the state. Instead of relying on a travel agent, we planned our own routes and arranged a car for the whole journey.
In this guide you'll find our 7-day Kerala itinerary, the places we visited, our accommodation experiences, sightseeing suggestions and practical points for planning a Kerala holiday. Please verify current transport schedules, hotel details, attraction timings and weather conditions before you travel.
Kerala Trip at a Glance
- Trip duration: 7 days
- Starting point: Kolkata
- Travel style: Independent road trip by car
- Destinations covered: Trivandrum, Alleppey, Kumily, Thekkady and Munnar
- Season of our trip: Monsoon
- Best suited to: Travellers interested in hill stations, backwaters, wildlife and scenic drives
This summary describes our past trip. It is not a guarantee of current travel times, attraction availability or conditions.
Table of Contents
Planning Our Kerala Road Trip
Known as God's Own Country, Kerala is a popular destination for travellers. The state is famous for its lush green forests, beaches, mountains, backwaters and wildlife. Wayanad is another popular hill destination in Kerala, and Vythiri is a scenic spot known for its forested hills and peaceful surroundings.
We decided to travel to Kerala during the monsoon. At first we were unsure whether it was the right time to visit, but we were glad to experience the beauty of Kerala in the rain.
If you're looking for Kerala tour packages, you'll find plenty of options. However, we preferred to plan our own trip so that we could choose our destinations, accommodation and travel schedule according to our preferences.
With only a few days at our disposal, we had to choose just a few destinations, and that was not easy because Kerala has so many places worth visiting. Eventually we decided to include Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Alappuzha (Alleppey), Kumily and Thekkady, and Munnar.
So, which places could we include in our Kerala itinerary? We knew Kerala has lush green forests, mountains carpeted with tea plantations and serene sea beaches, and we wanted to see all of them. So we decided to touch upon Thiruvananthapuram, halting there for just one night, and then travel on to Alappuzha, Thekkady and Munnar.
Here's our 7-day Kerala roadtrip outline:
7-Day Kerala Itinerary: Trivandrum, Alleppey, Thekkady and Munnar
| Day | Route | Suggested focus |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Kolkata to Trivandrum | Arrival, hotel check-in and rest |
| Day 2 | Trivandrum and Poovar to Alleppey | Prioritise selected coastal attractions before travelling onward |
| Day 3 | Alleppey | Backwater boat ride and local sightseeing |
| Day 4 | Alleppey to Kumily | Scenic drive and evening cultural performance, if time permits |
| Day 5 | Thekkady and Periyar | Wildlife activities and forest scenery |
| Day 6 | Kumily to Munnar | Drive through the hills and explore Munnar town |
| Day 7 | Munnar and onward journey | Sightseeing only if it fits your departure schedule |
Planning note
This is a planning outline based on the destinations in our trip, not a verified hour-by-hour schedule. Our actual journey ended with an onward night bus from Munnar to Bengaluru and a flight to Kolkata. Allow enough time for transfers and check your confirmed transport timings before finalising your own 7-day Kerala itinerary.
Kerala offers several different holiday experiences within one state. On this trip we combined the coast around Trivandrum, the backwaters of Alleppey, the forests of Thekkady and the tea-covered hills of Munnar. If you have only a week, plan your transfers carefully rather than trying to visit every tourist attraction in each destination.
Trivandrum and Poovar: Starting Our Kerala Road Trip
Travelling by air from Kolkata, we had to change flights at Bengaluru. By the time we landed at Trivandrum International Airport, the sun had set and the weather was pleasant. We came out of the airport and boarded the car we had reserved for the entire trip. Yes, this was going to be a Kerala road trip by car.
The car took us to Hotel Venkateswara, where we had booked our stay in Trivandrum. We had dinner at a nearby restaurant, where we tasted local food, including Kerala dosa with an omelette, and then retired for the day.
The next morning we had a breakfast of idli and sambar at the hotel, and by 8:30 we were all set. The day's plan was the drive from Trivandrum to Alleppey, and on the way we decided to visit some of the tourist places around Thiruvananthapuram.
Some of the places we covered included:
- Kovalam Beach
- Vizhinjam Lighthouse
- Hawa Beach
- Poovar Island
- Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
- Shanghumukham Beach
- Varkala Beach
Kovalam Beach
Kovalam is one of the most popular beaches in Kerala, known for its seaside scenery and a lighthouse that adds to the attraction. During our monsoon visit, however, rough weather restricted our time on the beach. Before you visit, check local conditions and safety notices before entering the water.
Poovar Island
Poovar Island is known for its scenic backwaters, mangrove-lined waterways and the meeting point of the Neyyar River and the Arabian Sea. We enjoyed a boat ride to the island through the mangrove forests. Poovar Beach is a beautiful stretch of sand that appears at low tide and is submerged at high tide. The people who set up shops there carry their belongings away at high tide and return when the golden beach reappears. During the boat ride we also came across Cross Rock and Elephant Rock.
Vizhinjam Lighthouse
The Vizhinjam Lighthouse is a rewarding stop in Trivandrum, and it is not often that you get the chance to go inside a lighthouse. When we checked, it was closed on Mondays and open from 10 AM to 12:30 PM and again from 2 PM to 5 PM on other days. Tickets for adult Indian citizens were roughly INR 10 to INR 20, INR 3 for children and INR 25 for foreign tourists. Carrying a still camera or a video camera inside cost INR 20 or INR 25 respectively. Timings and prices change, so please confirm them locally before you go.
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram is often described as one of the richest temples in the world. It is popular with visitors for its idol of Lord Vishnu in the Anantha Shayanam, or eternal yogic sleep, posture. Check the timings and dress code before you visit.
How much time should you allow?
On a 7-day road trip across several destinations in Kerala, it is hard to find time for everything. If you want to spend time close to nature, prioritise the coastal attractions that interest you most. Trying to fit too much into one day leaves little time to enjoy any of it.
Alleppey Backwaters: Shikara Rides and Scenic Waterways
After the tourist spots around Thiruvananthapuram, we started our journey towards Alappuzha, also known as Alleppey, the town most often associated with the backwaters of Kerala. The backwaters attract travellers from across India and beyond, and Alleppey is one of the best-known places for exploring them by boat.
There are several accommodation options in Alleppey, ranging from lodges and hotels to hostels and houseboats. We stayed at Hotel Padipura Residency, a few blocks away from the ferry stop.
We reached Alleppey in the afternoon and spent some time at the hotel. In the evening we went out and tasted popular Kerala dishes, including dosa, appam with stew, and beef fry. The next morning we went to the ferry stop and booked a small boat, or shikara, for a trip through the Kerala backwaters.
It took us a little more than an hour to navigate the backwaters of Alleppey. The scenery on the banks changed as we moved from densely populated areas to stretches where only a few people lived. There were small islands here and there, and we saw people canoeing from one place to another. We visited the Kuttanad backwaters and stopped by Pathiramanal Island. We also had a look at the Alleppey Lighthouse before returning to the hotel.
Houseboat or Shikara: Choosing Your Backwater Experience
One of the decisions to make when planning an Alleppey trip is whether to book a traditional houseboat or take a smaller boat through the backwaters.
Shikara or small-boat ride
We did not book an overnight houseboat. Instead we hired a small boat for a backwater excursion. It was cosy and let us enjoy the scenery on the banks as it changed constantly, while we watched daily life along the waterways.
Houseboat stay
If you want to spend a lot of time on the backwaters, a houseboat may be the better choice. It is more expensive, but it suits travellers who want to experience the backwaters fully with an overnight stay on the water. Before booking, confirm the route, duration, meals, facilities, departure point and any additional charges.
Our experience
Although we skipped the houseboat, the shikara ride was enchanting. We saw people doing their chores in homes lined along the backwaters, rows of coconut trees, and local residents moving about in canoes. The surroundings became more tranquil as we moved away from the populated areas.
What to Know Before Booking an Alleppey Boat Ride
- Confirm the departure point and the total duration of the ride.
- Confirm the route and ask which waterways and stops are included.
- Check the total price and whether waiting time or extra stops cost more.
- Ask about safety equipment and arrangements for children, if applicable.
- Check weather conditions and local operating restrictions before confirming.
Finally our shikara ride was over, and it was time to move on to the next destination of our trip: Kumily.
Thekkady and Kumily: Periyar Wildlife and Cultural Shows
Before visiting Kerala, I had done most of my research on popular destinations such as Trivandrum, Alleppey and Munnar. Kumily was meant to be just a stopover, a base from which to visit Periyar. However, Kumily surprised us with its natural beauty and peaceful surroundings.
We stayed at Hotel Woodlands Prime Castle on the Kumily Thekkady Road. The rooms were cosy, and the balcony offered an amazing view of the green hills close by and the deep forests in the distance.
Just opposite the hotel was Kadathanadan Kalari & Navarasa Kathakali in Thekkady (Periyar).
The first event of the evening was a Kathakali performance, the traditional classical dance-drama of Kerala. After that we watched a performance of Kalaripayattu, Kerala's traditional martial art.
After the night at the hotel, we headed to Periyar Tiger Reserve early the next morning. We took a jeep safari and came across several birds and animals. Kerala has other wildlife destinations too, such as Gavi, a forest destination known for its natural surroundings and wildlife.
If birdwatching interests you, read our guide to the top bird sanctuaries in India.
Then came an hour-long boat ride on Periyar Lake. It was an exciting experience, as we could see herds of Indian gaur and elephants along the banks.
The calm of the forest and the slow drift of the boat across tranquil water created the perfect setting to enjoy the scenery.
We spent another night in Kumily and started early the next morning for Munnar, a popular hill station in Kerala.
Munnar Sightseeing: Tea Gardens, Mattupetty Dam and More
In Munnar we had booked our stay at The Regency Hotel. The drive from Kumily took about three hours. After resting at the hotel, we went out for a walk around Munnar.
Munnar, known for its tea gardens and green mountain landscapes, mesmerised us with its beauty. The slopes are covered with carpets of green tea plants, and the black asphalt road meanders through the gardens as it winds in and out of town. We spent some time on the roads and did a bit of shopping at the market before returning to the hotel.
The next morning we set out to visit some of the major tourist attractions of Munnar:
- The tea estates of Munnar
- The Tea Museum
- Mattupetty Dam
- Kundala Lake
- Blossom Park
It was the middle of the monsoon season, and we stopped at a couple of places just to enjoy the rain. Heavy showers falling across the green, tea-covered slopes created beautiful scenes.
Returning from Munnar to Kolkata
Our trip ended in Munnar, leaving many other beautiful places in Kerala unexplored. We promised ourselves that we would return someday. Our return flight was booked from Bengaluru to Kolkata, so we boarded a night bus from Munnar to Bengaluru and said goodbye to God's Own Country.
Kerala is just one of the many destinations covered on D's Travelogue. For more ideas, explore our A–Z guide to tourist places in India.
How to Plan Transport and Accommodation
Here is how we handled the logistics on our Kerala road trip:
- Getting there: We flew from Kolkata to Trivandrum with a change of flights at Bengaluru.
- Getting around: We reserved a car for the entire trip, which gave us flexibility to stop at places along the way.
- Where we stayed: Hotel Venkateswara (Trivandrum), Hotel Padipura Residency (Alleppey), Hotel Woodlands Prime Castle (Kumily) and The Regency Hotel (Munnar).
- Getting back: A night bus from Munnar to Bengaluru, then a flight from Bengaluru to Kolkata.
These are the arrangements from our own trip. Prices, availability and schedules change, so confirm your flights, bus timings, car booking and hotel details before you finalise your plan.
Best Time to Visit Kerala
We travelled during the monsoon. We were unsure about the timing at first, but the rain-washed tea hills of Munnar and the lush forests were beautiful. The trade-off was that rough weather limited our time at Kovalam Beach, so check local conditions, especially if beaches and water activities are a priority for you.
Many travellers prefer the cooler, drier months of the year for sightseeing and boat rides, while the monsoon suits those who enjoy green landscapes and rain and are comfortable with some flexibility in their plans. Weather patterns vary from year to year, so check the current forecast before booking.
Practical Kerala Travel Tips
- Plan your transfers carefully, and don't try to see every attraction in each destination.
- Check local weather and safety notices before entering the water at beaches.
- Confirm attraction timings, ticket prices and camera charges locally, as they can change.
- Check temple timings and dress codes before visiting.
- For boat rides, confirm the route, duration, total price and safety arrangements in advance.
- Allow buffer time before onward flights, especially if you are travelling by night bus.
- Try local food such as dosa, appam with stew and idli with sambar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few questions that tourists going on a trip to Kerala usually ask:
Is 7 days enough for Kerala?
Seven days is enough to cover a focused route such as Trivandrum, Alleppey, Thekkady and Munnar if you plan transfers carefully. You won't see everything, so choose a few destinations rather than rushing through many.
Which places did we cover in this Kerala itinerary?
We covered Trivandrum and Poovar, the Alleppey backwaters, Kumily and Thekkady (including Periyar), and Munnar.
Is it better to book a houseboat or a shikara in Alleppey?
A shikara suits a shorter backwater excursion, while a houseboat suits travellers who want an overnight stay on the water. We took a shikara ride of a little over an hour.
Can you visit Kerala during the monsoon?
Yes, we did, and enjoyed the rain-soaked tea gardens and forests. Rough weather can limit beach time, so check local conditions before you go.
What can you do in Thekkady?
We watched Kathakali and Kalaripayattu performances, took a jeep safari in Periyar Tiger Reserve, and enjoyed a boat ride on Periyar Lake.
How did we travel between destinations?
We reserved a car for the whole trip, which made it a road trip across Kerala.