Kerala in 7 Days: The Perfect Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

God's Own Country — the Kerala tourism tagline is not hyperbole. This narrow coastal state in southern India packs extraordinary diversity: backwater canals lined with coconut palms, misty tea gardens at 1,600m, the gentle giants of Periyar, pristine beaches, and a culinary tradition that will make you want to stay forever.

Day 1-2: Fort Kochi — Where East Meets West

Start your Kerala journey in Fort Kochi, a remarkable island township that was once the trading post of the world's most powerful empires — Portuguese, Dutch, British. The colonial architecture, Chinese fishing nets (introduced 1400 AD by Chinese traders), the white-washed St Francis Church (where Vasco da Gama was buried), and the Dutch Palace (Mattancherry) are all within walking distance.

Don't miss an authentic Kathakali dance performance in the evening — the elaborate make-up takes 3 hours to apply.

Day 2-3: Munnar — The Green Paradise

Drive from Kochi through the Western Ghats to Munnar (130km, 4.5 hrs). The landscape transforms dramatically — rubber estates give way to cardamom and pepper, then the extraordinary endless emerald carpet of Tata Tea gardens at 1,600m.

Visit the Eravikulam National Park — home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr (mountain goat found nowhere else on earth). If you visit in December-January, you may witness the rare Neelakurinji bloom — a purple flower that blooms only once every 12 years.

Day 3-4: Thekkady — Periyar Tiger Reserve

Periyar National Park (Thekkady) surrounds a beautiful reservoir created by the Mullaperiyar Dam. The boat safari on Periyar Lake offers remarkably close encounters with wild elephants, gaur (Indian bison), deer, otters, and if lucky, tigers. The Elephant Junction offers an ethical interaction with rescued elephants.

Day 4-5: Alleppey — Houseboat Experience

The Alleppey (Alappuzha) backwaters are Kerala's most iconic experience. Over 900km of interlocking canals, rivers, lakes and lagoons, all navigable by traditional wooden kettuvallams (houseboats). A 24-hour houseboat stay includes all meals cooked fresh by your on-board chef — the karimeen pollichathu (pearl spot fish) is extraordinary.

Day 5-7: Varkala or Kovalam Beach

Varkala is Kerala's most dramatic beach — built on red laterite cliffs with a 2km cliff-top promenade lined with restaurants and yoga shalas. The beach below is pristine. Kovalam near Trivandrum is more developed, with lighthouse beach and Ayurveda spa facilities.

Best Time to Visit Kerala

September–March: Best weather. Post-monsoon green and lush. Peak season December–February.

June–August (Monsoon Ayurveda Season): Kerala gets heavy monsoon but this is paradoxically the best season for Ayurveda treatments — the humidity opens pores for maximum absorption of herbal oils. Many resorts offer special monsoon packages.