9 days in Kerala Itinerary

A flourishing port city and magnet for the spice trade since the 15th century, Kochi (Cochin) proudly bears its distinct international influence and local Keralan culture.

Your itinerary includes some good beach time at Marari Beach and Alappuzha Beach. Get in touch with nature at Cherai Beach and Thattekad Bird Sanctuary. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Kochi (Cochin): Mararikulam Beach (in Mararikulam), Thattekad Bird Sanctuary (in Kothamangalam) and Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary (in Kumarakom). And it doesn't end there: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Paradesi Synagogue, kick back and relax at Fort Kochi Beach, get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour, and paddle through the water with a kayaking and canoeing tour.

For maps, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Kochi (Cochin) trip itinerary maker app .

Bengaluru to Kochi (Cochin) is an approximately 4-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of flight and bus. Prepare for a bit warmer weather when traveling from Bengaluru in December: high temperatures in Kochi (Cochin) hover around 37°C and lows are around 28°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Tue) so you can travel to Kovalam.

Famous for the groves of coconut trees from which it takes its name, Kovalam offers a long, white sandy beach on the Arabian Sea.

On the 25th (Wed), enjoy the sand and surf at Samudra Beach, kick back and relax at Adimalathura Beach, kick back and relax at Chowara Beach, enjoy the sand and surf at Kovalam Beach, then stroll through Lighthouse Beach, and finally enjoy the sand and surf at Hawa Beach.

To find where to stay, more things to do, other places to visit, and tourist information, read Kovalam trip builder app .

Fly from Kochi (Cochin) to Kovalam in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. December in Kovalam sees daily highs of 36°C and lows of 28°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 25th (Wed) so you can travel to Thekkady.

Centered on an artificial lake, Thekkady provides a sanctuary to a diverse set of animals and plant species.

Kick off your visit on the 26th (Thu): take in nature's colorful creations at Green Park Ayurvedic & Spices Plantation, identify plant and animal life at Elephant Junction, identify plant and animal life at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, then look for all kinds of wild species at Periyar Tiger Reserve, and finally explore the activities along Periyar Lake.

For photos, ratings, maps, and tourist information, go to the Thekkady online road trip planner .

You can do a combination of flight and taxi from Kovalam to Thekkady in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Munnar.

Sitting at the point where three mountain rivers meet, the hill station of Munnar has become known as a tea-growing center in the south of the country.

Kick off your visit on the 27th (Fri): look for all kinds of wild species at Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and then explore the striking landscape of Rajamalai (Eravikulam) National Park. Keep things going the next day: see human ingenuity at work at Mattupetty Dam, then look for all kinds of wild species at Echo Point, then explore the fascinating underground world of Swiftlet Cave Munnar, and finally head outdoors with Outdoor Activities.

To see ratings, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the Munnar day trip planning site .

You can drive from Thekkady to Munnar in 3 hours. In December, daily temperatures in Munnar can reach 38°C, while at night they dip to 26°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 29th (Sun) to allow time for travel back home.