Quick answer
Six days in Kerala fits the classic loop: one night in Fort Kochi, two in Munnar for tea estates and Eravikulam, one in Thekkady for spice plantations and a Periyar boat ride, and one on an Alleppey houseboat before flying out of Kochi. Expect 3–4 hour drives between stops and mid-range land costs from about ₹30,000 per person.
The route
- Kochi
- Munnar
- Thekkady
- Alleppey
- Kochi
Day-by-day plan
- 1
Day 1
Fort Kochi
Morning: Arrive at Kochi airport and drive about 1.5 hours to Fort Kochi.
Afternoon: Chinese fishing nets, St Francis Church, Jew Town and the Mattancherry Palace murals.
Evening: A Kathakali performance, arriving early for the make-up, then seafood near the beach.
Stay: Fort Kochi
The Paradesi Synagogue is closed on Fridays and Saturdays, and the palace on Fridays.
- 2
Day 2
Up to Munnar
Morning: Leave by 8 am for the 4–5 hour drive, stopping at the Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls.
Afternoon: Check in, then a spice garden and a walk through the tea estates near town.
Evening: A Kalaripayattu or Kathakali show, then an early dinner.
Stay: Munnar (Pallivasal or Chithirapuram)
- 3
Day 3
Tahr, tea and Top Station
Morning: The first slot at Eravikulam National Park, around 7:30–8 am, for Nilgiri tahr and views of Anamudi.
Afternoon: The Tea Museum, then Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point and Kundala Lake, continuing to Top Station if it's clear.
Evening: Back to the hotel for a quiet, cool evening.
Stay: Munnar
Eravikulam usually closes in February and March; do a Kolukkumalai sunrise jeep instead.
- 4
Day 4
Munnar to Thekkady
Morning: Drive about 3 hours through cardamom hills to Thekkady.
Afternoon: A guided spice-plantation walk, then an afternoon Periyar lake boat ride (book ahead).
Evening: A Kalaripayattu show and a stroll through Kumily's spice shops.
Stay: Thekkady (Kumily)
- 5
Day 5
Board the houseboat in Alleppey
Morning: Leave Thekkady by 8 am for the 4-hour drive to Alleppey.
Afternoon: Board the houseboat by about 12:30 pm and cruise through Kuttanad over a Kerala lunch.
Evening: The boat anchors by about 5:30 pm; sunset, tea and dinner on deck.
Stay: Houseboat, Alleppey
Boarding after 2 pm cuts into cruising time, so don't add stops on the drive.
- 6
Day 6
Canals and the flight home
Morning: Breakfast on board and check out by 9 am, then a 1–2 hour canoe ride through narrow village canals.
Afternoon: Drive about 2 hours to Kochi airport.
Evening: Fly home.
Book a flight after 3 pm so the canoe ride isn't rushed.
Is six days enough for Kerala?
It's enough for the four classic stops at a moderate pace. Six days and five nights covers Fort Kochi's history, Munnar's tea country, Thekkady's spice hills and the Alleppey backwaters, with one drive of 3–4 hours on most days. You won't reach the beaches at Varkala or Kovalam; add two or three nights and fly out of Thiruvananthapuram if you want them.
Why this order?
Going Kochi–Munnar–Thekkady–Alleppey–Kochi makes a loop with no backtracking, puts the hill driving early, and ends with the houseboat, the most relaxing night of the trip, just two hours from the airport.
What does it cost?
Mid-range land packages for this route start at about ₹30,000 per person on twin sharing, covering 3★–4★ hotels, a premium houseboat with meals and a private car with driver throughout. Budget versions start around ₹19,000; luxury, with boutique hotels and a top-tier houseboat, runs to ₹75,000 and more. Flights are extra.
Ask for one car and driver for all six days. It's cheaper than separate transfers, and the driver handles parking, Eravikulam queues and the houseboat handover.
For details, see the Kerala trip cost guide, the best time to visit Kerala, things to do in Munnar and where to stay in Alleppey. For more food ideas along the way, read what to eat in Kerala.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do this Kerala itinerary with elderly parents?
What should I cut if I have only five days?
Is the houseboat better at the start or the end of the trip?
How we checked this page
Last reviewed
Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
