Photo: @pavi_thra_ / UnsplashKerala
Kerala, India
Backwaters, tea hills, spice gardens, and cliff beaches, all within a few hours of each other. Kerala is one of India's easiest states to travel independently.
- Backpacker / day
- ₹1,800–2,800
- Mid-range / day
- ₹5,700–11,000
- Best time
- October to March
- Ideal length
- 7–10 days
- Gateway
- Kochi (COK) or Thiruvananthapuram (TRV)
Kerala packs a lot into a narrow strip between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. You can wake up in a colonial port town, sleep in the tea hills, and end the week on a cliff above the sea, using buses and trains the whole way.
The classic route runs Kochi → Munnar → Thekkady → Alleppey → Varkala, and works in either direction.
Day by day
8-day itinerary
₹14,400–22,400per person on a backpacker budget (estimate), excluding travel to get there
- 1
Day 1: Fort Kochi
Chinese fishing nets, St Francis Church, and cafés in the old quarter.
- 2
Day 2: Mattancherry and a Kathakali show
The Jew Town spice market, Paradesi Synagogue, and an evening Kathakali performance.
- 3
Day 3: Bus to Munnar
Climb into the tea hills; walk through the estates in the afternoon.
- 4
Day 4: Munnar
Eravikulam National Park for Nilgiri tahr (closed for calving around February–March), then a tea museum or a sunrise viewpoint.
- 5
Day 5: Thekkady
Spice plantation walk and a boat or guided walk in Periyar Tiger Reserve.
- 6
Day 6: Alleppey backwaters
A canoe or shikara through the narrow canals, or an overnight houseboat.
- 7
Day 7: Varkala
Train to Varkala; sunset on the North Cliff.
- 8
Day 8: Varkala beach day
Swim, rest, and fly out from Thiruvananthapuram (about an hour away).
When to go
- Jan★ Best
- Feb★ Best
- Mar★ Best
- Apr—
- May—
- Jun—
- Jul—
- Aug—
- Sep—
- Oct★ Best
- Nov★ Best
- Dec★ Best
- Oct–Mar: BestDry, pleasant, and ideal for beaches and backwaters. December and January are the busiest and most expensive.
- Apr–May: MixedHot and humid on the coast; the hill stations are a good escape. Prices drop.
- Jun–Sep: MixedSouthwest monsoon: heavy rain, green hills, and Ayurveda season. Beaches and some activities close, but it's cheap and quiet.
Getting there
- By air
- Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram have the most domestic and Gulf connections; Kozhikode serves the north.
- By train
- Ernakulam (Kochi), Alappuzha, and Varkala Sivagiri are on the main coastal line, with direct trains from Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Delhi.
- By road
- KSRTC buses link every stop on the route cheaply. Kochi to Munnar is about 4–5 hours.
Budget per person per day
| Item | Backpacker | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| Stay (hostel or homestay) | ₹600–1,200 | ₹2,500–5,000 |
| Food | ₹400–700 | ₹900–1,500 |
| Local transport (bus, train, auto) | ₹300–600 | ₹1,500–3,000 |
| Activities and entry | ₹300–600 | ₹800–1,500 |
| Typical day | ₹1,800–2,800 | ₹5,700–11,000 |
An overnight houseboat is the big splurge: expect roughly ₹7,000–15,000 for a couple in season, meals included. A public ferry or a few hours in a shikara or canoe gives you the backwaters for a fraction of that.
Highlights
Alleppey backwaters
Canals, paddy fields, and village life best seen from a small boat.
Munnar tea estates
Rolling tea gardens at about 1,600 m, cool even in summer.
Fort Kochi
Portuguese, Dutch, and British layers in a walkable old town.
Varkala cliff
Red laterite cliffs above a long beach, with cafés along the edge.
Practical tips
- Dress and temples
- Many temples admit only Hindus to the inner sanctum, and some require a mundu or sari. Cover shoulders and knees at religious sites.
- Houseboats
- Book licensed houseboats and agree what's included (meals, route, hours) before paying. Canoe tours reach narrower canals that houseboats can't.
- Monsoon travel
- In June–September, check for red alerts from the state disaster authority; hill roads can close after landslides.
Kerala FAQs
What is the best month to visit Kerala?
October to March is dry and comfortable. December and January are the most popular, so book stays early; November and February are quieter with similar weather.
How many days do I need for Kerala?
Seven to ten days covers Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady, the backwaters, and a beach without rushing.
Is a houseboat worth it?
An overnight houseboat is memorable but expensive. A half-day canoe or shikara ride shows you more of the narrow canals for much less.
Guide reviewed September 2026. Costs are estimates, not live prices. Check current prices, permits, weather, safety advice and schedules before you travel.