Kerala God’s own country : 6 days itinerary

Arrived Kochi airport around 10 AM. Took the bus from the airport to Ernakulam, which costs around INR 60 per person. Then we checked in to our hotel Travancore Court.

The stay was very pleasant. I suggest if you ever wish to visit Ernakulam/Kochi must stay here.

Kochi was known as Cochin, is a major port city on the south-west coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea. It is part of the district of Ernakulam in Kerala. Kochi is known as the financial, commercial and industrial capital of Kerala.

Things to do in Kochi

Fort Kochi: Fort Kochi is part of a handful of water-bound regions toward the south-west of the mainland Kochi, and collectively known as Old Kochi or West Kochi. We spent 2-3 hours at Kochi beach then we decided to go to visit Fort Kochi, we went from one shore to another shore in search of Fort but finally we found that there is no fort, actually they pronounce Port as Fort. We ended our day by watching the Kathakali show. The show was very peaceful.

St. Francis Church, Kochi: St. Francis Church, in Fort Kochi, Kochi, originally built in 1503, is one of the oldest European church in India.

Hill Palace, Tripunithura: Hill Palace is the largest archeological museum in Kerala, located at Tripunithura, Kochi. It was the imperial administrative office and official residence of Cochin Maharaja. Built in 1865, the palace complex consists of 49 buildings in the traditional architectural style, spreading across 54 acres.

Cherai Beach: Cherai Beach is a beach located in Cherai, a suburb of the city Kochi in the state of Kerala, India. One of the most visited beaches in the state, it is situated around 25 km from downtown Kochi and 20 km from Cochin International Airport. Worth the travel of 25 Km from Kochi city to the best beach near metropolis in India. Clean and vendor-free miles of silky sand where you can enjoy the sunset and sunrise. It is easy to find your own oasis of the private beach far from the madding crowd. Enjoy the sunshine and the waves.

Kochi to Alleppey ( 1:20 Hour Drive/ 53 Kms )

Alappuzha (or Alleppey) is a city on the Laccadive Sea in the southern Indian state of Kerala. It's best known for houseboat cruises along the rustic Kerala backwaters, a network of tranquil canals and lagoons.

I never imagined Kerala to be so beautiful, though I had heard about the beauty. It is the bliss of nature lovers. Backwaters are simply marvelous and just feels like gazing at nature’s beauty must stay in a houseboat to enjoy the beauty at fullest.

Things to do in Alleppey

Backwaters :

The backwaters of Alleppey could be described as a mirage of what heaven must look like on a tranquil day; only, it’s not a mirage but very real.

Alleppey is blessed with a rather peculiar geographical feature of having the water at level with the land. As a result, tourists get the opportunity of closely observing village life on the shore while cruising on the backwaters.

You can book an overnight cruise on romantic backwaters.

Alleppey to Thekkady ( 4 hours Drive/ 138 km )

After 4 hours drive we reach Thekkady, there we stayed at Mundakal Paradise (a Homestay), it costs us around INR 1000 per room, book it in advance to avail discounts, A lovely place with spacious rooms and very welcoming family.

Thekkady is mysteriously attractive for its wildlife and its plantations. Most famously known to house Elephants, highly significant town is also home to large spice plantations. Thekkady brings to closer to the natural culture of Kerala.

Things to do in Thekkady

The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary: Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most popular attractions in Thekkady. Declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978, this wildlife sanctuary is one of India's most prominent tiger reserves and has played a major role in the conservation of tigers. The sanctuary noted for its diversity of wildlife, evergreen forests, and scenic beauty receives a large number of tourists from all over the world.

Thekkady to Munnar ( 4 hours Drive/ 104 km)

This ride was quite tiring as we choose the wrong road to head towards the Munnar, don’t take the shortest road shown by Google. Better go for the highway. Although sometimes it is amazing when you got abandoned in the woods. Although it is just 4 hours ride from Thekkady to Munnar but takes 6-7 hours us to reach Munnar.

“Sometimes beautiful paths can’t be discovered without getting lost “

Munnar - The most sought after tourist destination in South India.A Large expanse of tea plantations, forests, wildlife, valleys, and mountains. It is surrounded by rolling hills dotted with tea plantations established in the late 19th century. Eravikulam National Park, a habitat for the endangered mountain goat Nilgiri Tahr.

Munnar to Kochi (3 h 4 min (110.4 km) via NH85)

We started our day early as we planned to visit the Athirapally waterfalls which are around 110 Km from Munnar.

Athirapally Waterfalls in Kerala: Bahubali Movie Location: The waterfall scene sequence shown in Bahubali 1 is a compilation of Athirapally and Vazhachal falls in Thrissur district Kerala situated around 62 km drive from Cochin. The falls are situated in the flow path of the Chalakudy river in Valparai area.

The waterfalls wide and whitish color of falling water is very very attractive. The falling of water from the up to down is the most beautiful seen. I loved the beauty.

After visiting Athirapally we spent some time in Snowstorm Snow Park.