Kerala Backwaters & Tea Hills

Destination 01

Kochi

9 places

Colonial-era port town of churches, spice markets and fishing nets. Stay 2–3 nights.

• Photo: Pradeepta Prady Das · Google

  Chinese Fishing Nets

  Cantilevered shore nets on Fort Kochi beach, still worked by teams of fishermen.

  Tip Come at sunset; fishermen may let you help haul for a small tip.

  SeeFort KochiFree30 minSunset
• Photo: Sudershan Singh Gusain · Google

  St. Francis Church

  India's oldest European-built church, where Vasco da Gama was first buried in 1524.

  SeeFort KochiFree20 minMorning
• Photo: Ranjith Siji · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Mattancherry Palace

  Portuguese-built palace with some of Kerala's finest Hindu temple murals.

  Tip Closed Fridays.

  SeeMattancherry$45 minMorning
• Photo: jeem from Saint Louis, United States · CC BY 2.5

  Paradesi Synagogue

  Built in 1568, with hand-painted Chinese floor tiles and Belgian chandeliers.

  Tip Closed Fridays, Saturdays and Jewish holidays; cover shoulders and knees.

  SeeJew Town$30 minMorning
• Photo: Josef Fuchs · Google

  Kerala Kathakali Centre

  Nightly Kathakali dance-drama performances with a chance to watch the elaborate makeup.

  Tip Arrive early to see the makeup applied.

  DoFort Kochi$2 hrEvening
• Photo: Divyank Gupta · Google

  Jew Town spice market

  Lanes of spice warehouses, antique shops and textile stores in Mattancherry.

  ShopJew Town$60 minMorning
• Photo: nikhil davis · Google

  Kashi Art Cafe

  Gallery café in a Dutch-era house, known for coffee, breakfasts and cakes.

  DrinkFort Kochi$$45 minMorning
• Photo: Meli · Google

  Fort House Restaurant

  Waterfront hotel restaurant serving Kerala seafood curries and fried fish.

  EatFort Kochi$$75 minDinner
• Photo: Anoop Kumar · Google

  Kayees Rahmathulla Cafe

  Long-running Mattancherry canteen famed for Malabar-style biryani.

  Tip Biryani sells out by mid-afternoon.

  EatMattancherry$40 minLunch

Destination 02

Munnar

9 places

Hill station surrounded by tea estates and Western Ghats peaks. Stay 2 nights.

• Photo: Mike Prince from Bangalore, India · CC BY 2.0

  Eravikulam National Park

  Grassland park that protects the endangered Nilgiri tahr, below Anamudi, South India's highest peak.

  Tip Usually closed Feb–Mar for calving; buy tickets online.

  OutdoorsRajamalai$2.5 hrMorning
• Photo: Siddhant Vekariya · Google

  Tata Tea Museum

  Museum and working factory showing how Munnar tea is picked, rolled and dried.

  Tip Closed Mondays.

  SeeNallathanni$60 minMorning
• Photo: Martin Roy · Google

  Kolukkumalai Tea Estate

  One of the world's highest tea estates, reached by jeep for sunrise above the clouds.

  Tip Jeeps leave from Suryanelli around 4:30 am.

  DoSuryanelli$$4 hrSunrise
• Photo: DdraconiandevilL · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Mattupetty Dam

  Reservoir in the hills with boating, surrounded by tea and dairy farms.

  Outdoors$60 minMorning
• Photo: Dilip Reddy · Google

  Top Station

  Viewpoint on the Kerala–Tamil Nadu border with wide views over the Western Ghats.

  Tip Clouds roll in by midday; go early.

  OutdoorsFree60 minMorning
• Photo: Alex Lajtos · Google

  Lakshmi Hills tea trek

  Guided half-day walks through tea estates and cardamom groves with valley views.

  Tip Hire a guide through your hotel or the DTPC office in town.

  Do$$3 hrMorning
• Photo: Saravana Bhavan · Google

  Saravana Bhavan Munnar

  Busy vegetarian spot for dosas, idlis and banana-leaf meals in Munnar town.

  EatMunnar town$40 minBreakfast
• Photo: Mubarak Khan · Google

  Rapsy Restaurant

  Small bazaar restaurant known for parathas, biryani and Spanish omelets.

  EatMunnar town$45 minLunch
• Photo: Eldho Uthup · Google

  Kannan Devan tea shop

  Tea outlet near the museum where you can taste and buy fresh Munnar leaf.

  Drink$30 minAfternoon

Destination 03

Alleppey & Kumarakom

9 places

Canals, paddy fields and houseboats on Vembanad Lake. Stay 2–3 nights.

• Photo: Shivali Dave · Google

  Houseboat cruise on Vembanad Lake

  Overnight trip on a converted rice barge through canals, villages and paddy fields.

  Tip Choose a licensed boat; overnight boats moor at dusk by law.

  DoPunnamada$$$22 hrAfternoon start
• Photo: Lijo John · Google

  Pathiramanal Island

  Uninhabited island in Vembanad Lake with a walking path through mangroves and palms, home to herons, cormorants and egrets.

  Tip Go by boat at dawn when birds are most active; bring water.

  OutdoorsVembanad Lake$2 hrEarly morning
• Photo: Kayaking Boat Club Alleppey · Google

  Kayak backwater tour

  Guided kayak trips through narrow canals that houseboats cannot reach.

  Do$$3 hrEarly morning
• Photo: Mahendra M · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Marari Beach

  Quiet sand beach with fishing boats, 15 km north of Alleppey.

  Tip Strong currents; swim only where locals do.

  OutdoorsMararikulamFree2 hrLate afternoon
• Photo: Mohanrangaphotography · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Alappuzha Beach

  Town beach with an old pier and lighthouse.

  OutdoorsFree60 minSunset
• Photo: Manjushree K · Google

  Mullackal Rajarajeswari Temple

  Busy Hindu temple in Alleppey's market area, center of the December Chirap festival.

  SeeMullakkalFree30 minEvening
• Photo: ANANDHU A · Google

  Thaff Restaurant

  Popular local spot for Kerala parotta, beef fry and Malabar biryani.

  Eat$45 minLunch
• Photo: Anand Kurian · Google

  Toddy shop

  Kerala's palm-wine bars, serving fresh toddy with fiery fish and tapioca dishes.

  Tip Ask your houseboat crew or guide for a licensed shop nearby.

  DrinkKumarakom$60 minLunch
• Photo: Kumarakom Lake Resort · Google

  Kumarakom Lake Resort restaurant

  Lakeside heritage resort dining on karimeen pollichathu, pearl spot fish in banana leaf.

  EatKumarakom$$$1.5 hrDinner