6 Days in Kerala, India: Kochi, Munnar and the Backwaters

Get ready for six days of Kerala’s greatest hits. You’ll start in Kochi, a port city where Portuguese, Dutch, Jewish and Kerala royal history all sit within walking distance. Then you’ll climb into the rolling tea country around Munnar, and finish slowly drifting through the palm-lined backwaters near Alappuzha.

This plan is a joy for first-time visitors who want variety without rushing. It runs at a relaxed to moderate pace: two full days in Kochi, two in the hills and a backwater finale, with long drives placed in the mornings so you arrive in daylight. Mix in a hired car with driver for the inland legs and you can plan less and see more.

At a glance

Day	Area	Highlights
1	Fort Kochi	Chinese fishing nets, St Francis Church, sunset by the sea, Kathakali
2	Mattancherry and Ernakulam	Mattancherry (Dutch) Palace, Paradesi Synagogue, Jew Town, Water Metro ride
3	Kochi to Munnar	Scenic drive into the Western Ghats, tea estates, tea museum
4	Munnar	Eravikulam National Park, viewpoints, tea gardens
5	Munnar to the backwaters	Board a houseboat near Alappuzha, overnight on the water
6	Alappuzha to Kochi	Sunrise on the backwaters, beach stroll, return to the airport

Important timing note: the Paradesi Synagogue is closed on Fridays, Saturdays and Jewish holidays, and the Mattancherry Palace museum is closed on Fridays. Schedule Day 2 for a Sunday to Thursday. If your trip falls differently, swap Day 1 and Day 2.

Day 1: Fort Kochi, sea breeze and history

Morning

Welcome to Kerala! Arrive at Cochin International Airport and head for Fort Kochi (see “Getting there and getting around” below for options). Drop your bags and ease into Kerala time with a fresh coconut and a slow wander.

Start at the waterfront, where the giant cantilevered Chinese fishing nets line the shore. From there it’s a short, flat walk through leafy lanes to St Francis Church, one of the oldest European-built churches in India and the place where Vasco da Gama was first buried.

Afternoon

Keep walking to Santa Cruz Basilica, a few minutes away, with its bright painted interior. Fort Kochi is compact, so you can link all of these on foot, with plenty of cafés and art spaces in between when the afternoon heat builds. We suggest a long, lazy lunch and a rest during the hottest hours.

Evening

Head back to the seafront for a glorious sunset over the Arabian Sea. Then catch a Kathakali performance, Kerala’s classical dance-drama with spectacular make-up and costumes. Several cultural centres in Fort Kochi stage regular shows, and arriving early to watch the artists apply their make-up is part of the magic. Show times vary, so check the venue’s official site and book a seat a day ahead.

Day 2: Mattancherry, Jew Town and the Kochi waterways

Morning

This is the day for palaces, chandeliers and spice-scented lanes. Take an auto-rickshaw or a short ride from Fort Kochi to neighbouring Mattancherry. Begin at the Mattancherry Palace, also called the Dutch Palace. According to the Archaeological Survey of India, it was built around 1545 by the Portuguese and presented to Veera Kerala Varma, later repaired by the Dutch. Inside you’ll find superb mural paintings, royal palanquins (including one laminated with ivory), coronation robes and portraits of the Kochi kings.

• Hours: 10:00 to 17:00, closed on Fridays (ASI)
• Entry: INR 5, children up to 15 free (ASI)

The Paradesi Synagogue is a short walk away along Jew Town’s lane. Kerala Tourism describes it as the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth. Look for the 19th-century Belgian glass chandeliers and the hand-painted blue willow-pattern floor tiles.

• Hours: 10:00 to 12:00 and 15:00 to 17:00
• Closed: Fridays, Saturdays and Jewish holidays
• Note: visitors enter barefoot

Aim to reach the synagogue before noon so you don’t miss the morning window.

Afternoon

Browse Jew Town’s antique shops and the spice warehouses of Mattancherry, where the scent of pepper, cardamom and ginger hangs in the air. Then switch to the water: the Kochi Water Metro has terminals at Fort Kochi, Mattancherry and High Court, among others. Ride across the harbour to High Court terminal, near Ernakulam’s Marine Drive. Fort Kochi sits about 12 km from Ernakulam Town, so the boat is a lovely way to skip traffic. Check the boat schedule and fares on the official Water Metro site.

Evening

Stroll Marine Drive’s waterfront promenade at dusk, then try a Kerala dinner: appam with stew, or fish moilee. If you are staying in Fort Kochi, check the last return boat time before you sit down to eat.

Day 3: Into the hills to Munnar

Morning

Today the scenery turns green and gorgeous. Set off early for Munnar. The road climbs from the coastal plains into the Western Ghats, through spice country, past waterfalls and into steep, emerald tea slopes. It’s a winding mountain road, so allow most of the morning and don’t plan anything fixed before lunch. A hired car with driver is the most comfortable option. Confirm timing with your driver, as it depends heavily on traffic and weather.

Afternoon

Check in, have lunch, then walk among the tea bushes. In the afternoon, visit the tea museum run by Kannan Devan Hills Plantations (KDHP) in Munnar to see how tea leaves become the cup in your hand. Opening hours and fees aren’t published on a source we could verify, so check the official site or ask at your hotel before you go.

Evening

Munnar evenings are cool, which feels wonderful after the coast. Pack a light jacket. Keep dinner simple and get an early night for tomorrow’s start.

Day 4: Eravikulam and the tea country

Morning

Get your camera ready and head to Eravikulam National Park, home of the endangered Nilgiri tahr, a mountain goat found only in this region. Visitors are taken into the park by official shuttle and walk a scenic road with sweeping views over grassland and shola forest.

Pre-book: tickets are sold online through the Kerala Forest Department’s official booking system. Book a timed slot as early as you can, especially at weekends and during Indian holidays. We couldn’t verify current prices or seasonal closures today. The park has closed for some weeks in the past during the tahr calving season, so check the official booking site for your dates.

Afternoon

After lunch, drive out to viewpoints in the tea country, such as Mattupetty Dam and, further along the same road, Top Station on the Kerala and Tamil Nadu border. Clouds often roll in during the afternoon, so be flexible. If the views close in, swap the far viewpoints for a tea estate walk nearer town.

Evening

Try a spice garden visit or simply enjoy a fresh pot of local tea while the mist settles over the hills.

Day 5: Down to the backwaters

Morning

Save the best for (almost) last: today you trade the hills for the water. Leave Munnar after an early breakfast and drive down towards Alappuzha (Alleppey), the classic gateway to Kerala’s backwaters. It’s another long road day, descending from the hills to the flat, watery Kuttanad region. Your driver can advise on timing.

Afternoon

Board your houseboat, a converted kettuvallam (traditional rice barge), usually around midday. Then spend a dreamy afternoon gliding past paddy fields, village churches, toddy shops and kingfishers. Lunch is typically cooked on board, often with fresh-caught fish.

Pre-book: reserve your houseboat in advance through an operator you can verify via Kerala Tourism’s official website. Check what’s included (meals, air conditioning hours, cruising hours) before you pay.

Evening

Houseboats moor for the night. Watch the sunset from the deck and listen to the backwater sounds. This is the slowest, most peaceful evening of the trip.

Day 6: Sunrise on the water and farewell

Morning

Wake early for magical, misty sunrise views and a final short cruise before you disembark. If you have time, stop at Alappuzha Beach for a sea breeze and a last coconut.

Afternoon

Drive back to Kochi for your flight, allowing plenty of buffer. If you have a late flight and want to explore without luggage, CIAL runs a paid 24/7 cloakroom at the international terminal (T3) arrivals area (see Budget).

Evening

Fly home with a bag full of spices and tea. You’ll probably be planning your return already.

Getting there and getting around

Visa and entry: Many nationalities can apply for an Indian e-Visa, but rules, fees and eligibility vary by passport. Please apply only through the Government of India’s official portal, indianvisaonline.gov.in, and check requirements well before you travel.

Arriving by air: Cochin International Airport (CIAL) at Nedumbassery is the gateway. According to CIAL, ground transport options include taxis operated by CIALTOS, the Pavandoot feeder bus operated by Kochi Metro (KMRL), and public KSRTC buses.

• Prepaid taxi (CIAL): available round the clock from computerised counters at both the domestic and international terminals. The system is run by a cooperative society controlled by CIAL. Ordinary taxis cost INR 36 per km, with a minimum billing of 15 km (INR 540.42), plus a sanitisation charge of INR 35.70. Larger “on demand” vehicles cost slightly more per km. The counter quotes your fare up front.
• Feeder bus plus Metro: KMRL’s Pavan Doot electric feeder bus links the airport with Aluva Metro Station. From Aluva, Kochi Metro runs through Kaloor, M.G Road, Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam South and Vyttila to Thrippunithura. Check current feeder and Metro fares on the official KMRL site.
• KSRTC buses: Kerala’s state buses serve the airport. Check routes and fares with KSRTC.

Within Kochi: For Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, walk, take auto-rickshaws, or use the Kochi Water Metro, which has 15 routes and terminals including Fort Kochi, Mattancherry, High Court, Vypin and Vyttila. The official site lists the boat schedule.

Munnar and Alappuzha: For the hill and backwater legs, a hired car with driver is the most flexible choice. You can stop at viewpoints and spice gardens and keep the long drives comfortable. KSRTC also runs buses on these routes; check timetables and fares directly with KSRTC.

Where to stay

• Fort Kochi: Best for first-timers and heritage lovers. You’re walking distance from the fishing nets, churches and cafés, and close to Mattancherry. Evenings are atmospheric and relaxed.
• Ernakulam (around M.G Road and Marine Drive): Best for convenience and city energy. It’s on the Kochi Metro line, close to High Court Water Metro terminal and handy for an early start to Munnar.
• Munnar town outskirts and tea estate areas: Best for views and quiet. Staying among the estates means cooler nights and misty mornings, but you’ll rely on your driver to get around.
• Alappuzha and the backwaters: Most people spend the night on a houseboat. If you’d rather sleep on land, a lakeside homestay gives you the same scenery with more space.

Budget

Costs below are taken directly from official sources. Hotels, houseboats, meals, car hire and shopping vary widely by season and comfort level, so we haven’t guessed them. Get quotes directly. Excluded: international flights, visa fees, travel insurance and tips.

Item	Typical cost
Mattancherry Palace museum entry	INR 5 (children up to 15 free)
Paradesi Synagogue entry	Check the official site
Airport prepaid taxi, ordinary (first 15 km minimum)	INR 540.42 plus INR 35.70 sanitisation charge
Airport prepaid taxi, ordinary, per km	INR 36
Airport cloakroom, 1-2 bags, first 4 hours	INR 500, then INR 100 per extra hour
Kochi Water Metro, Kochi Metro, Pavan Doot bus	Check the official site
Eravikulam National Park entry	Check the official booking site
KDHP Tea Museum entry	Check the official site
Houseboat overnight	Varies by boat and season; get written quotes
Car with driver (Kochi, Munnar, Alappuzha loop)	Varies; get written quotes

Practical tips

• Plan around closing days: the Mattancherry Palace museum is closed on Fridays. The Paradesi Synagogue is closed Fridays, Saturdays and Jewish holidays, and keeps two short visiting windows.
• Dress code: the synagogue requires bare feet. Wear shoes you can slip off easily, and dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) for churches, temples and synagogues.
• Pre-book: Eravikulam timed tickets (official forest department booking), your houseboat, and a Kathakali seat.
• Money: CIAL says ATMs and currency exchange are available at both the domestic and international terminals. Carry small notes for auto-rickshaws and snacks.
• SIM or eSIM: you’ll need your passport to buy a local SIM. Coverage can be patchy on mountain roads and in remote backwater stretches, so download offline maps before Day 3.
• Pack layers: Kochi and Alappuzha are hot and humid; Munnar evenings are cool.

Heads-up

Kerala is a welcoming, easy place to travel, and a little preparation keeps it that way.

• Use official airport taxis: the CIAL prepaid taxi counters inside both terminals give a fixed, computerised fare. We suggest using them rather than arranging rides informally in the arrivals area.
• Don’t get caught by closed doors: the palace’s Friday closure and the synagogue’s Friday, Saturday and holiday closures catch many visitors out. Double-check your Day 2 date.
• Check park status before the drive up: Eravikulam National Park has closed seasonally in the past. Confirm it’s open on the official booking site before you plan Day 4 around it.
• Weather and mountain roads: the Munnar route is steep and winding. Before you travel, check your own government’s official travel advice for India and local weather alerts, especially in the rainy months. Don’t push on in heavy rain.
• Heat: schedule outdoor sightseeing in Kochi for mornings and late afternoons, and drink plenty of water.
• Visa sites: apply only through the official Government of India portal linked above, not through lookalike sites.

FAQ

Is 6 days enough for Kerala?

Six days is enough for a satisfying first taste of Kerala’s three classic landscapes: a historic port city, tea-covered hills and the backwaters. It’s a sampler, though. Beaches further south and the wildlife areas deserve their own trip.

Can I visit the Paradesi Synagogue on a Saturday?

No. It’s closed on Fridays, Saturdays and Jewish holidays. On other days it opens from 10:00 to 12:00 and from 15:00 to 17:00.

How do I get from Kochi airport to Fort Kochi?

The simplest option is a CIAL prepaid taxi from the counter in your terminal: INR 36 per km for an ordinary car, with a 15 km minimum. On a budget, take the Pavan Doot feeder bus to Aluva Metro, ride the Metro towards M.G Road, then continue by Water Metro from High Court terminal to Fort Kochi.

Do I need to book Eravikulam National Park in advance?

Yes, we strongly suggest it. Book a timed ticket on the Kerala Forest Department’s official booking site, and check whether the park is open on your dates.

Should I do an overnight houseboat or a day cruise?

If your schedule allows, stay overnight. Sunset and sunrise on the water are the highlight of the trip. A day cruise works if you’re short on time, but you’ll miss the quiet evening.

Is the Mattancherry Palace worth it?

Absolutely. Entry is just INR 5, and the murals, palanquins and royal portraits are some of Kochi’s finest. It’s open 10:00 to 17:00 and closed on Fridays.