Kerala (Kochi, Munnar & Alleppey Backwaters) (Kerala (Kochi, Munnar Tea Hills, Alleppey Backwaters & Varkala)) Travel Guide 2026

Highlights & What to See in Kerala (Kochi, Munnar & Alleppey Backwaters)

• Alleppey (Alappuzha) or Kumarakom Kettuvallam Houseboat Cruise — Glide across tranquil emerald palm canals and Vembanad Lake on a traditional thatched rice barge with a private chef cooking fresh Toddy-shop pearl spot fish (₹9,500–₹18,000 / $115–$215 per night for 2 incl. all meals).
• Fort Kochi: Chinese Fishing Nets, Mattancherry Palace & Jew Town — Walk leafy Portuguese/Dutch heritage streets, watch evening Kathakali classical dance-drama makeup sessions, and dine at Kashi Art Cafe.
• Munnar Tea Gardens & Eravikulam National Park (Western Ghats) — Winding highland roads through 1,600m emerald tea estates where endangered Nilgiri Tahr mountain goats roam.
• Periyar Tiger Reserve (Thekkady Spice Plantations) & Varkala Red Cliffs — Tour cardamom, black pepper, and vanilla estates before relaxing above the Arabian Sea on Varkala's North Cliff.

Transit & Getting There

Connect to Kerala (Kochi, Munnar & Alleppey Backwaters) via Kerala (Kochi, Munnar & Alleppey Backwaters) Central Station (Indian Railways Vande Bharat Express (AC Chair & Executive Class), Gatimaan Express (Delhi–Agra in 1h 40m at 160 km/h) & IRCTC Foreign Tourist Quota (FTQ — Code 'FT')) and local transit using IRCTC Foreign Tourist Quota.