The short answer
Kerala runs north to south in three strips: the coast, the backwaters behind it and the Western Ghats hills inland. Most trips start in Cochin, go up to the hills, come down to the backwaters and finish on a beach.
Kerala in three strips
Think of Kerala in three strips running north to south: the coast, the backwaters just behind it, and the Western Ghats rising inland.
Most journeys begin in Cochin, where the international airport, our own office and the old spice port all sit. Two nights here orient you before you go anywhere slow.
From Cochin the backwaters are two hours south, at Alleppey and Kumarakom, for a houseboat night or, better, a lakeside villa with day cruises.
Turn inland for the hills: Thekkady for spice and wildlife, Munnar for tea. Roads are winding, so allow half a day between each.
Come down to the coast at Marari or Varkala to finish. The classic loop of Cochin, hills, backwaters and beach takes 8 to 10 nights without hurrying.
The main areas
| Area | Main places | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Central coast | Fort Kochi, Cochin | History, food, arrival point |
| Backwaters | Alleppey, Kumarakom | Houseboats, lakes, villages |
| Hills | Munnar, Thekkady | Tea, spice, wildlife, cool air |
| South coast | Varkala, Kovalam, Trivandrum | Beaches, Ayurveda |
| North | Wayanad, Kannur, Kozhikode | Forests, theyyam, Malabar food |
Airports and getting around
Cochin is the main airport and the best start for most trips. Trivandrum in the south is useful for finishing at the beach. Kozhikode and Kannur serve the north. We use private cars with experienced drivers, and trains for some longer coastal journeys.
The best order to travel
Our usual order is Fort Kochi, then Munnar, then Thekkady, then the backwaters, then the beach. It keeps the long hill drives early, when you are fresh, and leaves the rest at the end. Flying home from Trivandrum saves the drive back north.
From our Cochin officeDo not try to see the north and the south in under two weeks. Pick one, or add the north on a second visit.
Local knowledge on the map
Our Kerala office in Cochin has been planning trips for 20 years, and Globe Travel Centre has been trading since 2006. We plan routes based on real drive times, not what the map says, and we change them when roads are affected by rain.
Frequently asked questions
Cochin for most trips. Trivandrum suits beach stays in the south.
Usually a long half day by road, depending on traffic and stops.
Yes, for theyyam, Wayanad and Malabar food, especially on a second trip.
