BEST OF KERALA IN 7 DAYS (ATHIRAPALLY - MUNNAR - THEKKADY - ALLEPPEY - KOVALAM)

Waterfall | Hill Station | Wildlife | Lake & Backwaters | Beach

Photo Credit: Flickr

ITINERARY SUMMARY

Trip Starting Point: Kochi

Mode of Travel: Car (or Cab)

Trip Duration: 7 Days

Ideal Start Time: 8 AM:9 AM:8 AM:8 AM:8 AM:8 AM:9 AM

Total Places Visited: 17

DAYS

DAY 1 : VISIT ATHIRAPALLY & TRAVEL TO MUNNAR

Travel from Kochi to Athirapally Waterfalls

At a distance of 32 km from Chalakudy, 59 km from Thrissur, 73 km from Kochi, 100 km from Munnar, 122 km from Kottayam, 170 km from Kozhikode, 174 km from Coimbatore & 269 km from Trivandrum, Athirapally Waterfall is a scenic waterfall situated at the entrance of Sholayar hill range in the Thrissur district. It is one of the best waterfalls in India, and among the most famous tourist places in Kerala.

Formed over the Chalakudy River, Athirapally is the biggest waterfall in Kerala. This waterfall drops down from a height of 80 feet through several parallel streams offering a great scenic beauty. In the monsoon season, the water gets strength and all the streams join together and appear like Niagara Falls. This is the biggest waterfalls in Kerala and is well-known for its scenic beauty. It is one of the popular places to visit near Kochi.

One .....

At a distance of 7 km from Athirapally & 75 km from Kochi, Vazhachal Waterfall is a breathtakingly beautiful waterfall situated very close to Athirapally - Valparai road. It is one of the popular tourist places in Athirapally.

Near the entrance of the Sholayar forest range, the waterfall is formed on Chalakkudy River at the lower stream of Athirapally Waterfalls. The surroundings of the waterfalls offer rich natural views. Unlike Athirapally Waterfalls, Vazhachal flows through an inclined slope of more than 300 feet to descend into a huge pool. It is very difficult and dangerous to step into the flow or to reach the bottom of the flow.

This waterfall became famous for not just its view but the endemic species found in the surrounding dense forests. Researchers have found four endangered species of the Hornbill here, the only .....

Overnight Stay in Munnar

DAY 2 : MUNNAR SIGHTSEEING

Start Munnar Sightseeing

At a distance of 4 km from Munnar Bus Station, Photo Point is a beautiful spot on Mattupetty road lined up with tea gardens on both sides. As the name suggests, this place is a famous photography point in Munnar due to its breathtaking background of mountains surrounded by lush green tea gardens. Photo Point is one of the best tourist places to visit in Munnar.

The tea gardens are owned by Kannan Devan Hills Plantations Limited owned by Tata Group and it is a private property. Visitors can take photographs at the entrance of garden without disturbing the plantations.

This place is situated on the main road with running traffic and tourists are advised to be careful while taking pictures standing close to the road.

At a distance of 10 km from Munnar Bus Station, Mattupetty Dam is a storage Concrete Gravity dam situated on Top Station Road in Munnar. It is one of the best Munnar places to visit to experience the beauty of Munnar along with boating.

Constructed in 1953, Mattupetty Dam was constructed under the Pallivasal Hydro-electric project for water conservation and power generation. Now the dam is a vital source of electricity generation in Munnar and also a haven for many wild animals and birds due to its constant water availability.

The most attractive part of Mattupetty Dam is its still water which reflects the tea garden around. Visitors can engage themselves with water sport activities like speed boating organized by the District Tourism Promotion Council of Idukki (Munnar) and enjoy the pretty natural surroundings of this beautiful dam as part of Munnar holiday packages. Adventure .....

At a distance of 15 kms from Munnar, Echo Point is a beautiful place situated on the way to Top Station between Mattupetty Dam and Kundala Lake. This is one of the major tourist places to visit in Munnar. Echo point is situate on the main road towards Kundala Lake on the backwaters of Mattupetty Dam amidst rolling hills.

This scenic place gets its name from the natural echo phenomenon here. Every loud call made from a spot on the lake embankment is returned manifold by the echo from the surrounding hills. Trekking and nature walks are popular activities in this scenic destination with beautiful views of the green hills. The fresh mountain air, the mist-clad hills and panoramic view make it worthy of a visit.

This is a wonderful place for photography. Boating is also available at Echo Point.

At a distance of 20 km from Munnar, Kundala Lake is a picturesque lake situated on the way to Top Station from Munnar. It is one of the scenic places to visit in Munnar.

The lake is formed by Kundala artificial dam, which is a small dam in cured shape. The lake offer boating facility. The unique experience of boating in Kashmiri boats in this lake is a special attraction. These boats are also known as Shikara Boats. Kundala Lake is one of the best places for sightseeing in Munnar. The tea estates spread across Kundala are a real feast to the eyes.


There is also a golf course which belongs to Tata Tea Ltd in Kundala village.

Boating Timings: 9 AM to 5:30 PM

Boating Fee (30 minutes): Shikara Boat - Rs 200 for 2 persons, Row Boats - Rs 150 for 4 persons, Pedal Boat - Rs 100 for 2 persons

At a distance of 32 Kms from Munnar, Top Station is a breathtakingly beautiful place on Kerala - Tamilnadu boarder. From here, one can get 360 degrees view of the Western Ghats. This is one of the best Munnar tourist places and among the prime place to visit on a Munnar tour.

At an altitude of 2200 meters, this place is also known for the Neelakurunji Plant, which flowers only once every 12 years (next flowering year is 2018). The view point is at a distance of 2 kms from the road point and has to be trekked down. The trek path is very steep with deep valleys one side. One should be very careful while trekking to the view point, which offers lifetime memories. Top Station is the highest approachable road in South India.

The viewpoint at Top Station offers breathtakingly beautiful views of Kannan Devan Hills. The valleys all around, the misty mountains and distant waterfalls all .....

Overnight Stay in Munnar

DAY 3 : MUNNAR SIGHTSEEING

Resume Munnar Sightseeing

At a distance of 16 km from Munnar, Eravikulam National Park is a protected wildlife reserve located in Munnar. Situated on Munnar - Udumalpet Road, it is one of the popular national parks in Kerala, and among the must visit places during Munnar tour.

The Eravikulam National Park was established to protect the Nilgiri Tahr. Earlier, the area was managed as a game preserve by the Kanan Devan Hills Produce Company. The government of Kerala resumed control in 1971 and declared the Eravikulam-Rajamala Wildlife Sanctuary in 1975 and became a National Park in 1978.

The national park is spread across an area of 97sq. km and is a protected area. The park is extended into Tamil Nadu and is known as Annamalai Wildlife Sanctuary. This region is famous as the natural habitat of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. Nearly half the world's population of this rare species is found in the area. Other .....

At a distance of 3.5 km from Munnar Bus Station, Tea Museum is a wonderful place to visit in Munnar town. The museum is owned by Kannan Devan Hills Plantations Limited owned by Tata Group. Visit to Tea Museum is one of the top things to do in Munnar.

The museum exhibits different equipment used in tea manufacturing from early 20th century to late 20th century. Some of the items exhibited in the museum include the tea leave cutting machines, power making equipment, etc. The process of tea manufacturing is also explained in the museum.

The museum is situated in a scenic location on Pooyankuty Road on the outskirts of Munnar town.

Timings: 10 AM to 4 PM. Monday Holiday.

Entry Fee: Rs. 75 for Adults, Rs. 35 for Children below 12 years, Rs. 20 for Camera

At a distance of 4 km from Munnar Bus Stand and 2.5 km from Top Station, Rose Garden is a well maintained flower garden situated on Munnar - Top Station Highway in Munnar, Kerala. It is one of the top places to visit in Munnar.

Munnar Rose Garden is a beautiful garden with hundreds of rare varieties of flowers and herbal plants. With large tea plantations in the background, this place can be visited during a trip to Munnar. The garden is operated by Kerala Forest Development Centre (KFDC), a Govt. of Kerala undertaking. Spread across a few acres of land, this place has an amenity center for tourists and a sales outlet, in addition to hundreds of rare varieties of flowers, cactus, shrubs, creepers and herbal plants. The amenity center inside the garden has toilets, shop, snacks, coffee etc.

Timings: 10 AM - 5 PM

Entry Fee: Rs. 30 for Person

At a distance of 3 km from Munnar Bus Station, Pothamedu Viewpoint is a spectacular vantage point situated on Bisonvalley road in Munnar. It is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Munnar and among the must-visit places as part of Munnar packages.

Pothamedu Viewpoint offers a panoramic view of the Kannan Devan Hills of the Munnar region and it also offers a great view of the surrounding tea gardens. This stunning location is perfect for tourists, who love to view the refreshing plantations of coffee, tea, and cardamom and spend some time in the lap of nature with great views. If the day is clear, you can also see the Muthirapuzha River and Idukki Arch Dam from quite a height. Watching the sun slide down the horizon in the vast expanse of the Sahyadri ranges is one perfect way of spending your vacation in this quaint town.

Counted among the most scenic Munnar places to visit, this .....

Overnight Stay in Munnar

DAY 4 : TRAVEL TO THEKKADY & SIGHTSEEING

Travel from Munnar to Thekkady

Boat Cruise is the best mode in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary to watch the wildlife from a close distance. Boating in Periyar Lake is arranged by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) and is one of the most popular things to do in Thekkady. The lake was formed by Mullaperiyar Dam constructed in 1895. The land surrounding the lake is commonly frequented by wildlife.

Elephants are the most common wildlife you can see on the shores of the reservoir while boating in the lake as part of Thekkady holiday packages. Apart from Elephants, the sight of Wild Boar and Sambar Deer is also possible. The upper deck in the boat is best for wildlife viewing. The tickets for boating is issued at Thekkady Boating Point which is 4.5 Km from Kumily Bus Stand. The boats are mostly crowded and better to come early and allocate a good amount of buffer time for boating. .....

Elephant rides are famous in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. The elephant rides through the spice gardens are arranged by Elephant Junction. This park is situated 4 Km away from Kumily Bus Stand. It offers a rare opportunity to experience the safari on an Elephant through a Spice Plantation where the gentle breeze refresh ones, with the spice scented air.

Elephant Junction is a place where one can actually interact with the elephants getting indulged into activities such as bathing elephant, elephant ride and enjoying getting around with playful elephants. Elephant safaris are equipped with a howdah on the back of the elephant on which two tourists sit, with an umbrella over the riders head. Elephant trainers will be at side, walking along with the elephant.

Package Cost:

30 minutes elephant safari: Rs.350 per person
60 minutes elephant safari: Rs.750 per person
90 minutes elephant safari: Rs. 1500 per person

Elephant Safari Timings: 6 AM to 5 PM.

Overnight Stay in Thekkady

DAY 5 : TRAVEL TO ALLEPPEY & SIGHTSEEING

Travel from Thekkady to Alleppey

Alappuzha is a magnificent destination in Kerala with a mix of Backwaters and Beach. Alappuzha, also known as Alleppey is situated on the shores of the Arabian Sea close to the banks of Vembanad Lake, among the most famous Alleppey tourist places.

Along with Kumarakom, Alappuzha is among the most famous destination of backwaters in Kerala. A houseboat cruise in these backwaters is a delightful experience that one must try during Alleppey Trip. It connects Kumarakom and Cochin to the North and Kollam to the South. The never-ending panorama of lush green paddy fields, towering coconut trees, shimmering water, and long canals around Alappuzha make it a delightful destination.

It is popularly known as the 'Venice of the East'. Alleppey is also known for the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race held in Punnamada Lake on the second Saturday of August every .....

At a distance of 2 km from Alappuzha Railway Station, Alappuzha beach is a lovely white sand beach on the Arabian Sea coast. It is one of the famous beaches in Kerala, and among the top places to visit as part of Alleppey holiday packages.

Known for its swaying beauty and alluring charm, Alleppey Beach or Alappuzha Beach is a scenic marvel for beachgoers. Adding more to the appeal of Alleppey Beach, there is a 150 years old pier that allows the visitors to take a stroll over the playful waves and get soaked with the enchanting beauty of the Arabian Sea! Alappuzha Lighthouse is situated near to the beach. The Children's Park at the northern end of the beach is a good place to hang out for kids. There are no water sports facilities at the beach.

Besides, the beach is the venue for the famous Alappuzha Beach Festival. Held in April, the festival hosts an array of events such as .....

Overnight Stay in Alleppey

DAY 6 : TRAVEL TO KOVALAM & SIGHTSEEING

Travel from Alleppey to Kovalam

At a distance of 1 km from Kovalam Bus Stand, Samudra Beach is the main beach of Kovalam. Situated near Kuma Masjid, it is one of the must-include places in Kovalam holiday packages.

Samudra Beach is located towards the northmost region of Kovalam, and is one of the famous beaches near Trivandrum. The beach is separated from other beaches by disjointed crevices and a giant promontory. The main highlight of the beach is its soothing ambiance and the feel of serenity it offers. Compared to Light House Beach and Eve's Beach, this beach is less crowded and has less business activity.

Visitors can enjoy complete privacy here and thus this beach is an absolute paradise for the newly-wed. You can simply sit on the sea wall and appreciate the majestic view from there. The abundance of coconut trees and palms in this beach augments the beauty and regulates the climate perfectly .....


At a distance of 1.5 km from Kovalam Bus Stand, the Light House Beach is a pristine beach on the coast of Arabian Sea in Kovalam. It is one of the top beaches in Kerala and among the most romantic places to visit during your honeymoon in Kerala.

Adjacent to Eve's Beach, the Light House Beach is the largest of the three beaches in Kovalam. The beach is named after the 30 m high Lighthouse located towards the southern end of the beach. Tourists are not allowed inside the Light House. Tourists can climb the hillock on which the lighthouse is located, for a spectacular view of the Sunset. There is an observation platform from which you can see Poovar in one direction and the famous Beemapalli mosque in the other. One can reach this platform by climbing a total of 142 steps.

Among the best tourist places in Kovalam, the Lighthouse Beach is a magnificent .....

Overnight Stay in Kovalam

DAY 7 : DROP AT TRIVANDRUM

Travel from Kovalam to Trivandrum

END OF THE TOUR



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