Kerala in 7 days: Kochi, Munnar and backwaters
Kerala · India · 7 days
Best time to visit Kerala
November to FebruaryNovember to February is the dry, cooler season and the best time for the hills and backwaters; Munnar nights can be near 10 °C. March to May is hot and humid on the coast. The southwest monsoon (June to September) brings heavy rain and some road and boat disruptions, though prices fall and the landscape is at its greenest.
Travelling from the Gulf: Kerala suits the Gulf winter break far better than summer: December and January are dry, while the summer break (June to August) is the monsoon. Onam (August or September) and the Christmas to New Year fortnight are the peak weeks for houseboats and hill hotels, so book those early. Ramadan changes little for visitors; Kerala has a large Muslim community and halal food is easy everywhere.
Flights, stay and entry for Kerala
Flight and entry details below are for travellers starting from Saudi Arabia.
Flights
About 5 hours from Riyadh to Kochi; direct flights from Saudi cities are limited, so check for one-stop options and the baggage rules. India is 2 hours 30 minutes ahead of Saudi Arabia.
Search RUH → COK flightsAll flight routesWhere to stay
Fort Kochi for the old quarter; a tea-estate stay in Munnar; a houseboat or lakeside homestay in Alleppey.
Find a stay in KeralaStay connected
A travel eSIM gives you mobile data when you land, so maps and ride apps work without waiting for a SIM card or Wi-Fi.
eSIM and travel extrasEntry rules
Saudi citizens can apply online for an Indian e-Tourist visa before travel. Indian passport holders and holders of an Overseas Citizen of India card enter under their own rules. Entry depends on your passport, not on living in Saudi Arabia, so check the official portal for your passport.
India e-Visa (official portal)What 7 days in Kerala cost
| Style | Per person per day (SAR) | Per person per day (USD) | Whole trip (SAR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | 120–250 | 32–67 | 840–1,750 |
| Mid-range | 300–600 | 80–160 | 2,100–4,200 |
| Luxury | 1,000–2,200 | 267–587 | 7,000–15,400 |
Per person per day, flights excluded, with a hired car and driver shared between two. The houseboat night is the single biggest cost; a private boat with a cook costs more than a shared one. Rough estimate at October 2026 prices; USD 1 = SAR 3.75.
Day 1: Fort Kochi
- Morning
Mattancherry Palace and Jew Town
A Portuguese-built palace with Kerala murals, then the antique and spice shops of Jew Town and the Paradesi Synagogue. The palace is closed on Fridays; the synagogue is closed on Fridays and Saturdays and on Jewish holidays, and opens in two short windows on other days.
- Afternoon
Santa Cruz Basilica and Fort Kochi streets
Walk the old Portuguese and Dutch quarter by foot or bicycle; small galleries and cafés sit between colonial houses.
- Evening
Chinese fishing nets
The cantilevered nets along the shore are lowered and raised at sunset. Buy fish at the stalls and have it cooked at a nearby restaurant.
Day 2: Kochi to Munnar
- Morning
Road to Munnar
About 130 km and 4–5 hours with a driver, climbing into the hills. Leave by 8:00 to arrive with daylight left.
- Afternoon
Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls
Two roadside waterfalls you pass on the way up; strong after the monsoon and thin in the dry season. Short stops, not detours.
- Evening
Munnar town
The market sells tea, cardamom, pepper and homemade chocolate. Check in early and keep a jacket for the evening cold.
Day 3: Munnar tea hills
- Morning
Eravikulam National Park
A high grassland park and home of the Nilgiri tahr. It is usually closed for the calving season in February and March. Buy tickets at the gate early; queues grow by mid-morning.
- Afternoon
Tea Museum, Munnar
A small museum in an old tea factory, with machinery from the early plantation days and a tasting. Allow an hour.
- Evening
Mattupetty Dam
A reservoir among the tea hills with boat rides and viewpoints. Quiet near sunset, and cold once the light goes.
Day 4: Thekkady and Periyar
- Morning
Road to Thekkady
About 110 km and 3.5 hours through cardamom and pepper country on winding roads. Roadside plantations offer short tours.
- Afternoon
Periyar Tiger Reserve boat ride
Boats cross Periyar Lake, where elephants and deer often come to drink. Tigers are rare to see. Book the forest department boat in advance.
- Evening
Spice garden walk
See cardamom, cinnamon, clove and pepper growing; guides explain how each is grown. Buy spices from the farm, not from the market stalls.
Day 5: Alleppey backwaters
- Morning
Road to Alappuzha
About 3.5–4 hours down from the hills to the coast. Aim to reach the jetty before noon, when houseboats usually board.
- Afternoon
Houseboat on Vembanad Lake
A rice-boat style houseboat drifts through canals and the lake, with a cook on board. Choose a boat with a government registration, and agree the route and meals in writing.
- Evening
Dinner on board
Kerala meals of fish, rice and coconut curry are cooked on board. Boats moor at dusk in the quiet backwaters; mosquito repellent is useful.
Day 6: Backwaters and beach
- Morning
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
A lakeside sanctuary best in the early morning, with egrets, herons and migrant birds in the cooler months. Allow two hours.
- Afternoon
Marari Beach
A quiet fishing-village beach with coconut palms, north of Alleppey. A relaxed stop after the boat.
- Evening
Alappuzha beach
Sunset at the old pier and lighthouse, with street food at the roadside stalls.
Day 7: Back to Kochi
- Morning
Road to Kochi
About 2 hours from Alappuzha. Leave a margin if you have a flight the same day; traffic on the highway is unpredictable.
- Afternoon
Marine Drive, Kochi
The waterfront promenade in the modern city, with shopping and views of the harbour. Good for last-minute purchases.
- Evening
Kerala dinner
End with a traditional sadya or a seafood meal, then transfer to the airport; allow time for check-in.
Getting around Kerala
Hire a car with a driver for the whole loop; it costs little in India and removes the stress of hill roads. Agree the price per day and the route up front. Use a local taxi or auto-rickshaw inside Fort Kochi and Alleppey.
Kerala questions
When is the best time to visit Kerala?
November to February: dry, cooler and best for hills and backwaters. March to May is hot, and June to September is monsoon with heavy rain.
Is a houseboat worth it?
One night is enough for most visitors. Choose a registered boat, check the route and meals, and avoid the busiest weekends if you want quiet.
Do I need a car and driver?
Yes for this loop. Buses exist but connect slowly and rarely reach the plantations and viewpoints, and hill roads are better left to a local driver.
Can I shorten this to 5 days?
Yes: drop Thekkady, or skip the extra backwater and beach day. Munnar and a houseboat night are the heart of the trip.