Hills and wildlife: Munnar and Periyar

Day 1: Arrive in Kochi (Fort Kochi)

Kochi (Fort Kochi)

• Kalaripayattu martial arts demonstration · 1 h
• Hill Palace Museum, Tripunithura · 2 h. The former Cochin royal palace with crowns, palanquins and a deer park; closed on Mondays.

Local tip: The former Cochin royal palace with crowns, palanquins and a deer park; closed on Mondays.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Kochi (Fort Kochi) → Munnar

Munnar · Kochi (Fort Kochi) to Munnar, Private car ~4–4.5h (KSRTC bus ~5h)

• Eravikulam National Park (Rajamalai) · 3 h. Park buses run from the gate up to the Rajamalai tahr area; book online and go at opening time. Closed for tahr calving roughly Feb–Apr each year.

Local tip: Park buses run from the gate up to the Rajamalai tahr area; book online and go at opening time. Closed for tahr calving roughly Feb–Apr each year.

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Explore Munnar

Munnar

• Tea Museum and factory demonstration · 1.5 h. Shows the orthodox tea process from withering to grading, with tastings; closed on Mondays.
• Top Station viewpoint · 3 h. On the Tamil Nadu border about 1h from town, looking down over the plains; go early before the mist rolls in.
• Spice and cardamom garden visit · 1 h
• Attukad waterfalls and Pothamedu viewpoint · 2 h

Local tip: Shows the orthodox tea process from withering to grading, with tastings; closed on Mondays.

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Explore Munnar

Munnar

• Guided tea estate and hill trek · 4 h. Estates are private land, so go with a local guide who has permission; Lakshmi Hills and the Chokramudi area are popular.
• Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point and Kundala Lake · 3.5 h. The scenic road east of Munnar with pedal and speed boats on the reservoirs; weekends are crowded.

Local tip: Estates are private land, so go with a local guide who has permission; Lakshmi Hills and the Chokramudi area are popular.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Munnar → Thekkady (Periyar)

Thekkady (Periyar) · Munnar to Thekkady (Periyar), Private car ~3.5h

• Periyar Lake boat cruise · 1.5 h. Forest department boats leave from Thekkady boat landing several times a day; the first sailing has the best chance of elephants and bison. Book online, as tickets sell out.
• Spice plantation tour · 1.5 h. Cardamom, pepper, clove and coffee on a guided walk around Kumily; buy spices direct at fixed prices.
• Kalaripayattu show at Kumily · 1 h

Local tip: Forest department boats leave from Thekkady boat landing several times a day; the first sailing has the best chance of elephants and bison. Book online, as tickets sell out.

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Explore Thekkady (Periyar)

Thekkady (Periyar)

• Guided nature walk in Periyar Tiger Reserve · 3 h. Small groups with tribal guides from the forest eco-development committees; wear leech socks in wet months. Tigers are rarely seen, birds and langurs often.
• Kathakali show in Kumily · 1.5 h

Local tip: Small groups with tribal guides from the forest eco-development committees; wear leech socks in wet months. Tigers are rarely seen, birds and langurs often.

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Depart from Thekkady (Periyar)

Thekkady (Periyar)

Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.