Kerala honeymoon: tea hills, spice forest and Vembanad

Day 1: Arrive in Munnar

Munnar

• Spice and cardamom garden visit · 1 h
• Attukad waterfalls and Pothamedu viewpoint · 2 h

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Explore Munnar

Munnar

• 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.
• Tea Museum and factory demonstration · 1.5 h. Shows the orthodox tea process from withering to grading, with tastings; closed on Mondays.

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: 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.
• Kathakali show in Kumily · 1.5 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 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Thekkady (Periyar) → Alleppey (Alappuzha)

Alleppey (Alappuzha) · Thekkady (Periyar) to Alleppey (Alappuzha), Private car ~4h

• Overnight houseboat cruise on the backwaters · Full day. Boarding is around noon and check-out around 9am; boats cruise until about 5:30pm, then moor. Meals by the onboard cook are included. Check the licence, the route (Kuttanad paddy canals beat the crowded main channel) and AC hours before paying.

Local tip: Boarding is around noon and check-out around 9am; boats cruise until about 5:30pm, then moor. Meals by the onboard cook are included. Check the licence, the route (Kuttanad paddy canals beat the crowded main channel) and AC hours before paying.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Alleppey (Alappuzha) → Kumarakom

Kumarakom · Alleppey (Alappuzha) to Kumarakom, Private car ~1.25h

• Shikara or canoe ride through village canals · 2 h. Small canopied boats reach canals the big houseboats can't; agree the hourly rate first.
• Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary early walk · 2 h. Go at opening time; migratory birds peak Nov–Feb, with herons and cormorants nesting in the monsoon.

Local tip: Small canopied boats reach canals the big houseboats can't; agree the hourly rate first.

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Explore Kumarakom

Kumarakom

• Sunset motorboat on Vembanad Lake · 1.5 h
• Ayurvedic massage at a lakeside resort · 1.5 h. A single abhyanga massage is a taste; longer Ayurveda programmes start with a doctor's consultation.

Local tip: A single abhyanga massage is a taste; longer Ayurveda programmes start with a doctor's consultation.

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Depart from Kumarakom

Kumarakom

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