Luxury Kerala: heritage Kochi, estate Munnar and Kumarakom

Day 1: Arrive in Kochi (Fort Kochi)

Kochi (Fort Kochi)

• Kathakali performance with make-up session · 2 h. Fort Kochi's cultural centres run a nightly shortened show with an explanation of the gestures; arrive an hour early to watch the elaborate make-up being applied.
• Hill Palace Museum, Tripunithura · 2 h. The former Cochin royal palace with crowns, palanquins and a deer park; closed on Mondays.

Local tip: Fort Kochi's cultural centres run a nightly shortened show with an explanation of the gestures; arrive an hour early to watch the elaborate make-up being applied.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Explore Kochi (Fort Kochi)

Kochi (Fort Kochi)

• Fort Kochi heritage walk: fishing nets, St Francis Church and Santa Cruz Basilica · 2.5 h. Start at the Chinese fishing nets early, when fishermen haul them in; St Francis Church is where Vasco da Gama was first buried. Fishmongers by the nets will cook your pick at nearby stalls.
• Mattancherry Palace, Jew Town and the Paradesi Synagogue · 2.5 h. The palace has some of Kerala's finest Ramayana murals (closed Fridays); the synagogue closes on Fridays, Saturdays and Jewish holidays. Jew Town's spice warehouses and antique shops fill the lanes between.

Local tip: Start at the Chinese fishing nets early, when fishermen haul them in; St Francis Church is where Vasco da Gama was first buried. Fishmongers by the nets will cook your pick at nearby stalls.

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: 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 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Explore Munnar

Munnar

• Kolukkumalai sunrise jeep trip · 5 h. Licensed jeeps leave Suryanelli before dawn for a rough ride to some of the world's highest tea gardens; seats are sold per jeep.

Local tip: Licensed jeeps leave Suryanelli before dawn for a rough ride to some of the world's highest tea gardens; seats are sold per jeep.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Munnar → Kumarakom

Kumarakom · Munnar to Kumarakom, Private car ~4.5h

• 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: Go at opening time; migratory birds peak Nov–Feb, with herons and cormorants nesting in the monsoon.

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.
• Shikara or canoe ride through village canals · 2 h. Small canopied boats reach canals the big houseboats can't; agree the hourly rate first.

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: Explore Kumarakom

Kumarakom

• Village life tour: toddy tapping, coir and fishing · 3 h. Run under Kerala's responsible-tourism scheme, with money going to the families you meet.

Local tip: Run under Kerala's responsible-tourism scheme, with money going to the families you meet.

Open day 7 route in Google Maps

Day 8: Depart from Kumarakom

Kumarakom

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