Kerala is considered on the of the top tourist destinations in India, to be specific, South India. The state has more than 10 popular destinations, Some of the noteable names here are Varkala Beach, Periyar Lake, Alappuzha Beach, Kundala Dam & Lake, serene backwater, Kovalam Beach, spice plantations and many more. In this blog, you will get a complete detailed journey of a family of three. I am a beach loving person, stuck with a family of hill station lovers. So, a beautiful journey of Kerala comes into the picture where beaches and hill stations meet.
Here’s a quick TL;DR of the beautiful city
The Trip started on 17th July and ended on 21st July, 2024.
17th July – Flight from Hyderabad to Kochi.
18th July – Munnar Local Sight-seeing.
19th July – Munnar to Allepey.
20th July – Allepey to Varkala.
21st July – Varkala Local Sight-seeing and return to Hyderabad.
Day 1: Hyderabad to Munnar (via kochi)
Our journey began early in the morning from the Hyderabad airport at 7.30, full of excitement and thrill for the journey that was waiting for us. We landed at the Cochin airport around 9am, where we were greeted by a friendly driver from Munnar Danny Holidays, who would give us a cab ride to Munnar. The trip itself was a highlight, as we took in lush greenery, majestic hills, which clearly indicated we were in the most beautiful hill station in Southern part of India, beautiful landscapes that reflected the beauty of Kerala.
On our way to Munnar, our first stop was the magnificent Valara Falls. The view of the water cascading over the cliffs was spectacular, so we took some time to capture the beauty. Next we went to Cheapara Falls, where the sound of water and cool mist provided a refreshing break.
After enjoying the natural beauty, we embarked on some fun adventures in a fun park, including seeing a fun zip line that flies through the treetops, allowing us to breath-taking views of the lush landscape below. After our adventurous adventure we decided to explore the nearby spice garden, a hidden gem that shines among the rows of plants that reflect the rich agricultural heritage of the region and learned about various spices such as turmeric, about cardamom and cloves in the Plantation visit. As we hung out, we bought some spices to take home as souvenirs and the knowledgeable guide shared interesting stories about the cultivar and importance of each spice, further enhancing our experience. Then, we chose a dessert with these spices, which allowed us to really appreciate their flavours.
Day 2 (Munnar Local sightseeing).
It was an interesting journey that started with a convenient pickup from our hotel, where we were been warmly greeted by the same driver. Our first stop was the enthralling Rose Garden, a sprawling panorama full of vibrant roses of every conceivable coloration. As we strolled through the lawn, the sweet perfume of the blooms surrounded us, and we couldn’t face up to taking limitless pictures to capture the beauty of this floral paradise.
Next, we visited a popular image factor, wherein the breath-taking views of Munnar’s rolling hills and luxurious tea gardens furnished the perfect backdrop for memorable snapshots. Unforgettable moments arose when Da patience paid a visit to the elephant arrivals, where we had the threat of examining these magnificent creatures up close, even for food.
Then, we made our way to Echo Point just on the edge of Kundala lake, which is thought to be a serene lake and wonderful ecosystem. Here we marvelled on the beauty of the plant life around us. Then, our vacation destination changed to Kundala Dam, in which we loved nonviolent boat rides at the glowing waters. Finally, we ended our sightseeing excursion on the Top Station which offers panoramic perspectives of the Western Ghats. As the solar began to set, we again to our resort reflecting on an afternoon filled with unforgettable tales and great attractions.
Day 3 (Munnar to Alleppey and local sightseeing) .
In the morning we left Munnar in a taxi, filled with excitement to visit the magnificent Alleppey, the lush, rolling hills of Munnar slowly made their way to the vibrant and bustling streets of Ernakulam, giving a change a fascinating result. The drive was really enjoyable, with the scenic beauty of the forest reserve capturing our attention at every turn, sometimes it was becoming very scary because of the turns. The variety of landscapes we passed through was literally breath taking, from sprawling tea plantations to vibrant city life, each time heightening the anticipation of what awaited us in Aleppey.
Upon arrival in Aleppey, we immediately embarked on a Shikara trip, which lasted three enjoyable hours. We skipped the traditional houseboat while in the Backwaters because it demanded a whole day and I dont like that part as we had only one day here. However, if you have enough time in the journey and you are staying in Allepey for more than 2 days, then it would be a very good option for you in the pristine backwater and you will also be able to do other water activities like bamboo rafting, speed boat journey and others. There are multiple budget hotels if you want to stay in Allepey instead of a houseboat stay. Some people prefer taking a trip package where there are specific packages exclusively for “serene backwater” experiences, they will have a houseboat stay included.
As we floated in the calm waters, we were surrounded by beautiful views of tree lined canals and sweet rural life on the coast and although I don’t have my cup of tea for a houseboat in 24 hours though, the hunting boat gave me just the right taste for calm backwaters. After our Shikara ride we went straight to the lovely beach of Alleppey, Alappuzha Beach, It is considered to be one of the pristine beach in Kerala. The aroma of food item really got into us, where we enjoyed some amazing local delicacies at sunset with amazing views, the sky turning orange and pink.
As the day drew to a close, we ended our adventure with a hearty meal at The Harbor Restaurant, known for its delicious seafood and vibrant atmosphere The sounds of the scenery and the sound of the waves the quiet blend made a perfect and beautiful end to a day filled with exploration.
Remember, Alappuzha Beach and tranquil backwaters are the major attraction here. Apart from these two beautiful destination, there is nothing much to see in Allepey. So, if you are planning to stay more days in Allepey, make sure you plan your time carefully.
Day 4 (Allepey to Varkala)
Eagerly awaiting our journey in this beautiful beach town, we took a train from Alappuzha to Varkala shivagiri station. As we wanted to explore the area by local transport, fully immersing ourselves in the culture and daily life of the city. The train was on time and the journey was really comfortable as compared with other city’s public transport. Upon arrival (the time was around 2pm when we reached Varkala shivagiri station), we checked into a beautiful private villa with a lovely pool, perfect for relaxing after our trip. The villa had a lovely atmosphere, with warm local decor and a peaceful atmosphere that made us feel at home. We took full advantage of our days making use of the villa’s amenities and enjoying the sunshine and gentle sea breezes.
For most of the meals, our go to restaurant was Clafouti Restaurant, conveniently located right on the North Cliff. The culinary experience there was exceptional; Delicious food combined with the unique sea views made dining a truly memorable experience. Most of the time was reserved for my family to take photos with the beautiful sea waves in the background. We enjoyed a variety of dishes, each tastier than the last. Then, we head back to our villa, and rest for the rest of the day. In the evening we took lazy little walks along the beach, letting the sound of the waves wash over us as the sun sank low in the horizon, painting the sky with stunning oranges and pinks every moment in Varkala was a relaxing treasure filling and analysis.
During the whole trip, If we were to name awesome food and comfort food together, It will be the Clafouti Restaurant of Varkala. The combination of lovely beach, aroma of good food and a plate full of food, It was the most amazing food, we had in this week.
Day 5 (Varkala Local Sight Seeing and return to Hyderabad)
First we visited the Jatayu Earth Institute, a wonderful eco-tourist attraction that showcases the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Kerala. While exploring the centre, we marvelled at the magnificent sculpture of Jatayu, the mythical eagle of the Ramayana, which is not only an art piece but also offers spectacular views from the vantage point. While beautiful history and full of sights, we made our way to Kappil beach. The unique thing about this beach was we saw a peaceful river getting into the sea. It was a good spot for a quick swim, but I dip only my legs as we had the whole day in front of us. The peaceful atmosphere was perfect for a relaxing session on the beach, taking a short break in the shade of swaying palm trees. We were not able to visit the Lighthouse Beach because of time crunch.
We then visited Odayam beach, followed by Perumathura beach, where we enjoyed a beautiful sunset sky with great colours and had some good photos taken some of the best on this coast. Our next stop was Mangrove Village Adventure Park, where we did couple of outdoor activities. Being 3 of us, instead of kayaking, we took a boat ride into the mangrove forest. It reminded me of our beautiful Krabi on our day trip to Phi Phi Island, the mangrove forest was similar to the one to Kerala. I took a quick swim in the river, as the guide confirmed it was safe and there were also other people swimming in the river. After coming back from the boat ride, we had a quick lunch at one of the local restaurants, where we enjoyed Kerala’s special fish fry and rice, and then left for Thiruvananthapuram International Airport to Hyderabad (the distance from Varkala to TRV airport was somewhere near 100 kilometres), remembering the incredible experiences and memories we had created throughout this unforgettable trip.
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