Kerala in 5 Days: Kochi, Munnar and Alleppey Itinerary
A 5-day Kerala itinerary for Kochi, Munnar and Alleppey: day-by-day plan, drive times, where to sleep and what to leave out on a short trip.
Five days is enough for a clean, satisfying Kerala trip if you limit it to three bases. This plan covers Kochi, Munnar and Alleppey, in a loop that keeps the driving sensible.
It does not try to cover everything. It leaves out Thekkady, Varkala and Kovalam on purpose, and it says why.
The tea hills above Munnar.
Day | Base | What you do | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Kochi | Arrive, Fort Kochi walk, nets at sunset | Airport to Fort Kochi, about 1 hour |
2 | Munnar | Drive up, tea estates, evening in the hills | About 4 to 4.5 hours |
3 | Munnar | Eravikulam or Mattupetty, tea museum | Local |
4 | Alleppey | Descend, houseboat or lake stay | About 4.5 to 5 hours |
5 | Kochi | Backwater morning, return to Kochi, depart | About 1.5 to 2 hours |
Day 1: Kochi
Land, check in and spend the afternoon in Fort Kochi. Walk to the Chinese fishing nets, see the old harbour and have dinner in one of the converted warehouses.
The Chinese fishing nets at Fort Kochi.
Day 2: Kochi to Munnar
Leave early. The road climbs through spice and rubber country and then into the tea. Plan the arrival for the afternoon and keep the evening free.
Day 3: Munnar
Spend the day in the hills. Eravikulam National Park is the best nature stop, and the tea museum and a plantation walk fill the rest. See Eravikulam National Park for timings.
Day 4: Munnar to Alleppey
This is the longest day. Drive down in the morning and reach the backwaters in the afternoon. Either board a houseboat for the night, or stay in a lakeside resort. Our houseboat guide covers what to expect.
Day 5: Alleppey to Kochi
After breakfast, return to Kochi for your flight or onward travel. Allow two hours for the drive and plan the flight accordingly.
What this plan leaves out
Thekkady: a good addition if you have six or seven days. See the 7-day itinerary.
Varkala and Kovalam: a beach add-on that needs another two days.
Wayanad: better as a separate trip from Kochi.
Is five days too short?
It works if you accept three bases and long drives on two days. If you want less driving, drop Munnar and spend two nights in Kochi and two on the backwaters. Our driving distance guide helps you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Is 5 days enough for Kerala?
Yes, for Kochi, Munnar and Alleppey. For more, add days.
How far is Munnar from Kochi?
About 130 km, a drive of 4 to 4.5 hours.
What is the best order?
Kochi, Munnar, Alleppey, then back to Kochi, to avoid backtracking.
Which season is best?
October to March is the main season. See the Kerala month-by-month guide.
Should I add the beaches?
Only if you can add two or three days.
Plan your Kerala days with us
We handle the driver, the houseboat and the hill stay so the five days run smoothly. Explore the Kerala destination page or talk to a trip designer.
Photo credits
Tea hills at Munnar: see the photo credits on our Munnar guides. Chinese fishing nets: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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