Kerala, located south most on the west coast, is a State in the Republic of India with 14 districts or administrative divisions. The major cities are Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode. Kerala is a popular tourist destination famous for its backwaters, Ayurvedic treatments and tropical greenery. In 2010, more than 7.5 domestic travelers and 550,000 foreign travelers visited the God's Own Country.
Popular attractions in the state include the beaches at Kovalam, Cherai, Varkala, Kappad, Muzhappilangad and Bekal; the hill stations of Munnar, Wayanada, Wagamon, Peermade, Nelliampathi and Ponmudi; and national parks and wildlife sanctuaries at Periyar, Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary and Eravikulam National Park. The "backwaters" region, which comprises an extensive network of interlocking rivers, lakes, and canals that centre on Alleppey, Kollam, Kumarakom, and Punnamada (where the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race is held in August), also see heavy tourist traffic. It is also emerging as a great honeymoon destination.
Kerala was our mutual choice for honeymoon. We both felt that this ‘God’s Own Country’ was perfect four our romantic & relaxed holiday. However, with its wide variety of natural beauty and landscape, we were spoilt for choice; whether to visit the quaint hills & tea estates of munnar or relax in the backwaters of kumarakom/allepy or to experience the wildlife Thekkady or cool ourselves by the wonderful beach in Kovalam.
Our helpful travel agent assured us that we would be able to experience all of it and more on a 7 day tour. So, on his advice, we finalized on the itinery, which was as follows:
Day 1 - Flight from Delhi to Cochin: landing in afternoon and rest/city tour for the rest of day.Day 2 – Travel from Cochin to Munnar; Reach Munnar and enjoy rest of day + Day 3 – Tour Munnar.
Day 4 – Travel from Munnar to Thekkady and rest/tour town for rest of day.
Day 5 – Boat Tour in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary at thekkday; rest of day touring the town.
Day 6 – Travel from Thekkday to Kumaraom, spend one day/night in houseboat in the backwaters of kumarakom.
Day 7 - Get off the houseboat at Kumarakom and travel to Cochin, city tour of cochin and evening flight to Delhi
I have chronicled our romantic journey in Kerala into 4 parts:
- Part 1: Cochin to Munnar
- Part 2: Munnar to Thekkady
- Part 3: Thekkady to Kumarakom
- Part 4: Kumarakom to Cochin
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