Kerala, India
The Slow Way Through Kerala’s Backwaters
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Kerala rewards travellers who slow down. The backwaters — a lattice of lakes, canals and rivers behind the Arabian Sea coast — are best seen at the pace of a houseboat drifting past paddies and palms.
The classic arc
Start in Kochi for its colonial old town, climb to the tea hills of Munnar, then descend to Alleppey for the houseboat everyone comes for.
On the water
An overnight kettuvallam is the headline — sunset over the paddies, fresh karimeen fried on board, and a rare silence. September to March brings the best weather.
Day-by-day itinerary
Kochi
Sun, 6 SeptBengaluru → Kochi
Bengaluru (BLR) → Kochi (COK)
6 Sept, 3:00 am
Fort Kochi Beach
beach
Fort Kochi Beach, Kochi, Kerala 682001, India
Chinese Fishing Nets
tourist attraction
X69R+9V5, Fort Vypin, Puthuvype, Kochi, Kerala 682001, India
Mattancherry Palace
history museum
X755+8P9, Mattancherry, Kochi, Kerala 682002, India
Munnar
Mon, 7 SeptTea Gardens
farm
3358+4CP, Munnar, Kerala 685612, India
Eravikulam National Park
national park
Kannan Devan Hills, Kerala 685612, India
Munnar
Tue, 8 SeptMattupetty Dam
tourist attraction
Mattupatty Dam, Mattupetty, Kannan Devan Hills, Kerala 685616, India
Munnar - Top Station Highway
route
Munnar - Top Station Hwy, India
Alleppey
Wed, 9 SeptPremium Houseboat, Vembanad Lake
Alleppey Backwaters
9 Sept, 8:30 am
Alleppey Backwaters
tour agency
Punnamada, Kottankulangara, Alappuzha, Aryad South, Kerala 688006, India
Alappuzha Beach
beach
Alappuzha Beach, Kerala, India
Backwater day
- Light cottons
- Mosquito repellent
- Reusable water bottle
- Motion-sickness tablets (optional)
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