Backpacking in Kerala India

Land in Cochin International Airport.

One your first day, head to the city, Fort Cochin where you will be amazed by the lifestyle of local Indians. Way out of your comfort zone, book an Airbnb in the area. find yourself a rickshaw (tuk-tuk) to get you to your homestay. expect nothing to be clean or comfortable. But do embrace their culture, sit with your host and let him tell you about the city, where to go and what to do.

I recommend you visit the old chinese fishing nets, quite remarkable. have a tour in their old souks, walk the surroundings, take a rickshaw for the whole day, it would cost you around a 100rp (less than 2$). Try to visit a music instrument shop, there's a guy that makes several instruments play almost everyone of them and sells them, enjoy some time with him and let him play some good music for you.

Day 2 in the early morning leave for Munnar. Hire a taxi, Do Not Selfdrive! I drove from fort cochin to munnar and it was hell, the locals drive like crazy. You wont have the time to adapt. On your way to munnar, stop at a town for a break walk in the streets and shop a bit, it's always interesting to store hop in their towns.

For your first night in munnar stay close to the tea fields, "Gruenberg tea plantation haus" is an amazing place to stay in the heart of a tea field. Take the complementary morning hike offered by the hotel, and then get a local driver with his Mahindra to drive you around for the rest of your days in munnar. I would recommend "Shibu" (you can the reception to call him) set an itinerary with him. You will need 3 full days in munnar. The Most amazing site you will visit would be Kolukkomalai tea estate, and if you're in for a hike, at the top of that tea estate there's an intermediate hike up a hill that could blow your mind (6-7 hrs total). Consider spending 2 nights in Gruenberg and 2 nights somewhere higher and closer to town, (great escapes resorts could be nice). 

Day 6, head to Thekkady. Hire a driver (Could be provided by your hotel reception). The road would take around 4 to 5 hours depending on breaks, but will certainly amaze you!

In Thekkady, I booked a comfortable resort for 2 nights very close to town "The elephant court thekkady". There you will only need a rickshaw (tuk-tuk) to get around which are remarkably cheap. First go ride an elephant and do take a shower with them, it is worth it. Then go to Periyar Tiger reserve, take the last boat ride of the day, where you will spot some wildlife in their natural habitat. Then the most beautiful experience would be the night trek through the jungle (Jungle Scout as they call it) 3 rounds (7pm-10pm 10pm-1am and 1am-4am) choose the one that suits you. You'll be accompanied by an armed guide and an unarmed guide. You will trek for 3 hours in the jungle with a chance to spot wild animals at a close and safe range. and then book an early morning jeep safari (as early as 5:30am) with the highest chance of spotting wild animals.

In Thekkady that's about all you can do. Shopping there is pleasant. leave your souvenir shopping for your last day in Thekkady.

Finally head back to cochin just before your flight, spend your last night at Flora Airport hotel, where they would offer you a complimentary airport transfer (a 5 minute drive).

NB: Avoid their tap water, use only sealed drinking water. and avoid salads and fruits.