Hike, Kayak and Cycle in Kerala: Self-Launched

Arrive at Cochin International Airport (COK) and make your own way into Fort Kochi. Pre-book a prepaid taxi from the airport counter (around £5–7) or use the KSRTC airport bus to Ernakulam and then a local auto-rickshaw to Fort Kochi (total ~£2). Check into a well-reviewed guesthouse in Fort Kochi's heritage quarter — the area around Princess Street and Bastian Street is packed with atmospheric budget options. Spend the evening wandering the colonial lanes, watching the Chinese fishing nets at sunset on the waterfront, and grabbing a South Indian thali dinner at a local restaurant. Fort Kochi is a brilliant first night — Portuguese, Dutch, Chinese and British layers of history everywhere you look.

🚌Prepaid airport taxi (~£6) or KSRTC bus to Ernakulam + auto-rickshaw (~£2)

🛏Budget guesthouse in Fort Kochi, e.g. Reds Residency or similar — twin/dorm from ~£10–18pp

• →Arrive at Cochin International Airport (COK)
• →Take a prepaid taxi or KSRTC airport bus + auto-rickshaw to Fort Kochi (~£2–7)
• →Check in to a guesthouse in Fort Kochi's heritage quarter
• →Walk the colonial lanes of Fort Kochi and visit the Chinese fishing nets at sunset
• →Welcome dinner at a local Kerala restaurant — try a banana-leaf thali

Take the KSRTC bus from Ernakulam (Kochi) bus station to Munnar — a scenic 4–5 hour journey through the Western Ghats for around £3. Buses depart regularly from around 06:30. Alternatively, share a taxi with other travellers from Kochi for ~£8–10pp. Arrive in Munnar and check into a guesthouse or budget resort near the tea plantations. In the late afternoon, take a self-guided walk through the surrounding tea estates — dozens of trails lead directly from town. Stop at one of the roadside chai stalls run by the tea estates for a freshly brewed cup. Munnar is stunning at dusk when the mist rolls in off the Ghats.

🚌KSRTC bus Ernakulam to Munnar (~£3) or shared taxi (~£8–10pp)

🛏Budget guesthouse or nature stay near Munnar tea estates, e.g. The Tall Trees or similar — from ~£15–25pp

• →Take the KSRTC bus from Ernakulam to Munnar (~£3, 4–5 hours)
• →Check in to a guesthouse or budget hill resort near the tea plantations
• →Self-guided evening walk through the Munnar tea estates
• →Visit a roadside chai stall for freshly brewed local tea

An early start for the highlight of the trip. Meesapulimala (2,640m), the second-highest peak in Southern India, requires a permit and a registered guide — this is non-negotiable and costs around £15–20pp including the forest entry fee and guide. Book the day before through your guesthouse or directly with Rhino Adventures or High Range Adventure Club in Munnar, both of whom organise this trek independently. Share a jeep from Munnar to the Kolukkumalai trailhead (£3–5pp), then hike through rolling grasslands and cloud forest to the summit in around 3–4 hours. The 360° views over the Western Ghats are breathtaking. Descend the same route and return to Munnar by shared jeep. Rest up in town and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

🚌Shared jeep to/from Kolukkumalai trailhead (~£6–10pp return)

🛏Same guesthouse as night 2 near Munnar tea estates — from ~£15–25pp

• →Book Meesapulimala trek permit and local guide via Rhino Adventures or High Range Adventure Club (~£15–20pp including forest entry)
• →Share a jeep from Munnar to the Kolukkumalai trailhead (~£3–5pp)
• →Trek through grasslands and cloud forest to Meesapulimala summit (2,640m) — ~5hrs round trip
• →Enjoy panoramic Western Ghats views from the summit
• →Return to Munnar by shared jeep; dinner at a local restaurant

Take the KSRTC bus or a shared taxi from Munnar to Alleppey (Alappuzha) — the journey takes around 4–5 hours and costs £4–8pp by bus. Alternatively, combine buses via Ernakulam. Arrive and head straight to the Alleppey boat jetty to board your independently booked houseboat. A one-night houseboat on the backwaters can be booked directly with operators at the jetty or via booking platforms for £30–50pp (twin share) including all meals — always negotiate a little. In the late afternoon, hire a small canoe or kayak from a local operator near the jetty to explore the narrower backwater channels beneath the forest canopy (~£5–8pp for 2 hours). Return to your houseboat for a South Indian dinner and sleep to the sound of the backwaters.

🚌KSRTC bus Munnar to Alleppey (~£4–6pp) or shared taxi (~£7–10pp)

🛏Overnight on a twin-cabin houseboat on the Kerala backwaters — booked directly at the jetty or via booking platform, ~£30–50pp including meals

• →Take the KSRTC bus or shared taxi from Munnar to Alleppey (~£4–8pp, 4–5 hours)
• →Board your independently booked houseboat at the Alleppey jetty
• →Hire a local canoe or kayak to explore narrow backwater channels (~£5–8pp for 2 hours)
• →South Indian dinner on the houseboat deck at sunset

Disembark your houseboat after breakfast and make your way by auto-rickshaw or local bus to Chennamkary (around 30 mins from Alleppey, ~£2). Several local operators here offer kayak rentals and guided kayak tours through the narrower backwater channels, past local villages and under low-hanging forest canopies. Book a 3–4 hour kayaking session for around £10–15pp — try Canoe Kerala or similar local outfitters. In the afternoon, take a local bus or auto to Kumarakom on the shores of Vembanad Lake and check into a budget lakeside guesthouse. The lake views, coconut palms and tranquil atmosphere are well worth the stop.

🚌Auto-rickshaw and local bus (~£3–5 total)

🛏Budget guesthouse or homestay on Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom — from ~£15–20pp

• →Auto-rickshaw or local bus to Chennamkary (~£2, ~30 mins)
• →Book a 3–4 hour kayaking tour through the backwater channels from Chennamkary (~£10–15pp via Canoe Kerala or local outfitter)
• →Paddle through local villages and narrow canals
• →Travel by local bus or auto-rickshaw to Kumarakom on Vembanad Lake
• →Check in to a budget lakeside guesthouse; dinner at a local restaurant

Take a local bus or auto-rickshaw from Kumarakom to the coastal village of Pallathuruthy (~1 hour, £2–3). Rent a bicycle from a local shop in the village (£3–5/day) and cycle south along quieter backroads — crossing canals, passing through rice paddy fields and weaving through sleepy fishing villages. The route to Pallippad is around 25 miles of mostly flat, scenic cycling. At Pallippad, return your bike and pick up a KSRTC bus heading south toward Thiruvananthapuram. Change at Kayamkulam or Kollam and continue south to Kovalam (~3–4 hours total, £4–6). Check into a beachside guesthouse in Kovalam's lighthouse beach area.

🚌Local bus/auto (~£3) + bicycle rental (~£4) + KSRTC bus to Kovalam (~£5)

🛏Budget guesthouse at Kovalam Lighthouse Beach — from ~£12–20pp

• →Local bus or auto-rickshaw to Pallathuruthy (~£2–3)
• →Rent a bicycle locally (~£3–5/day) and cycle south ~25 miles along backroads to Pallippad
• →Cycle through rice paddy fields, canal crossings and rural fishing villages
• →KSRTC bus from Pallippad south to Kovalam via Kayamkulam/Kollam (~£4–6, 3–4 hours)
• →Check in to a guesthouse at Kovalam Lighthouse Beach

A well-earned rest day. Kovalam's three crescent beaches — Lighthouse Beach, Hawa Beach and Samudra Beach — are right at your doorstep. Swim, sunbathe, browse the beach-side cafés for fresh fish and coconut water, or book an Ayurvedic massage at one of the many reputable clinics for ~£10–15 per session. If you want to explore further afield, take an auto-rickshaw (£3–4) to the ancient Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram — one of the most important temples in Kerala. In the evening, head to one of Lighthouse Beach's rooftop restaurants for a seafood farewell dinner with ocean views.

🚌Optional auto-rickshaw to Thiruvananthapuram and back (~£6–8)

🛏Same guesthouse at Kovalam Lighthouse Beach — from ~£12–20pp

• →Free beach day at Kovalam Lighthouse Beach — swim, sunbathe, relax
• →Optional Ayurvedic massage at a local clinic (~£10–15)
• →Optional auto-rickshaw to Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram (~£3–4 each way)
• →Farewell seafood dinner at a rooftop restaurant on Lighthouse Beach

Enjoy a final breakfast — grab a masala dosa at a local café or enjoy a fresh fruit breakfast at your guesthouse. Check out and take an auto-rickshaw or pre-booked taxi from Kovalam to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV), approximately 15km away (~£5–8). The airport handles flights to the UK via Dubai, Bahrain or Mumbai depending on your carrier. Budget enough time — allow at least 3 hours before departure for international flights. Farewell to Kerala!

🚌Auto-rickshaw or taxi from Kovalam to Thiruvananthapuram Airport (~£5–8)

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Final breakfast — masala dosa at a local café or fruit platter at guesthouse
• →Check out and take auto-rickshaw or taxi to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV) (~£5–8, ~30 mins)