Kerala Itinerary - How to Spend 10 Days in Kerala (Wildlife Special)

You can head inland to enjoy the tranquil backwaters dotted with traditional houseboats, or venture towards the Western Ghats and soak in the fragrance of spices in carpeted tea estates and hill stations- some of which are Kerala’s best-kept secrets

Here's a helpful 10-day itinerary for your upcoming Kerala holiday with your family. Have an unforgettable holiday with this plan. Explore now!

You can head inland to enjoy the tranquil backwaters dotted with traditional houseboats, or venture towards the Western Ghats and soak in the fragrance of spices in carpeted tea estates and hill stations- some of which are Kerala’s best-kept secrets.

Kerala can only be truly explored by taking time out to discover the centuries-old Ayurveda practices, indulge in the delectable cuisine, chill out on the pristine beaches, discover exotic wildlife and experience this beautiful state's unique culture.

An itinerary-based, wildlife holiday amidst nature's wonders is the best way to cherish every moment and take home a piece of every experience. We chose an itinerary offered by Club Mahindra and experienced a unique wildlife holiday in the lush landscape of Kerala. Here’s an account of our trip that's going to make you want to book your tickets right away! 

Day 1 – Arrive at Cherai - Make the perfect entry into Kerala!

We landed at the Cochin International Airport and drove for just 40 kms (1.5 hours) to reach the beautiful Club Mahindra Cherai Beach resort.

Spread over 6 acres amidst a glistening pond, you can get picturesque views of the Arabian Ocean on one side and the lapping backwaters on the other side from the resort, making this the perfect entry into Kerala!

We relaxed for a while after checking in and by afternoon had already begun to explore the cultural heritage of Cochin. We went on a guided sightseeing tour to visit Fort Kochi, Mattancherry, the Dutch Palace, the Jewish Quarter and the Santa Cruz Basilica.

For those who wish to laze around, hit the scenic Cherai Beach and bask in the golden sand and calm waters.

On returning to the resort, we retired to the comfort of our luxury cottage and watched the golden sunset perform.  

In the evening, as the ambience of green lushness set in, our guide regaled us with stories of Chinese fishing nets and the tales recited in the Kathakali dance performances at the local theatre.

Day 2 – Explore the Muziris Heritage - Deep dive into the enriched culture!

After a day of relaxation, we set out to explore Muziris, an ancient seaport and cultural hub of the Malabar Coast, dating back to the 1st century. From a heritage home to an ancient church, from a history museum to an excavation site, Muziris is rich in culture.

We had a lot of ‘did you know’ moments that piqued our interest. For instance, did you know about….

The church in Kerala that was established in the 13th century by one of Christ’s apostles?

The traditional homesteads that are called ‘tharavads’ locally?

The ancient fort constructed by Portuguese in the mid-16th century?

Or the deep-seated connection Jews have with Kerala?

I bet you didn’t! Dive into the rich culture of Kerala by visiting the Kottakavu Church, Paliam Nalukettu (heritage homes), the Kottapuram Fort and the Kerala Jews History Museum.

The kids were thrilled to experience this first-hand, live history lesson and were curious to know more. What better way to make learning fun!

Day 3 – Cherai to Munnar (165 kms/ 5 hours) – Make the journey count!

After a scrumptious breakfast at the Club Mahindra Cherai Beach resort, we packed our bags to head to Munnar.

At a distance of around 165 kms, the 5-hour journey from Cherai was through a scenic route of tea plantations. The carpeted landscape was mesmeric, interrupted pleasantly with the fragrance of coffee, pepper and other spices.

We took a break to stretch our legs and visited one of the vast estates of rubber trees, coffee and pepper plantations. An aromatic indulgence you must experience!

Arriving at the Club Mahindra Munnar resort, we retired to our cottage to enjoy the view and admire the ornate architecture. Built almost 2 decades ago, this property is one of Club Mahindra’s first and finest resorts. We escaped into the serenity of its ambience, a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Day 4 – In Munnar – Spot the rare Nilgiri Tahr by the ‘rolling hills’!

After a crisp cup of locally grown tea, we had breakfast and headed out for a safari at the Eravikulam National Park.

On our safari, we were lucky to spot the rare Nilgiri Tahr, one of the few places in India where you can see them. We spent half a day here, simply connecting with nature and exploring hundreds of wildlife species the park is home to.

After the safari, we drove down to a beautiful lake near the park. Devikulam Lake, also called Sita Devi Lake was the perfect place to set up a picnic. We lazed around under the warm sun and reflected on the unending beauty of nature till it was time to head back to the resort.

Once back at the resort, an Ayurvedic massage at the Svaastha spa was an irresistible end to a perfect day.

Day 5 - Munnar to Thekkady (100 kms/ 5 hours) – Experience the essence of aromatic spices!

From Munnar, we drove for 100km to another stunning hill station, Thekkady. Here the spice-scented plantations added an aromatic flavour to our trip.

On arriving at the Club Mahindra Thekkady resort, the kids were totally fascinated with the ‘machan’ style of architecture of the cottages. Built in traditional Indian style, the cottages in the resort are tranquilly set amidst thickly wooded plantations.

Venturing out, we visited the nearby Periyar National Park where we took an elephant ride for a unique perspective of the surrounding scenery and wildlife. To add to the thrill, we spotted sambar deer, lion-tailed macaques and the Indian bison, as the kids hoped to catch a glimpse of the majestic tiger. It was an experience that we will cherish for a long time to come.

Brimming with excitement, we returned to the resort and revelled in the luxury of the cottages, as the whiffs of the exotic aroma of coffee, cardamom, pepper and teak soothed us to sleep.

Day 6 - Thekkady to Ashtamudi (120 kms/ 4 hours) – Zone out in the dreamy expanse of the backwaters!

For a change of scenery, we drove for around 120 kms down to Ashtamudi Lake, which is located in the breath-taking Kollam district of Kerala.

We drove past quaint villages and towns huddled together on the shores of the eight sprawling branches of the Ashtamudi Lake. With interconnected networks of canals and lagoons, it was one of the best backwater experiences we have ever had. 

On arriving at the Club Mahindra Ashtamudi resort, we checked in to our floating cottage which had magnificent views from the room. Too mesmerised to visit the elephant training centre at Konni or go fishing at the lake, we settled into the buoyant rhythm of the backwaters.