A honeymoon is a special occasion for the romantic celebration of marriage when the newlywed couples share some intimate moments from heart to heart that initiate a new journey of a lifetime. Honeymoon destinations should have a serene ambiance, breathtaking beauty, and a romantic fragrance; and that is why Kerala becomes a dream destination for newlyweds. Kerala, blessed with its striking natural beauty, has too many places to visit, including mesmerizing hill stations, enthralling beaches, palm-fringed backwaters, spectacular waterfalls, lush green wilderness, and enchanting tea gardens, each of them offering its own unique experience and escapade. Being located geographically closer to each other, you can enjoy all these different experiences in a short span of time, which makes the Kerala honeymoon trip more enjoyable.
Here are the top incredibly alluring honeymoon destinations of Kerala, and the suggested travel itinerary for a 7-night romantic escapade.
Day 1: Kochi – the Commercial Hub with Cultural and Historic Ambience
In order to ensure a smooth and comfortable journey, it is recommended to begin the honeymoon trip at Kochi (Cochin) and end in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum). On your arrival at the Cochin International Airport or the Ernakulam Junction railway station, you can proceed to the hotel and relax for a while before exploring the vibrant moods of the enchanting city. Kochi, known as “the Queen of the Arabian Sea”, offers a number of must-visit attractions including Bolghaty Island, Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry Palace, Cochin Fort, Chinese fishing nets, etc. You can spend a memorable evening at the famous Marine Drive by enjoying an exciting boat cruise and viewing a stunning sunset, while the gentle cool breeze from the Vembanad Lake fondles your face. You can also have a great shopping experience in the popular shopping areas of Marine Drive, Broadway, and Jews Street, famous for beautiful handicrafts, antique items, and souvenirs. The cultural and historic ambiance of the city and the romantic fragrance filled in the air will give a good start to your honeymoon trip.
Day 2: Munnar – the Cool Green Paradise
In the morning, proceed to Munnar Hill station by taxi. Munnar is a wonderful honeymoon destination located at a distance of 130 km from Kochi with 4 hours of travel time. The journey to Munnar through serpentine roads surrounded by picturesque valleys, tea gardens, and spice plantations will give you a refreshing experience. On the way, you can see several waterfalls including the spectacular Cheeyappara waterfalls and Valara waterfalls, which are located very close to the highway. The moment you reach Munnar, you will be encircled by a magic spell of romance. After relaxing for a while in the hotel, visit Photo Point, a beautiful spot for photography, surrounded by lush green tea gardens and mountains. Visit Mattuppetty Dam and have an exciting boat ride along its tranquil lake, enjoying the stunning beauty of nature. Go to the Echo Point and scream aloud to experience the wonderful echo effect of the surrounding hills.
Day 3: Munnar – Enjoy the Enchanting Nature
Begin today’s sightseeing by visiting Eravikulam National Park, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for the endangered wild goat, Nilgiri Tahr. You can also spot rare species of birds and several animals including tiger, elephant, Gaur, Leopard, Sambar, etc. View the famous Anamudy Peak, the highest peak in South India, though trekking seems to be a difficult task. Visit the famous Tata Tea Museum and spend some time watching different stages of tea processing. Visit Lock Heart Gap, which offers panoramic views of the beautiful valleys and mountains of Munnar, and click some nice photographs. Chinnkkanal Waterfalls (Powerhouse waterfalls) is another spectacular attraction. Enjoy a relaxing nature walk along the endless stretches of tea gardens and sip on a delicious cup of hot tea from a small tea shop. Amidst the misty valleys, mystic nature, and cool weather, you will feel as if time stands still. You can also spare some time for shopping for the best quality spices, tea, and coffee, for which Munnar is famous.
Day 4: Thekkady – Nature, Wildlife and Adventure
In the morning, hire a taxi and proceed to Thekkady. Thekkady, located at a distance of 90 km, can be reached within 3 hours. Check-in the hotel and relax before you set off for a wild experience. Thekkady is the perfect location for couples who love wildlife and nature. It is famous for the Periyar National Park where you can spot a large number of animals, including Bengal Tigers and Indian elephants, and also hundreds of species of birds. You can enjoy an exciting boat ride through the surrounding Periyar Lake and watch the irresistible wildlife in close vicinity. Watching herds of elephants approaching the edge of the lake to drink water will give you some fascinating experience. You can have the thrill of a royal elephant-safari through the dense green jungle and also relax with a refreshing nature walk along the unending stretches of spice and tea plantations. You can also walk to the nearest Kumily town for shopping for spices, tea, coffee, and handicrafts. The serene atmosphere with a soothing climate and the magic ambiance of wilderness will make your honeymoon trip a memorable one.
Day 5: Alleppey Backwaters – Feel the Chill and Thrill of Romance
Your honeymoon trip to Kerala will be incomplete without a backwater cruise and an overnight stay in a luxurious Houseboat in Alleppey Backwaters. Alleppey, presently known as Alappuzha, is located 140 km away from Thekkady. The journey by road through scenic routes surrounded by several plantations of tea, coffee, cocoa, and spices will take about 4 hours. You will reach Alleppey by noon and check in the Houseboat to experience the most memorable day in your life. Houseboats are luxurious floating cottages with all modern amenities. It serves delicious foods prepared on board to cater to the tastes and needs of Indian and international tourists. The exciting backwater cruise in the serene backwaters will captivate you with an abundance of lush greenery, paddy crops below water level, coir villages, Chinese fishing nets, flocks of ducks, and water lilies. You will be astonished by the simple lifestyle of the local people and can experience their hospitality and sincerity. During the comfortable overnight stay in the Houseboat, you will enjoy the chill and thrill of romance and some indefinable moments that will be remembered throughout an entire lifetime.
Day 6: Kovalam – Unrivalled Beach Destination
In the morning you can check out the Houseboat and leave for Kovalam beach, the internationally renowned honeymoon destination. Kovalam Beach is at a distance of 160 km from Alleppey and can be reached in 4 hours by cab. Relax for a while in the hotel and start exploring the mesmerizing beaches of Kovalam. Among the three beaches in Kovalam, the Light House Beach is more famous. You can indulge in a variety of activities like water skiing, kayaking, or surfing. You can enjoy swimming on the shallow beach, have a refreshing sunbath, simply walk along the silver coastline, or spend some cool moments under swaying coconut trees, listening to the whisperings and vibrations of the ocean waves. Facilities for Yoga, Ayurveda massage, shopping, swimming pool, etc., are available in the beach complex. You can spend the whole day on the beach, immersed in its romantic surroundings and exotic beauty.
Day 7: Trivandrum – Abode of Lord Ananta
The final destination is Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala, located at a distance of 15 km from Kovalam. The most significant landmark of the city is Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the richest temple in the world, where Lord Vishnu is reclining on the Serpent Lord Anantha Sesha. You can hire a taxi and visit the major attractions of Trivandrum, including Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Napier Museum, Sri Chitra Art Gallery, Kuthiramalika Palace Museum, Trivandrum Zoo, etc. Instead of spending the whole day there, you can return to Kovalam in the afternoon and relax for a while. It is recommended to carry out an Ayurvedic massage in a good Ayurvedic Centre in Kovalam, in order to rejuvenate your body and soul after an exhausting week-long trip. Do some shopping in the Kovalam market, which is renowned for handicraft items made of seashells. Spend another romantic evening on the spellbinding beaches of Kovalam and enjoy the amazing sunset. Stay overnight in the hotel in Kovalam.
On the 8th day, proceed to Trivandrum International Airport or to the Trivandrum Central railway station for your onward journey.
How to Reach
You can reach Kochi by air, rail, or road. Cochin International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the country, which has excellent connectivity to all major cities in India and worldwide by frequent domestic and international flights. The airport is located at Nedumbassery, 30 km away from the main city center. From the airport, taxis or cabs can be used to reach different destinations. Ernakulam Junction is the main railway station which is well connected with different parts of the country. Kochi has an excellent road network and bus services connecting to major cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, etc. Taxi, cab, auto-rickshaw, bus, and boat services can be used for local transportation.
Where to Stay
Several hotels, resorts, and homestays with a plethora of facilities ranging from Budget to World Class luxury are available in each of the above destinations, which are ready to extend the warmth and traditional hospitality of God’s Own Country. All of them have one thing in common; they ensure their guest’s utmost comfort and privacy. You can go through the details and reviews of these properties and depending on your budget and tastes, book the hotels, resorts, or cottages of your choice at www.mashahur.com and enjoy a wonderful and hassle-free week with your soul mate.
When to Visit
September to February is the best season to visit Kerala when the weather is cool and comfortable. March, April, and May are summer months when the temperature will be a little bit higher. June to August is the rainy season with unpredictable heavy rains, which make sightseeing a difficult task.
Bottom Line
A honeymoon trip involves myriads of activities that should be well-planned and well-organized. There are two options: either plan and manage the entire activities yourself or, allow an approved tour operator to do it for you. The choice is yours. Decide wisely and enjoy a great time.
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