
Where is Kerala located?
Kerala is a state in southwestern India along the Arabian Sea. It is bordered by Karnataka to the north and northeast and Tamil Nadu to the east and south. Thiruvananthapuram is the state capital.

7 Days / 6 Nights Itinerary – Kerala Backwaters Tour Guide
Kochi → Kumarakom → Alappuzha/Kuttanad → Kollam → Munroe Island → Varkala → Thiruvananthapuram
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7 Days Kerala Itinerary – Beaches, Backwaters, Wildlife & Munnar
Thiruvananthapuram → Kovalam → Varkala → Alappuzha → Thekkady → Munnar → Kochi
Explore →Is it worth adding Periyar Tiger Reserve to a Kerala itinerary?
Definitely yes if your itinerary already includes Munnar or central Kerala. A combination such as Munnar → Thekkady → Alappuzha/Kumarakom gives you three very different Kerala experiences: tea-covered mountains, wildlife and forest, then backwaters.
is Periyar Tiger Reserve worth visiting?
Periyar Tiger Reserve is worth visiting, particularly if you enjoy forests, wildlife, boating and nature. But it’s best to visit with the right expectation: it is not a guaranteed tiger-sighting safari.
The main reasons to visit are the beautiful Periyar Lake surrounded by Western Ghats forest, the chance to see elephants, gaur, sambar, wild boar, monkeys and birdlife, and the range of guided nature experiences. The classic first-time experience is the 1.5-hour Periyar Lake boat ride.
For a stronger wildlife experience, I would choose a guided nature walk, Green Walk or bamboo-rafting programme rather than relying only on the boat trip. These let you experience the forest much more closely.
Which Kerala Attractions Should First-Time Visitors Choose?
For a first trip, try to experience several different sides of Kerala rather than visiting similar destinations.
A particularly balanced itinerary could include:
Fort Kochi → Munnar → Alappuzha/Kumarakom → Varkala
This combination provides history and culture in Kochi, mountains and tea plantations in Munnar, Kerala’s famous backwaters around Alappuzha and a beach experience in Varkala.
Travellers with additional time can add Thekkady, Wayanad, Athirappilly, Jatayu Earth’s Center or other destinations according to their interests.
What makes Kerala different from other Indian destinations?
Kerala combines an unusual variety of experiences within one state: Arabian Sea beaches, extensive backwaters, Western Ghats, tea and spice plantations, tropical forests, wildlife, Ayurveda traditions, distinctive cuisine and a rich cultural heritage.
You can wake up beside the sea, spend another night on a houseboat and then travel into mist-covered mountains.
That diversity is one of the main reasons Kerala continues to attract travellers from India and around the world.



