Kerala Trip Munnar, Thekkady, Periyar Boat Safari, Gavi Safari Alleppey Houseboat , Day Itinerary with Wildlife Photos

We took the Duronto Express from Mumbai to Ernakulam, stayed the night, and picked up an Innova the next morning. Over the next six days we drove through four parts of Kerala — the tea plantations of Munnar, the forests and wildlife of Periyar Tiger Reserve in Thekkady, the slow backwater world of Alleppey on a houseboat, and the colonial streets of Fort Kochi — before catching the evening Duronto back home.

Mumbai to Ernakulam by Duronto Express

The Duronto Express from Mumbai drops you at Ernakulam by evening. We checked into a hotel near the station for the night.

Ernakulam to Munnar: Flora and Fauna Park, Cheeyappara Falls and Tea Country

Picked up the Innova in the morning and headed for Munnar. The climb starts past Adimali, stopping at Cheeyappara Waterfalls and then at a small Flora and Fauna park — one of those quick stops that turns into an hour.

The Flora and Fauna park has a small collection of animals and birds you can walk through in about an hour — enclosures with goats and rams, a koi pond, parrots and a few other birds. A nice break on the long climb to Munnar, especially if you are travelling with kids.

By late afternoon the tea estates opened up — neat green rows over the hills, eucalyptus standing between them, fog sitting low.

Mattupetty Dam, Tea Estates, Hot Air Balloon and Kalaripayattu in Munnar

Morning was Mattupetty Dam — built in 1953, sitting at 1,599 metres — and then Echo Point.

We took a hot air balloon ride that afternoon — a tethered balloon above the tea slopes:

The birding around Munnar was good — a sunbird working a red passion flower at the edge of the tea estate.

By evening the fog rolled in thick — the hills disappeared into grey.

We drove through the fog to a cultural programme — classical dance and Kalaripayattu Shows

Nilgiri Tahr at Eravikulam and the Drive to Thekkady

Started from Munnar in the morning for Eravikulam. You take a park bus in, then walk about 2 km on a paved trail. This is Nilgiri tahr country — an endangered mountain goat with only 1,800 to 2,000 left in the wild. Eravikulam holds the largest population. They walk right past you on the trail.

After the park we returned to Munnar for our last night at Oliver Brook.

The Drive from Munnar to Thekkady — Through the Western Ghats into Spice Country

Started from Munnar in the morning. The drive to Thekkady takes about 4 hours, dropping from the Western Ghats into spice country — one of the most scenic hill roads in Kerala.

Evening was a spice plantation tour — walking between pepper vines, cardamom and cinnamon trees with a guide who knew every plant by name.

Periyar Tiger Reserve — Gavi Bus Safari, Wild Elephants and the Boat Safari

Morning: Gavi Bus Safari (~4 hours)

The Gavi bus safari runs in the morning — they give you breakfast and then you head deep into the forest for about four hours. The big moment came when the bus stopped and a wild elephant was standing right by the road.

Afternoon: Periyar Boat Safari (~1.5 hours)

After the bus safari we did the boat safari on Periyar lake in the afternoon. Tickets sell out fast — book well ahead.

A short clip from the boat safari:

Alleppey Houseboat — Backwaters, Brahminy Kites and a Night on the Water

Long drive out of the hills into backwater country. By afternoon we were at Alappuzha — houseboats everywhere.

The backwaters were the best birding stretch of the trip.

A clip from the backwater cruise:

We slept that night moored on the water.

Fort Kochi — St. Francis Church, Museum and the Train Home

After breakfast. Reached Fort Kochi by afternoon. Started with St. Francis Church, then spent time at a museum packed with stone sculptures, wooden figurines and paintings.

Then Fort Kochi for the evening — egrets on the wooden posts, the coastline, and colonial streets.

By evening we were back at Ernakulam station and boarded the Duronto Express home to Mumbai.

Wildlife and Birds We Spotted on This Kerala Trip

Full Itinerary with Driving Times

Nights: 1 at Ernakulam on arrival, 3 in Munnar (Oliver Brook), 2 in Thekkady, 1 on the Alleppey houseboat.

Booking tip: Periyar boat safari tickets sell out fast. Book online well in advance. The Gavi bus safari is a good backup — you cover more forest and they include breakfast.

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Prashant S. Gupta Head of Digital at a healthcare and pharmaceutical advertising agency. A keen wildlife photographer and travel storyteller, documenting India’s natural landscapes, wildlife, and travels through the lens of a Nikon Z50.