If it’s water and coast you’re after rather than hills, this six-day route through South Kerala keeps you close to the backwaters and beaches the whole way: Fort Kochi (1 night), an Alleppey houseboat (1), lakeside Kumarakom (1), Varkala’s cliffs (2) and a last morning at Kovalam near Trivandrum. It’s the coastal counterpart to our hill-country loop — see the 5-day Kochi–Munnar–Alleppey itinerary if you’d rather have the tea hills.
The 6-day south route at a glance
| Day | Base | Drive | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Kochi | — | Chinese fishing nets, heritage streets |
| 2 | Kochi → Alleppey | about 55 km, roughly 1.5 hrs | Board a houseboat, overnight on the water |
| 3 | Kumarakom | — | Vembanad Lake, bird sanctuary, lakeside |
| 4 | → Varkala | about 150 km, roughly 4 hrs | Cliffs, clifftop cafés, sunset |
| 5 | Varkala | — | Beach, cliff walk, Ayurveda |
| 6 | Varkala → Kovalam/Trivandrum | — | Lighthouse Beach, departure |
Day 1 — Fort Kochi
Start in Fort Kochi, the old port peninsula — a day is enough to walk the heritage streets, see the Chinese fishing nets at sunset and settle in over dinner at an art café before the water legs begin.
Day 2 — Kochi to Alleppey
Drive to Alleppey — about 55 km, roughly ninety minutes — and board a houseboat around midday. Spend the afternoon drifting the canals, take dinner cooked aboard, and moor on the water for the night. Our houseboat guide covers booking a good, classified boat and avoiding the common bait-and-switch.
Day 3 — Kumarakom
After you disembark, base yourself at lakeside Kumarakom on Vembanad — quieter and greener than Alleppey, with a bird sanctuary and open-lake views. A slow lakeside day is the point; many travellers rate it the calmest stop on the route.
Day 4 — Kumarakom to Varkala
Head south to Varkala — about 150 km, roughly four hours — where red-laterite cliffs rise above the beach. Settle in along the clifftop path in time for sunset over the Arabian Sea.
Day 5 — Varkala
A full day on the cliffs: down to Papanasam beach for a swim, the clifftop café strip for people-watching, and an Ayurveda session to wind down. Varkala is more relaxed than the bigger resort strips, which is much of its appeal.
Day 6 — Varkala to Kovalam / Trivandrum
On the way to Trivandrum airport, finish with the crescent Lighthouse Beach at Kovalam, Kerala’s original beach resort, before your onward flight. See our budget guide for realistic daily costs on a trip like this.
Frequently asked questions
How is this different from the 5-day hills route?
This route stays on the coast and backwaters — houseboats, lakes and beaches — while the [5-day Kochi–Munnar–Alleppey itinerary](guide:kerala-5-day-itinerary) heads up into the tea hills. Pick this one if you want water over mountains.
What is the best time for this south route?
October to March, the dry season, for calm backwaters and good beach weather. The June–September monsoon is greener and cheaper but brings heavy rain and rougher seas.
Is one night on a houseboat enough?
Yes — one overnight covers the highlight: a sunset, dinner aboard and a still night on the water. A second night mainly suits those who want to slow right down.
Is this a good route for a honeymoon?
Yes — a private houseboat, lakeside Kumarakom and Varkala’s cliffs make a romantic combination. Our [houseboat guide](guide:kerala-houseboat-guide) helps you book a private boat rather than a shared cruise.
What’s the rough budget for this trip?
It depends on your style of travel and the houseboat especially. See our Kerala budget guide for realistic daily figures across backpacker, mid-range and comfort travel.