Top Places to Visit in Kerala : Soulful Escape with Family

Have you ever felt like hitting the reset button on life? For me, that happened one sultry May morning as five of us boarded our flight to Kochi. With nothing but backpacks, camera gear, and the promise of a week away from the madness, we flew into the embrace of Kerala—God's Own Country.

Day 1: Waterfalls, Chocolate & Munnar's First Embrace

We landed in Kochi by 9 a.m., met by our smiling driver and a comfortably waiting Innova. The drive to Munnar was a gentle, scenic spiral—green hills, misty roads, and roadside vendors selling pineapples like they were gold. We stopped at Cheeyapara and Valara Falls—silver threads cutting through dense jungle. Blossom Park and a quirky little chocolate factory added a sweet touch before we reached our hill-facing hotel. Munnar was quiet, cool, and smelled like tea leaves and wet earth.

Day 2: Into the Heart of Tea Country

Waking up to the sound of birds and distant temple bells, we set off to explore Munnar. The Mattupetty Dam shimmered under the morning sun, and Echo Point lived up to its name (yes, we screamed our lungs out). But the highlight? Eravikulam National Park. We spotted Nilgiri Tahrs balancing like pros on rock faces and wandered through the Tea Museum, learning how those magical green leaves make their way to our mugs. That night, wrapped in shawls and sipping chai on our balcony, we agreed: Munnar is a poem in green.

And if you're also drawn to snow-capped mountains and rich cultural experiences, make sure to check out our Kashmir travel blog A Winter Romance in Kashmir: A Couple's 7-Day Love Story for a completely different kind of adventure.

Munnar is not just a destination; it's a poem written in shades of green, where every leaf tells a story and every mist carries a secret.

Day 3: Wild Souls in Thekkady

Three hours later, Thekkady greeted us with forest air and a faint scent of cardamom. We cruised Periyar Lake, spotting deer on the banks and cormorants diving for fish. The Periyar National Park was raw and alive—jungle noises all around. We ended the day wandering through a spice garden, where pepper, cloves, and cinnamon curled from the ground like secrets. The Elephant Court was cozy, its name a fitting tribute to the regal creatures we hoped to see (and did!).

Day 4: Floating Through Alleppey's Veins

Alleppey felt different—warmer, more languid. We explored Vembanad Lake by boat, drifting through canals like veins of a living landscape. The houseboats were dreamy, but we stayed ashore this time. A stroll along Alleppey Beach gave us sunset hues we'll never forget, and the quaint St. Mary's Forane Church stood like a reminder of Kerala's rich cultural soul.

Day 5: Cliffs, Waves & Hidden Forts

Kovalam was our final beach destination, but before that—Varkala. And wow, Varkala! Picture this: red cliffs, frothy waves, hippie cafés perched like birds on ledges, and Anchuthengu Fort whispering tales of the Dutch. By the time we reached our sea-facing resort in Kovalam, we were sun-kissed and soul-fed.

Day 6: Kovalam's Calm & Trivandrum's Charm

A day for culture and calm. We wandered the halls of the Napier Art Museum, strolled around Trivandrum Zoo (where flamingos flirted with the air), and meditated at Padmanabhaswamy Temple's gates. Kovalam Beach ended our day with golden sands and gentle tides.

Day 7: Cape Comorin's Call

Our last sunrise was special. We headed to Kanyakumari—where three seas meet. Standing at Vivekananda Rock Memorial, watching waves slam the stone in a dance as old as time, something stirred in us. The Thiruvalluvar Statue stood tall, the Amman Temple hummed with devotion, and Poovar Island felt like a floating dream. By 8 p.m., we were at the airport, hearts heavy, memory cards full.

Kerala doesn't just show you places; it whispers stories into your soul that stay with you long after you've left its emerald shores.

Wait a minute—before you go, check out this hidden yet popular gem 5 Days in Coorg & Wayanad – An Epic Group Trip Through Hills straddling the borders of northern Kerala and Karnataka: Wayanad.

As our flight took off from Trivandrum, I realized something: Kerala had reset me. The calm backwaters, misty hills, spice-scented air, and warm smiles had washed away weeks of stress. If you're looking to hit that reset button, Kerala waits with open arms—ready to paint your soul green again.