10-Day Kerala Itinerary That Cured My Corporate Burnout (Slow Travel Route)

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Stuck in the corporate rut, trying to make sense of where one day ended and another started, we decided to take a break and travel to the coolest state of the country: Kerala.

The land of backwaters, beaches, dosa, and Kathakali.

Trip length	10 days
Best time to visit	Nov–Feb
Who is this blog for	Slow, experiential travellers
Route	Kochi → Mararikulam → Munroe Island → Varkala → Trivandrum

Now, there are two ways to experience Kerala: run from one place to another to cover every tourist place, or step back, spend ample time in each place, and let it unfold before you slowly.

Always on the run in our lives, we chose the latter: Experiencing Kerala slowly.

(If you are planning to visit Kerala yourself, this Kerala travel guide would be a huge help)

Here is our exact 10-day Kerala Itinerary from Mumbai, where we slowly explored this beautiful state, covering beaches, backwaters, and cities.

How did I plan the Kerala itinerary?

Kerala is a land of abundance, extremely beautiful, and diverse.

Naturally, there are too many things to see and explore, and 10 days is nowhere near enough time to experience them all.

Which is why I suggest spending at least 2 weeks in this state.

However, if you are planning a 10-day Kerala trip like us, you might have to cross off a few destinations from your Kerala itinerary.

( I had recently spent 2 days in the tea gardens of Sri Lanka and amidst the wildlife in Yala, Sri Lanka; which is why I skipped Munnar and Thekkady. )

Instead, I wanted to spend some time on the beaches in Kerala, keeping them in my Kerala itinerary.

Here is my exact slow Kerala itinerary, a mix of sightseeing and a lot of relaxation to wash off all the corporate rut that has been weighing me down.

If you are still deciding whether to travel to Kerala, these Kerala experiences might convince you to say yes.

Slow 10-day Kerala Itinerary for Couples

Quick overview of the full 10-day route

Day	Location	Focus
Day 1	Kochi (Arrive)	Check in, explore Fort Kochi, and see the Chinese fishing nets at sunset
Day 2	Kochi	Jew Street, museums, palaces, Kathakali performance
Day 3	Kochi → Mararikulam	Travel day, check in, first beach walk
Day 4	Mararikulam	Full rest day — beach, books, sunset, slow living
Day 5	Mararikulam → Munroe Island	Travel, Jatayi Earth center & evening backwater cruise
Day 6	Munroe Island	Morning backwater cruise, mangroves, local life, Kayaking
Day 7	Munroe Island → Varkala	Travel, settle in, cliff walk at sunset
Day 8	Varkala	Beach, cliffs, temples, shopping
Day 9	Varkala → Trivandrum	Travel, Aazhimala Shiva Temple, Kerala Art & Craft Village
Day 10	Trivandrum (Depart)	Last morning stroll, fly home

Days 1-3: Explore the diversity of Kochi

Exploring Kochi (also called Cochin) felt much like travelling anywhere in any city in India, save for South Indian warmth.

While travelling to our hotel (Abad Fort), which was about an hour from the airport, we passed malls, restaurants, shopping complexes, traffic, and, of course, pollution.

However, Kochi exudes a subtle air of heritage and deep-rooted culture that is hard to miss, making you want to know more about its history.

We started with the Indian Naval Maritime Museum, followed by taking a stroll on the promenade around Fort Kochi.

The next day, we went around sightseeing some of the main places to see in Kochi like tourists, and honestly, maybe this is why Kochi was not my favourite part of the trip.

When in Kochi, you must go to Jew Street, see the sunset in Fort Kochi, and, if possible, catch a Kathakali performance.

I have described the entire itinerary I followed, describing how to spend 48 hours in Kochi with all the details.

Why did I love exploring Kochi?

I loved Kochi for the varied experience it gave me, whether through the history and culture that we experienced in museums or the tranquility and trance of watching the Chinese fishing nets at the Fort area.

I was also astounded to see the kaleidoscope of cultures and tribes that Kochi has hosted, which has seeped into the city’s bones and is clearly reflected in the perfect harmony of contemporary vibes, with centuries-old Kathakali performances and European-style cafes on the same street.

Where to stay in Kochi

We stayed in Hotel Abad Fort (Read my honest hotel review here), a budget hotel in the center of the city with spacious rooms, delicious food, and a nostalgic interior.

However, we also loved these options while researching the best hotels in Kerala:

Hostel: The Hosteller Fort Kochi, Ocean Edge

Budget Hotel: Ballard Bungallow

Mid Luxury Stays: Travancore Court

Luxury Hotels: Forte Kochi

What would I do differently?

My Kochi visit was enriching yet hectic, and so not as relaxing as I was hoping the trip would be.

The next time, I would like to keep 2 more days in the city to explore some cafes, blend with the locals, and watch a theyyam dance performance too.

If you are interested in cultures and traditional dances, you must surely book a Theyyam dance performance in Kochi.

Moreover, I would also recommend you to explore the authentic food of the city, with a guided food tour. Kerala food is delicious with tastes better when there is someone along to explain it.

If you’d rather have someone show you around Kochi without the hassle of planning everything yourself, this Kochi guided tour is definitely worth checking out.

Happy but a little exhausted, we travelled towards Mararikulam (my favorite part of the trip) on the third day.

Day 3-5: Let your stress wear off in the stillness of Mararikulam

Mararikulam was like the Sunday of the trip; I loved and cherished each second spent there.

Geographically, it is a small, quaint city not very far from Kochi. But in reality, it transports you somewhere else: to a relaxed, peaceful place.

I had a clear agenda, no ticking off checkboxes, no checking messages or emails.

I didn’t do much in this quiet beach, and thankfully, Mararikulam helped me reset and heal.

I rested the entire time I stayed there.

Lying on the beach with my favorite book while watching the waves crashing on the shore was an experience I had hardly valued.

I had always visualized a grand, picture-perfect experience.

But I found it to be less Instagram-worthy or cinematic and instead, quieter, more real, and far more beautiful.

It was a surreal experience to just take the day slowly, watching the sun set every evening, without having to run after itineraries or check off the different destinations.

It reminded me how beautiful it is to do nothing and feel everything.

If you feel bored or need an activity, you can travel to the nearby town Alleppey and book a houseboat cruise tour.

It would be best to book a few hours in advance for the best rates.

Where to stay in Mararikulam?

We stayed at Azure Tides and absolutely loved our stay(Wrote a detailed hotel review).

If you have the budget, stay at a similar sea-facing resort so that you can relax, staring at the sunset and letting waves wash off your stress and mental fatigue.

Some Researched Recommendations:

Shoreline Marari Beach Villa at Golden Beach Mararikulam

Marari Umapathi Beach Villa

Tree of Life Marari Sands Beach Resort, Marari – Kerala

Days 5-7: Explore the calming backwaters in Munroe Island

If you look at the tourism point of view, backwaters are the major highlight of Kerala.

Which means the main backwater areas like Alleppey are extremely crowded and overrated.

I say this after visiting Alleppey, while staying in Marari.

But if you want to experience backwaters for their tranquility and calmness, go to Munroe Island, because it is a hundred times better experience than what you will get in Alleppey or Trivandrum.

If the backwaters of Alleppey were a show of exquisite houseboats and traffic jams on water, the backwaters in Munroe Island were just 2 hours of splendid beauty.

I distinctly remember the gratitude I had for leaving behind my work for a few days to be amidst the tall coconut trees and mangroves and to witness the sunset over the still water.

Honestly, the calm of the backwaters, with the only sound being the paddle cutting through the water, was addictive, and I ended up booking two backwater trips, one in the morning and one in the evening.

If you choose a good stay as we did, you can enjoy the complete silence, save for bird calls, the sound of oars creating ripples on the water, and leaves rustling.

If you plan to go to Munroe Island ( which you must), this Munroe Island Backwaters Travel Guide will give you all the details.

I could see why people love to visit Kerala with only the backwaters in their mind; it is really worth it.

Where to stay in Munroe Island

We stayed at Lake & River Resort (Read the hotel review) in Kollam

But here are other options we liked:

Munroe Meadows

S Cross Munroe Island Resort

A Raviz Hotel

Spending one and a half days in Munroe Island, experiencing the calmness of backwaters, we headed towards Varkala, the beach city.

While en route to Varkala, do not miss out on stopping to visit the Jatayu Earth Center, which is dedicated to women’s safety and is the world’s largest bird sculpture.

Day 8-9: Witness the fun side of Kerala at Varkala

Varkala was the last leg of our trip and, as I found out, one of the most loved cities in the country.

Indians and foreigners alike visit it in thousands every year, finding peaceful joy amidst the beaches, cliffs, yoga, and hippy culture.

Which is why Varkala is a must-have spot in your Kerala travel itinerary.

We spent the last 2 days of our Kerala trip amidst the hippy crowds of Varkala, where tradition and modernity meet.

A quick itinerary

• Start your day by visiting the famous Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple near the North Cliff.
• Spend half an hour in the tranquil environment, absorbing the uniqueness of South Indian temples.
• In the afternoon, when it is sunny outside, book an Ayurveda massage through your hotel or one of the massage centers.
• Have a hearty lunch and head over to the hippy shops on the North Cliff. End your day with a delicious dinner at one of the cafes. We liked Sun Francisco.
• The next day, visit the black beach, try water sports, and end your trip by watching the sunset on the Varkala beach.

While in Varkala, you can visit temples, spend time on the beach, or maybe take a swim in the sea, shop at the cliffside hippy market, mingle with foreigners, or try water sports.

There are plenty of things to do here if you want to spend your time on activities.

But it is also a perfect spot to relax after a hectic trip or week, doing nothing, as we did.

While the beaches here are pristine with clear blue waters and clean sand, the shopping market is immense.

I bought lots of gifts for my family and myself, ranging from clothes to gemstones and jewelry.

Varkala felt like a safer version of hippy beaches, where you could explore the tantalizing, contemporary food, gaze at the horizon from the cliffs, and visit temples.

You could stay a week in Varkala and still not get bored.

I found Varkala to be one of the best cities in Kerala and also a unique mix of cultures, and have mentioned how to reach Varkala and things to do in a detailed Varkala guide.

Where to stay in Varkala

If you are on a budget trip, there are plenty of good hostels in Varkala. However, I would suggest staying at a beach-facing property or at least close to the North Cliff to enjoy the beauty of the sunsets even without facing the crowds on the beach.

Here are some of my best recommendations for Varkala hotels.

Hostel: Barefoot Hostel ( Situated right on the cliff)

Budget Hotel: Black Beach Resort

Mid-luxury Hotel: VOYE HOMES Signature Pool Resort Varkala ( Agoda preferred, beautiful Property)

Luxury Resort: Gateway Varkala

We stayed in B’canti Boutique Beach Resort and absolutely loved our stay. (Refer to the detailed review)

Day 10: The spirituality of Trivandrum

I ended my trip in Trivandrum.

I could have taken a flight back home from Kochi, but I wanted to visit the most famous Padmanabhaswamy Temple, which I unfortunately missed due to the wrong timing.

Instead, I get to see another gorgeous temple called Aazhimala Temple.

It has a 58-foot-tall statue of Lord Shiva, standing overlooking the beach.

While its height makes it unique, the carvings done by the sculptor are mesmerizing and unbelievably good.

It is also known to make wishes come true for people, and hundreds of them hang wooden cribs on the tree while wishing for a child.

Standing there, watching the waves crash behind Lord Shiva’s statue, I realized why Kerala is called God’s Own Country.

Should you add Munnar to your Kerala Itinerary?

We had three reasons to skip Munnar:

• We weren’t able to fit it into our 10-day itinerary without rushing the trip.
• Kerala was a beach trip for us, and we didn’t want to travel to the mountains or see tea gardens
• We had already visited the tea gardens and the tea factory in Ella, Sri Lanka, recently.

But Munnar should definitely be on your Kerala itinerary if you are visiting it for the first time and haven’t experienced tea estates before.

Spend a day in the lush tea estates that look like a green blanket on the earth, understand the different types of tea, and see tea leaves being processed in a tea factory.

How to Reach and Travel Around Kerala?

Kerala is connected to all the major cities in India. If you are travelling from outside India, you can check for direct international flights or take a domestic flight from any of the metro cities.

Depending on your travel plan and itinerary, you can fly to Trivandrum, Kochi, or Calicut. Kerala is also well connected by railways.

We explored the city by car, and it helped us stop for traditional snacks or see the villagers up close.

If you are doing a road trip, as we did, it would be best to hire a car through a tour operator.

Opt for local tour operators for a more authentic experience.

Alternatively, you can book an airport or intercity transfer and a day-wise private driver from local agencies or Get Your Guide and Viator.

I am sharing some reliable options:

Private Transfers from Kochi

Trivandrum Private car with Driver

What I’d Do Differently Next Time?

I regretted not checking the weather while packing; I was extremely wrong.

The next time I visit, I will check the temperature a day or two in advance to get an approximation of the weather conditions. I might also keep more days at Varkala.

There were a couple of things I wished I had known before planning a trip to Kerala, like the weather, dress code, packing list, and so on.

But I have added all the tips here, so you don’t have to feel regret.

What to pack for a Kerala trip?

Just like the varied experiences, you would need some varied clothes for Kerala.

If you wish to visit temples in Varkala or Trivandrum, you will need some modest clothing that covers your full body, like skirts and blouses or full pants and shirts. Keep lots of scarves for temples and as a styling tool for beaches and sightseeing in Kochi.

For beaches, in Mararikulam and Varkala, you can go all out and pack shorts, dresses, jumpsuits, and even bikinis :p

This Kerala Packing List 2026: 10 Must-Have Essentials for Your Kerala Trip will make your packing easier.

Best Time to Visit Kerala?

You can visit from June to August for monsoon beauty or from November to January for the spring season. However, Kerala is gorgeous in all weathers.

Kerala was like a breath of fresh air for my cluttered mind, which was tired of the bustling city stress. I often transport myself back to the stillness of the backwaters while walking on a busy street.

I remember promising myself to visit again, even before I boarded my return flight. I knew this quiet, gorgeous place was going to stay with me years after I left it behind.

Questions you might want answers to