Pune To Kerala Trip

Planning a Pune to Kerala Trip? A Practical Guide for 5, 6 and 7 Days

If you have been searching for “Pune to Kerala trip” and found long itineraries that jump from Munnar to Varkala in a single day, this guide is for you. Kerala is one of the most rewarding holiday destinations in India, but it is also one where a bad plan leaves you tired and watching the clock from the back seat of a car. As a travel planner at Trip Leads, I have written this guide to help you choose the right number of days and the right route, with realistic timings.

How to reach Kerala from Pune

The road distance from Pune to Kochi is roughly 1,300 to 1,450 km, depending on route, and the drive takes about 24 hours with halts. For a holiday of one week or less, that is not practical, so most guests fly from Pune to Kochi, which takes about two hours on direct flights where available, or take a train, which takes a day or more. Our cab picks you up at Kochi airport or railway station. If you prefer a road trip, it needs at least two additional days for the journey and an overnight stop on the way, and I am happy to plan that separately.

The Kerala route in brief

The classic Kerala circuit moves from the coast into the hills, then back to the coast: Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey and, if you have time, Kovalam or Varkala. The reason is simple. You climb in the first half, when you are fresh, and relax in the second half, with a houseboat and a beach. The drives are Kochi to Munnar (about 130 km, 4 hours), Munnar to Thekkady (about 110 km, 3.5 hours), Thekkady to Alleppey (about 140 km, 4 hours) and Alleppey to Kovalam (about 160 km, 4 hours).

Option A: A 5 day, 4 night trip

Day 1 is the arrival and the drive to Munnar. Day 2 is a full Munnar day with tea gardens, Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point and Eravikulam National Park, if open. Day 3 is the drive to Thekkady, with a spice plantation and a Kalaripayattu or cultural show in the evening. Day 4 begins with the Periyar boat ride, then the drive to Alleppey and a houseboat night. Day 5 is the drive to Kochi and departure. It is a tight plan, so it suits fit travellers.

Option B: A 6 day, 5 night trip

I recommend this plan. Day 1 is spent in Kochi, which gives you an easy first day: Fort Kochi, the Chinese fishing nets, Mattancherry and a Kathakali show. The following days follow the route from Munnar to Thekkady to Alleppey, and Day 6 is the departure from Kochi. The extra day makes the trip calmer and gives time for rain delays.

Option C: A 7 day, 6 night trip

You add Kovalam. After the houseboat, you drive south to a sea-facing resort for a night by the Arabian Sea. Day 7 is for departure from Thiruvananthapuram. It is a good plan for honeymooners and families who want a beach at the end.

The places worth your time

Fort Kochi and Mattancherry: A historic coastal area with Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis Church, the Dutch Palace and the old spice market of Jew Town. Best explored in the late afternoon.

Kathakali performance, Kochi: A classical dance-drama of Kerala, usually staged in the evening, where you can watch the actors prepare their elaborate make-up before the show.

Munnar tea estates: The rolling green slopes around Munnar. Visit the Tea Museum to understand how tea is grown and processed.

Mattupetty Dam and Echo Point: A scenic reservoir and a viewpoint, popular for boating and photography, and best in the morning.

Eravikulam National Park: Home to the Nilgiri tahr, with a wide, grassy hill landscape. It is closed in the calving season, so we confirm dates in advance.

Top Station and Kundala Lake: A high viewpoint on the Tamil Nadu border and a quiet lake, both good for misty views.

Periyar Tiger Reserve, Thekkady: A large wildlife reserve with a boat ride on the lake. Sightings of elephants and deer are possible, but cannot be promised.

Spice plantations, Thekkady: A guided walk among cardamom, pepper, cinnamon and clove. A good place to buy fresh spices.

Alleppey backwaters: A network of canals and lakes best seen from a houseboat or a smaller shikara boat. A day cruise or an overnight stay are the two common choices.

Kovalam Beach (Option C): A crescent-shaped beach with a lighthouse, calm waters and seafood restaurants. Good for a slow evening.

Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram (optional): A famous temple with a strict traditional dress code. We guide you on the rules if you wish to visit.

Best time to visit Kerala

September to March is the most comfortable, with pleasant weather and good sightseeing. In October and November, showers are common, but the scenery is lush and crowds are lighter. December and January are the busiest and priciest months. Summer is hot and humid on the coast, though the hills remain cool. The southwest monsoon, from June to August, brings heavy rain, and it is the traditional season for Ayurvedic treatments, but hill roads and boat rides can be affected.

What to eat

Kerala food is a reason to travel by itself. Try appam with vegetable stew, puttu with kadala curry, Kerala parotta with beef or chicken curry, karimeen pollichathu (pearl spot fish), prawn curry and a vegetarian sadya on a banana leaf. Banana chips fried in coconut oil and fresh filter coffee are everywhere. Vegetarians will find plenty of choices too, from idli and dosa to thalis. Tell us your food preference and we will suggest suitable restaurants.

Where to stay

Kerala has hotels in every range. In Munnar, resorts with tea garden views are the most popular. In Thekkady, forest-side resorts and plantation stays are common. In Alleppey, most guests choose a houseboat for one night. Rooms fill up fast in December and during Onam, so book early. Tell us your budget and group size, and we will suggest options.

Practical tips from the road

Allow extra time for hill drives, since the roads are winding and speeds are low. Carry a light jacket for Munnar and a raincoat for the monsoon. Keep cash with you, since networks and ATMs can be weak in the hills. If anyone in your group is prone to motion sickness, tell us in advance, and we will plan breaks and carry medicines. Follow the guide’s instructions on boats and in the forest, and do not litter or feed animals.

Which option should you choose?

For a short, scenic holiday, choose the 5 day trip. For a relaxed plan with Kochi, choose the 6 day trip. For a full holiday with a beach, choose the 7 day tour package. If you cannot decide, tell us your group size, ages and interests, and we will recommend what fits best.

Book with Trip Leads

Share your travel date, Pune departure city, group size and preferred option. We will send a clear quotation with inclusions and exclusions, with no pressure and no hidden charges. Whether you travel with family, a partner or friends, Trip Leads will make sure your Kerala trip is comfortable, well planned and memorable.