If you are planning for a Kerala road trip itinerary with everything from beach to waterfall to hill road to tea gardens and leisurely drives? Then you will absolutely love this Kochi-Munnar road trip itinerary. This is among the best self-drive road trips in Kerala, preferred by couples, families, and groups with stops along the way.
The itinerary starts from Kochi, takes you through waterfall country, then reaches Munnar’s tea-covered hills before heading back to Kochi.
How to plan a Kerala trip for 7 days?
Planning a Kerala trip for 7 days is easy. Just follow our recommendation and enjoy a hassle-free trip that is worth every investment. Our itinerary combines roads, highways, hills, forest and waterfalls, perfect if you want to experience the best places to visit in Kerala by car.
Day 1: What should be done after reaching Kochi?
Drive time: The travel duration from Cochin International Airport to Fort Kochi is about 1.5-2 hours.
Nature of drive: Urban roads, junctions, heritage lanes, and less parking spaces near tourist destinations.
Best stops: Fort Kochi, Chinese fishing nets, Mattancherry, Jew Town, Princess Street cafes.
Photo points: Sunset view of Chinese fishing nets, colonial roads, spices stalls, historic doors, and sea views.
Car type: You can rent any compact automatic car at Kochi; but a compact SUV would suit you more if you have luggage for the entire tour.
Day 2: Take a detour to visit the Athirappilly waterfall
Driving distance: From Kochi to Athirappilly is 2-2.5 hours by car, each way.
Nature of roads: City exits at first, followed by greener roads, villages, and busier road areas around the falls.
Best places to stop: Athirappilly Falls, Vazhachal Falls, roadside eateries, scenic river locations with good parking.
Photos: Waterfalls, winding roads, monsoon greenery, and landscape photos.
Best vehicle choice: Automatic SUVs.
Day 3: What’s it like driving from Kochi to Munnar?
Drive time: The drive from Kochi to Munnar is about 4-5.5 hours with frequent stops.
Type of road: City road and highway initially, green roads from Kothamangalam onwards, winding roads, uphill roads, falls and misty hill roads post Neriamangalam and Adimali.
Good stops: Neriamangalam bridge area, Cheeyappara falls, Valara falls, Adimali tea stops, first tea gardens stop. This is the core part of the self drive Kochi to Munnar experience.
Photo stops: Falls on the roadside, bends and mist, forest valleys, tea gardens, and chai stands.
Ideal car: Automatic SUV. This is the crucial drive day and automatic will make the uphill road drive easy.
Day 4: What are the best Munnar landmarks you should visit first?
Travel time: Approximately 2.5 to 4 hours of driving in total.
Type of road: Narrow hilly roads, bends, and sometimes parking problems.
Recommended places: Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, Kundala Lake, Top Station.
Photo points: Lake reflection, tea plantations, valley scenery, flower vendors by the roadside, layers of hills.
Recommended type of vehicle: Compact SUV.
Day 5: Should we consider visiting Eravikulam National Park?
Yes, for those who would like to see the mountains, landscape full of wildlife, and slow day at Munnar.
Time by road: 1.5 to 3 hours approximately, based on location of your hotel and number of halts.
Type of road: Hill roads for shorter distances, congested approach roads in season, and slower traffic near main tourist places.
Top halts: Eravikulam National Park/Rajamala, Tea Museum, local tea plantations, and Munnar town market.
Photo opportunities: Tea plantations, mountain landscapes, misty hills, and tea factory.
Ideal car: Compact SUV and premium hatchback.
Day 6: Is Munnar safe for self-driving?
Yes, Munnar is safe considering you take an automatic SUV. Munnar is definitely one of the best places to visit in Kerala by car.
Duration of the drive: It takes about 3-5 hours, depending on the route.
Type of road: Smaller estate roads with bends, potholes, less scenic viewpoints and facilities compared to the sightseeing loop.
Top spots: Pothamedu viewpoint, Attukad Waterfalls, Chinnakanal, Anayirangal Dam, Pallivasal viewpoints.
Great photo moments: Estates, drops in the valleys, scenic viewpoints, waterfalls and mornings mist.
Day 7: How do you return to Kochi from Munnar?
Driving time: Roughly 4–5.5 hours depending on breakfast and tea stops.
Nature of roads: First descend ghat roads and then follow some town and highway roads towards Kochi. We suggest to be careful while driving the bends.
Best places to stop: Tea/coffee shop at Adimali for breakfast/tea, restaurant near Kothamangalam, safety viewing points while descending.
Photography tips: Misting morning view, last tea garden view, curve road through valleys, roadside breakfast view.
Best vehicle: Automatic SUV or compact SUV.
When to Avoid a Munnar Trip?
Do not choose to visit Munnar when driving through the area under extreme conditions of rains during the monsoons, landslide warnings being issued, or when visibility is low due to fog in ghat roads. First-time drivers from the hills should also try to avoid night entry into Munnar as the road from Adimali onwards has bends and is slow due to foggy and misty conditions.
Make Your Kerala Road Trip Itinerary Memorable
Kochi to Munnar drive is one of those drives that are never in a hurry. The most memorable things in such drives tend to lie between your destinations – a surprise waterfall sighting at a turn, a tea vendor at the top of the hill, a lonely drive towards Top Station, or a sight of green hills after Adimali. At Kottayam Cars, we provide proper planning and a suitable self-drive car, that takes you beyond just being transportation to becoming the essence of your travel.
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