Kochi and Kovalam, 4 Days

• Arrive Kochi airport (about 1.5 hours to Fort Kochi by cab), settle into a homestay
• Evening walk to the Chinese fishing nets at sunset, dinner near Vasco da Gama Square

Good to know: The fishing nets photograph best at sunset when they drop. Mornings are for the fish market instead.

• Mattancherry Palace, the synagogue lane, and the old spice warehouses; lunch of appam and stew
• Evening Kathakali show (book ahead; front rows sell out first)

Good to know: Shows run about two hours, with makeup viewing before curtain. Front rows sell out first, so book a day ahead.

• Morning train or cab south to Trivandrum (around 4 to 5 hours), then transfer to Kovalam
• Afternoon at Lighthouse Beach, sunset at Hawa Beach

Good to know: The train is slower than the road but easier on the back. Chair-car seats can fill up, so book a few days out.

• Morning surf lesson at Lighthouse Beach, afternoon Ayurvedic spa session
• One last sunset walk before heading to Trivandrum for departure

Good to know: Surf schools run morning batches when the sea is calmest. Keep the afternoon for the spa.