Well, it’s not going to be a relaxing vacation if you try to cover Kumarakom, Munnar and Thekkady in 4-5 days, so you should ideally stay at least for a couple of nights in each. Follow this circuit or, rather, a rough square on the map: Kochi to Munnar (150km/4hrs), Munnar to Thekkady (85km/2.5hrs), Thekkady to Kumarakom (125km/3hrs), Kumarakom to Kochi (50km/1hr). Car hires will cost Rs 2,500 on average; the first stretch will cost the most, the last the least. I am setting aside another sumptuous Rs 25,000 for local sightseeing and food, which leaves us with a generous Rs 65,000 for six nights (I am assuming you need stay reccos). The KTDC Tea County (from Rs 4,500; www.teacountymunnar.com), the Aranyaka Resort and Spa (from Rs 6,000; www.aranyakaresorts.com) and The Tall Trees (from Rs 8,500; www.ttr.in) are all worth recommending and well within your budget for Munnar. The Elephant Court (from Rs 7,000; www.theelephantcourt.com) suits your budget most comfortably at Thekkady, although CGH Earth’s Spice Village (from Rs 13,000; www.cghearth.com/spice-village) is also worth considering. In Kumarakom, stay at Vivanta by Taj Kumarakom (from Rs 10,800; www.vivantabytaj.com) or The Zuri Kumarakom (from Rs 8,000; www.thezurihotels.com/kumarakom). You are indeed in calming locations that demand no more than walking, boating and taking in splendid views; if you feel particularly sprightly, ask your hotel’s travel desk to arrange tours of local highlights, especially the safaris at Thekkady.