Kerala
Kerala, on India’s tropical Malabar Coast, is an evergreen state famed for its backwaters, houseboats, tea-covered hills, sandy beaches, wildlife sanctuaries and a living cultural tradition of art, dance and Ayurveda. Often promoted as “God’s Own Country”, Kerala offers a calm, scenic contrast to India’s busy metros and is popular with couples, families and wellness travelers.
Top Places to Visit
- Alleppey (Alappuzha) — famous for houseboat cruises through the backwaters and village canals.
- Kumarakom — bird sanctuary and luxury backwater stays.
- Munnar — hill station with tea gardens, viewpoints and trekking.
- Thekkady / Periyar — wildlife sanctuary known for elephants and boat safaris.
- Fort Kochi & Mattancherry — colonial history, Chinese fishing nets and art cafes.
- Kovalam & Varkala — popular beaches and seaside relaxation.
- Wayanad — forests, waterfalls and tribal culture.
- Bekal — historic fort and quiet beaches (north Kerala).
Kerala Backwaters & Houseboats
The backwaters are Kerala’s signature travel experience: interconnected lakes, canals and lagoons lined with palm trees and villages. Stay overnight on a traditional converted rice barge (kettuvallam) or take a day cruise to witness village life, paddy fields and sunset reflections. Popular backwater hubs include Alleppey (Alappuzha) and Kumarakom.
Hill Stations & Tea Country
Munnar and nearby Idukki offer rolling tea plantations, cool weather, misty mornings and hiking opportunities. These highland areas are excellent for nature photography, trekking, and visiting tea factories and viewpoints.
Beaches & Coastal Experiences
Kovalam, Varkala, Marari and Bekal are popular seaside destinations. Kovalam has a famous crescent beach and lighthouse; Varkala offers cliffs with cafes and natural springs ideal for a relaxed seaside stay or yoga retreat.
Wildlife & Nature Reserves
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Thekkady) is a must for elephant sightings, boat safaris and spice plantations. Wayanad and Silent Valley (in northern-central Kerala) protect rich Western Ghats biodiversity — great for birding, trekking and nature walks.
Culture, Art Forms & Cuisine
Kerala’s cultural life includes Kathakali (classical dance-theatre), Mohiniyattam, Theyyam (ritual performance in north Kerala) and smaller temple festivals. The cuisine is coconut-rich — staples include sadya (feast on banana leaf), seafood curries, appam, dosa, and regional specialties like Kerala fish curry and Karimeen pollichathu.
Festivals & Events
- Onam (harvest festival) — major state festival with boat races, traditional food, and dances.
- Thrissur Pooram — famous temple festival with spectacular processions and percussion.
- Regional temple festivals (Theyam, Padayani) and Christian church feasts.
Best Time to Visit
Kerala is pleasant for most of the year, but the most popular months for general sightseeing are October to February (cool, dry). The monsoon season (June–September) transforms the landscape and is favored by Ayurvedic and wellness travellers; many travelers time backwater and beach stays outside the heavy monsoon months.
How to Reach & Getting Around
Air: Major airports: Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram), Cochin (Kochi), and Calicut (Kozhikode) connect domestic and international routes.
Train & Road: Well-connected rail network links cities; states buses, private coaches and taxis serve inter-city travel. Renting a car with a driver is a common, comfortable way to explore.
Accommodation Types
- Houseboats & homestays on the backwaters
- Hill-station boutique hotels and tea-bungalows
- Beach resorts and seaside guesthouses
- Luxury hotels, Ayurvedic wellness centres, and budget inns
5-day Classic Kerala
- Day 1: Arrive Kochi — Fort Kochi & spice market, evening Kathakali (optional).
- Day 2: Drive to Munnar — tea gardens, viewpoints.
- Day 3: Munnar morning — drive to Thekkady (Periyar) — spice plantation visit, boat safari.
- Day 4: Drive to Alleppey/Kumarakom — board houseboat for overnight backwater cruise.
- Day 5: Return to Kochi or Trivandrum for departure / extend to Kovalam beach.
7–10 day Relax & Explore
Extend with Wayanad or northern Kerala (Bekal), add additional days for beaches, wildlife treks and village stays.