Kerala

Kerala, often referred to as “God’s Own Country”, is a testament of the awe-inspiring beauty and charm of the Indian subcontinent. Nestled between the Arabian Sea on the West and the towering Western Ghats on the east. As a result, Kerala boasts of enchanting blend of scenic beauty cultural heritage, and diverse ecosystems. With its pristine beaches, lush greenery, tranquil backwaters, and mist- covered hill stations, Kerala has undoubtedly captured the imaginations of travellers from around the world.

Backwaters

One of the most captivating features is its extensive network of backwaters. These serene waterways, composed of interconnected canals, rivers and lagoons, wind their way through picturesque villages and vibrant green paddy fields. Exploring the backwaters on traditional houseboats, known as “Kettuvallams”, is a quintessential Kerala experience. Drifting along these tranquil waters, surrounded by the soothing sounds of nature, offers a glimpse into the idyllic rural life of Kerala.

Hills

The state’s abundant natural beauty extends to its hill stations, where mist-clad mountains and tea plantations create a dreamy ambiance. Munnar, Wayanad and Thekkady are among the popular hill destinations that attract nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. The tea gardens of Munnar present a breathtaking sight, with undulating hills covered in vibrant carpet of tea bushes. Trekking through the verdant forests of Wayanad or embarking on a wildlife safari in Periyar National Park, located in Thekkady, offer opportunities to encounter diverse flora and fauna, including elephants, tigers, and bird species.

Coasts

The coastline stretches for over 550km, adorned with pristine beaches that beckon visitors seeking sun, sand and surf. Kovalam, Varkala and Marari are renowned beach destinations that captivate with their golden sands, swaying palm trees, and azure waters. The beaches offer not just a chance to relax and unwind, but also opportunities for water sports such as surfing, snorkelling, and catamaran rides. Witnessing a captivating sunset on the horizon of the Arabian Sea is a moment of pure tranquillity that lingers in the hearts of those who visit Kerala.

Culture

Beyond its natural allure, Kerala boasts a rich cultural heritage that is deeply rooted in its traditions, art forms, and cuisine. Kathakali, a classical dance drama characterised by vibrant costumes and elaborate make ups, showcases the State’s artistic prowess. Classical music concerts, temple festivals, and boat races are other cultural events that showcase Kerala’s vibrant traditions. The cuisine of Kerala is renowned for its flavoursome spices, coconut infused dishes, and delectable seafood. Exploring the local markets and savouring authentic Kerala delicacies like appam, puttu and fish curry is a gastronomic delight for visitors.

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Weather

The geography of Kerala results in the variety of climatic conditions. Overall, it has an equatorial tropical climate. On the west, Kerala has coastal lowlands with hot and humid climate throughout the year. Whereas, highlands and mountain ranges (the Western Ghats) on the Westren part lend a refreshing cool climate. Most of the hill stations are located on the eastern side of the state in the Western Ghats. Find out the best season to visit

How To Reach

Kerala is very well connected to all parts of India whether by air, rail or road route. Additionally, you have several options that you may find as per your time and suitability. The arrival point may vary depending on your itinerary but, the most common itinerary involves arrival to Kochi (Cochin) and departure from Kochi. Know more ways of how to reach Kerala

Accommodations

Good budget homestays to ultra luxury glamps (camps of glass cubicles), accommodation varies given that what you need and how much you are willing to pay for it. Nevertheless, we have mentioned the details of where we stayed in each city in our suggestions page. Here is city-wise best areas to stay in Kerala

Transportation

There is no dearth of transportation in Kerala. It has good public transport network including trains and buses. The coastal cities are well connected by trains. Since, there is no railway tracks laid on the hills, the hill stations are connected by road transport. Many government as well as private operated buses ply between major cities. If you have enough time in hand, you should definitely go for these options. Like any other tourist destination this place also has a monopoly of taxi and tour operators. Read here to find out the best way to travel in Kerala

Places of Interest

It is a destination that offers respite from the hustle and bustle of modern life inviting its visitors to immerse themselves in a realm of nature and beauty. Undeniably, Kerala lives up to its moniker as “God’s Own Country”, you will believe when you visit it as it captivates your senses and leaves an indelible mark on the hearts of those who experience its magic.

In the light of above, we have provided a map of Kerala in this post with the cities that we covered in our itinerary marked on it. Our trip started from Kochi (Cochin) and ended at Tiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum). As can be seen, we skipped the North part as it needed more time. However, we will definitely cover it some other time. Down below we have mentioned all the places of interest in Kerala segregating into cities. Under each city we have mentioned all the points of interest, sightseeing places and tourist spots that are worth a visit. Check them out here.

Food

Malayali cuisine is a popular cuisine in India. It has plenty of dishes up its sleeve to make you fall in love. Influenced by travellers from Arab, Portugal, and other different parts of the world in early years, Kerala has developed a unique cuisine of its own which includes looks of the western world but flavours original to Kerala. Explore the mouth watering dishes in this article

Itinerary & Budget

An ideal itinerary for Kerala is for 7 days. You need to spend minimum 3 days even if you want to visit only one city in your trip. If you have more time, it is wonderful. Here, we are providing a sample and most common 8 days itinerary along with the complete budget which is enough to cover most of the places. Check out the complete itinerary with budget here

Suggestions

Although, Instagram culture has made Kerala very popular, it has been a tourist paradise since forever. It sits in the lap of nature. Once you step in, every moment of your existence justifies why this state is known as God’s Own Country. The striking feature to us was that while other cities have trees amidst the concrete, Kerala has houses amidst the trees and forests. The tree cover (about 54%) is so high that seldom we saw any house without plants or huge trees. Jack fruit, mango, and coconut trees are a plenty. It has the best performance in India in all human development indicators. Kerala is not so much about the touristy spots but, experiencing its closeness to nature. Therefore, we are providing some suggestions based on our experiences to help make your trip awesome. Read more tips to travel in Kerala here