Kerala, the southernmost State of India has too many places to attract a visitor. So many that it becomes difficult to plan a trip to Kerala. This detailed Kerala Travel guide will help you cover some popular and some almost unknown but very charming places to explore in Kerala. It is by no means a complete guide to Kerala. Yes, it is a complete guide to the variety of places that Kerala offers and the best among those variety.
How to Plan a perfect Kerala Trip- read this Kerala Travel Guide thoroughly
Kerala, the southernmost state of India has nearly 600 km shoreline along the Arabian sea. That creates ample places for a beach vacation.
The land then suddenly rises to form the extremely bio-diversity rich undulating hill mass of western Ghats.
The Jungles in Kerala are dense and rich both in flora and fauna. Although you can experience this wherever you are, Periyar Wildlife sanctuary, Eravikulam National Park and Thattekad Bird Sanctuary are the top three places for a comfy visit.
Torrential downpour during monsoon make it one of the most green state of India. That also creates gorgeous waterfalls during and just after monsoon. Athirapally is definitely the best waterfall in Kerala.
A large number of seasonal rivers and perennial rivers criss-cross the state, running towards Arabian Sea. These rivers create huge backwater bodies in Kerala that add another charm to this already beautiful landscape. I would suggest Ashtamudi lake and Munroe Island in Kollam.
Its unique climatic conditions of heavy rainfall, humid weather, bright sun and varying altitude nurtures not just a wealth of bio-diversity, but also a range of spices and crops. Kumily and Thekkady are the two places to fit the slot for Spice Travel.
This wealth of spices made Kerala a most coveted trade port since before circa era. Almost every race on earth arrived here to do business- Arabs, Jews, Chinese, Europeans. Fort Kochi still has all the heritage postcards preserved from the time gone by, for every willing visitor.
1. Best Hill station in our Kerala Travel Guide- Munnar and Wayanad
Munnar is a very popular hill station in the Idukki district of the state. The tea-estates roll up and down and sprawl everywhere on the hill slopes of Munnar, making it a landscape straight out of Winnie the Pooh’s book. One can indulge in various short and scenic treks to enjoy and breath-fresh in this never ending green vista.
There are various viewpoints like Echo view point, Pothamedu view point which give a breathtaking view of the hills and the valleys. Matupatty dam and Kundala lake are other attractions.
Read about our Munnar Excursions here and here.
Munnar Travel Guide- Kerala Trip
How to reach Munnar
BY AIR: The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, around 125 km away from Munnar.
BY RAIL: The nearest railway station is Kochi or Ernakulam. Trains arrive here from various parts of India including Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Kolkata, Mangalore etc.
Aluva Railway Station is closer to Munnar with a distance close to 120 km, but not all trains stop here so check it before you make booking.
BY ROAD: Once you arrive in Kochi, Aluva or Ernakulam, you can hire a cab or take a bus to Munnar. For bus, book your tickets at Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) website or get it from the counter of bus terminal located next to Aluva railway station and Ernakulam Train station.
Best time to visit Munnar
Munnar can be visited all through the year.
Winter- December to February- Winter is the best season when the weather is at its best. Temperatures drop around 10 degree, but days see ample sunshine.
Summer -March to May- : Summer is also a good time as temperatures here remain between 20-35 degree Celsius. You can get some showers so carry an umbrella.
Monsoon (June to September): Monsoon is torrential downpour in Kerala, so be aware of the heavy rains and leeches. However, whole of the Kerala climbs the upper scale of green. This is also a great time to get heavy discounts on hotel tariffs as it is an off-season. However, you may have to spend a lot of time indoors because of heavy rains.
Wayanad is covered in the following topics under best rural experiences and home-stay.
Ponmudi, Idukki, Silent valley, Gavi are other lesser known but equally mesmerizing hill stations that you can include in your plan.
2. Eravikulam National Park – where lives the Nilgiri Tahr
Eravikulam National Park, just 15 kms from Munnar, is a must visit place in Munnar. This sanctuary is home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, one of the only three Tahrs in world.
Why must you visit Eravikulam National Park in your Kerala Travel Plan? Because it is not only the wonderful Nilgiri Tahr, you also get to walk in the sanctuary through grassy slopes overlooking the Shola forests and grasses and valleys.
You might like to read about Nilgiri Tahr. Click here.
3. Best Beach in Kerala you should include in your Kerala Travel Plan- Varkala
Kerala has a long coast-line along the Arabian sea. Aptly, there are many beach destinations for beach bums. No Kerala travel guide is complete without beach bumming recommendations.
While Goa is more hip, it is very touristy and crowded as well. On the contrary, beaches in Kerala are quiet and you can enjoy your beach vacations in almost solitude at many places. Besides, Kerala beaches still have the rustic charm of the fishermen’s life.
Varkala is the best among these beach destinations as per my Kerala Travel Guide. Why I prefer Varkala?
Because Varkala is a continuous chain of small and big beaches, connected by a romantic cliff walk. Coconut and Palm trees sway above you, fishermen still use the unique traditional boat of Kerala- catamarans. You can take long leisurely walks, explore hidden lotus ponds and dip your feet in the estuaries- all at the same beach.
How to reach Varkala
BY AIR – Nearest airport is at Thiruvananthapuram, approx 45 km away from Varkala. Prepaid taxis are available from the airport to Varkala.
BY TRAIN – Varkala lies on the rail line connecting Thiruvananthapuram to Ernakulam. However, all trains do not stop at the station. Therefore, for all practical purposes, Thiruvananthapuram is the major rail head close to Varkala. Taxis can be hired from the railway station to Varkala.
BY ROAD – The state-government run KSRTC plies buses regularly from Thiruvananthapuram. If you are coming from Kochi, you can take a bus to Thiruvananthapuram and get down at Attingal to catch a connecting bus to Varkala.
Best time to visit Varkala
Varkala has very hot and uncomfortably humid summers, heavy rain falls in monsoons and a pleasant winter season. Therefore, the best season to visit Varkala is the winter season between October and February.
Other Beaches in Kerala
Kovalam is the most poular among tourist as it has the most variety of water sports and activities. It is also ideal for surfing.
Kannur in north Kerala is the only drive in beach. Bekal beach is a good choice if you also want to visit Bekal fort.
4. The best Backwater in Kerala – Ashtamudi Backwaters in Kollam
Kerala has a lot to offer in terms of Backwater and only Kerala has that. While there are many beaches, jungles, hill resorts elsewhere also in India, backwaters are here only in Kerala. Therefore you must visit some Kerala Backwaters in your trip.
Read below to find out the major backwaters of Kerala and which backwater do I recommend in this Kerala Travel Guide.
Major Backwaters in Kerala
There are three major backwaters in Kerala besides other smaller backwaters. These are Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam, Vembanad backwater in Alappuzha-Kottayam area and third is Kannur-Valiyaparambu Backwaters in Kannur and Kasaragod districts.
The most beautiful and accessible is Ashtamudi Lake from Kollam. You can enjoy House boat cruise in Kettuvallams if you want to indulge or just stay in any place along the banks of Ashtamudi Lake and use local ferry to enjoy it, if you are a budget traveler.
Ashtamudi Backwaters is one of the most vivid and visited sightseeing spots in Kerala. It is the second largest lake in Kerala. The name ‘Ashtamudi’ means eight-cornered, because it has eight channels. The lake flows though the Neendakara estuary and then drains in the Arabian Sea.
You can enjoy the Ashtamudi backwaters by staying in Kollam. You can explore it by canoe rides, boating and houseboat cruises through the backwaters of Ashtamudi.
Houseboats in Ashtamudi Lake
The most famous houseboat cruise through the backwaters is the trip from Kollam to Alleppey. The gentle and slow paced rides lets visitor enjoy the scenic backwaters, delightful birds and cherish the sights of palm groves and coconut trees on the edge of the lake. The tranquility and the vistas of sunsets are not to be missed when the whole lake turns golden-red. The houseboats have all the luxuries and amenities needed for leisure.
Houseboats vs Canoe and ferry rides in Ashtamudi backwaters
However, I did not like it that much as houseboats are large and keep in the middle of lake, away from the banks, where most of the life is happening. We also did local ferry rides and small canoe rides, and we found these two the best way to explore and enjoy the Ashtamudi backwaters. Houseboats have a glamour tag attached but lacks in real experiences.
Enjoying Ashtamudi lake by local ferry
The local ferry, though looks less glamorous is actually more enriching experience as you can be on and off the lake as and when you want. You can also explore many villages that dot this lake by using the very cheap but clean and convenient local ferry.
Want to read some more about local ferry ride? Click here.
Munroe Island- most lovable backwaters in Kerala
And Ashtamudi Backwater has another shining jewel in its treasure box – The Enchanting Munroe Island. You have to sail in a traditional hand rowing wooden boat to visit the narrow crisscrossing canals of this island. You will see the island life from close quarters, duck your head to get through the lovely foot-bridges and pass through a green wonderland all the time.
Read our blog of Munroe Island experiences here.
Read about the history of Munroe Island and the name here.
How to reach Kollam
By Waterways/ Ferry – Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam are connected by daily ferries operated by both government and private players, and this ferry takes the canal route that is about 60 kilometres long. Alleppey, Munroe Island, and Alappuzha are also connected to Kollam by government-operated ferries.
BY AIR: Nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram /Trivandrum International Airport – approx 70 Km away from Kollam.
BY ROAD: Kollam is well connected by road via NH-47, NH-220 and NH-208. Buses run from major cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Madurai, Pondicherry, and many more.
By Rail: Kollam is a major train station of the south railways where all the major trains stop.
5. A slice of European influence, Heritage and history in Kerala Travel – Fort Kochi
If beaches, backwaters and the never ending green becomes too wild after a while, my Kerala Travel Guide suggests you to head straight to Fort Kochi.
It is a small area of not more than a square mile and yet it will take you back to Vasco Da Gama’s days and then hold your hands as you walk through Portuguese, Dutch, British arrivals and the buildings they built.
Besides it is a walker’s paradise. Explore the buildings, and experience the cultural potpourri of Jews from Israel, Muslims from Arabs, and Christians from Europe.
Read my detailed Travel Guide to Fort Kochi here.
How to reach Fort Kochi
By Train : Ernakulam Junction is the major rail-head to get to Fort Kochi. It is well connected with all the major cities of India. Fort Kochi is 13 km from Ernakulam Jn (South) Station and 16 km from Ernakulam Town (North) Station. There is no direct connection from Ernakulam Junction Station to Fort Kochi. You will have to change multiple buses, so taxi is the best way to travel.
By Air : The nearest airport to reach Fort Kochi is the Nedumbassery International airport which lies at a convenient distance of 20 Km from Cochin city.
By Road: The KSRTC connects Cochin with all the major cities of the Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Various private deluxe buses plying between Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai and Trivandrum also drop you at Fort Kochi.
Basilica, Fort KOchi 
Old Harbour Bungalow, Fort Kochi 
Inside of third extension house of Koder House, Kochi 
How to reach Ernakulam Train Junction to Fort Kochi by Ferry
The cheapest and fun way to reach Fort Kochi from Ernakulam Train station is by Ferry. Take a bus from train station to reach Jetty which is about 3 km from either of the railway stations (North and South train stations). Or take an auto from train station to Ernakulam Jetty. Hop on to a ferry going to Fort Kochi or Mattancherry. Get down at Fort Kochi Jetty, take an auto or Fort Kochi city bus and reach your destination.
6. Shri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram is the capital of Kerala and derives its name from the highly revered “Anant Padmanabhaswamy temple”. The temple has grand halls, hundreds of sculptures, musical pillars, 500 pillared corridor, and many wall murals.
Temple architecture here is an eclectic mix of Keralan and Tamil architecture, with many later additions from Nayaka and Vijayanagara influence.
Visitors have to follow a strict dress code. Men have to wear a Mundu as lower garment and remain bare chested. If they want, they can cover upper body with a Veshti. Women have to wear a saree but now you can wear Salwar-Kameej with Dupatta also.
You can also visit Kovalam beach which is at a distance of 17 km from here. Guruvayur temple, Sabarimala Sastha Temple, Pathanamthitta, Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram, Vadakkunnathan Temple, Thrissur are some other famous temples.
7. Best place for bird-watching in Kerala- Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Thattekad
Thattekad, though not popular among masses, is highly popular among the bird lovers. It is known for the most loved Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, which is home to a long list of birds and butterflies.
Thattekad Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over 25 sq km of forests, wetlands and rivers. It was Dr Salim Ali, who discovered the bird wealth here and recorded it in detail. Salim Ali rated this as the richest bird habitat in peninsular India, as good as eastern Himalayas.
Thattekkad literally means flat forest, and the region is an evergreen low-land forest located between the branches of the Periyar river.
If you are not a keen birder, should you visit Thattekad ?
Thattekad is not a tourism hot spot. Only birders know about its value. Me and my family found the place very charming and secluded from the overly touristy Kerala. The jungles are pretty and specially the Salim Ali bird Trail is a very romantic trail to spend a whole day.
How to reach Thattekad
Thattekad is about 54 km from Cochin. The drive is along Muvattupuzha and Kothamangalam and takes under two hours.
Since here are no train services, you will have to hire a taxi or take a bus to Muvattupuzha or Kothamangalam and then to Thattekad Bird Sanctuary thereof.
Where to stay in Thattekad
There are a few home-stays run by the bird lovers here. These are comfy and very authentic places to stay and experience Keralan life and cuisine.
The home stays are a good choice even when the sanctuary is shut. Occasionally Thattekad Bird Sanctuary is shut because of elephant wanderings. Like, when we visited, sanctuary was temporarily shut. However, birds do not follow the boundary set by men and the whole wilderness is their home. No need to alter your plans even if the sanctuary is shut. We saw a whole lot of birds with the help of these home-stay guys.
It is best to go with a guide if you are new here. You will lose valuable time without guides. They take you to the best spots. They also know where to look for the rare birds such as Ceylon Frogmouth, Indian Pitta and Malabar Trogon etc.
Winter (Nov – Feb) is the migratory season for birds, when birds from the Himalayas and other parts of the world arrive here. It is best to visit the sanctuary at this time. These months are also the milder months for climate in Kerala.
Other Birdwatching Places in Kerala
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Pathiramanal Island in Vembanad Lake, Pakshipathalam Bird Sanctuary in Wayanad and many other small and big places wherever you are, be it Munnar, Thekkady, Kochi or Wayanad or any other place.
8. Thekkady – Jungles and Spice kingdom you must not miss in Kerala Trip
Thekkady is in the Idukki district of Kerala. The famous Periyar National Park is situated here in Thekkady. The roads, from Munnar or from Kochi or Kottayam, that reach to Thekkady are enchanting, making their way through dense jungles, disciplined plantation, and quaint villages. This gives Thekkady a permanent place in every Kerala Travel Guide.
Boat Ride in Periyar :
While most of the tourists that visit Thekkady, they do a boat ride in the Periyar lake. If you ask me, don’t even put Thekkady in your list if you are going to do this only. It is just a one and half hour boat ride and the chances of seeing any wild life are rare. And that too will be really far to view.
Read here to know what a boat safari in Periyar Lake is like?
The best things to do in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary as per my Kerala Travel Guide
However, the forest department runs two excellent tours- The Bamboo rafting and the Periyar Tiger Trail and a small hike in Jungles. Please be careful as many people claim to provide these same trails and hikes, but safety is a big issue. Better book through your hotel or the government site here.
Periyar trail in Thekkady
is a 2/3 days long hike in the jungles, normally 25-35 km trek. The team consists of a maximum of 6 visitors, 5 guides and 2 forest officials. The trek route passes through hills and valleys with a variety of vegetation. They serve vegetarian meals and provide simple tents for night halt. Armed forest guards accompany the trekking group and they are equipped to handle the emergency situation.
Bamboo Rafting and Hike in Thekkady
The rafting is for three hours and one gets a panoramic view of forest-clad hills reflected on the lake. What I liked most about it is that in the Bamboo boat, you are always at the level of the water and it feels like you are floating on the water.
You may get to see Elephants, Gaurs and Sambar Deer along the lake. After the rafting, you will again walk through the jungles to reach the boat landing by about 5 PM. An armed guard and 4 guides accompany a maximum of 10 tourists. They serve tea, snacks and packed lunch which are simple and tasty.
Short treks in the Jungle at Thekkady
If you have kids or elder-folks with you, the above two activities will not be available to you. However, you may do the daily treks organized by the Kerala Forest Department. These begin from the boat landing station – Thekkady and lead to Nellikkampetty and Manakkavala.
Read our Jungle trails in Periyar Wildlife sanctuary here.
Read our Thekady Experiences here.
9.Village life, home-stay and local cuisine at Thrikkaipetta in Wayanad
Wayanad is just as beautiful and green as any other place in Kerala but it is less touristy and has many attractions for every kind of visitor.
There are lots of tourist places in Wayanad like Meenmutty waterfalls, Soochipara waterfalls, Pookode lake, Edakkal cave, Karapuzha dam, Chethalayam waterfalls, Banasura dam, Muthanga wildlife sanctuary etc. However these are just the secondary attractions in my Kerala Travel Guide. So what is first then? I put the village of Thrikkaipetta at first.
To experience authentic Wayanad, head straight to the small village of Thrikkaipetta. It is also famous by the name of Bamboo Village.
Where to stay in Wayanad
No doubt in choosing the best home-stay in Wayanad- The Bamboo Village initiative is an ethical home-stays in Thrikkaipetta. These are not like other usual home-stays. Here they just not only serve very good food and provide a room in their home, they also share their time and lives with you. You get to live as a part of the family.
The “Bamboo Village” concept was initiated by URAVU, to create a more sustainable community and future for the villagers, in Thrikkaipetta, Wayanad. The tourism initiative is also part of this program.
Read about our experiences of Thrikkaipetta here.
Read about the homestay experience of Thrikkaipetta here.
We stayed in Thrikkaipetta for four days and each day is still etched in our memory. The plantations, sprawling rice fields, Sacred Jungles called Kavus, an immensely enriching experience of Bamboo crafting at Bamboo Center and the most unique and delicious food; that is how I remember Thrikkaipetta. And yes, lots and lot of birds!
Muthanga/Waynad wildlife sanctuary, day hike to Chembra peak,
10. The best Waterfall and the Most Scenic Road journey in Kerala – Athirapally
If I have to select one waterfall as the best waterfall in Kerala, I will name Athirapally waterfall. And if I have to select the most scenic route in South India, then it will be the road from Athirapally to Valparai.
Athirapally is a small village in Chalakudy taluk, Thrissur district.
Best Hill Treks in Kerala
Those who are fond of treks and hikes, they will find ample places to do so. Remember, that many treks require permission from forest offices.
Agastyakoodam trek is a demanding and very beautiful trek which is not open for children below 14 yrs, so despite several trips, we are still not elegible to do that. You can read more about it here and book it here.
Meesapulimala Trek and Chokramudi trek in Munnar, Chembra peak trek in Waynad, treks in Silent Valley National Park in Palghat are some other very atractive treks which you can plan to do.
Besides these, wherever you are in Kerala, ask your hotel desk or some local for some day hikes, and they will surely guide to you nearest hill or jungle treks.
Cultural Experiences in Kerala
No trip to Kerala is complete without experiencing and indulging in some of the many cultural heritage of this popular tourism destination. So what do I suggest in this detailed Kerala Travel Guide? Among many, what you must not miss are
- Kathakali Dance Performance
- Kalaripayattu martial art performance
- Snake boat races at Aranmula/ Alapuzzha/ and many other places- these are held during Onam festival season of August-September.
- Pooram is the annual temple harvest festival of Kerala. Many temples in Kerala celebrate the Pooram festival, but the Pooram of Thrissur known as the Thrissur Pooram is recognized as the biggest and is often called ‘the Pooram of all Poorams’ (the festival of all festivals). The Thrissur Pooram festival is famous for having the largest number of elephants being assembled for a parade. It is a harvest festival with hundreds of Kerala’s traditional trumpets, drums and fireworks and the largest assembly in the world of tame, decorated elephants on a parade.
- Pookalam– the flower Rangoli made during Onam
- And last but not the least is the Ayurvedic Spa Experience.
Pookalams of Onam in Kerala 
Kerala sari 
That is all folks for planning a perfect Kerala trip for one week, two weeks or more.
यह लेख केरल घूमने के लिए बहुत काम आयेगा।
सम्पूर्ण जानकारी।
धन्यवाद संदीप जी. जब भी आप दक्षिण आये, सूचित जरूर करें।