Tropical beaches, boat trips on rivers and canals, trips to tea estates and jungle walks in wildlife parks: Kerala is one of the most beautiful parts of South India. Famous for beach holidays in Kovalam and Varkala, Kerala offers a lot more to do than sunbathing (if you manage to drag yourself away from the beach, that is).
Coconuts in Kerala
Boat Trips on Kerala Backwaters
The Kerala backwaters are a network of rivers, canals and lakes that cover most of this South Indian state. Scheduled boats travel along the canals, and backwater cruises are arranged around all the major tourist destinations in Kerala. One of the most popular routes is the day cruise from Alapuzzha to Kollam, but there are backwater cruises around most resorts and towns in Kerala. You can also rent a traditional rice barge, a kettuvallam, for a private trip down the backwaters.
The Best of Kerala’s Beaches
Kovalam in South Kerala is one of Kerala’s most famous beaches and also one of Kerala’s most touristy beaches. If you’re looking for an easy beach holiday with lots of good food, shopping and entertainment around, Kovalam might be a good option: it is a lot like Teneriffe but with a little bit of Indian flavour. Backpackers have always preferred Varkala, just a short trip up the coast.
Muzappilangad Beach in North Kerala
The beaches in Northern Kerala, around Kannur and Thalasseri, are much quieter. However, unlike in Kovalam and Varkala, sunbathing in a bikini is not really possible here without offending locals, and at the same time attracting a large crowd of “admirers” with video cameras.
Ayurvedic Spa Resorts in Kerala
Kerala is the birthplace of the Indian traditional medical system, Ayurveda. Although Ayurveda massages and beauty treatments are offered on almost every single beach and guesthouse in Kerala, a genuine Ayurvedic programme involves a consultation with a doctor and some serious treatments, such as panchakarma (a detox programme that often includes enemas and vomiting). There are several good Ayurvedic resorts and spa’s around Kerala and many offer short and long treatment packages with luxury accommodation.
Kerala Wildlife Parks and Sanctuaries
The Periyar Tiger Sanctuary is home to leopards and tigers, although spotting a tiger in India is a matter of luck. You can also go for a walk in the jungle and see wild elephants, a variety of deer and dozens of species of exotic birds. There are boat trips on the Periyar Lake, and the towns of Thekkady and Kumily are nice hill towns to stay in.
The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve that covers several wildlife parks in South India, and a beautiful place to stay or even just to drive through.
A Kerala Beach Hut
Tea Estates and Spice Plantations
The Western Ghats mountains are home to tea estates, spice plantations and coffee growing farms. The hill station Munnar, in the middle of a major tea growing region, is a popular area to visit, especially in the spring when the rest of South India starts to get too hot for comfort but the mountain climate stays cool and pleasant. There are hiking paths, cottages to rent and beautiful mountain views here.
This official Kerala tourism department website offers handy tips for travelling to Kerala, including the fact that “demonstrating affection in public like hugging or kissing is not an accepted practice in Kerala” and other useful travel information.
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