India is land of diverse geography; every state is unique and offers some of the best experiences. One such state in India which is known for its awe-inspiring beauty, cultural richness, holistic wellness and home to many ancient treasures is Kerala.
Cuddled in the lap of the southwestern part of the Indian subcontinent, Kerala is offered the nickname as “God’s Own Country.” When you visit the state, you will truly acknowledge it, how the nickname is being justified.
With India Tours, explore the verdant landscape, the serene and tranquil backwaters, the misty hills, the untouched beaches, and the exotic flora and fauna. It doesn’t matter, whether you are a nature, adventure enthusiasts, cultural seeker or someone wishing for a wellness retreat, Kerala has everything prepared for you.
1. The Allure of Kerala’s Backwaters
The backwaters of Kerala is one of the most iconic spots of Kerala, connected by a complex network of rivers, lakes and canals, running parallel to the Arabian Sea coast. Taking a cruise along the backwaters in a traditional houseboat (known as a kettuvallam) of Kerala is one of the most soothing experiences, you can have nowhere else.
In your India Tour Packages include the popular backwater destinations like Alleppey (Alappuzha), Kumarakom, and Kollam. Have a wonderful time cruising through the backwaters, admiring the lush paddy fields, coconut groves, and sleepy villages. It is one of the best experiences to simply relax and watch the untouched natural beauty.
Moreover, these houseboats have accommodations with all the modern amenities, and come with a personal chef who will serve you traditional cuisines of Kerala. Savor the local flavors, while you drift along the waters, admiring the beauty and enjoying your time here.
2. Hill Stations: Munnar, Wayanad & Beyond
In India, hill-stations are found not only in the Himalayas. You will be surprised to know that Kerala is home to some of the magical hill-stations, famous for its misty hills and lush greenery.
Munnar located in the Western Ghats of Kerala is a heaven for rolling tea plantations, misty hills, dense forests and cool climate. You can visit the tea estates, walk through Eravikulam National Park in the buffer ones to watch the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, or take a trek to the highest point of South India, i.e. Anamudi Peak.
Another picturesque hill station, known for its raw beauty is Wayanad. This hill-station houses some of the highest waterfalls, dense forests, and ancient caves like the Edakkal Caves (which contains petroglyphs, believed to be more than 6000 years, of the earliest humans). There are plethora of activities to do that suits the taste buds of adventure lovers, they can enage in bamboo rafting, trek to Chembra Peak, enjoy zip-lining, and explore the Banasura Sagar Dam.
With Tours India, you will be able to have an amazing time relaxing in the hill-stations and have an immersive experience knowing about the history and culture of the place.
3. Beaches of Tranquility
Beach lovers, simply get overwhelmed, as Kerala;s coastline is 550 km long and it houses some of the immaculate and scenic beaches in India.
The state has lively beaches like Kovalam famous for the historical lighthouse. The quiet beach like Varkala Beach is situated underneath dramatic red cliffs offers laid-back vibe, natural spring waters, and Ayurvedic spas. The state has lively beaches like Kovalam famous for the historical lighthouse. The quiet beach like Varkala Beach is situated underneath dramatic red cliffs offers laid-back vibe, natural spring waters, and Ayurvedic spas.
Other beaches include Marari Beach, close to Alleppey and Bekal Beach in North Kerala that has the grand 17th-century fort standing on top of a hill, overlooking the sea.
4. Cultural Heritage and Traditions
The culture and tradition of Kerala is as rich as its natural beauty. The state is known for its classical dance forms and oldest martial arts.
- Kathakali which is a dance-drama, the participants wears traditional costumes with elaborate makeup
- Kalaripayattu, one of the oldest martial arts in the world was introduced in Kerala
- Another dance form is Mohiniyattam, which are performed by women in a graceful way.
Visitors keen on knowing the culture of the state, can attend performances at cultural centers in some of the places like Kochi, Thrissur, and Thekkady.
Visitors can also be a part of the festivals. The state celebrates its annual Thrissur Pooram festival, accompanied with vibrant processions, drumming, and fireworks. Then there is Onam, which is Kerala’s harvesting festival, which is celebrated with grand fervor, accompanied with traditional feasts (sadhya), flower decorations (pookalam) and snake boat races.
5. Ayurveda and Wellness Retreats
Kerala is the birthplace of Ayurveda, which is the traditional way of taking care of your health and physical wellness. This ancient Indian system of holistic medicine has been passed down from generations.
If you want to opt for Ayurvedic treatments, you will find many Ayurvedic wellness centers here. You will have ample of options to choose from, there are traditional ashrams, Ayurvedic centers, spa centers and luxury resorts. You will be able to get physical therapies, detox treatments and treatments for chronic ailments, when you enroll in any one of the programs and treatments.
Many international travelers visit Kerala to get Ayurvedic treatment which includes yoga programs, steam baths, herbal oil massages, etc. Some of the top places which offer the best Ayurvedic treatments include Thekkady, Kovalam, and Kumarakom.
If you want to include wellness retreat in your India Tour Packages, let the tour experts know, so that they can make sure that this is in your itinerary.
6. Wildlife and Ecotourism
Kerala is a paradise for nature and wildlife lovers. Start your wildlife trip by taking a wildlife safari tour in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady, home to the largest number of elephants in India. Here other than the elephants, you can have a close encounter with the tigers, bison, deer and variety of other animals and birds. Other than jeep safari, other unique ways to explore the wildlife sanctuary is by boat and traditional bamboo safari.
Silent Valley National Park, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and Parambikulam Tiger Reserve are other important parks that are rich in flora and fauna and allows to engage in activities like trekking, camping, and nature walks.
Bird lovers can head to Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, home to more than 300 species of birds and lush greenery and mesmerizing scenery.
Wildlife and nature lovers don’t miss to enjoy the wildlife safari in Kerala. If aren’t aware, get in touch with Tours India, they will everything planned for you.
7. Culinary Journey through Kerala
Food lovers shouldn’t definitely miss to try the cuisines of Kerala, where every dish is full of unique flavors and spices. Some of the popular local vegetarian dishes include traditional sadhya, accompanied along with it are sambar, avial, olan, thoran and for desert payasam.
Some of the seafood dishes of the state include fish curry in spicy red gravy (locally called meen curry), prawn in coconut milk sauce (locally called chemmeen moilee), pearl spot fish grilled in banana leaf (locally called karimeen pollichathu).
If you want to learn how to cook traditional cuisines of Kerala, you can join cooking classes in Fort Kochi and Alleppey.
8. Historical Towns and Colonial Charm
The history of Kerala is influenced by indigenous traditions and colonial rule of the British. The city of Kochi (also called Cochin) was once a flourishing port city, where trade took place. Fort Kochi is one of the evidence of the colonial rule; the architecture of the structure is a combination of Dutch, Portuguese, and British.
Other interesting examples that showcases colonial rule include the Mattancherry Palace, Chinese fishing nets, and the Jewish Synagogue.
Also, the traditional houseboat (locally known as kettuvallam) was once a storage house for transporting spices through the backwaters.
The best way to known about the history of Kerala is by opting for India Tour Packages, which is the best way to hop on from one place to another to explore the place.
What is the Best Time to Visit Kerala?
There is always the right time to visit a particular place, to enjoy the best scenes and pleasant weather. So the best time to visit Kerala to enjoy exploring the state is between October and March, when the weather is cool and you can enjoy outdoor activities.
The monsoon scene in Kerala, from June to September is simply mesmerizing; however you need to be careful during heavy rainfall to avoid unwanted situations. Check the weather report, and any alerts issued by IMD. During the monsoon, when there is light rainfall you can take nature walks, and when there is heavy rainfall, you can stay indoors, opt for Ayurvedic treatments.
For those who enjoy lush greenery and fewer crowds, the monsoon months offer a unique and romantic perspective of Kerala.
Get ready for your great escape to Kerala in India….
Travelers’ wishing for a quiet escape, Kerala is one of the best choices; you can indulge in ample of activities. Whether it is taking backwater cruise in the waters of Alleppey (Alappuzha), wildlife exploration in the jungles of Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Ayurvedic treatment in Kumarakom, everyday has something new to offer.
So why not pack your bags and book a trip to Kerala in India, if you are wishing to enjoy all the activities all at once place.
