Kerala travel guide: exploring coastal India

Nicknamed the ‘land of the coconuts,’ Kerala is nestled in the south of India on the Malabar coast. There is incredible diversity to be found in this state, from the palm-lined white beaches to the mountainous vistas boasting tea and coffee plantations. Kerala’s national parks are home to tigers, elephants and langur monkeys to name but a few. The Western Ghats, rising up to the East of Kerala, are an impressive mountain range and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In our Kerala travel guide, we explore a selection of some of the best places to visit in this enchanting land.

The backwaters of coastal Kerala

The famous emerald backwaters of Kerala in Alleppy are a sequence of interlocking lagoons and lakes just inland from the Arabian sea. Not only are these meandering waterways ideal for irrigation and serve as a convenient route for transportation, they are also the perfect destination for those seeking true relaxation. Jump aboard a kettuvallam – or houseboat – and cruise along the winding waterways, surrounded by little hamlets and rice paddies. Alleppy is known as the Venice of the East thanks to these tranquil watery passageways.

Munnar

Kerala is one of the leading regions for tea and coffee production. The town Munnar sits at 1,600m, and has an abundance of plantations and aromatic verdant gardens. It boasts the highest peak in South India, Anamudi (or “elephant head”), named due to its uncanny resemblance to the head of this majestic creature. Towering at over 2,695m, the summit offers a mildly challenging trek, but fear not as you will be rewarded with stunning views across lush green tea plantations.

Kochi

As a port situated on the Silk Route, Kochi (or Cochin) has always had an international buzz. Hailed as the Queen of the Arabian sea, it is a melting pot of different cultures and religions, teeming with churches, temples and mosques with an array of wonderful Dutch architecture.

This diverse town has a fascinating multicultural history. The Santa Cruz Cathedral, for example, dates back as far back as 1506 while the Paradesi Synagogue is the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations. As you wander the port’s shores, you will spot traditional Chinese fishing nets which have been used by fishermen for the past 500 years.

Trivandrum

Trivandrum is the capital of Kerala, and is a bustling metropolis with a population of around 1.68 million people. The city is arguably most famous for its Padmanabhaswamy Temple, which is one of 108 shrines sacred to the Vaishnavites in India, constructed in the intricate style of Tamil architecture. In Malayaman, the region’s local dialect, Trivandrum translates to “The City of Lord Anata” in reference to the deity of the temple. Mahatma Gandhi referred to Trivandrum once as the “evergreen city of India” due to its undulating terrain of low rolling hills and its verdant green hue.

North Kerala

Theyyam is a religious ritual encompassing the mediums of song, dance and mime, running from December through to April in northern Kerala. It is a traditional celebration with a proud 800-year history. Staged in various temples across the area, it is often performed in front of a village shrine. Performers are adorned in extravagant red headgear and costumes, with the dancer metamorphosing to become the deity of the particular shrine. This colorful ritual exalts the spirits of the locals’ ancestors and is a wonderful sight to behold.

Thekkady

Thekkady is famous for being the gateway town to the Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, but holds its own in terms of being an enchanting tourist destination. Thekkady itself is a town laden with spice gardens, dazzling lakes and dense forests. If you’re looking to get away from the bustle of city life, Thekkady is well worth adding to your itinerary.

A huge draw there is the national park, a protected area encompassing 925 sq km of varied ecosystems. The landscape is defined by rare endemic flora, teak forests, evergreen trees, and the watershed of two significant rivers in Kerala: the Periyar and the Pamba. Most importantly, the sanctuary houses dense populations of elephants and tigers.

Wayanad

Named after the Wayanad Plateau, the largest plateau region of Kerala, Wayanad is a natural paradise. Landscapes scattered with waterfalls, caves, deep valleys and verdant forests create the perfect habitat for wildlife to thrive, while the mist-covered mountains of the Chembra Peak range offer up some incredible trekking trails. A section of Wayanad is the biodiverse Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, home to tigers, panthers and Asian elephants. The Edakkal Caves, located in the south, house a fascinating series of ancient petroglyphs dating back to the Neolithic age.

Exploring Kerala: top tips and things to do

Explore the beaches of Kerala

With nearly 600km of shoreline, Kerala has some spectacular beaches, easily rivaling the pristine white shores of Goa. Kovalam Beach is one of the more popular beaches in Kerala and is situated just 40 minutes southeast of the capital Trivandrum. Once a destination on the ‘Hippie Trail’ of the 1970s, Kovalam is now popular among surf enthusiasts due to the favorable conditions. Alternatively, bathe in the medicinal waters and soak up the romantic atmosphere of Varkala, a yoga hotspot bordered by palm-covered red cliffs.

Discover nature in Kerala

Eravikulam National Park is one the most frequented tourist attractions in Kerala because of Neelakurinji, bell-shaped flowers that bloom only once every 12 years. This incredibly rare phenomenon is due to happen between July and October 2018, when the hills will come alive with a bluish hue. The Nigiri Thar, an endangered mountain goat, can also be found within the national park on the summit to the top of the hill. The park is home to the Lakkam Waterfalls, which are located amidst dense, unspoiled forest. The falls stand at over 50 feet high with cascading water plunging into a pool at the base.

Uncover Kerala’s hidden history

Famed for its flourishing landscapes, parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and sun-drenched beaches, Kerala is undoubtedly a scenic tourist destination. However, it also has a fascinating history, which is worth uncovering. Archaeological excavations at the port of Muchiri (or Muziris) reveal remnants and proof of a rich spice trading history. The port served as a hub for trade merchants from Rome, China, and Arabia, ensuring that exotic spices traveled far and wide across the globe.

From the bygone era of spice trading, Kerala earned its moniker as the Spice Garden of India and continues to produce a variety of spices, most notably black pepper, cloves, and cardamom. In fact, Kerala is the largest producer of black pepper in India! Within the emerald-green landscapes and deep carved valleys of Kerala, you’ll also find hundreds of dolmens, rock carvings and petroglyphs, giving insight into the history of early human settlements.

When is the best time to visit Kerala, India?

India is a vast and diverse landscape, so it is unsurprising that Kerala’s climate is equally complex. If you wish to avoid the extremes of heat or rainfall, it is advisable to aim for the cooler, drier months of October through to March. The most appealing climate is between November and February, and traveling after the monsoon season (June- August) should ensure the forests will be lush and verdant.

Make it happen

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