Step into the lap of greenery
In the deep southwest direction in India lies Kerala, definitely the greenest state of the country. Nature has bestowed its beauty in all forms here. Bordered by the Arabian sea to its west are pristine beaches and calm backwaters while the eastern part has the hilly terrain with lush green tea and spice plantations. Nature seems to have blessed Kerala with many more such soothing greenery. There are tropical green forests, nature and wildlife reserves to name a few. Make your vacation refreshing and rejuvenating with Kerala tour and explore the unlimited wilderness around.
Must-visits and Go-to places in Kerala
Kerala is a state tucked in one corner of the country but amazing to discover at every step. With some of the most sought-after popular tourist places, be it natural retreats to temple towns and shrines, Kerala tour packages cover it all in their schedule for the guests. Know more about the must-visit places for your coveted holiday destination.
Beach Tours
Kerala has a longitudinal shape with a coastline along the Malabar coast. Beaches are a must-visit place for all tourists to this coastal state. If you are an aqua lover, all the better. Cover the most-visited well-known beaches namely Kovalam, Varkala and Kochi that offer all tourist-friendly facilities at every step. From the exotic location of hotels and resorts, multi-cuisine as well as local seafood delicacies not to forget the relaxing spas are all available at these much-visited beaches. There are Kerala packagesto facilitate your beach stay memorably.
There are a few quite- lesser-known for those who wish to enjoy serene surroundings. They are equally beautiful beaches in Kerala of this nature such as Cherai beach near Kochi, Kannur beach in north Kerala and Marari beach near Allepy or Alappuzha. They too offer all such tourist-friendly facilities to make your stay pleasant.
For thrill-seekers, there is the Muzhappilangad beach near Kochi for a drive-in experience right up to the sea! This beach is known as the longest drive-in beach in Asia!
- Best months to visit- September to March
Backwater exploration
Kerala and backwaters are undoubtedly inseparable. Tag along the coastline, just a little inward to encounter a maze of canals, lagoons and backwaters. It is sure to give you the most serene and quiet holiday experience. Sandbars lined up with coconut trees and the green cover of paddy fields make for a photo opportunity no tourist can miss. Some of the popular backwaters are Allepy, Kumarkonam, Kollam, Ashtamudi and Kuttanad and many more which are not to leave out.
Facilities on backwaters include:
- Houseboat stays with all tourist amenities with spacious rooms and exquisite sit-out for viewing the sunrise and sunsets.
- Backwater and canal cruises by boats
- Canoe ferries and rides (Kettuvellam)
- Motor rides
- Shikhara rides
Hills and Valleys
A big draw for the tourists are the hills and valleys that are home to famous tea plantations, spice gardens and wildlife reserves in Kerala. Overlooking the western ghats, Munnar is the most-visited of these tea plantations and is sure to amaze you with miles and miles of rounded bushes and the rolling clouds above. The cool climate of these hills is most suitable for tea plantations from colonial times. The lush greenery of the plantations, notably the Kanan Devan tea plantations, Munnar, Elstone Tea estate, Waynad, and Chinnakal Tea fields near Munnar, Bonnacaud near Thiruvananthapuram are some spots that can’t be omitted by visitors.
Activities to do in tea plantations:
- Nature walks in and around the tea gardens- Get to know the history of the plantations and witness the tea-plucking activity.
- Spice garden visit– home to Ayurveda and several spices like cardamom, black pepper, cinnamon, vanilla, and cherry, Kerala offers tourists the opportunity to know about the cultivation of spices with guided tours in several spice gardens in the hills.
- Wildlife reserves visit– Thick and dense tropical forests of Kerala are the natural living spaces of diverse flora and fauna. The Periyar Wildlife sanctuary is the most known reserve. Other such reserves are Mathikettan Shola National Park and Anamudi Shola National Park among others. You could spot elephant herds lazing around, wild boars, Nilgiri Tahr, and bison and not forget the huge variety of birds, snakes and reptiles during your visit. Take a guided tour through the enormity of these green belts throughout Kerala.
- Temple tours- For people with a spiritual liking, Kerala will not disappoint you. The state is hugely popular with its famous temples and shrines that showcase the Dravidian architecture of yesteryear. Kerala tour packagesoffer to take you through these religious shrines as well. Some of the most-thronged Hindu temples are:
- Padmanabhaswamy temple
- Sabarimala Sastha Temple
- Guruvayoor Temple
- Historical places- Kerala is not far behind when we take a tour of history. This state has had several interesting phases from ancient times till the 20th century and has Dravidian as also the well-preserved colonial architecture. Some of the notable historical places are:
- Edakkal caves in the Waynad district date back to the Neolithic period.
- Kothukal cave temple of Kollam district is a 6th to 8th-century rock-cut temple that resembles the shape of an elephant.
- Tripunithura Hill palace Museum in Kochi houses the Kerala state museum.
- Famous forts and architecture of the Dutch and Portuguese era are the Bekal fort, Thalessery fort, Fort Kochi, Dutch palace and the Jewish Synagogue.
Closing notes
Kerala is the perfect getaway for all kinds of tourists. Be it a romantic holiday for couples or friends and family holiday fun seekers, you will find all your interests converging here. Natural beauty appears its best in this southern state of India either in form of coastal glory or hills and rocks. It attracts huge traffic of visitors all year round. Plan and select from plenty of tour packages as per your specific interest. Enchanting Kerala is sure to make you come back for more and build everlasting memories.