Visit Kerala: A Verdant State
Visit Kerala to explore its stunning beaches along the Malbar Coast, maze of backwater canals in Alleppy and Kumarakom that cutting through huge rice fields and glorious rolling hillside tea plantations in Munnar. Landscapes of Kerala are as diverse as its people, culture, cuisine and history.
Located in Southwestern part of India, Kerala is one of the worlds 50 must see destinations and one of 10 earthly paradises – rated by National Geographic Traveler.
Things to do in your Kerala vacation:
Take a houseboat vacation along the natural backwaters in Alleppy and Kumarakom. Experience a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere. Enjoy landscapes attractions like coconut groves, green paddy fields, mangrove forests, ducks in water; water lilies while sipping tender coconut water and tasting some authentic Kerala food on board the boat.
Located in Southwestern part of India, Kerala is one of the worlds 50 must see destinations and one of 10 earthly paradises – rated by National Geographic Traveler.
Things to do in your Kerala vacation:
Take a houseboat vacation along the natural backwaters in Alleppy and Kumarakom. Experience a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere. Enjoy landscapes attractions like coconut groves, green paddy fields, mangrove forests, ducks in water; water lilies while sipping tender coconut water and tasting some authentic Kerala food on board the boat.
Visit Ashtamudi, a lake with eight branches that stretches a distance of 16 km and finally merges in the sea at the estuary in Neendakara. Take a backwater cruise between Ashtamudi and Alleppy and intimately experience the best backwaters in Kerala.
Visit Munnar, a unique hill station blessed with misty hills, mountain slopes covered with sprawling tea plantations, low flying clouds and forests of exotic plants and wildlife.
If you are an adventure enthusiast, take a trek to Anamudi, the highest peak in south India, explore Eravikulam National park, or go for rock climbing and paragliding.
Explore Wayanad, a perfect blend of nature and heaven. Observing the lifestyle of well over fifty tribes dwelling in and around Wayanad is a mind-blowing experience.
Explore exotic locations like edakkal caves, banasura sagar dam, Wayanad wildlife sanctuary, Lakkidi, Tusharagiri waterfalls, Kalpetta, and Sentinel Rockfalls.
Visit Thekkady to experience its scenic beauty and rich wildlife. Perhaps the best place in Kerala to see wildlife while taking a boat trip in Thekkady Lake. See mighty Indian elephant to the Great Indian Tiger to leopards, boars, bisons, deers.
Adventure enthusiasts can take the path from Moozhiyar to Thekkadi via Gavi spinning through the thickest wooded miles of Kerala.
Go to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. and explore a variety of species of animals like elephants, tigers, sambars, gaurs and the very rare lion tailed macaques. A best thing about the park is that it stays open all year round, even during the monsoon season. You can take part in an excellent variety of eco-tourism activities here.
Visit Fort Kochi, known as the “Gateway of Kerala”, Kochi is an enchanting city with an eclectic influence. Arabs, British, Dutch, Chinese and Portuguese have all left their mark there. The architecture and historical sites in Fort Kochi are the main tourist attractions.
Visit Thiruvananthapuram, a capital city of Kerala is a blend of serenity and city life. Explore some breathtaking locations like Kuthiramalika Palace museum, Napier Museum, Ponmudi, Kovalam, and Veli Tourist Village.
The city has India’s first IT Park and Asia’s third largest Techno Park making it a land of technology as well.
Visit Varkala to experience its natural charm and high cliffs. A paved footpath runs along the length of the cliff, bordered by coconut palms, quaint shops, beach shacks, hotels, and guesthouses. Nestled at the bottom of the cliff is a long stretch of sparkling beach, reached by steps leading down from the cliff top.
Varkala is among the best seaside places in Kerala. Enjoy sun bathing, boat riding, surfing and ayurvedic massages. Explore nearby places like Janardhana temple, Sivagiri Mutt and Kappil Lake.
Visit crescent shaped Kovalam beach, a popular destination among tourists for relaxing in the sun, ayurveda treatments and body massage.
On the southern side of the beach is a light house from where you can get an excellent view of the city especially the moon-shaped beach and the Vizhinjam mosque. To the northern of Kovalam is the Samudra beach and Hawah beach is in the middle of Kovalam. The rocky formation mixes with the calm blue bay to turn the bay into an exclusive aquarelle on moonlight evenings.
Visit Vagamon, an enchanting hill station, studded with meadows, gardens, dales, tea plantations and valleys. Experience the natures rhythm in wild. Mystic hills, perfectly maintained lawns and fresh air are quite enough to make your Vagamon visit ravishing.
What makes Vagamon extraordinary is a chain of hills contemplating religious harmony – Thangal Hill, Murugan Hill and Kurisumala.
Visit Nelliampathy, which is among best hill stations in India. Evergreen jungles, lemon, tea, java and cardamom farms rich with awesome valleys and misty mountains fascinates tourists.
Nelliampathy is also popular for the hiking paths and adventure experiences it offers. Take a drive through those thrilling hairpin turns and experience the wealth of characteristics. Nelliampathy is 52 miles away from Palakkad.
Visit Kozhikode that is famous for historical, cultural, educational and culinary excellence. Taste some mouthwatering delicacies such as Dum Biriyani, Kalummakaya and Chatti pathiri, and yummiest halwa varieties.
Visit Malampuzha, a beautiful township also famous for greenery and picturesque views. It is a blend of natural beauty and various man-made amusements.
Visit Thrissur, a religious & cultural centre having one of the largest temples.
If you are visiting during April – May, watch out colorfully spectacular Thrissur pooram festival.
Enjoy exotic Kerala temple festivals that feature large processions of bejeweled elephants, drummers and musicians, colorful floats carrying gods and goddesses, fireworks.
Watch out Kerala’s traditional Kathakali Performance, an unusual and ancient form of dance-drama. You will not get to see performers dressed up like this every day! The look, with its red bloodshot eyes, borders on grotesque. The movements of the dance are subtle, yet they tell a meaningful mythological story.
Watch a Theyyam Performance in the small town of Kannur, in northern Kerala, famous for secluded beaches, mysterious masked spirit-possession theyyam rituals, and handloom weaving. The theyyam season starts from October and ends in May.
Explore Mural Paintings in the rock-cut cave temple of Thirunandikkara. The largest mural panel in Kerala is at Krishnapuram Palace near KayamKulam in Alappuzha district. Other famous mural paintings places are the Padmanabha temple in Trivandrum and Vadakkumnatha temple in Thrissur.
Watch a colorful Snake Boat Race along the lakes and rivers during monsoon season. Typical snake boats are 100 to 120 feet long, and hold around 100 rowers. Each village participates in snake boat race with their own snake boat.
Taste Kerala cuisine, which is among tastiest foods on earth. Items like coconut either chopped or grated used as garnishing, coconut milk to thicken gravies and coconut oil used for cooking. Chilies, curry leaf, mustard seed, tamarind and asafetida used as required.
Seafood is very popular in Kerala and consumed in every meal. A variety of fish such as sardines, mackerel, tuna, rays and shark are available as are crabs, mussels and oysters.
Some Kerala cuisines that you should taste in your Kerala vacation.
Taste the Sadya, a traditionally vegetarian meal served on banana leaf, it features par boiled rice, vegetable curries, side dishes, savories, pickles and desserts. Curries includes Sambar, Dal curry ( Parippu), fish curry.
Taste a Sambar, the famous south Indian vegetable stew in which any available combination of vegetables boiled in a gravy of crushed lentils, onions, chilies, coriander and turmeric.
Enjoy Tapioca and fish curry a sumptuous, mouthwatering delicacy with natural flavors erupting out of it liberally. The fish curry prepared with garlic paste, onions and red chilies and seasoned with mustard seeds and curry leaves.
Taste Payasam, a desert dish of sweet brown molasses, coconut milk and spices, garnished with cashew nuts and raisins.
Taste Idiyappam, a simplest breakfast dish in Kerala, also called as noolappam made of rice flour, salt and water and served with vegetable, egg or meat dishes.
Taste Puttu, a steam cake, made from rice flour and steamed in long hollow bamboo or metal cylinders. Depending on the taste preference, you can eat Puttu with steamed bananas and sugar or with spicy curry.
Taste Karimeen or fried fish, a popular dish.
Best time to visit Kerala is from August to March if you want to explore Kerala.
For taking rejuvenating ayurveda treatments rainy, monsoon season is the best time when the atmosphere remains dust-free and cool, opening the pores of the body to the maximum, making it most receptive to herbal oils and therapy.
Kerala’s climate is not too hot or too cold; this is due to its nearness to sea, which makes Kerala an all-season destination.
Independent traveler!
Explore Kerala hotel accommodations and flight ticket deals. Save on your hotel stay and travel.