Things to do in

Kerala

Experience the tranquil backwaters of Kerala on a traditional kettuvallam (houseboat) as it glides across Vembanad Lake. Enjoy palm-fringed canals, emerald paddy fields, village life, and freshly prepared Kerala cuisine on board. Options range from short day cruises to overnight stays — ideal for couples, families, and nature lovers seeking a slow, immersive experience.

A tranquil shikara (small traditional boat) ride through Kumarakom's lush backwater canals combined with a guided tour of nearby fishing and coir-making villages. The experience focuses on intimate encounters with local life — paddy fields, coconut lagoons, toddy shops, village homes, and birdlife — ending with a freshly prepared Kerala-style lunch or snacks on the boat or at a village home.

Why go? Ideal for photography, birdwatching, relaxed cultural immersion, and escaping the crowds. This activity suits couples, families, and small groups seeking an authentic Kerala backwater experience.

A peaceful birdwatching experience in the freshwater marshes and canals of Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary on the banks of Vembanad Lake. The sanctuary is a compact wetland reserve with a watchtower and network of channels that support a wide variety of resident and migratory waterbirds. Ideal for early-morning visits and short boat-based explorations.

Fort Kochi Heritage Walk explores the layered history of Kochi — from ancient trade links to Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial influence. The walk covers iconic landmarks such as the Chinese fishing nets, the Mattancherry (Dutch) Palace, Jew Town and the Paradesi Synagogue, combining coastal scenery, spice-scented lanes and heritage architecture.

Kathakali is Kerala's iconic classical dance-drama known for its elaborate makeup (Chutti), richly embroidered costumes, expressive facial gestures and hand mudras (hasta), and powerful percussion accompaniment. Performances present episodes from Hindu epics (Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas) and combine storytelling through dance, acting and music. Tourist-friendly shows in Kochi (Fort Kochi) and Thekkady typically include an introductory demonstration explaining make-up, costume and basic gestures, followed by selected dramatic scenes.

Why go: Authentic cultural immersion, excellent photography opportunities (without flash), and a chance to meet local artists and learn about traditional performing-arts training (Kalamandalam influence).

Kalaripayattu is one of India’s oldest martial arts, native to Kerala. The public shows in Thekkady (near Periyar) and Kannur combine disciplined training drills, acrobatics, weapon demonstrations and choreographed combat to present both the traditional training (meipayattu) and weapon arts (ankam & kolthari). Shows are both cultural performances for tourists and training demonstrations by local kalari masters (gurukkal). Performances often include live percussion (chenda/maddalam) and ritual introductions.

Tea plantation walk and KDHP (Kanan Devan Hills Plantations) Tea Museum combine scenic strolls through rolling tea gardens with a hands-on look at traditional and modern tea processing. This half-day experience covers a guided walk among manicured tea bushes, insight into plucking techniques, a visit to the KDHP Tea Museum to see historic machinery and processing demonstrations, and a tea tasting & shopping opportunity to sample and buy freshly packed local teas.

Trekking to Meesapulimala or Top Station offers high-altitude viewpoints above Munnar’s tea country, with sweeping views of the Western Ghats, cloud seas, grasslands and rolling tea estates. Meesapulimala is one of the highest peaks in the Western Ghats and features open shola-grassland terrain; Top Station gives a dramatic panoramic view of the valley and the Theni district of Tamil Nadu, particularly beautiful at sunrise and during the post-monsoon months.

Eravikulam National Park — located at Rajamala near Munnar, Kerala — is a compact high-altitude sanctuary famous for the endangered Nilgiri tahr and spectacular montane grasslands (shola‑grassland ecosystem). The park offers relatively easy guided walks and viewing platforms that give excellent opportunities to spot wild tahrs against panoramas that include Anamudi, the highest peak in South India. Note: park is seasonally closed during heavy monsoon; always check official updates before planning.

Athirappilly and Vazhachal are two of Kerala's most spectacular waterfalls located in the Thrissur district along the Chalakudy River. The visit combines dramatic cascades, evergreen rainforest scenery, easy walking trails and good wildlife and birdwatching opportunities. Ideal for day-trippers from Kochi or Thrissur, the area is also famous as a filming location.

A combined eco-adventure in Periyar Tiger Reserve: a guided bamboo rafting experience on Periyar Lake followed by a supervised short jungle walk along the lake edge and nearby trails. Designed for wildlife viewing (elephants, deer, birds, occasional tigers sign), birdwatching, and peaceful nature immersion.

Explore Kerala's spice garden heritage with a guided walk through family-run plantations around Kumily (Thekkady). Learn how cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and vanilla are grown and processed, taste freshly brewed spice tea, see drying and curing techniques and shop directly from growers for authentic, aromatic spices.

Experience the iconic Varkala cliff sunset — a blend of dramatic red laterite cliffs, palm-fringed horizons and the calming Arabian Sea. This activity focuses on an evening visit to the Varkala cliffs and Papanasam (Varkala) beach to watch the sunset, enjoy cliff-top cafés, explore shops and, if desired, walk down to the black-sand beach for a closer view.

Kovalam Beach offers accessible, beginner-friendly water sports—most notably surfing and sea-kayaking—set against the relaxed backdrop of Kerala’s palm-fringed coastline and the iconic Kovalam Lighthouse. Activities are run by local operators and surf schools; options range from short lessons and equipment rental to guided paddles around headlands and sunset trips.

A scenic boat cruise through the Poovar estuary and surrounding mangrove channels on the southern tip of Kerala. The activity explores the unique meeting of river, backwater lagoons and the Arabian Sea, offering views of dense mangrove forests, coastal village life, birdlife and the famous Poovar sandbar where the Neyyar River meets the sea.

A serene backwater cruise across Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam (Kerala), offering calm waterways, mangrove-fringed estuaries, fishing villages, birdlife and local life glimpses. Options range from short 1–2 hour launches to half-day trips, full-day excursions and overnight houseboats for a classic Kerala experience.

Bekal Fort is one of Kerala's largest and best-preserved coastal forts, built in the 17th century and raised on a headland that juts into the Arabian Sea. The site combines history, dramatic sea-facing ramparts, observation towers, tunnels and a tidal moat with an adjacent sandy stretch—Bekal Beach—that offers one of the most memorable sunsets in Kasaragod district. This activity pairs a relaxed historical walk with a seaside sunset experience ideal for photographers, couples and families.

A popular moderate-day trek to the highest peak in Wayanad district of Kerala. The trail passes through evergreen shola forests and rolling grasslands and culminates at the iconic heart-shaped lake (Hridaya Saras) near the summit, offering panoramic views of the Western Ghats.

Edakkal Caves on Ambukuthi Mala in Wayanad, Kerala, are famous for their prehistoric petroglyphs — engravings carved into the rock that date back to the Neolithic and possibly earlier periods. The site consists of two natural caves on a steep slope and a short, moderately steep trek up the hill. The carved symbols include human and animal figures, tools, geometric shapes, and script-like markings. The site is important archaeologically and culturally, offering insight into early human settlement and artistic expression in the Western Ghats.

Banasura Sagar Dam is a scenic reservoir and earth dam in Wayanad district, Kerala. The activity combines a serene boat ride on the reservoir with short walks to nearby viewpoints and island exploration. Visitors enjoy panoramic views of the dam, tea estates, and the surrounding Western Ghats hills — especially striking at sunrise and sunset.