Kerala Tour Packages

From emerald backwaters laced with coconut palms to tea-draped highlands and sun-splashed Arabian Sea beaches, Kerala is a lush, laid-back slice of India that blends nature, culture, and wellness in equal measure. Houseboats glide past sleepy villages; elephants parade to temple drums; surf curls beneath laterite cliffs at sunset. Whether you come for Ayurveda, adventure, or a slow journey through timeless waterworlds, Kerala rewards with warmth, flavor, and unforgettable scenery.

Type of Destination

• Nature and landscapes: backwaters, Western Ghats, beaches, waterfalls
• Culture and heritage: classical arts (Kathakali, Koodiyattam), Theyyam rituals, temple festivals
• Wellness: Ayurveda therapies, yoga retreats
• Soft adventure: trekking, bamboo rafting, paragliding, surfing, kayaking
• Culinary: spice-rich seafood, vegetarian sadya feasts, Malabar delicacies

Prime Season and “Snow” Season

• Prime season: November to March
  • Weather: Dry, pleasant; coast 24-31°C; hills 10-22°C
  • Why visit: Clear skies, comfortable sightseeing, wildlife viewing, beach time, festivals
• “Snow” season: Kerala does not receive snowfall
  • Exception: High-elevation areas like Munnar and Meesapulimala can see early-morning frost in December-February; temperatures can dip to 5-8°C. It’s scenic for misty tea estates and crisp hikes.

Languages Spoken

• Primary: Malayalam
• Widely understood in tourism: English, Hindi
• Regional familiarity near borders: Tamil (south/east), Kannada/Tulu (far north, Kasaragod)

Local Transport Options

• KSRTC buses: Frequent and economical across cities and towns
• Trains: Dense coastal rail corridor with many intercity services
• Kochi Metro: Clean and efficient across major Kochi zones; integrates with ferries and buses
• Ferries: Essential in Kochi and the backwaters (Alappuzha, Kollam, Kumarakom)
• Auto-rickshaws: Ubiquitous for short hops; insist on meter/fare estimate
• App cabs: Available in larger cities (Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode)
• Tourist taxis and rentals: Chauffeured cars popular for multi-day circuits; limited self-drive in hill/backwater regions
• Bicycles/scooters: Rentals in some beach and hill towns; check helmet rules

How to Reach

• By Air
  • Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV) - south Kerala, beaches and capital
  • Cochin International Airport (COK) - central hub for backwaters, Munnar, Kochi
  • Calicut (Kozhikode) International Airport (CCJ) - access to Malabar coast, Wayanad
  • Kannur International Airport (CNN) - north Kerala, Bekal, Kannur/Thalassery
• By Rail
  • Major stations: Thiruvananthapuram Central (TVC), Kollam (QLN), Alappuzha (ALLP), Kottayam (KTYM), Ernakulam Jn/Town (ERS/ERN), Thrissur (TCR), Palakkad (PGT), Kozhikode (CLT), Kannur (CAN), Kasaragod (KZE)
  • The coastal line links Kerala with Chennai, Bengaluru, Mangaluru-Goa-Mumbai, and beyond
• By Road
  • Key national highways: NH 66 (coast), NH 544 (to Coimbatore/Salem), NH 85 (to Munnar), NH 966 (Kozhikode-Palakkad), NH 183 (Kollam-Kottayam-Theni), NH 766 (Kozhikode-Wayanad-Mysuru)
  • Reliable intercity buses (KSRTC and private), plus comfortable outstation cabs

Best Time to Visit (By Season)

• Summer (March-May)
  • Avg temps: Coast 27-33°C; hills 12-25°C
  • Weather: Hot and humid on the coast; cooler and misty in the Ghats
  • Crowds/Budget: Moderate crowds; good hotel offers except in the hills
  • Pack: Light cottons, sunhat, SPF 50+, electrolyte sachets; light jacket for Munnar/Wayanad nights
• Monsoon (June-September; with a retreating spell Oct-Nov)
  • Avg temps: 24-29°C
  • Weather: Lush, rainy, dramatic skies; heavy showers at times
  • Crowds/Budget: Fewer crowds; attractive spa/stay deals; ideal for Ayurveda
  • Pack: Quick-dry clothing, rain jacket/poncho, waterproof footwear, leech socks for treks, dry bags
• Winter (December-February)
  • Avg temps: Coast 24-31°C; hills 10-22°C
  • Weather: Sunny, breezy beaches; crisp hill mornings
  • Crowds/Budget: Peak season; book stays/houseboats early
  • Pack: Layers for the Ghats, light woolens for dawn safaris; resort-smart evening wear

Places to Visit

• Kochi (Cochin) & Fort Kochi: Chinese fishing nets, colonial lanes, synagogues and spice markets, waterfront sunsets
• Alappuzha (Alleppey) & Kumarakom: Vembanad Lake houseboats, canals, birdlife, village rhythms
• Munnar: Endless tea gardens, rolling mists, Eravikulam National Park (Nilgiri tahr), tea museum
• Thekkady (Periyar): Evergreen forests, bamboo rafting, spice plantations, elephants
• Wayanad: Forested hills, Edakkal Caves petroglyphs, waterfalls, wildlife
• Varkala: Cliff-top promenade, surf, cafés, dramatic sunsets
• Kovalam & Vizhinjam: Gently curving beaches, lighthouse views, diving and catamaran rides
• Bekal & Kasaragod: Seaside laterite fort, quiet backwaters, coastal drives
• Athirappilly & Vazhachal: Kerala’s grandest waterfalls amid rainforest
• Thiruvananthapuram: Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, museums, green boulevards

Things to Do

• Cruise the backwaters on a private houseboat or eco-canoe at sunrise
• Watch Kathakali or Kalaripayattu (martial art) performances in Fort Kochi/Thekkady
• Indulge in authentic Ayurveda therapies (three to seven days recommended)
• Tour tea factories and sip single-origin brews in Munnar/Kolukkumalai
• Explore spice plantations (pepper, cardamom, vanilla) around Thekkady
• Birdwatch at Kumarakom and Thattekad (Salim Ali) sanctuaries
• Cycle or kayak through village byways in Alleppey/Kuttanad
• Learn to cook Kerala curries in a local home or resort class
• Photograph Chinese nets at blue hour on the Kochi waterfront
• Take a sunset cliff walk and café-hop along Varkala Cliff

Adventure Activities

• Meesapulimala or Kolukkumalai Trek (Idukki): Panoramic ridgelines above a sea of clouds
• Chembra Peak Trek (Wayanad): Heart-shaped Hridya Saras lake and sweeping views
• Bamboo Rafting (Periyar): Quiet wildlife watching on mirror-still waters
• Paragliding (Vagamon): Tandem flights above meadows and pine valleys
• Surfing (Kovalam/Varkala): Beginner lessons and mellow beach breaks
• Scuba & Snorkeling (Vizhinjam/Kovalam): Reefs and rocky outcrops with seasonal visibility
• Kayaking in Backwaters (Alappuzha/Kumarakom): Narrow canals, low bridges, village life up close
• Ziplining & Off-road Jeep Trails (Wayanad/Munnar): Forest ziplines and sunrise 4x4s to tea-top viewpoints

Cuisines to Try

• Kerala sadya (banana-leaf vegetarian feast; Onam or weekend specials)
• Appam with vegetable stew or mutton stew
• Puttu with kadala (black chickpea) curry
• Malabar biryani (Thalassery/Kozhikode styles)
• Karimeen pollichathu (pearl spot fish wrapped in banana leaf)
• Meen curry with kudampuli (smoked tamarind)
• Kappa (tapioca) with spicy fish curry
• Kozhikode halwa; banana chips fried in coconut oil
• Beef ularthiyathu (pepper-fried) with Kerala parotta
• Kallummakkaya (mussels) fry and prawns roast
• Toddy-shop specials: duck roast, rabbit, pork (where available)

Dining Places (Recommendations)

• Paragon, Kozhikode - legendary Malabar dishes and biryani
• Kayees Rahmathulla Hotel, Kochi (Mattancherry) - classic Malabar biryani
• Villa Maya, Thiruvananthapuram - refined Kerala/heritage cuisine in a 19th-century bungalow
• The Rice Boat, Taj Malabar, Kochi - coastal seafood with harbor views
• Kashi Art Café, Fort Kochi - café culture, desserts, artful ambience
• Mothers Veg Plaza, Thiruvananthapuram - hearty vegetarian sadya
• Dhe Puttu, Kochi - creative takes on puttu and Kerala staples
• Saravana Bhavan (Pure Veg), Munnar - reliable South Indian meals
• Rahmath Hotel, Kozhikode - seafood, Malabar specials
• Grand Pavilion, Kochi - classic Kerala and multi-cuisine favorite

Resorts & Stays

• Taj Malabar Resort & Spa, Kochi - harbor-front luxury
• The Raviz Kovalam, Kovalam - cliff-top Arabian Sea panoramas
• Kumarakom Lake Resort, Kumarakom - opulent backwater retreat
• Coconut Lagoon (CGH Earth), Kumarakom - heritage lakefront cottages
• Marari Beach Resort (CGH Earth), Mararikulam - barefoot-luxury by the beach
• Spice Village (CGH Earth), Thekkady - eco-chic cottages near Periyar
• Spice Tree or Blanket Hotel & Spa, Munnar - hillside serenity and views
• Vythiri Resort or Wayanad Wild (CGH Earth), Wayanad - rainforest hideaways
• Taj Bekal Resort & Spa, Bekal - meandering waterways and villas
• Fragrant Nature, Kollam - lakeside calm with Ayurveda

Nightlife

• SkyGrill, Crowne Plaza Kochi - rooftop grills, cocktails, and skyline views
• Colony Clubhouse & Grill, Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty - stylish sundowners over the backwaters
• The Bar, Taj Malabar - classic cocktails by the harbor promenade
• Varkala Cliff live-music cafés - relaxed evenings with sea breeze and acoustic sets
• Kathakali night shows, Fort Kochi - culture-rich evenings till late
• Houseboat overnights, Alappuzha - starry skies, quiet waters, onboard dining
• Marine Drive sunset & night cruises, Kochi - lit-up harbor and cityscape
• Beach shacks at Kovalam - lantern-lit seafood suppers by the surf
• Note: Kerala’s bar hours and excise rules can be conservative; check current timings and dry-day advisories.

Shopping

• Spices & tea: Kochi’s Jew Town/Mattancherry spice lanes; Thekkady plantations; Munnar tea outlets
• Handlooms: Kasavu sarees/mundu (Balaramapuram); Kuthampully handloom village (Thrissur)
• Craft souvenirs: Aranmula metal mirrors (Aranmula kannadi), coir products (Alappuzha), brass “nilavilakku” lamps, Kathakali masks
• Edibles: Banana chips, Kozhikode halwa, jaggery-coated groundnuts, pickles
• Markets & malls: Broadway & MG Road (Ernakulam), Jew Town antiques (Fort Kochi), Chalai Market (Thiruvananthapuram), SM Street (Kozhikode), Lulu Mall (Kochi/TVM)

Off-beat Places

• Gavi (near Thekkady): Forest eco-lodges, misty lakes, hornbill habitat
• Thenmala & Shendurney: India’s first planned eco-tourism site; canopy walks and damscapes
• Marayoor & Chinnar Sanctuary: Sandalwood forests, dolmens, dry-zone wildlife
• Nelliampathy Hills (Palakkad): Hairpin drives, orange farms, far-flung viewpoints
• Ranipuram (Kasaragod): Shola grasslands, wildflower meadows, quiet treks
• Silent Valley National Park (Nilgiri core): Pristine evergreen rainforest; strictly regulated visits
• Valiyaparamba Backwaters (Kasaragod): Untouristy islets and tranquil cruises
• Nilambur Teak Museum & Conolly’s Plot: Teak heritage and the world’s oldest teak plantation

Festivals & Events (Month Guide)

• Thrissur Pooram - April/May: Kerala’s grand temple festival with percussion and caparisoned elephants
• Onam - Aug/Sep: Harvest celebrations, floral pookalam, traditional games, Onam sadya feasts
• Vallam Kali (Snake-Boat Races) - Jun to Sep: Nehru Trophy (Alappuzha), Champakkulam Moolam, Payippad and more
• Theyyam Season - Oct to May (North Kerala): All-night ritual performances in village shrines
• Attukal Pongala - Feb/Mar (Thiruvananthapuram): Massive women-led offering festival
• Vishu - mid-April: New year in the Malayalam calendar; Vishukkani auspicious sighting
• Nishagandhi Dance Festival - usually January (Thiruvananthapuram)
• Kochi-Muziris Biennale - typically Dec to Apr in biennial years (Fort Kochi); check current edition dates

Key Experiences (Must-Dos)

• Drift through Vembanad on a kettuvallam (traditional houseboat)
• Watch sunset turn the Chinese fishing nets to silhouettes in Fort Kochi
• Trek a tea-carpeted ridge at dawn in Munnar/Kolukkumalai
• Savor a banana-leaf sadya and Malabar seafood in coastal eateries
• Take an Ayurveda rejuvenation therapy during the monsoon
• Attend a Theyyam or temple percussion ensemble (chenda melam)
• Spot elephants and tropical birds on a Periyar bamboo raft
• Learn a few Malayalam phrases and chat over toddy or chai in a village shop

Travel Tips

• Book peak-season (Dec-Feb) hotels, houseboats, and permits in advance
• Monsoon travel is magical but expect delays; carry rain gear and waterproof bags
• Dress modestly for temples; follow photography rules and remove footwear where required
• Leech socks and sturdy shoes help on forest treks, especially June-September
• UPI and cards are widely accepted; keep small cash for ferries and rural shops
• Plastic reduction is taken seriously; carry a refillable bottle and avoid single-use plastics
• Sea conditions can vary; heed lifeguards and flag systems on beaches
• Respect wildlife; no feeding, no plastic, and maintain safe distances
• Driving in hill and forest roads demands caution; avoid night drives where possible
• Alcohol availability is regulated; bars are often in hotels and may close earlier than metro norms

Interesting Facts

• Cochin International Airport is the world’s first fully solar-powered airport
• Anamudi (2,695 m) in Eravikulam NP is the highest peak in peninsular India
• Kerala consistently ranks among India’s top states in literacy and human development
• Vembanad is India’s longest lake and Kerala’s largest
• The Western Ghats here are part of a UNESCO World Heritage biodiversity hotspot
• Kerala elected the world’s first democratically voted communist government in 1957
• Neelakurinji shrubs bloom once every 12 years in Munnar (last mass bloom 2018; next expected around 2030)
• Muzhappilangad is India’s longest drive-in beach
• Kalaripayattu is one of the world’s oldest martial art traditions
• Theyyam’s all-night ritual performances are unique to North Malabar

Planning a Kerala journey is as much about slowing down as it is about sightseeing. Build in time for long lunches, afternoon naps in a swinging “oonjal,” monsoon showers on tiled roofs, and conversations with people whose hospitality is the state’s greatest treasure.