South India
Kerala
Backwater canals fringed with palms, spice-scented hill stations, Ayurvedic retreats, and a coastline that faces the Arabian Sea — Kerala is India at its most serene.
God's Own Country — and the name is earned
Kerala occupies a narrow strip of land between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, and this geography has shaped everything: the food, the culture, the pace of life. The backwaters — a 900-kilometre network of canals, rivers, and lakes — are unlike anything else in India. Gliding through them on a rice-boat houseboat, past villages where life has changed little in centuries, is one of the great slow-travel experiences of Asia.
The hill stations of Munnar and Wayanad are carpeted in tea and spice plantations. The coast offers everything from the colonial heritage of Fort Kochi to the quiet beaches of Varkala. And Ayurveda — the ancient system of medicine that originated here — is practised with a rigour and authenticity that you won't find elsewhere.
Kerala is also one of India's most culturally rich states. Kathakali dance, Kalaripayattu martial arts, the snake boat races of Onam — the performing arts tradition here is extraordinary. We build time into every itinerary to experience it properly.
At a glance
Best time
October to March (post-monsoon). The backwaters are lush and the weather is warm but not oppressive. The Onam festival (Aug–Sep) is spectacular if you can time it.
Temperature
Year-round 22–35°C on the coast. Hill stations (Munnar) are cooler: 10–25°C. Monsoon Jun–Sep brings heavy rain.
Getting there
Fly into Cochin International Airport (COK) or Trivandrum (TRV). Both have good international connections.
Highlights
What makes this region extraordinary
Backwater houseboat journey
A converted rice-boat (kettuvallam) is your home for one or two nights as you drift through the backwaters of Alleppey. Watch village life unfold from the deck as the cook prepares a Kerala feast below.
Munnar tea estates
The Western Ghats above Munnar are covered in a green carpet of tea bushes that stretches to the horizon. The air is cool, the mist rolls in at dawn, and the views are extraordinary.
Spice plantation tours
Kerala is the original spice coast — cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla all grow here. A plantation tour with a knowledgeable guide transforms how you think about cooking.
Authentic Ayurveda
Kerala's Ayurvedic tradition is the most rigorous in India. A genuine treatment — not a spa massage — requires a consultation with a vaidya (physician) and a minimum three-day programme.
Photography
Through the lens
Backwaters houseboat, Alleppey
Tea estate, Munnar
Kathakali performance
Chinese fishing nets, Fort Kochi
Munnar hills at dawn
Kovalam beach at sunset
Practical information
Everything you need to know
Getting around
Private car for hill stations and coastal travel. Ferries and boats for the backwaters — the public ferry from Alleppey to Kollam is a wonderful day journey.
Language
Malayalam. English widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels, and among educated Keralites.
Currency
Indian Rupee (INR). Cards accepted at most hotels and restaurants in tourist areas.
Best time
October to March (post-monsoon). The backwaters are lush and the weather is warm but not oppressive. The Onam festival (Aug–Sep) is spectacular if you can time it.
Insider tips
- 1
Book your houseboat through a reputable operator — the cheapest boats are often poorly maintained. Look for the Kerala Tourism certification mark.
- 2
For Ayurveda, avoid resort 'spa' treatments and seek out a proper Ayurvedic hospital or clinic with qualified vaidyas. The minimum effective stay is 7 days.
- 3
The Kathakali performance at Kerala Kalamandalam (the national academy) is the most authentic — book ahead as seats are limited.
- 4
Kerala's seafood is extraordinary — particularly the karimeen (pearl spot fish) from the backwaters and the prawn curries of the coast. Eat where the locals eat.
Ready to explore Kerala?
Our Kerala Backwaters tour is designed for travellers who want to experience this region properly — with a local guide, private transport, and no compromises.