Top 10 Things to Do in Kerala

Kerala, or God's Own Country, is a tropical tourist destination full of untouched backwaters, unpolluted hill stations, wild fauna, aesthetic culture, and incredible scenic beauty. A southwestern Indian state is an amazing combination of natural attractions and a traditional atmosphere that makes this state a new point on the tourist map and a pleasure to visit. Be it that you intend to make luxury Kerala tours or you want to enjoy budget traveling, this guide will surely assist you in finding the most amazing experience that this enviable state has to offer.

1. Drive through the mangroves of Alleppey backwaters

A trip to Kerala is incomplete without a taste of Kerala backwaters, which have turned the state into a household name in the world. Alleppey, commonly referred to as the Venice of the East, has the most desirable backwater experience with regards to its traditional houseboats known as kettuvallams. With these floating accommodations, one can enjoy a special experience of drifting through the narrow canals bordered by the coconut palms, paddy fields, and Asian style villages. Gentle swishing of water against the boat, together with picturesque views of the sunset, make a breathtaking romantic setting. Most high-end Kerala tours also offer high-end house boat stays where meals are prepared by onboard cooks, rich with high-end products, offering a very luxurious time sailing along these crystaline waters.

2. Wonder amidst the Spice plantations in Munnar

Munnar is scenically located perched at an altitude of 1600 meters in the Western Ghats, which is famous for the vast tea plantations and spice gardens with their sweet aroma and taste. Temperate weather and misty mountains form an ideal climate condition to growing cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, and cloves in the hill station. Visitors are also able to make guided tours to the working plantations, experiencing the process of cultivation, and buy fresh spices, where they come. This area also presents amazing trekking, and the trek can take you to points where you can view huge carpets of green tea bushes that cover the rolling hills in the area. Kerala tour to Munnar should be planned during September to March, as the weather is fine and proper outdoor activities are possible.

3. Periyar National Park: Witness Wildlife

Periyar National Park is situated in Thekkady, and it is one of the most important wildlife sanctuaries in India and is renowned for its wild elephant population. The park is an enveloping beauty of the picturesque Periyar Lake that was constructed by a dam laid in 1895. Tourists have an opportunity to do a boat safari to the lake to sightsee the elephants, the largest sambar deer of India, wild boar, and birds of different species in their wilderness. To the more adventurous, the park will also provide guided nature walks, bamboo rafting, and an overnight of the night in the tree houses. The varied ecosystem has savannah grasslands, tropical evergreen forests, and wetlands, which make it a heaven for nature photographers and nature lovers.

4. Get the Ayurvedic Wellness Treatments

Kerala is the cradle of Ayurveda, or the ancient Indian holistic healing system that dates back over 5,000 years. The state has original Ayurvedic therapy in a peaceful atmosphere, whether it is a luxurious spa resort or a treatment building. Well-known treatments include fluid detoxification treatments called Panchakarma, full-body oil massages called Abhyanga, and the pouring of warm herbal oils on the forehead called Shirodhara. These treatments do not just help one feel relaxed but also focus on reestablishing balance between the mind, body, and the spirit. A number of South India tour packages either have Ayurvedic wellness as part of their schedule and can give the visitor the opportunity to experience this ancient system of healing in its land of birth.

5. Be awed by the Beaches of Kovalam and Varkala

The state of Kerala has a 580-kilometer-long coastline that looks onto the Arabian Sea and provides some of the most magnificent beaches in India. Kovalam has a lighthouse and a crescent-shaped coastline, and people started coming to Kovalam way back in the 1930s. This beach has three divisions, the Lighthouse Beach, Hawah Beach, and the Samudra Beach, which have different experiences such as water sports, Ayurvedic massages, and the like. The more relaxed state is offered by Varkala with its dramatic red cliffs that emerge straight out of the beach, along with the natural springs, which are considered to have some medicinal qualities. The two destinations have great seafood restaurants and beach shacks, as well as a chance to watch the breathtaking views of Arabian Sea sunsets.

6. Explore the Cultural Heritage of Fort Kochi

Fort Kochi is the symbol of the multicultural history of Kerala, where the Portuguese, Dutch, and British cultures intersect with the Kerala one. The fishing nets are a well-known landmark of the Kingdom of God, which introduced them to the traders of the court of the Kublai Khan. A visit on foot in the narrow streets shows colonial architecture, art galleries, a spice market, and antique shops. The colonial past of the region is evinced in the historic St. Francis Church, where Vasco da Gama was initially buried, as well as the Dutch Palace.

7. Hiking in the Western Ghats

Western Ghats are a UNESCO World Heritage site, which provides one of the most breathtaking treks in India. Popular walks are the difficult clamber to Anamudi, the highest mountain in South India, and the more amenable walks in Eravikulam National Park with its endangered Nilgiri Tahr. The trek to Chembra Peak, close to Wayanad, will have a heart-shaped lake and a wide landscape of the valleys around it. The mountains are hotspots of biodiversity, and many endemic plant and animal species can be found in the mountains. Post-monsoon phase during Oct-Feb is the best time for kerala tour in case of trekking activities, since the weather at this time is cool and the landscapes are alive and green.

8. Performance and Kathakali experience

Classical dance forms and performing arts are the cultural art forms that lend life to Kerala. Kathakali is the most renowned dance-drama in the state, which is performed through a combination of rich costumes, distinctive makeup, and gesturing moves, and elaborates the stories of the Hindu epics. It is possible to visit cultural centers and watch the performance in Kochi, Trivandrum, and other major cities, or even take part in a makeup session to learn more about the art form. The other popular performances are Mohiniyattam, the dance of women, and Theyyam, a ritualistic form of art in the Northern part of Kerala. Such cultural experiences will give great insights into the artistic and spiritual traditions in Kerala.

9. Visit the pristine Hill Station of Wayanad

Wayanad is a great combination of history, nature, and adventure that is found in northern Kerala. The area is home to the ancient Edakkal caves that possess thousands of years-old prehistoric petroglyphs. The largest earthen dam in India, the Banasura Sagar Dam, offers beautiful boating as well as a halt for photography. The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary which is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve that is home to elephants, tigers, and leopards. Plantation stays are also available in which one can feel that he is living in the countryside and yet luxuriate in the comfort provided by modern facilities.

10. Get a feel of village life in Kumrakonam

To see Kerala at its truer colors, among the villages where life has not yet been diluted by the tourists, Kumarakom is a good place to go. Tourists can reside with the local families, engage in agricultural tasks, experience the traditional methods of cookery, and also observe the ancient occupations such as the making of coir and the making of earthen pots. The paddy fields and the coconut groves that surround the village allow one to explore the area through walks and even bird watching. These community-based tourism programs assist locals to earn a livelihood, as well as providing the tourists with valuable cultural interactions.

The Kerala adventure plans

Planning your visit to Kerala, you might be interested in rendering services of the most outstanding tour and travel agency in India in order to make your visit well-arranged by visiting all the destinations and carrying out all the activities you want to enjoy with Kerala visits. Knowledge of local habits and cultures, comfortable tours, convenient accommodation and smooth movement are some of the benefits that can be offered by professional tour operators.

The ideal Kerala tour planning time varies between the weather tolerance and the activity that you want to do there. There are pleasant weather conditions in the wintertime between October and March, suitable for sightseeing and open-air activities. There is monsoon season between June and September, which makes the scenery verdant green, but certain activities can be restricted because of rain.

Kerala is a place that actually fulfils its slogan as God's Own Country with a variety of experiences that will suit all kinds of tourists. Whether it is a tranquil backwater voyage or a wildlife safari, a cultural extravaganza or a health spa program, this beautiful state assures a lifetime experience. In both luxury Kerala tours and even those that are of economic standards, Kerala will spell beauty, culture, and hospitality that you will most certainly want to book your next trip even before saying farewell.