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Kerala Travel Guide
Tea hills, spice gardens and backwaters: how to plan a first trip to Kerala.
Why Kerala works so well
Kerala packs very different landscapes into short drives. In less than a week, you can go from a historic port town to cool tea country, then down to the backwaters for a night on a houseboat.
Kochi
Start in Fort Kochi and Mattancherry: Chinese fishing nets on the waterfront, St. Francis Church, the Mattancherry Palace and the antique shops of Jew Town. It is a walkable, layered area best explored slowly.
Munnar
Around four hours inland, Munnar sits among rolling tea estates. Eravikulam National Park is home to the Nilgiri tahr (the park closes for a few weeks in early spring for calving). Two nights here let you enjoy the cool air rather than just drive through it.
Thekkady
Thekkady, next to Periyar Tiger Reserve, is spice country. A plantation walk shows you cardamom, pepper and cinnamon growing; evenings often include a Kathakali or Kalaripayattu performance.
Alleppey and the backwaters
The houseboat night is what most people remember. Boats usually board around noon, cruise through the canals and moor for the night, with meals cooked on board.
When to go
September to March is the most pleasant period. The monsoon (June to August) brings daily rain but also green landscapes and quieter hotels.
Travel conditions, permits and timings change. Check current rules before you travel — we confirm them in every quotation.
