Our collection of Kerala holidays, tours and package holidays around Kerala broken down into durations and themes to help you choose.
These are “sample” holiday itineraries and our team of holiday craftspeople make them up bespoke to your requirements. If you have children, or members of the party with specific requirements such as disability access or diet, we can ensure that your holiday meets those needs.
We can also re-jig tours for different budgets so if you see a tour you like but need to meet a specific budget, just tell us and we will work it all out and send it to you.
If you need advice you can contact me through email, skype, live chat, Twitter or just plain old telephone.
SETTING THE SCENE FOR YOUR KERALA HOLIDAY
A lot of customers ask for a quick overview and flavour of Kerala. So, here goes.
I tend to suggest that Kerala is a “human safari” where you get to combine a rich human experience with a lot of very varied landscapes and wildlife. Don’t get me wrong: Kerala is not a safari like Sri Lanka or indeed Africa but there is a bewildering variety of cultural influences all jostling with a wonderful and rich landscape. Kerala has a long religious and cultural history that makes it feel very unique. The climate makes for exuberant growth and agriculture and the general wealth of Kerala in comparison to North India means that there is less of the poverty encounter which makes a big difference. Kerala can be poor, but it is not broken on the rack of poverty as some northern states can still seem to be.
THE DIFFERENT AREAS OF KERALA FOR TOURS
We have created a little map that shows the interesting different zones of Kerala to give you an idea of where people tend to go and also the areas you have possibly read about.
Blue is the backwaters for houseboats; yellow is the beach zones, green is the jungle and forest, etc. If you click on a zone it explains what it is. These areas are summaries to give you an idea since many visitors have heard about attractions without necessarily knowing where they are.
When to Holiday in Kerala – information on Kerala Climate
Typical Temperates and Climate in Fort Cochin
| Month | Sun/day | Rainy Days* | Max Day Temp** | Min Night | Heat/Humidity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9 | 1 (6) | 31 | 22 | High | Highest |
| February | 9 | 1 (24) | 32 | 23 | Very High | High |
| March | 9 | 2 (37) | 32 | 24 | Very High | Medium |
| April | 8 | 6 (107) | 33 | 25 | Very High | Low |
| May | 7 | 9 (284) | 31 | 25 | Very High | Low |
| June | 5 | 21 (752) | 29 | 24 | High | Low |
| July | 5 | 22 (848) | 28 | 23 | High | Low |
| August | 5 | 18 (514) | 28 | 23 | High | Low |
| September | 6 | 13 (316) | 29 | 23 | High | Medium |
| October | 6 | 11 (310) | 30 | 23 | High | Medium |
| November | 6 | 6 (155) | 30 | 23 | Very High | High |
| December | 7 | 3 (42) | 31 | 22 | High | Highest |
* The rain is shown in brackets in the rainy days column in millimetres
** Temperature is shown in degrees centrigrade
The most popular time to holiday in Kerala is over the winter months of November, December, January and February. This is when Kerala is both dry and hot and the level of humidity is very bearable. It goes without saying that this is the period when hotel prices are higher. The single most expensive period is over Christmas and New Year, which even in a largely Hindu country is a very popular festival; many Indians come down from the north to enjoy Kerala’s tropical climate.
Outside of those months, the prices drop and they are at their lowest over the monsoon season which starts in June and continues on and off through until September. Once upon a time, the monsoon was as regular as clockwork and its pattern and weight could be predicted with some certainty. It used to be said that the monsoon would always break on the first day of the school term. Today, like in many other parts of the world, the monsoon has become much fickle and for some periods the rain can be light and four others extremely heavy incurring flooding. Monsoon season is also known as the season of Ayurveda when the damp and even temperatures are ideal for treatments.
Average Climate Conditions in the Kerala Hill Stations – Munnar & Thekkady
| Month | Sun/day | Rainy Days* | Max Day Temp** | Min Night | Heat/Humidity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8 | 2 (22) | 23 | 12 | Low | Highest |
| February | 8 | 2 (26) | 24 | 13 | Low | High |
| March | 8 | 3 (44) | 25 | 15 | Low | Medium |
| April | 8 | 6 (121) | 26 | 16 | Low | Low |
| May | 7 | 9 (160) | 25 | 17 | Low | Low |
| June | 4 | 9 (264) | 23 | 16 | Low | Low |
| July | 4 | 10 (398) | 22 | 15 | Low | Low |
| August | 4 | 9 (268) | 22 | 15 | Low | Low |
| September | 5 | 10 (210) | 23 | 15 | Low | Medium |
| October | 5 | 12 (254) | 22 | 15 | Low | Medium |
| November | 6 | 8 (176) | 22 | 14 | Low | High |
| December | 7 | 5 (96) | 22 | 13 | Low | Highest |
You can see the difference between the coast and the mountains. In the mountains, there is the constant pitter-patter of rain throughout the year and the monsoon is much less intense in terms of rainfall. At night, the temperatures drop lower and it is not uncommon to see people in sweaters as though it is Baltic. One of the reasons why the Hill stations are so popular with our Indian visitors is the low readings on the heat and humidity index which means it is very comfortable to walk around.
Although the monsoon is less intense, it is worth remembering that the monsoon falls onto mountain slopes which means that it gathers in the valleys much more quickly. The right two side-effects of this: the Hill stations can become inaccessible because of flooding on the roads and landslides can also have a major impact.
THE RAIN IN KERALA STAYS MAINLY ON THE PLANE….
If you are European, or at least from Northern Europe, then the likelihood of rain seems a bit of a downer. Rain is what makes Kerala beautiful! If there were months with no rain then Kerala would be a desiccated place rather than the green and verdant Kerala we love. The rain in Kerala is not like the rain in Europe: it is a whooshing, intense experience that can pass quickly except in the monsoon months. Suddenly, the humidity rises, the air thickens and then just as you grow uncomfortable, the heavens open and everything glistens and shines in the reawakening sunlight. The only time you have to be aware that rain can be sustained and relentless is during monsoon season where in July, Kerala might see as much as 1 metre of rain!
REASONS TO VISIT KERALA
Kerala is probably the easiest Indian state for a new visitor: a holiday here combines all the characteristics of the Indian subcontinent with a few drawbacks. Kerala in relative terms is wealthy and it is unusual to encounter the level of begging common in the large northern cities. The tropical climate is kind and so you can enjoy a constant supply of fresh food. It’s not for nothing that the upset stomach was always called Delhi belly. Down here in Kerala food is fresh and the ingredients excellent: the curry hot, the raise a plentiful supply of fish both from the sea and the backwaters and everything is accompanied in some fashion or rather with coconut. If you are a vegetarian: this is paradise.
Kerala is an easy holiday destination because there is so much less hassle and bustle. It is also culturally and geographically varied despite its small size. From the coast to the mountains is less than 100 miles and yet during that period you can encounter beaches, backwater river system, farmland, lowland plantations, mountain jungle and Teagarden. A four-hour drive can take you from the beach at Sealevel up to 5000 feet above the clouds and mists. Therefore, getting around on your holiday is easy and very possible.
Kerala is also an excellent starting holiday for India: its culture is ancient and combines a blend of many of the narratives common across India. Its population is evenly divided between Muslim, Hindu and Christian and for each religion, the local worship is as ancient as anywhere in the world. You can visit mosques that were first built during the life of the Prophet Muhammad and you can visit churches founded by the apostle St Thomas. You can drive past a mundane-looking Hindu temple and be told by the driver or guide that it is over 3000 years old.
The climate of Kerala also makes this a good holiday destination. Throughout the year the Arabian Sea brings water up to the mountains and even during the dry period, there can still be rainfall. If you travel east into Tamil Nadu you can immediately see what a benefit this is the state of Tamil Nadu is dry and baking hot for much of the year and travelling through it can be an uncomfortable experience. Kerala, in its stead, is plentifully and wonderfully verdant and green and even on its driest and dustiest day looks vibrant and alive.
TRAVELLING AROUND KERALA
The small size of Kerala makes most places relatively accessible, at least in Indian terms. A few hour’s drive will normally get you to your next destination. However, visitors from Europe and the States will soon discover that the local drivers have their own protocols which can sometimes make for an alarming journey. It is not unknown for a truck driver to take 40 winks in the cab and people will sometimes drive at night without lights. The good news is that slower speeds can somewhat compensate for the inherent dangers of lackadaisical driving.
Old India hands will laugh when they compare the situation of Indian roads compared to the olden days; they are certainly much improved, no question.
Some of our visitors enquire about the possibility of driving themselves. This is not only possible but also pleasurable if you are seated on a classic Royal Enfield, but we would not advise this with a hire car. A relaxing holiday and driving your own car in India is a contradiction in terms. The good news is that it is every bit as cheap to have your own driver and since our no road signs, you can sit back and enjoy.
It was only a few years ago that the only way to travel around India was in the venerable Ambassador car, the Queen of Indian roads. Today most cars are half Indian and half Japanese but for the traditionalists among you, we can still offer the joy and soft springs of the Ambassador. It remains the most comfortable car in India.
While you are with us you should take the opportunity of experiencing the Indian Railways, the world’s largest and busiest railway system. More than any other mode of transport, it is the trains that stitch this country together. If you are planning to travel a distance, then let’s pop you on the train. It would be wonderful if you could travel to the Hill stations by train, but sadly only Ooty has a train service.
MAKING CHOICES FOR YOUR KERALA HOLIDAY :
FORT COCHIN
For most visitors, the first stop is Fort Cochin. This small enclave is the colonial outpost first built by the Portuguese and it retains much of its original atmosphere. Even the local family names are Portuguese. This is a good starting point as Fort Cochin is relatively laid-back and quiet so it’s a great place to get your breath back after a long journey.
ALAPPUZHA / ALLEPEY – GATEWAY TO THE BACKWATERS
About an hour’s drive South of coaching is Alappuzha which is sometimes called the Venice of the East. This is somewhat unfortunate as a combination of municipal indolence and poor sanitation make this a very poor echo of the original Venice. Blaring tuk-tuks, thumping trucks spewing diesel and the stagnant waters make this a relatively unattractive place to stop. Most of you will simply travel through on your way to the houseboat jetties which sit just outside Alappuzha at the start of the backwaters.
HOUSEBOAT CRUISES
Most of our holidays feature a cruise on the backwaters in one of Kerala’s unique houseboats. If you read reviews in newspapers, you will frequently read that the ideal length of the cruise is one night. We think they are wrong: the ideal length is two nights. The reason for this is that the boat can travel deeper into the backwaters and since many houseboats are only travelling for 24 hours, you can soon leave them behind and enjoy the peace of the backwaters in a somewhat more solitary splendour.
KUMARAKOM
Not so long ago, Kumarakom was a small agricultural community beside the lake. Today, it is a bustling hive of resorts. In spite of that, it retains a great charm and once you peel back and get behind the hotels, you still find small villages based around the paddy fields living very much as they have for hundreds and hundreds of years.
PERIYAR / THEKKADY
Kerala is a narrow strip of land bordered to the West by the Arabian sea and to the east by the long row of mountains known as the Western Ghats that stretch from Mumbai all the way to the tip of the Deccan peninsular. There are two distinct ecologies in the mountains in Kerala: there are the jungle forests in the area called Thekkady which is also famous as the location for the Periyar Tiger Reserve. The steep mountainsides are clad in jungle forest and remain relatively inaccessible. The climate is warm but refreshed with frequent rain showers and cool evenings. This is also the land of spices with cardamom, peppers and coffee growing in profusion.
MUNNAR
Head further North along the mountainsides and you encounter a very different ecology. About 25 miles north of Periyar is Munnar which is home to the tea gardens. Here the mountainsides are immaculate mazes of ancient tea bushes dotted with women picking tea leaves. The climate as you would expect is relatively similar and the reason why these hill stations are so popular is that in a continent that is so often dry and blisteringly hot, these towns so much cooler.
KOVALAM
Very much the original destination in Kerala for visitors and somewhat tired compared to the pleasures of Sri Lanka across the straits
VARKALA
Kovalam+: Kovalam but with the laid back vibe
WAYANAD
Wayanad is based in the north of Kerala and is directly inland from Calicut. This Hill station is quite different from Munnar or Thekkady and features a much wild mountain jungle. Wayanad is also famous for its peppers which are renowned the world over. There are more tree-houses in Wayanad and it is really the wild end of Kerala.
THE NORTH
The least visited part of Kerala and all the better for it. The beaches are much quieter than down south and the whole atmosphere is calmer and quieter.