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    • Kerala

    Kerala travel guide

    View India travel guide

    Overview

    Tucked away in the southwest corner of India, Kerala is a narrow strip of land between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghat mountains. The name means 'land of coconuts', and palms still shade almost the entire state from the blazing sun. The tropical landscape is crisscrossed by dozens of rivers and countless waterways, and visitors can spend idle days riding small ferries through the backwater lagoons, observing village life close-up in this, India's most populous state. When the rest of India gets too hot to handle, Kerala is often soothing and rejuvenating. Whether visitors stick to the lowlands or head for the hills, they will pass through scenery dotted with churches and temples; spice, tea, coffee and rubber plantations; and natural forests with wildlife reserves filled with elephants.

    Kerala has some of India's best coastal resorts: among the finest is the much-photographed Kovalam, which many argue has the best beach in the country. Here visitors can take in Kerala's rich cultural and artistic life, and enjoy arguably the best vegetarian cuisine on the planet.

    Compared to the rest of India, Kerala is short on monumental sights; the state's real draw card is its natural beauty. The countryside undulates westward from the mountains, offering vistas of rich green valleys. Rivers glide across the plains towards the sea, creating attractions such as the Athirampally Falls, before ending in a linked chain of lagoons where the silence of the still waters is broken only by boats and canoes, seagulls and cranes.

    Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)

    Situated on a hilltop at the southern end of India is Kerala's capital, Thiruvananthapuram (still commonly known as Trivandrum). For most visitors the capital is simply a transit-point on their way to Kovalam, the popular beach resort a few miles to the south. However, it is worth lingering for a day or so in this easy-going city to explore the narrow backstreets, old gabled houses and expansive parks. The most fascinating part of Trivandrum is the Fort area, around the Shri Padmanabhaswamy Temple (closed to non-Hindus); and Puttan Malika Palace, seat of the Travancore Rajas. Some of the palace has been turned into a museum, and displays a collection of heirlooms and artefacts.

    Padmanabhaswamy Temple Padmanabhaswamy Temple jynxzero
    Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

    Situated in the Cardamom Hills region of the Western Ghats, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most popular wildlife reserves in India. It is home to a great variety of game, including elephant, sambar, wild pig, mongoose, the Malabar flying squirrel and almost 300 species of bird. Leopards and dwindling numbers of tigers are also here, but are, unfortunately, rarely glimpsed by visitors. The park lies 75 miles southeast of Cochin at cool altitudes, between about 3,000 and 6,000 feet (900 and 1800 metres). Most people view Periyar from a boat on the lake; however, many visitors prefer to explore the area on foot. Local guides take small groups on treks of various lengths.

    Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Bernard Gagnon
    The Backwaters of Kerala

    One of the most memorable experiences for many travellers in Kerala is a boat journey on the state's famous backwaters. The best known of these areas is Kuttanad, situated between the hills in the west and the Arabian Sea, and stretching for 50 miles south of Kochi (formerly Cochin). This extraordinary maze of rivers, lakes, canals and estuaries is lined with dense tropical greenery and reveals a Keralan lifestyle that is totally hidden from the road. Boats are the only way to explore this area, billed as Kaleidoscope Kerala, where views change around every bend.

    Website: www.keralatourism.org/destination/backwater
    The Backwaters of Kerala The Backwaters of Kerala Rajithmohan
    Varkala

    Located on Kerala's southwestern coast, just 32 miles (50km) from the state capital of Trivandrum, Varkala is one of those tourist destinations that get more and more popular each year, as word of its stunning coastline and lively atmosphere gets out. Varkala is considered a less-crowded, less-commercial alternative to the beautiful Goa; although Varkala's main beach (Papanasam Beach) cannot boast the white sand and towering palm trees of some of its Goan counterparts, it is flanked by a steep and staggeringly beautiful cliff-face. In between relaxing on the beach and shopping at the markets in town, tourists can also take an enjoyable walk to the nearby Janardanaswamy Temple, a 2,000-year-old structure.

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    English Pronounciation

    Kerala features a wet maritime climate and experiences heavy rains during the summer monsoon season (June to August), while in the east a drier tropical climate prevails. The average daytime temperature in Kerala ranges from 82°F to 90°F (28°C to 32°C) on the plains, but drops to about 68°F (20°C) in the highlands. During the summer months Kerala experiences gale force winds, storm surges, and cyclone-related torrential downpours; while the winter months are much cooler and calmer. The best time to visit Kerala is between November and March, when the weather is pleasantly warm, the rains have passed, and wildlife viewing is at its best. However, Kerala does tend to be less swelteringly hot than most other parts of India, even in summer, so it is one of the best summer destinations in the country; just go expecting rain and stormy weather. Generally, anytime from November to May is suitable for travel to Kerala, but the monsoon season is best avoided. Having said that, travel during the wet monsoon months is becoming increasingly popular for the adventurous, and the Indian government is actively promoting monsoon tourism in Kerala.

    Kochi International Airport (Formerly Cochin)
    Location: 15 miles (25km) north of Nedumbassery. The drive takes from 45mins to an hour.
    Time: +5.5
    Transfer Between Terminals Terminals are located within walking distance of each other.
    Getting to the city: Taxis are available outside the main terminal and there are pre-paid taxi desks in the arrivals halls of both terminals. The KSRTC bus stops outside the departures terminal and buses go to a number of areas throughout Kerala. There is no train station at the airport, however the railway line from Kanyakumari to Delhi is adjacent to the airport between Alwaye and Angamaly Railway Stations.
    Airport Taxis: Metered taxis are available outside Arrivals for both terminals. Kochi International Airport offers pre-paid taxis through kiosks found inside both the Domestic and International Terminals.
    Facilities: A 24hr ATM can be found in the car park opposite both terminals. WiFi is available throughout the terminal and there are a number of restaurants and snack bars as well as book shops, curio stalls and a money exchange facility.
    Parking Car parking facilities are available opposite the terminals.
    Website: www.cial.aero
    Trivandrum International Airport
    Location: 3.7 miles (6km) from Thiruvananthapuram
    Time: GMT +5.5
    Transfer Between Terminals The terminals are close enough together for you to walk from one to the other.
    Getting to the city: There is no train or subway service to Trivandrum Airport, though there are train connections in Thiruvananthapuram to other cities in India. The KSRTC Bus service runs from outside the International Terminal to bus terminals at East Fort, Kochi and Kollam, among other stops. Several hotels in the Thiruvananthapuram area offer private shuttles for guests, and there is a prepaid taxi desk in the baggage claim area with fares listed to various destinations.
    Car Rental: Car rental companies operate at the airport, but it's a good I idea for foreigners to hire a driver along with a vehicle, as road conditions in India are quite challenging.
    Airport Taxis: There are taxis available outside the airport terminal.
    Facilities: The airport has ATMs and currency exchange facilities, baggage trolleys and baggage wrapping, mobile charging, duty free shopping, and some cafes and restaurants.
    Parking The airport has short and long-term parking areas.
    Website: www.aai.aero/en/airports/trivandrum

    Although most commonly associated with sedate boat trips through beautiful, labyrinthine waterways, Kerala does have a variety of tourist attractions. It is true that things to see and do in Kerala tend to revolve around the lush landscapes and natural assets of the region, but as India's most populous state Kerala is also an ideal destination for those seeking insight into local customs and lifestyles.

    Kerala is endowed with more than its fair share of nature's bounty, with stunning rivers, lagoons and backwaters, numerous wildlife sanctuaries and reserves, and sublime beaches. In fact, one of the most famous attractions in Kerala is the coastal resort area of Kovalam, which some insist has the best beach in India. Other much-loved beaches include Varkala Beach and Papanasam Beach on the southwestern coast. For those interested in the local wildlife, there are five national parks and thirteen wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala, making it an amazing destination for animal lovers. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and the Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary are both favourites. And, of course, a trip to Kerala would be woefully incomplete without meandering through the backwaters in a boat.

    As visitors explore the beautiful landscapes of Kerala they will also witness the day-to-day activities of locals and for many the region's laid-back, rural lifestyle is fascinating. Although not celebrated for its cities, Kerala does boast some decent urban sightseeing as well. The capital of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram (still commonly known as Trivandrum), has some cultural attractions to explore, including the Shri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the Puttan Malika Palace, and the Padmanabhapuram Palace.

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