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Honey-gold beaches, meandering backwaters, aromatic spice gardens and elephant encounters on your visit to one of India’s most laid-back states.
In 1341, flooding refashioned Kerala’s coastline — the Periyar River changed its course, islands were submerged, and new ones were born. Little-known Cochin was transformed into a natural seaport, attracting the attention of traders looking to export spices and refugees seeking a safe haven.
Today’s Kerala bears witness to the Portuguese, Dutch and British colonialists who vied for control of Cochin, each leaving their mark. Beyond the trading capital, Kerala’s coast is a patchwork of paddy fields, coconut trees, mangroves, marshes and interlinking backwaters. Progressing inland, the Western Ghat mountains play host to a large concentration of elephants and Indian bison. The mountain slopes are interspersed with tea and spice plantations — their bounty nurtured by seasonal monsoon rains. Our specialists know Kerala inside-out and can suggest the best ways to explore the tapestry of landscapes that define it.
Cochin marks its cultural diversity with heady spice markets, Chinese fishing nets, trading warehouses, Jewish synagogue and Christian churches. Inland, you could head to some of the world’s highest tea estates and tackle walking trails ranging from short tea-field wanders to peak-conquering hikes. Wildlife enthusiasts could search for elephants in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. You could cruise Kerala’s backwaters by houseboat, or relax on honey-gold beaches on the Malabar coast, watching the sunset over the Indian Ocean.
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Places to visit in Kerala
Featuring heavily on our experiences of visiting Kerala, these selected places are destinations that also prove consistently popular with our travelers. Our specialists can help you choose how to include them in your wider trip, based on your preferences.
Suggested itineraries featuring Kerala
Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Kerala, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Places in and around Kerala
- The Backwaters Kerala
- Chettinad Kerala
- Cochin Kerala
- Kothamangalam Kerala
- Kovalam Kerala
- Madurai Kerala
- Mararikulam Kerala
- Munnar Kerala
- Neeleshwar Kerala
- Palakkad Kerala
- Tellicherry Kerala
- Thekkady & Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Kerala
- Wayanad Kerala
- Ooty 158 kilometers away
- Nagarhole National Park 237 kilometers away
- Trichy 240 kilometers away
- Mysore 258 kilometers away
- Tanjore 285 kilometers away
- Coorg 290 kilometers away
- Bangalore 347 kilometers away
- Belur & Halebid 366 kilometers away
- Tranquebar 367 kilometers away
- Pondicherry 408 kilometers away
- Kanchipuram 458 kilometers away
Photos of Kerala
Accommodation choices for Kerala
We’ve selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Kerala. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.
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Mundackal Plantation Homestay
Kothamangalam -
Tranquil Hideaway
Wayanad -
Neeleshwar Hermitage
Neeleshwar -
Heritage Madurai
Madurai -
The Leela Kovalam
Kovalam -
Vivanta by Taj — Kovalam
Kovalam -
The Bangala
Chettinad -
Visalam
Chettinad -
Xandari Pearl
Mararikulam -
Marari Beach Resort
Mararikulam -
Keralan Houseboats (Rice barges)
Backwaters -
Kumarakom Lake Resort
Backwaters -
A Beach Symphony
Mararikulam -
Marari Villas
Mararikulam -
Windermere Estate
Munnar -
Ecotones
Munnar -
Olavipe Homestay
Backwaters -
Coconut Lagoon
Backwaters -
Philip Kutty's Farmhouse
Backwaters -
Ambady Estate
Munnar -
Spice Village
Thekkady & Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary -
Shalimar Spice Garden
Thekkady & Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary -
The Wildernest B&B
Thekkady & Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary -
Old Harbour Hotel
Cochin -
Malabar House
Cochin -
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Brunton Boatyard
Cochin
Ideas for experiencing Kerala
Our specialists seek out authentic ways to get to know the places that could feature in your trip. These activities reflect some of the experiences they've most enjoyed while visiting Kerala, and which use the best local guides.
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Keralan Houseboat/Rice Barge Keralan Houseboat/Rice Barge
Keralan Houseboat/Rice Barge
Locally known as 'kettuvallam', these craft have been converted into simple, furnished houseboats with en suite bedrooms, an open lounge and eating area, a deck and kitchenette.
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