Located on the southwestern coastal belt of India, the state of Kerela has many wonderful reasons to visit and things to do. Here are our top recommendations for your visit.
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Cruise the Backwaters in a Houseboat
Part of the charm of this region in India is the many houseboats floating along the lagoons and canals running parallel to the Arabian Sea. Kerela houseboats are called kettuvallam. Historically, they were used to carry heavy loads of spices, rice, and other goods. They offered living spaces to boatmen and their families.
Today these houseboats are no longer used for transport. Instead, they serve the tourism market. You can book your very own houseboat that comes with its own crew! You will cruise up and down the backwaters, admiring the scenery, and enjoying delicious local dishes included in your package.
There are several places where you can board your own kettuvallam. The most popular place is Alleppey (Alappuzha). known as the Venice of the East. Kumarakom is also good choice. It is more tranquil and is home to a bird sanctuary.
Visit Hill Stations & Tea Estates
Kerela’s many hill stations and tea farms stand in contrast to the backwaters of the region. Munnar is famous for its tea estates, spice farms, and waterfalls. There are endless tea gardens to wander through, and make sure to visit the Munnar Tea Museum to learn more about tea processing. Visit Top Station for panoramic views of the area. Rajamalai (Eravikulam) National Park offers hiking trails and the chance to see the endangered Nilgiri tahr.
Another option is Wayanad, a lush hill district with forests, wildlife, waterfalls, and coffee, tea, and spice farms. Visit Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary to see elephants, deer, and exotic birds. Another not-to-be-missed site is Edakkal Caves showcasing 6,000 year old petroglyphs. Kolukkumalai is a popular tea estate to visit. For spices and coffee, check out Pepper Trail. If you are into hiking, take the trek to Chembra Peak enjoying a heart-shaped lake on the way. Another great place to hike is Banasura Hill providing panoramic views of the hills and Banasura Sagar Dam.
Enjoy Wildlife & Nature
I’ve already covered several wildlife and bird sanctuaries, but there are still more! Perhaps the best wildlife in this region can be found at Periyar Tiger Reserve. Here you can take a guided nature walk, sail on a boat safari, or ride in a bamboo raft to see the wildlife. You will likely see elephants, bison, deer, wild boar, monkeys, langurs, and many species of birds and reptiles. You might also see Bengal tigers and leopards, but this is rare.
Another place to enjoy nature is Silent Valley National Park. This park is home to many endangered species like the lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri tahr, Nilgiri langur, Malabar giant squirrel, and Malabar civet. Take guided treks to see waterfalls, ancient trees, and wildlife. These treks also explain the rainforest ecosystem and conservations efforts.
If you love birds, look no further than Thattekad Bird Sanctuary where you can see over 300 species of birds. Go in the early morning and you might spot kingfishers, hornbills, woodpeckers, eagles, and more.
Relax on Beaches
If you love to spend time at the beach, you will love your visit to the state of Kerela! There are a diverse range of beaches to choose from. For dramatic scenery, choose Varkala Beach with cliffs overlooking the Arabian Sea. There are also natural mineral springs that may have therapeutic properties.
Another option is Kovalam Beach, which has three distinct sections: Lighthouse Beach, Hawa Beach, and Samudra Beach. Some highlights of this beach include the Kovalam Lighthouse offering panoramic views and the availability of Ayurvedic treatments, massages, and yoga sessions right by the beach.
If you are boarding a houseboat in Alleppey, check out Marari Beach. It’s quiet, has pristine sand, and known for being located in a traditional fishing village.
Absorb the Culture
Kerela is famous for classical dance and theater. Seek out the following performing arts for a deep dive into the culture:
- Kathakali – stylized, action-oriented dance performance with elaborate costumes with mask-like makeup.
- Mohiniyattam – classical dance featuring graceful, feminine movements.
- Koodiyattam – Sanskrit theatre dating back 1,000 years combining drama, dance, and ritualized gestures to tell Hindu epic stories.
Kerela is religiously diverse, with Hindus, Christians, and Muslims. In fact, you can visit India’s first Christian church (St. Francis Church) and India’s first mosque (Cheraman Juma Masjid) in this region. Other Christian churches to visit include Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom and Santa Cruz Basilica. Mosques include Juma Masjid and Beemapally Mosque. And of course, there are Hindu temples you should see, like Guruvayur Temple, Padmanabhaswamy Temple, and Vadakkunnathan Temple.
Finally, seek out local cuisine to get a better sense of the culture. The food features heavy spices and is coconut-based. Make sure to try fish curry, appam (rice pancakes), and ada pradhaman (sweet pudding).
Discover Ayurvedic Wellness & Spas
Ayurvedic wellness is a holistic health system originating in India over 5,000 years ago. It focuses on balancing the body, mind, and spirit using an individualized approach based on a person’s body constitution. Elements of Ayurvedic wellness include massages with herbal oils, diet and nutrition practices, yoga and meditation, detox programs, and recommendations for stress management, sleep, and other daily routines.
As mentioned throughout this post, you can find Ayurvedic wellness offerings all over Kerela. But if you want a truly immersive experience, visit one of the many resorts offering Ayurvedic retreats. Some of the best include Ayur Villa, Manaltheeram Ayurveda Village, Travancore Heritage, and Carnoustie Ayurveda and Wellness Resort.
What are you looking forward to most during your visit to Kerela?
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