Kerala is a popular travel destination one can easily spend 7 to 10 days in. We always recommend ending your trip in Kerala, which is utterly stunning in its breath-taking beauty. Relax on stunning beaches, take part in local festivals, and explore the hidden gems of this tropical state. This guide will help you plan the perfect travel routes for Kerala.
Makeup on the Kathakali dancer in Kerala (Picture Credit: Pixabay)
Route 1: Essence of Kerala (7-8 days)
Kochi-Munnar-Thekkady-Alleppey/Kumarakom (route on GoogleMaps)
This is the most preferred of the travel routes for Kerala as you get to experience a wide variety of what the area has to offer. The area is rich with European heritage combined with local Indian delights, particularly in Kochi.
You must visit the vast green tea plantations of Munnar, go hiking along the dense forest of Thekkady, and relax and enjoy the sunset on a canoe along the backwaters in Alleppey or Kumarakom.
On average, it will take you 3.5 hours’ drive between towns, without traffic. If you would prefer a slower-paced trip, choose between Munnar and Thekkady and spend a day more in each town.
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Scenic mountains of Munnar
Here is a list of suggested things to do in these regions.
Route 2: Beaches of Kerala (10-12 days)
Marari, Varkala and Kovalam (route on GoogleMaps)
For a relaxing stay plan a trip to Kerala and have the perfect end to a holiday: unwinding on a beach! Start in Kochi, then travel to Munnar (or Thekkady), followed by Alleppey, and finish on a relaxing beach.
Marari is the closest beach to Alleppey (approximately a 45-minutes drive). Compared to Varkala and Kovalam beaches, Marari has an untouched splendour. There are only a couple of luxury boutique properties so planning in advance is important, especially if travelling during the holiday season.
You can take a train to Varkala from Alleppey. Varkala and Kovalam are famous for their ayurveda resorts that offer traditional Hindu healing treatments. This helps balance the bodily systems by working on breathing exercises and using herbal remedies. Many spend more than a week or two at these resorts for various ayurvedic and rejuvenation sessions.
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Plan a trip to Kerala and witness blissful beaches such as this one
Route 3: Offbeat Allure
Wayanad, Kannur, Athirapilly (route on GoogleMaps)
Plan a trip to Kerala to visit offbeat alluring areas, unlike any others. Visit Wayanad, Kannur and Athirapilly if you are interested in the lesser-known gems of Kerala. They lie on the northernmost end of Kerala.
The tropical setting of Wayanad is a perfect getaway, especially for honeymooners. Stay at the peaceful Vythiri Resort and wake up to the sound of the gushing waters and splendid views outside your villa.
Kannur is a much less explored town, known as ‘The Land of Looms and Lore’ because of its high-quality production and export of handloom fabrics. Explore the natural beaches, backwaters, hill stations, and historical monuments it has to offer.
If starting your trip in Mumbai or Delhi, fly into Calicut and drive to Wayanad or Kannur. From either of these towns, you can take a train to Kochi.
Athirapilly is a 1.5 hours drive from Kochi. Take a day trip or spend a night visiting the Athirapilly Falls, ‘the Niagara of India’. The area is home to a host of wild animals and birds.
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The Kavvayi Backwaters will steal your breath away
Route 4: Kerala during Festivals
One way to plan an exciting travel route for Kerala is to focus on what festivals are taking place. Kerala has a number of temples and elephant festivals, Thrissur Pooram being the grandest of them all. There are celebrations between April and May each year in Thrissur (about 80 kms from Kochi). This is a seven-day affair.
Onam is another important festival that celebrates the harvest between August and September. The procession in Trivandrum is a visual delight. There are as many as 3000 artists, 75 floats and 68 art forms on display.
Theyyam is a folk art celebrated in Kannur. It is a ritualistic, ancient form of worship still celebrated with the same fervour. The festival is held from October to May each year. Read this blog to know more about the weather and festivals in Kerala. The riot of colours, the music, dance and devotion is worth witnessing.
If you wish to plan your trip in Kerala around a particular festival, stay at a homestay with a local family instead of a hotel. You get to experience the fun firsthand and be part of all the festivities.
In case you are unsure about adding Kerala be on your travel list, read this blog to know why. You can get in touch with our travel experts who will assist you with planning your own personalized trip to India.
Frequently Asked Questions
The weather is pleasant from September to March, ideal for exploring and visiting famous tourist attractions. It is the best time to visit beaches, backwaters, and hill stations.
Kerala experiences hot and humid summers from March to May with temperatures ranging from 32 to 38 degrees Celsius.
In 5-7 days, you can explore Kerala and visit the popular attractions. You can cover Munnar and enjoy its mountainous views, and then go to Thekkady and visit the Periyar National Park. You can visit Alleppey and enjoy the view of the backwaters from a houseboat. You can also visit Kovalam and have a peaceful experience at its multiple beaches.
Kerala is known for aromatic spices, sarees, and authentic coffee. You can also buy aromatic oils and kathakali masks from the local shops in the city.
About Harsh Sonawala
Harsh Sonawala is the co founder of India Someday and since his childhood, he has travelled to different parts of India and the world. The thrill of travelling and sharing his experiences with others was the reason behind starting India Someday. Other than the office where he is conjuring up marketing ideas, he can be found scuba diving in the Andamans or relaxing in a chalet in the Himalayas.
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