Located on the Malabar Coast of Southern India, the state of Kerala is known for its gleaming backwaters, lush tea plantations, calm hill stations and glorious beaches along the Arabian Sea. Home to diverse species that include langurs, elephants, leopards and tigers, the state includes a part of the Western Ghats that shelter a range of biosphere reserves and forests. From staying in a houseboat in the backwaters of Alleppey to getting hypnotized by the enchanting cultural dance ritual of Kathakali, the attractions and experiences in the state of Kerala offer up something for every kind of traveler. Here is a list of the best things to do in Kerala, India, that will let you make the most out of this serene Indian state.
1. Witness a spectacular sunrise from Top Station in Munnar (from USD 75.0)
Witness the best-ever sunrise from the stunning peak of Top Station in Munnar by booking this tour. Guests are picked up from select hotels in a jeep in the wee hours of the morning and taken to the summit just when the sun starts to break out into shining streaks of light.
Once you reach the summit, you can enjoy mesmerising views of the sunrise in the backdrop of a mist-draped sky and a beehive of white clouds serenading the sun. The descent is equally phenomenal and takes you through lush tea plantations.
Half Day Sunrise Tour on Top Station, Munnar ( By Munnar Info)
Duration: 4 to 5 hours
2. Experience the unique culture in Vaikom Village on this tour (from USD 106.0)
If you have always wanted to experience living in a village for a day and witness the unique culture, you can book this cultural tour that will take you to the village of Vaikom in Kerala. The heartwarming simplicity of the people will move you. You can interact with the locals and their families about their lifestyle. A private guide who is more like a knowledgeable friend will accompany you on the tour.
You will find it interesting to know that the locals earn their livelihood through hand-spun clothes and then have a chance to witness the process of hand-weaving cloth out of cotton, silk, and woollen yarns.
Straw mats are ingeniously woven out of wild pineapple leaves and coir ropes from dried coconut husks. Try your hand at pottery when the local potter deftly moulds the clay into beautiful pots and vases. Relish a traditional lunch before exploring again.
Cultural Tour To Vaikom Village
Duration: 5 to 6 hours
3. Sail away in a houseboat and enjoy the surreal beauty in Alleppey’s backwaters (from USD 135.0)
Enjoy a full-day tour in the backwaters of Alleppey on a traditional houseboat which is called a Kettuvallam. The surreal beauty of the countryside will blow your mind away as the boat sails through lush paddy fields, sublime lagoons, and local villages. A sumptuous lunch awaits you in the afternoon and you can indulge your palate with a variety of both vegetarian and meat cuisines. Savour a local coffee alongside an assortment of South Indian munchies and a tender coconut.
Kerala Backwater Day Tour (Private) with Lunch from Cochin
Duration: 7 to 8 hours
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4. Go food tasting in Alleppey with this delicious food walk (from USD 25.0)
Enjoy a two-hour sampling of local cuisines in some of the oldest food shops in Alleppey. The knowledgeable guide who knows the history and culture of the land like the back of his hand makes the tour all the more interesting with local tips, recommendations, stories, and amusing anecdotes.
You can dig into some of the best snacks such as idiyappam, nuller puttu, payamburi, dhokla, namkeens, and Kerala halwa and wash them all down with filter coffee. You will also enjoy witnessing the preparation of some of the most popular sweets in the coastal state of India.
Alleppey 2-Hour Small-Group Food Walk and Tasting
Duration: 2 hours
5. Go houseboating in the backwaters of Alleppey (from USD 200.0)
Also known as the “Venice of the East”, the backwaters of Alleppey are renowned for its channels that wind through idyllic landscapes of rice paddies and coconut trees. This two-day tour includes overnight accommodation in a houseboat, that provides lunch, breakfast, and dinner, as well as hotel pick-ups and drop-offs. With a maximum of eight people in the tour, it is ideal for anyone looking to escape the chaos of the cities of India and kickback while floating through the waterways.
Alappuzha Houseboat Private Overnight Cruise from Kochi
Duration: 2 days
6. Explore Kerala's history at the Bekal Fort
Built in 1650 AD, this fort is the state’s largest fort that once served as the home to the Kolathiri and Thirakkal kings. The fort includes a water tank and an observation tower that was built by the erstwhile ruler of Mysore, Tipu Sultan. With a zigzag entrance, trenches and strong walls with holes, the fort was aptly constructed to defend against naval attacks. As one of the oldest and the most beautiful forts in the country, this well-preserved fort is a must-visit for anyone visiting the region of Kasargod.
Bekal Fort
Address: Kasaragod Road, PO Bekal Fort, Beside Bekal Fort Railway Station Dist, Bekal, Kerala 671316
Website: Bekal Fort
Opening hours: 8am - 5.30pm (daily)
Price: 1.50 USD
7. Nurture peace at Elephant Junction Thekkady
This lush sanctuary is the perfect place to get up close with elephants, bathe them and get showered by them. Located in one of the country’s largest wildlife sanctuaries, Elephant Junction Thekkady also includes jeep safaris and tiger trails. The sanctuary features a range of programs such as a half-day program, a full-day program and hourly programs that vary in duration. Visitors can also choose to take part in other activities such as plantation visits, trekking, and waterfall visits.
Elephant Junction Thekkady
Address: Murukkady P.O., Thekkady, Kumily, Kerala 685535
Website: Elephant Junction Thekkady
Opening hours: 8.30am - 5.30pm (daily)
Price: 5 USD
8. Visit the Thrissur Zoo and explore wildlife
Established in 1885, this is one of India’s oldest zoos and is home to a variety of animals, birds, and reptiles. Also known as the Trichur Zoo, this area houses deers, lions, tigers, sloth bears, hippopotamus, monkeys, macaques, flamingos, and snakes. Located just 2 kilometers (1.24 miles) away from the Thrissur railway station, the zoo is an ideal place to visit with your family and learn about the flora and fauna of the region.
Thrissur Zoo
Address: Town Hall Rd, Udaya Nagar, Chembukkav, Thrissur, Kerala 680020
Website: Thrissur Zoo
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 9:30am - 5:15pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 1 USD
9. Visit the ancient Edakkal Caves
Located in the Wayanad district of Kerala, these caves discovered in 1890 are believed to have been inhabited by the members of the Neolithic community. The caves are renowned for their paintings and include two chambers with carvings of human and animal figures. As one of the very few places in India that have carvings from the Stone Age, the place is an ideal place to visit for those interested in the anthropological and historical importance of the region.
Edakkal Caves
Address: Nenmeni, Kerala 673595
Website: Edakkal Caves
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 8am - 4pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 1 USD
10. Go waterfall hopping at Athirappilly Falls and Vazhachal Falls (from USD 105.0)
This eight-hour tour takes you around some of the most breathtaking waterfalls of Kerala and introduces you to exotic species of birds that drift around the area. The full-day tour includes lunch at a local restaurant, transfers by an air-conditioned vehicle, a local guide, water, and monument fees with taxes and service charges. The itinerary of the tour includes a round trip from Cochin and stops at Athirappilly Falls and Vazhachal Falls while driving around the Western Ghats and is a must-visit for any nature lover.
Athirappilly Falls and Vazhachal Falls Private Tour from Kochi
Duration: 8 hours
11. Explore the island village of Kumbalangi (from USD 87.0)
Located on the outskirts of Kochi, Kumbalangi is made up of magical mangrove forests and embodies the traditional fishing village life of Kerala. This four-hour tour includes transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle, with lunch and water. The tour is ideal for anyone looking to get acquainted with the culture and traditions of a typical Kerala fishing village and soak up the picturesque beauty of its lush green vegetation.
Kerala Culture Day Tour : Kumabalangi Village Tour by Khidma Tourism
Duration: 4 to 5 hours
12. Explore the beauty of Periyar Forest (from USD 67.0)
This guided trek into Periyar Forest lets you experience beauty in all its glory. The eight-hour trip includes bottled water, breakfast, lunch, dinner and a professional tour guide. The tour’s itinerary is packed with adventure and includes activities such as an early morning trek, riding bamboo rafts through the wilderness, and spotting wildlife such as monkeys, deer, and bison. Note that the tour does not include forest entry fees and hotel pick-up and drop-off.
Full day Trekking and Bamboo Rafting at Periyar Forest
Duration: 8 hours
13. Go on a safari in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (from USD 258.0)
With four ranges, namely the Muthanga, Kurichiat, Tholpetty, and Sulthan Bathery, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a plethora of wild animals that include deer, tiger, elephants, and Indian bison, as well as birds such as peafowl. This nine-hour safari is the perfect way to get up close with the flora and fauna of the region and experience the pristine, untouched beauty of the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve. The tour includes a local guide, transport by a private vehicle and hotel pick-up and drop-off.
Private Wildlife Safari in Wayanad
Duration: 9 hours
14. Tour the Kerala Folklore Museum (from USD 373.0)
Get treated to a magnificent collection of traditional artifacts and the architectural styles of the folklore museum in this three-and-a-half-hour private guided tour. With a professional art historian as your guide and varied performances of the dance forms of Kerala, this tour is ideal for those looking to learn about the history of the art forms of this Indian state. As Kerala’s only architectural museum, it incorporates three different architectural styles and is the state’s biggest architectural institution.
Skip the Line: Kerala Folklore Museum Tour with Traditional Performance Ticket
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
Explore India's deep south
From idyllic backwaters to enchanting traditional practices and art forms, the Malabar Coast of India is astonishing in the truest sense and has been a firm favorite for travelers around the world for good reason. Take a pick from the above list of ten best things to do in Kerala and experience the best of all that this serene South Indian state has to offer.
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