There’s a reason why the people of Kerala, India’s southwestern state, call it “God’s Own Country.” Lofty palms sway in the tropical breeze, thatched-roof boats glide along tranquil rivers, and sari-clad women offer prayers in tranquil temples and churches. That’s not even mentioning the food, famously mouthwatering and spicy. Kerala has our attention and we think it should have yours too when you are planning a journey to incredible India.
The Backwaters
Complete relaxation is the only item on the agenda aboard the luxurious houseboats that glide through Kerala’s backwaters. Fresh seafood pulled straight from coastal waters are given a spicy twist and are served on deck as you watch the life along the blissful banks go by. Jade-colored rice paddies and lines of palms will have you realizing why Malayalees (the state’s residents) think God has blessed this fertile land. Visit Kerala to find yourself a world away from the rest of India’s frenetic energy. The lull of the boat and the peaceful waterways will have you drifting into the perfect afternoon snooze.
Spas
The Taj Bekal Resort & Spa, set along Kerala's northern coastline, focuses on mind-body healing through Ayurvedic treatments, aromatherapy, and yoga — all delivered against a backdrop of coconut groves and the Arabian Sea.
Food
Wander around Cochin’s center of spice trade and inhale the scent of cardamom and cloves. Devour delicious dosas—incredibly large, thin, and often crispy ground rice pancakes—filled with curried potatoes tempered with mustard seeds and dipped into fragrant bowls of daals (lentil soups) and white coconut chutneys. Small dollops of curried vegetables, lentils, and chutneys are served on huge banana leaves. Your mouth will be singing with joy.
History
A land of many thriving cultures and religions, Kerala is packed with beautiful temples, churches, mosques, and synagogues. The Pardesi Synangogue in Cochin dates back to 1568 and is a glittering gem with shimmering chandeliers, an ornate golden pulpit, and hand-painted tiles. Over the centuries Kerala attracted many traders from Portugal and the Netherlands. The Mattancherry Palace was gifted to the Raja of Kochi in 1555 by the Portuguese. Admire the beautiful Hindu murals in a spectacular display of color. Church spires jut between thick bananas and palm forests, a reminder that this is a land believed to have been visited by Saint Thomas in the first century.
Traditions
Festivals and lively dances are a way of life in India, and you can visit Kerala for some of the most beautiful. Watch a classical Kathakali performance with lavish costumes, elaborate masks, and painted faces telling the stories of Indian epics. Each eye movement and twirl of the fingers helps to tell the tale.
Animals
Kerala is one of India's most biodiverse states, and its wildlife sanctuaries are among the most rewarding in the south. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady is the most celebrated — a forest reserve surrounding a beautiful lake where wild elephants gather to bathe and drink, and where guided boat safaris bring you within remarkable proximity to the herds. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in the north of the state is another highlight, home to tigers, leopards, elephants, gaur, and an extraordinary range of birdlife. Ker & Downey arranges private naturalist-guided experiences in both reserves, tailored to the wildlife and landscapes you most want to find.
Tea Plantations
Rolling green hills are a welcome retreat from the warmer humid weather. Visit India’s largest tea-growing region in Munnar, established by the British. Munnar is a sloping emerald-green paradise draped in mist. Try to count how many shades of green you see; it’s nearly impossible. While you are there, carefully sip on a piping hot cup of chai, sweetened with creamy milk and sugar. Indians drink copious amounts of it all over the country.
Beaches
Fishermen pull in their shiny catch on huge Chinese nets along Kerala’s sparkling coast and small boats bob on the water. The blissful beaches aren’t just a place to frolic in the surf. This is where you will also get to see the people go about their daily lives.
Best Time to Visit Kerala
Kerala's tropical climate means it can be visited year-round, but the experience varies considerably by season. October through February is the most popular window for travel when temperatures are warm and manageable, humidity is lower, and the backwaters and beaches are at their most inviting. This is also the best time for wildlife spotting in Periyar and Wayanad.
March through May brings rising heat and humidity ahead of the monsoon, though Kerala handles the warmth more gracefully than northern India. The monsoon itself (June through September) transforms the state into something extraordinary. The landscape turns an almost impossibly vivid green, rivers run full, and the Ayurvedic tradition considers this the most potent season for therapeutic treatments, when the body is most receptive to deep healing.
The Onam harvest festival, typically celebrated in late August or early September, is one of Kerala's most spectacular cultural events, worth building a journey around if your dates allow.
Plan Your Kerala Journey with Ker & Downey World Travel
Kerala rewards the traveler who slows down — who lingers on a houseboat long enough to watch the light change on the water, who lets an Ayurvedic treatment unfold at its own pace, who follows a naturalist into Periyar at dawn without an agenda beyond what the forest offers. It is the antidote to itinerary-heavy travel, and one of the most restorative destinations in the Ker & Downey portfolio.
Kerala pairs naturally with Mumbai, Goa, or the temple landscapes of Tamil Nadu as part of a broader Best of Southern India journey. Contact a Ker & Downey travel designer to start planning your bespoke Kerala itinerary.
Further reading: Mumbai: India's Must-See City | When to Travel to India | Luxury Hotels in India | Top Wildlife to See in India
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