Kerala Travel Guide: Backwaters, Tea Plantations, Wildlife & Beaches

Why Visit Kerala?

Kerala's appeal lies in the variety of experiences available within a relatively compact region.

A holiday can include:

• Historic cities and colonial architecture
• Tea and spice plantations
• Wildlife and nature experiences
• Traditional houseboat cruises
• Backwater villages
• Beaches and coastal landscapes
• Local cuisine
• Kathakali and other cultural performances
• Ayurvedic and wellness experiences

This combination means you do not necessarily have to choose between sightseeing and relaxation.

A well-planned itinerary can include both.

Kochi: The Historic Gateway to Kerala

Kochi, also known as Cochin, is often a starting point for Kerala holidays.

The city brings together layers of Portuguese, Dutch, Jewish and Indian history, particularly around the Fort Kochi and Mattancherry areas.

Some of the experiences to consider include:

• Fort Kochi
• St. Francis Church
• Mattancherry Palace
• Jewish Synagogue
• Chinese fishing nets
• Local spice markets
• Kathakali performances

TTH's Kerala itineraries include Kochi sightseeing covering landmarks such as St. Francis Church, the Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry Palace and the famous Chinese fishing nets.

Kochi therefore provides more than just an arrival point; it can introduce travellers to Kerala's history and cultural influences before they continue into the state's greener landscapes.

Munnar: Tea Plantations in the Western Ghats

Munnar is one of Kerala's best-known hill destinations.

Set among rolling hills and extensive tea plantations, the region offers cooler temperatures, scenic viewpoints and opportunities to learn more about Kerala's tea-growing traditions.

A visit to Munnar can include:

• Tea plantations
• Tea factories
• Tea museums
• Spice plantations
• Plantation walks
• Scenic viewpoints
• Mountain landscapes

TTH's Kerala Magic itinerary includes Munnar, with experiences involving tea and cardamom plantations and opportunities to learn about the tea and coffee-making process.

Munnar is also included in TTH's wider South India itineraries, where the journey through the hills can be combined with Thekkady and Kerala's other natural attractions.

Thekkady: Wildlife, Spice and Nature

Thekkady offers another side of Kerala, combining wildlife and forest landscapes with the region's long-standing spice-growing traditions.

The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the major attractions, and visitors can experience the reserve from the water as well as through other nature-based activities.

Depending on the itinerary, experiences can include:

• Boat rides on the lake
• Wildlife viewing
• Spice plantation visits
• Spice markets
• Nature walks
• Cultural performances

TTH's Kerala itineraries include visits to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and boating experiences where travellers may encounter wildlife around the lake.

Thekkady also provides an opportunity to discover Kerala's spice-growing heritage, with cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and other spices available in local markets.

Alleppey: Experience Kerala's Famous Backwaters

One of Kerala's most recognisable experiences is travelling through its backwaters.

Alleppey, also known as Alappuzha, is particularly associated with traditional houseboat cruises through waterways surrounded by coconut palms, paddy fields and rural villages.

A houseboat journey allows travellers to experience Kerala at a slower pace while observing everyday life along the waterways.

TTH's Kerala Magic itinerary includes an overnight houseboat experience in Alleppey, with the route passing paddy fields, coconut trees, villages and other backwater landscapes.

Traditional Kerala cuisine is also served on board, adding a culinary element to the experience.

For many visitors, the backwaters are one of the defining experiences of a Kerala holiday.

Wayanad: Forests, Wildlife and Plantation Landscapes

Wayanad offers a greener and more nature-focused side of Kerala.

Located in the Western Ghats, the region is known for its forests, plantations, hills, valleys and wildlife.

TTH's South India Wildlife and Heritage Tour includes Wayanad as part of a wider wildlife and heritage itinerary. The programme includes a visit to Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, nature activities and birdwatching with a naturalist.

TTH's North Kerala itinerary also includes Wayanad, with experiences centred around its plantations, forests, wildlife and local cultural traditions.

For travellers who want to combine nature with cultural experiences, Wayanad can be an interesting alternative to Kerala's more traditional beach and backwater destinations.

Kumarakom: A Quieter Backwater Experience

Kumarakom sits on the shores of Vembanad Lake and offers another way to experience Kerala's backwaters.

Compared with a traditional houseboat journey in Alleppey, Kumarakom can be incorporated into a more relaxed itinerary focused on waterways, village life and nature.

TTH's Coastal Trail of South India itinerary includes Kumarakom, with experiences such as a village life tour by country boat, a sunset cruise and time around the region's backwaters.

The experience provides an opportunity to observe everyday life around the waterways, including traditional fishing and local village activities.

Kerala's Beaches and Coastal Escapes

Kerala is not only about hills and backwaters.

The state's coastline provides opportunities to add some relaxed beach time to a sightseeing-focused holiday.

Depending on your itinerary, coastal destinations can include:

• Kovalam
• Poovar
• Marari
• Bekal
• Kumarakom and surrounding backwater areas

TTH's Kerala Magic itinerary concludes with time on the beaches of Kovalam, while its South India Wildlife and Heritage Tour includes a stay at Marari Beach.

Poovar is also included in TTH's Coastal Trail of South India itinerary, offering a coastal conclusion to a journey through Kochi, Thekkady, Kumarakom and Alleppey.

This makes it possible to finish a Kerala holiday with a slower pace after several days of sightseeing and travel.

Kerala's Culture and Local Experiences

Kerala's culture is an important part of the travel experience.

Beyond its landscapes, visitors can discover traditional performing arts, local food, religious architecture, village life and long-established craft traditions.

Some experiences available through TTH itineraries include:

Kathakali

A traditional performance combining dance, music, elaborate costumes and storytelling.

Kalaripayattu

A traditional martial art that can be experienced as a cultural performance during selected itineraries.

Spice Experiences

Visits to spice plantations and markets provide an introduction to Kerala's long association with the spice trade.

Village Life

Boat journeys through smaller waterways can provide an opportunity to see everyday life around Kerala's backwaters.

TTH's Kerala and South India itineraries incorporate several of these cultural experiences, including Kathakali, Kalaripayattu, spice plantation visits and village experiences.

Kerala for Wildlife Lovers

Travellers interested in wildlife can build a Kerala holiday around nature and protected areas.

Thekkady's Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary are two destinations featured in TTH itineraries.

For a more extensive wildlife journey, TTH's South India Wildlife and Heritage Tour combines Wayanad with Nagarhole National Park and Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, along with hill stations, waterfalls and heritage destinations.

This can be useful for travellers who want to experience Kerala's natural landscapes while also exploring neighbouring parts of South India.

For a more detailed wildlife-focused itinerary, see India Wildlife Holidays: Ranthambore, Wayanad & Beyond.

How to Plan a Kerala Holiday

The ideal Kerala itinerary depends on the experiences you want to prioritise.

For tea plantations and hills:

Include Munnar and consider adding Thekkady.

For wildlife:

Consider Thekkady and Wayanad.

For backwaters:

Alleppey and Kumarakom offer different ways to experience Kerala's waterways.

For history and culture:

Begin with Kochi and explore Fort Kochi, Mattancherry and the city's historic landmarks.

For relaxation:

Add a coastal destination such as Kovalam, Poovar or Marari.

For a broader South India journey:

Kerala can be combined with destinations such as Mysore, Nagarhole and Ooty.

The advantage of a multi-destination itinerary is that you can experience several sides of Kerala rather than focusing on just one region.

How Many Days Do You Need in Kerala?

The ideal duration depends on how many destinations you want to include.

A shorter holiday can focus on Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady and Alleppey.

A longer journey can add Wayanad, Kumarakom, Kovalam or other coastal destinations.

TTH's Kerala Explorer itinerary covers Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey and Poovar, while the Kerala Magic itinerary extends across 14 nights and includes Kochi, Athirapilly, Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey and Kovalam.

For travellers wanting an even broader journey, TTH's South India itineraries combine Kerala with destinations across Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Best Time to Visit Kerala

Kerala can be visited throughout much of the year, but the experience can vary with the seasons.

The weather differs between the hill regions, backwaters and coast, so your preferred activities should be considered when choosing your travel dates.

If your priority is comfortable sightseeing and exploring multiple destinations, consider the seasonal conditions across your entire itinerary rather than focusing on one location.

Travellers planning a longer holiday should also consider how the weather may affect outdoor activities, wildlife experiences, backwater cruises and beach stays.

Tips for Planning Your Kerala Holiday

Before booking your trip, consider:

• How many days you have available
• Whether you want hills, wildlife, backwaters or beaches
• Whether you want a houseboat experience
• How much sightseeing you want to include
• Whether you want to add cultural performances
• Whether you prefer a slower or more active itinerary
• Whether you want to combine Kerala with another South India destination

Kerala has enough variety to suit different travel styles, but planning the route carefully can help avoid unnecessary travel between destinations.

Why Choose a Planned Kerala Holiday?

A Kerala holiday may involve multiple types of travel, including airport transfers, road journeys, houseboat stays, guided sightseeing and wildlife experiences.

When these elements are coordinated as part of one itinerary, travellers can spend less time managing logistics and more time experiencing the destination.

TTH Holidays currently offers Kerala itineraries ranging from shorter regional journeys to extended holidays covering Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey, Wayanad and coastal destinations.

For travellers wanting a broader South India experience, TTH also offers multi-destination itineraries combining Kerala with wildlife, heritage and hill-station experiences across the region.

Plan Your Kerala Holiday with TTH Holidays

Kerala brings together many of the experiences travellers look for in an India holiday: scenic hills, tea plantations, wildlife, historic towns, peaceful backwaters and beautiful beaches.

From Kochi's historic streets and Munnar's tea-covered hills to the wildlife of Thekkady, the backwaters of Alleppey and the forests of Wayanad, each destination offers a different perspective on the state.

TTH Holidays offers Kerala itineraries that combine these experiences in different ways, from dedicated Kerala journeys to wider South India holidays.