God's Own Country — backwaters, hill stations, Ayurveda and pristine beaches
Kerala is India's most beautiful state — a narrow strip of tropical paradise wedged between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. The famous backwaters of Alleppey (a network of lakes, rivers, and canals) where you drift through villages on a houseboat is a bucket-list experience. The misty tea and spice gardens of Munnar, the wildlife of Wayanad and Periyar, the beaches of Varkala and Kovalam, and the ancient art of Kathakali dance make Kerala a richly layered destination.
October to February is the best time — cool and dry with clear skies. March to May is warm. June to September is monsoon season — while rainfall is heavy, it's the best season for Ayurveda treatments and the backwaters are at their greenest and most beautiful. Kerala receives two monsoons per year.
Overnight houseboat cruise through the Venice of the East — rice paddies, coconut palms, village life on water
Rolling hills covered in tea estates, Eravikulam National Park (Nilgiri Tahr), Attukad Waterfalls
Bamboo rafting on Periyar Lake, elephant herds, tigers, leopards, and over 250 bird species
World-famous Kerala Ayurveda massage and wellness treatments at certified centres across the state
Red cliff beach of Varkala and the crescent Kovalam beach — yoga retreats, seafood, Kerala sunsets
Ancient Kerala classical dance drama and martial arts — colourful costumes, intricate expressions