Extending for around 600 kilometres along the Arabian Sea, Kerala is a lushly vegetated state in India’s south-west. It has been nicknamed “God’s Own Country” for its palm-lined beaches and mesmerising backwaters, while it also encompasses wildlife-filled national parks inhabited by elephants, tigers and monkeys.
Things to do in Kerala
Whether you want to get lost in the colonial streets of Kochi or escape to the Western Ghats, Kerala is understandably one of India’s top tourist destinations.
Explore the colonial streets of Fort Kochi. Clustered with Dutch, Portuguese and British colonial buildings, Fort Kochi is a melting pot of architectural styles. Admire the mural art adorning the Dutch Palace and see one of the oldest Jewish synagogues in the country, then visit the tomb of Vasco da Gama at the Church of St. Francis. At sunset, head to Fort Kochi Beach to photograph its giant Chinese-style fishing nets.
Wildlife spot in Periyar National Park. Renowned as a sanctuary for elephants and tigers, Periyar National Park lies high up in the mountainous Western Ghats. It centres around a 100-year-old reservoir that’s surrounded by a tropical evergreen forest inhabited by lion-tailed macaques, sambar deer and leopards. Join a guided safari to spot the park’s animal and birdlife or watch the wildlife rehydrating along the water’s edge during a boat cruise.
Visit the tea plantations of Munnar. Located at 1,600 metres above sea level, Munnar is a cool-climate hill station and a colonial resort town during the British Raj. It’s surrounded by rolling hills blanketed in tea plantations that were established back in the 19th century. Browse the tea-related artefacts and processing equipment at the Tea Museum before tasting some of the local brews. Endangered mountain goats inhabit nearby Eravikulam National Park.
Getting around Kerala
International airports in Thiruvananthapuram, Cochin, Kozhikode and Kannur offer flights to destinations across India and the Middle East. Long-distance trains connect to major cities in Kerala while buses serve towns and villages throughout the state. Rickshaws are readily available for getting around Kerala’s urban areas, while houseboats ply the backwaters.