What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear of ‘Kerala’? Calm backwaters, white sand beaches filled with sea breeze, and magnificently decorated temples with spires that shoot up as high as your eyes can see. However, when visiting the state you need to prepare a well-planned Kerala itinerary.
Be it a 4 day, 5 day, 6 day or a week-long trip, having the best itinerary for Kerala will only help make your experience more memorable.
Kerala Itinerary: Plan Your Adventure In God’s Own Country
Kerala: A Brief History
Kerala’s history is as rich and diverse as its landscapes. The state was a hub for traders from around the world.
Greeks, Romans, Chinese, Arabs – everyone stopped by the state’s ports in search of spices like black pepper and cardamom.
It traces its early history to the Kulashekhara (or Chera) dynasty, a Hindu clan that ruled Kerala between the 9th and 12th centuries AD.
It is under their rule that Malayalam emerged as a prominent language in the state, with it being the state language today.
Kerala’s unique cultural blend was shaped by its interactions with various civilizations, resulting in a state where Hindu temples, Christian churches, and Muslim mosques coexist harmoniously.
There are significant numbers of Muslims, Syrian Christians, and various other ethnic groups in the state along with a majority of Hindus.
Best Time To Visit Kerala
Hold on!
Before you pack your bags, you must know which season is the best for you to visit this beautiful state.
The best time to visit Kerala is between November to March. During this time, the rainfall has mostly cleared away, with skies becoming uncloudy and the weather turning pleasant.
The winter and early summer months are best to explore the state as it can get really hot and humid post March.
If you want to experience Kerala’s monsoon, you can visit the state from June to October, however there are chances that a lot of beaches and other tourist attractions might be closed off due to torrential rains.
How To Reach Kerala?
Kerala has 4 major airports located in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, and Kannur. All four of them facilitate both domestic and international flights.
Besides, the state is also well connected by railway networks and has several important railway junctions, namely Ernakulam, Kasaragod, Kozhikode, Thrissur, Kollam, Trivandrum, and many more.
If you are interested in a Kerala road trip, you’d be happy to know that there are several highways connecting its cities to major metropolitan cities like Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Delhi.
National Highways 17, 44, 47, and 49 as well as other important highways cut through Kerala’s landscape, making it easy to navigate from one city to another.
Travelers often start their Kerala itinerary from Kochi and then make their way to the south.
Places To Visit In Kerala
Kochi
Kochi or Cochin stands as one of the most important port cities in India, serving as an important trade hub in the medieval as well as ancient era.
Here, you can explore Fort Kochi, observe the iconic Chinese fishing nets, stroll through the streets, and visit beautifully constructed churches and temples.
Days recommended: 1 to 3 days
Read Also: 1 Day Trips From Kochi
Thiruvananthapuram
The state capital, Thiruvananthapuram, is known for its stunning architecture and plenty of picturesque beaches. This city also has a zoo and beautiful museums as well as several important temples.
While you are here, do not miss out on the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, an ancient structure rich in history and gold!
Days recommended: 1 to 2 days
Alleppey
Up next is a town that will give you the quintessential Kerala experience. Its serene backwaters and beautifully carved houseboats attract tourists from all over the world. Additionally, there are tons of beaches, churches, and temples to visit here.
Days recommended: 2 to 3 days
No best itinerary for Kerala is complete without mentioning this beautiful hill station. Sprawling tea estates, cascading waterfalls, and a lush green landscape that will mesmerize you, Munnar has got it all!
Plus, the nearby Eravikulam National Park is quite a popular place to witness Kerala’s wilderness.
Days recommended: 2 to 4 days
Wayanad
Wayanad is the best if you are an adrenaline junkie, thanks to its caves, waterfalls, coffee plantations, and exciting terrain.
Also, the Edakkal Caves here are home to some of the world’s oldest prehistoric petroglyphs!
Days recommended: 2 to 3 days
Varkala
Thanks to the internet, more and more people are visiting Varkala today in search of spiritual peace and a silent retreat away from the city life.
With plenty of unexplored beaches, temples, and yoga and meditation schools, Varkala is a quaint and calming beach town you wouldn’t want to miss out on.
Days recommended: 2 to 4 days
How Much Time To Spend In Kerala?
It is recommended that you spend at least a week or two in the state if you wish to explore the beauty of Kerala. The state is quite huge and offers plenty of unique experiences in each of its destinations.
Though it might seem that most cities and destinations in Kerala only offer beaches and mountain views, there is so much more than what meets the eye.
Each place has its own rich history and it is narrated by the various structures, monuments, and customs of that place.
Here’s a suggested breakdown of places to visit in your Kerala itinerary:
- Kerala itinerary 4 days: Kochi – Munnar – Alleppey
- Kerala itinerary 5 days/Kerala itinerary 6 days: Kochi – Munnar – Alleppey – Varkala
- Kerala itinerary 7 days: Kochi – Munnar – Thekkady – Alleppey – Varkala – Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala Must-Do Experiences
Stay In A Houseboat
Kerala is synonymous with houseboats amongst eager tourists – thanks to plenty of social media attention to these pretty houses on the water.
Alleppey has plenty of houseboats that are modeled off the traditional Kettuvellam boats – remember watching them in the iconic SRK and Preity Zinta song Jiya Jale?
Visit A Tea Plantation
While Karnataka’s coffee might be famous, Kerala is renowned for its lush green tea estates.
Idukki, Munnar, Thrissur, and Kottayam are famous for their mesmerizing tea plantations, so make sure you visit at least a few of them to get an authentic taste of Kerala’s chai or chaaya!
Feast On Kerala’s Sadya
You must’ve watched plenty of social media influencers trying out Onam Sadya, but do you know that many authentic eateries in Kerala serve Sadya on a regular basis?
Yes, it is Kerala’s traditional platter served on a banana leaf. There are small servings of multiple dishes like rice, vegetable curries, accompaniments, as well as meats, like a mini feast on a leaf!
Watch Kathakali And Kalaripayattu Performances
Kathakali and Kalaripayattu are two of the several traditional art forms of Kerala. These art forms are deeply rooted in Malayali culture and there are several theater groups, NGOs, and institutions working hard to preserve Kerala’s art forms.
Kathakali is a performance art where performers wear elaborate costumes and makeup. Without a single word, performers tell various stories especially from the Ramayana and Mahabharata using their eye expressions, body movements, and dance.
Kalaripayattu is thought to be India’s oldest surviving martial art form. It is performed with swords, staffs, and spears, and takes years to even fully grasp the basics.
The martial art form was banned by the British when people in Kerala rebelled against them, but it is a part of India and Kerala’s intangible cultural heritage.
Summing Up
While you’re trying to find the best itinerary for Kerala, here’s a comprehensive guide to help you know the state better and plan your trip accordingly.
From the best places to visit to must-do experiences, we’ve mentioned all that you need to know before embarking on your next adventure in the south of India.
While you are reading this, you can also read more about our suggested Kerala 5 day itinerary and Kerala 7 day itinerary!
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1. How Many Days Are Sufficient For A Kerala Trip?
If you wish to fully explore most of Kerala’s key attractions, a week will suffice. However, if you are a slow traveler or wish to explore Kerala’s hidden and lesser-known gems, you can take your own time.
Q2. What Should I Wear On A Vacation In Kerala?
Kerala, just like other southern states in India has a slightly higher and humid average temperature than North Indian states. This is why we recommend wearing loose, comfortable clothes of materials like pure cotton, mixed cotton, and linen. Wear light pastel colors and skip tight or darkly-colored clothes to avoid feeling uncomfortable in the heat and humidity.
Q3. What To Know Before Visiting Kerala?
You should know that Kerala, despite a significant winter season, enjoys mostly tropical weather throughout the year. But, some hill stations like Munnar and Thekkady can experience low temperatures, so make sure you pack both light clothes and winter wear like shawls, sweaters, and socks.
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