Kerala Tour Packages

Top Tourist Attractions to Explore in Kerala Tour Packages

1. Munnar- Where Tea Meets the Sky

Munnar sits at 1,600 metres in the Idukki district of Kerala, where three mountain rivers meet and the hills roll in every direction covered by the world's highest tea plantations. The 80,000 acres of tea estates that blanket the slopes were planted by the British from the 1870s onwards and still produce some of India's finest high-grown tea. But Munnar is not just tea, it is also home to Eravikulam National Park, where the critically endangered Nilgiri Tahr roams freely above 2,000 metres, and to Anamudi, South India's highest peak at 2,695 metres. The cool mist that rolls in each afternoon, the precise geometry of the tea rows against the green hillsides, and the silence between the mountains make Munnar one of the most visually distinctive destinations in South India.

Best Time to Visit- September to May (pleasant hill station weather) • October to March (clearest skies, best trekking) • Monsoon (June–August) mist and rain but stunning green, fewer tourists and lower prices • avoid April (hottest month in the valleys below)

Places to Visit- Eravikulam National Park • Kolukkumalai Tea Estate • Mattupetty Dam • Top Station • Attukal Waterfalls • Marayoor Sandalwood Reserve • Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary • Rajamala • Echo Point

What to Eat- Kerala Sadya (traditional banana-leaf feast, best on Fridays at local restaurants) • Puttu and Kadala Curry (steamed rice cylinders with chickpea curry) • Appam with Stew • Fresh Munnar tea at the KDHP Tea Museum • Jackfruit chips • Homemade plum wine at plantation estates

2. Alleppey (Alappuzha)- Backwaters and the Houseboat Experience

Alleppey officially Alappuzha sits at the heart of Kerala's backwater network: 900 kilometres of interconnected canals, rivers, lakes, and lagoons that run parallel to the Arabian Sea coast, separated only by narrow strips of land lined with coconut palms. The Vembanad Lake, Kerala's largest, spreads across 2,033 square kilometres and is the stage for the Nehru Trophy Boat Race  the most famous snake boat race in India, held every August on the second Saturday. The traditional kettuvallam (rice barge) converted into a floating hotel the Kerala houseboat is the most sought-after accommodation experience in South India and the image that defines Kerala tourism worldwide. Alleppey is the point from which most houseboat journeys begin, and the town itself has a network of canals that earn it the name "Venice of the East."

Best Time to Visit- November to February (best houseboat weather, calm water) • August (Nehru Trophy Boat Race book 3 months ahead) • September to March (overall peak season) • Monsoon (June–August) the backwaters fill and the landscape turns brilliant green, but rain can be heavy

Places to Visit- Vembanad Lake • Punnamada Lake • Kuttanad Backwaters • Alleppey Beach • Marari Beach • Krishnapuram Palace • Pathiramanal Island • Alappuzha Lighthouse

What to Eat- Karimeen Pollichathu (pearl spot fish wrapped in banana leaf and grilled Alleppey's signature dish) • Kerala Prawn Curry • Tapioca with Fish Curry • Toddy (palm wine) with spicy fish fry at lakeside toddy shops • Coconut-based fish curries on the houseboat • Chemeen Biryani

3. Thekkady & Periyar- Spice, Wildlife, and the Western Ghats

Thekkady is the town; Periyar is the tiger reserve that surrounds it on three sides and spills down into the Periyar Lake, a reservoir created in 1895 whose waters brought elephants, gaur, sambar, and tigers to its banks and made the entire landscape one of India's most productive wildlife habitats. The Periyar Tiger Reserve covers 925 square kilometres of the Western Ghats, and the boat ride on Periyar Lake is Kerala's most iconic wildlife experience not for guaranteed tiger sightings, which are rare, but for the near-certain sightings of wild elephants drinking at the water's edge in the early morning. The hills around Thekkady are blanketed with spice, tea, and coffee plantations that produce cardamom, pepper, vanilla, and cinnamon, the spices that made Kerala one of the most traded regions on earth for two thousand years.

Best Time to Visit- October to June (wildlife season, spice harvest) • November to February (best weather, Cardamom Hills at their most atmospheric) • Monsoon (June–August) — beautiful mist, very few tourists, but some trails closed

Places to Visit- Periyar Lake • Periyar Tiger Reserve • Kumily Spice Market • Mangala Devi Temple • Abraham's Spice Garden • Pandikuzhi • Chellarkovil Viewpoint

What to Eat- Cardamom Tea (the local specialty, brewed fresh from estate-grown cardamom) • Kerala Chicken Stew with Appam • Idiyappam with Egg Curry • Bamboo Rice (in tribal homestays near the reserve) • Spice-infused Kerala Biriyani • Ela Ada

4. Kochi (Cochin)- Where Continents Converge

Kochi is the city where every major maritime civilisation left a permanent mark, the Chinese fishing nets that still operate on the waterfront, the Paradesi Synagogue built in 1568 (the oldest in the Commonwealth), the Portuguese Fort Manuel, the Mattancherry Palace at Mattancherry, and St. Francis Church where Vasco da Gama was first buried before his remains were returned to Portugal. Fort Kochi, the narrow peninsula that holds all of this history, is a genuinely extraordinary place, a grid of colonial streets where Indo-Portuguese houses with carved wooden verandas stand beside contemporary art galleries, boutique hotels in restored warehouses, and some of the finest restaurants in South India. The Kochi-Muziris Biennale, India's largest contemporary art event held every two years, has added another cultural layer to one of India's most cosmopolitan cities.

Best Time to Visit- October to March (ideal weather, dry and pleasant) • December–January (Kochi-Muziris Biennale in even years — extraordinary art event) • Monsoon (June–August) — the sea is rough, some boat tours suspended, but the city is atmospheric and uncrowded

Places to Visit- Fort Kochi • Chinese Fishing Nets • Paradesi Synagogue • Mattancherry Palace • St. Francis Church • Santa Cruz Basilica • Hill Palace Museum • Cherai Beach • Vypeen Island

What to Eat- Kerala Fish Curry with Red Rice (the definitive Kerala meal) • Appam and Chicken Stew • Duck Roast at Kashi Art Café • Seafood at Oceanos or Fort House • Banana chips and Kerala Halwa at Jew Town shops • Filter Coffee • Toddy (palm wine) at the waterfront

5. Wayanad- Kerala's Wild North

Wayanad is Kerala's northernmost district a high plateau at 700 to 2,100 metres where coffee, tea, and pepper plantations give way to dense Nilgiri Biosphere forest that connects directly with Nagarhole and Bandipur in Karnataka. The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary covers 344 square kilometres of this forest and shelters one of the highest elephant populations in India, estimates put the Wayanad elephant population at over 1,000. But Wayanad's appeal extends well beyond wildlife. The district has the largest concentration of tribal communities in Kerala, with over 18 recognised tribes; the Edakkal Caves contain Neolithic rock carvings dating back 6,000 years; and the Chembra Peak trek leads to a heart-shaped lake at 2,100 metres that is one of the most photographed natural formations in Kerala.

Best Time to Visit- October to May (wildlife season, trekking) • November to February (clearest skies, all trails open) • Monsoon (June–September) — the forest turns extraordinary but leeches on trails and some routes close

Places to Visit- Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary • Chembra Peak • Edakkal Caves • Pookode Lake • Meenmutty Waterfalls • Thirunelli Temple • Banasura Sagar Dam • Soochipara Waterfalls

What to Eat- Bamboo Rice (a tribal specialty made from the seeds of flowering bamboo, available only seasonally) • Kerala Porotta with Beef Curry (Wayanad specialty) • Puttu and Kadala Curry • Black Coffee from Wayanad estates • Jackfruit preparations • Tribal honey from forest beehives

6. Kovalam & Varkala- Kerala's Cliff Beaches

Kerala's southern beaches are fundamentally different from the flat coastal stretches of Goa. Varkala beach sits at the base of a 15-metre red laterite cliff the only place in the south of India where cliffs adjoin the Arabian Sea topped by a long promenade of Ayurveda centres, yoga shalas, and restaurants that look down over the water. Kovalam, 16 kilometres south of Thiruvananthapuram, has three crescent beaches separated by rocky headlands: Lighthouse Beach, Hawah Beach, and Samudra Beach. Between Kovalam and Varkala lies Papanasam Beach (Varkala's main stretch), considered sacred by Hindus for its natural springs that emerge from the cliff face and flow directly into the sea. Both towns offer extended Ayurvedic retreat packages Kerala is the birthplace of Ayurveda, and the southern districts have the highest concentration of authentic practitioners.

Best Time to Visit- November to March (best beach weather, calm sea) • September to October (post-monsoon, sea greener and cleaner than peak season) • Monsoon (June–August) — beaches close for swimming but Ayurveda retreats operate at their best (monsoon is the traditional season for Ayurveda treatment)

Places to Visit- Varkala Cliff • Papanasam Beach • Kovalam Lighthouse Beach • Hawah Beach • Kappil Beach • Padmanabhaswamy Temple • Ponnumthuruthu Island

What to Eat- Karimeen Pollichathu (pearl spot fish in banana leaf) • Kerala Prawn Curry • Tapioca and Fish Curry (kappa meen curry) • Coconut-based crab masala • Fresh catch grilled at cliff-top restaurants (Varkala) • Payasam (sweet rice pudding with jaggery and coconut milk)

7. Kumarakom- Backwaters Without the Crowds

Kumarakom is what Alleppey was before tourism arrived in volume, a quiet village on the eastern shore of Vembanad Lake, 16 kilometres from Kottayam, where the backwaters are wider, the bird sanctuary is active, and the houseboat experience is significantly less crowded than the Alleppey circuit. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary covers 14 acres of reclaimed paddy land and wetland on the lake's edge, and between November and January it hosts migratory species including Siberian cranes, egrets, darters, and herons alongside year-round residents like the Indian shag and kingfisher. The lake at Kumarakom is wider and calmer than Alleppey's narrow backwater channels, the sunrise and sunset here over open water, with the Western Ghats visible on the horizon on clear days, is considered the finest panoramic view in Kerala's backwater region.

Best Time to Visit- November to February (migratory birds at Kumarakom Sanctuary, best backwater weather) • August (Nehru Trophy boat race visible from the lake) • Monsoon (June–August) the lake fills dramatically, fewer boats on water, extraordinary light for photography

Places to Visit- Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary • Vembanad Lake • Pathiramanal Island • Bay Island Driftwood Museum • Kumarakom Beach • Kottayam • Aruvikkuzhi Waterfall

What to Eat- Kottayam-style Fish Curry (distinctive use of kudampuli / Gamboge for sourness) • Duck Mappas (duck in coconut milk gravy, a Kottayam Christian community specialty) • Appam with Mutton Stew • Karimeen Pollichathu • Fresh toddy (palm wine) with spiced tapioca

8. Thrissur- Cultural Capital and Temple Festival Country

Thrissur holds the title of Kerala's cultural capital, and when the Thrissur Pooram arrives each April or May, it earns that title beyond any argument. The Thrissur Pooram is the largest temple festival in Kerala a single day during which the elephant procession of Vadakkumnathan Temple, accompanied by 200 percussion musicians in a tradition called Panchavadyam, and the competing fireworks displays of two rival temple groups, creates a sensory experience that 1.5 million people attend annually. Outside festival season, Thrissur contains Kerala's finest collection of temples the Vadakkumnathan Temple at its centre is one of the oldest Shiva temples in India along with the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, the Thrissur Pooram Museum, and the Athirapally Waterfalls and Vazhachal Waterfalls 60 kilometres east, which are the filming location for dozens of South Indian films.

Best Time to Visit- April to May (Thrissur Pooram, the most spectacular single-day festival in Kerala) • October to March (comfortable weather for sightseeing) • Monsoon (June–September) — Athirapally Waterfalls at peak flow

Places to Visit- Vadakkumnathan Temple • Thrissur Pooram Ground • Kerala Folklore Museum • Athirapally Waterfalls • Vazhachal Waterfalls • Shakthan Thampuran Palace • Kerala Kalamandalam

What to Eat- Kerala Sadya on banana leaf (Thrissur is considered to have the most authentic Sadya in Kerala) • Unniyappam (small fried rice and jaggery balls, temple prasad) • Ela Ada • Pazham Pori (banana fritters) • Kadachakka (breadfruit) preparations • Puttu with Kadala

9. Kannur- Theyyam Country and the Malabar Coast

Kannur is Kerala's best-kept secret from mass tourism a northern Malabar coast district where the beaches are empty, the fish is extraordinarily fresh, and Theyyam is performed. Theyyam is a ritual art form unique to northern Kerala, a performer embodies a deity through costume, make-up, and trance, transforming over three to four hours from human to god in front of a village community. Over 400 Theyyam forms exist, each with a distinct costume, narrative, and ritual, and between October and May they are performed at village shrines across Kannur and Kasaragod districts. Witnessing a Theyyam, not a cultural show staged for tourists, but a real community ritual is the single most extraordinary cultural experience available in Kerala. Kannur also has 17 kilometres of unbroken beach at Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach India's longest drive-in beach and a 16th-century Portuguese fort at St. Angelo Fort that is one of the best-preserved colonial forts in South India.

Best Time to Visit- October to May (Theyyam season- the only time to see this ritual) • November to February (best beach weather) • Monsoon (June–September) — Theyyam season pauses, but the Malabar coast in monsoon is atmospheric

Places to Visit- Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach • St. Angelo Fort • Payyambalam Beach • Parassinikadavu Temple • Arakkal Museum • Kannur Handloom Cooperatives • Meenkunnu Beach • Dharmadom Island

What to Eat- Malabar Biriyani (Thalassery Biriyani distinctive from Hyderabadi or Kolkata varieties, with small-grain Khyma rice and unique spicing) • Kallumakkaya (mussels, a Malabar coast specialty) • Fish Molee • Parottas with beef curry • Unnakaya (banana and coconut stuffed fritters) • Malabar Halwa.

Activities to Do with Kerala Tour Packages

Here are some of the activities that you can do with Kerala trip packages:

1. Alleppey Houseboat cruise- When you step onto the boat, things automatically slow down. You can feel the water move gently around you and the view keeps changing as you pass through narrow canals that wider areas.

2. Tea estate visit in Munnar- Walking through a tea estate in Munnar can feel really relaxing. The rows of tea bushes go beyond the hills, making the air feel cooler. You will see many hardworking workers picking up leaves. Try visiting the factory to also understand the process of how these leaves turn into the warm and delicious cup of tea you sip. 

3. Wildlife safari in Thekkady- You get to sit in a boat that moves across the lake while watching the edges carefully. The stillness and greenery of the forest around you will keep the experience unforgettable. 

4. Kathakali performance in Kochi- You get to see the preparation before the show even begins. It can be makeup, costumes, the slow transformation, everything before your eyes. Once the performance starts, the movements and expressions will instantly grab your attention. 

5. Ayurveda Spa session- When you step into this spa session, you will feel calm right from the start. The warm oils, the movements, which are slow and steady, you will instantly start feeling lighter and feel almost like your body has reset a little. 

6. Village walks in backwaters- This is the most famous and great experience in Kerala. You get to walk through narrow paths, past homes and small shops. Many people go about their day and you get to take a closer look at how life actually works here. 

7. Wayanad Trekking- You will get to hear the clear whistle of the Malabar whistling thrush and the sharp calls of the hill myna when you move ahead. You may also get to see the Indian paradise flycatcher that flashes past between trees. You can also get to see black bulbul and jungle fowl which are often heard nearby.

Must Try Food Experience During Kerala Tour

Everything you eat in Kerala feels layered and relaxed. You can sit down for a sadya and the banana leaf gradually fills. You get rice at the centre, then curries, pickles, thoran and small side dishes which are placed around it. And the great thing is that each mix gives you a small different taste.  Fish curry comes with a tangy edge. It is carefully balanced by coconut and spices and is best taken with plain rice.  Another dish called Appam and stew feels lighter. It has crisp edges and a soft centre that soaks up the gravy. Try the Malabar biryani which has fragrant and mild rice for a burst of flavours.

Do not leave Kerala without trying puttu with kadala curry. It is a soft and slightly grainy rice with a spiced chickpea side. Another famous dish, Kerala parotta with beef fry is a must try in this state. It is flaky and rich which is often served hot and slightly crisp. The karimeen pollichathu is a pearl spot fish that is wrapped in banana leaf which carries a smoky spiced taste. Another must try dish is avial which brings a mix of vegetables in a coconut base which is mild and comforting. End your meal with delicious payasam which is sweet and warm. 

What to Shop in Kerala? 

When you shop in Kerala, you will feel closely tied to what you wear, taste and see around you. Each of the things you buy in the state comes carefully curated from local farms, kitchens and workshops, making every object distinct. Kerala is also a heaven for foodies because food items are easiest to fall for here. Fresh banana chips are sliced thin and fried in coconut oil that gives them a clean, slightly sweet aroma and a crisp bite.

Jackfruit chips are another thicker and famous food item that you should try in Kerala. Another famous item is a banana halwa that is dense, glossy and rich with a deep flavor of caramel. You will also find achappam and kuzhalappam, which are traditional snacks that are quite light, crunchy and often made during festivals. 

Kerala is a heaven for spice lovers. Spices like cardamom, black pepper, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg from Thekkady are some of the must-buy items. Malabar tea from Munnar is really fresh, especially when they are brewed strongly. 

If you are a fashion lover, you will love the collection Kerala holds. Clothing here is full of simplicity but with detail. Kasavu saris are quite soft, usually off white or green in color, with golden borders that catch light without looking loud. They are usually worn during festivals and events, and feel light against the skin. The set mundu follows a similar style when paired as a two piece outfit.  

Beyond this you can also buy Aranmula Kannadi, which is a traditional mirror made from polished metal instead of glass. You can also look for products like mats and baskets made from coconut husk that are commonly used in Kerala homes. Kathakali masks and wooden handicrafts are also popular souvenirs which are inspired by Kerala's traditional art and culture.

Best Time to Visit Kerala

Kerala is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit depends on the kind of experience you want. From mist-covered hill stations and wildlife safaris to backwater cruises and beach holidays, every season in Kerala offers a different atmosphere.

Winter Season (October to February)- Best Overall Time

Winter is considered the best season for Kerala tour packages. The weather remains pleasant across the state, with cool mornings in the hills, comfortable temperatures in the cities, and calm conditions along the coast and backwaters.

This is the ideal time for Houseboat stays in Alappuzha and Kumarakom, Tea plantation holidays in Munnar, Wildlife safaris in Periyar Tiger Reserve and Wayanad, Beach holidays in Varkala and Kovalam and Honeymoon trips and family vacations. December and January are peak travel months, so early booking is recommended for hotels and houseboats.

Summer Season (March to May)- Best for Hill Stations

While the plains and coastal regions become warmer during summer, Kerala’s hill stations remain pleasant and green. This is a great time to explore tea estates, waterfalls, spice plantations, and forest regions with fewer crowds than winter.

Best summer destinations include Munnar, Wayanad, Vagamon, Thekkady. Summer is also a good season for budget travellers, as hotel prices are often lower outside peak months.

Monsoon Season (June to September)- Kerala at Its Greenest

Monsoon transforms Kerala into one of the most beautiful landscapes in India. The rain-fed backwaters fill dramatically, waterfalls become powerful, forests turn intensely green, and mist covers the Western Ghats.

The monsoon season is ideal for Ayurveda and wellness retreats, Nature photography, Romantic slow travel, Waterfall visits and Off-season luxury stays. Destinations like Munnar, Wayanad, and Athirapally become especially scenic during this period. Kerala’s monsoon is also traditionally considered the best season for Ayurvedic therapies and Panchakarma treatments.

How to Reach Kerala?

Kerala is one of the best-connected states in South India, with multiple international airports, major railway stations, and excellent road connectivity from neighbouring states.

By Air

Kerala has four major international airports connecting the state with major Indian cities and international destinations.

Main airports include:

• Cochin International Airport- best for Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey, and central Kerala itineraries
• Trivandrum International Airport- ideal for Kovalam, Varkala, and south Kerala tours
• Calicut International Airport- convenient for Wayanad and north Kerala
• Kannur International Airport- best for Kannur, Bekal, and Kasaragod

Direct flights operate from major cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Dubai, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi.

By Train

Kerala has an extensive railway network connecting all major tourist destinations. Important railway stations include Kochi (Ernakulam Junction), Trivandrum Central, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Kozhikode, Thrissur, Kannur. Train travel is one of the most scenic ways to enter Kerala, especially along the coastal and backwater routes.

By Road

Kerala is well connected by highways from neighbouring states including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Goa. Road trips through Kerala are especially popular because of the changing scenery between beaches, forests, hills, and plantations.

Popular road routes include:

• Bangalore → Wayanad
• Coimbatore → Munnar
• Madurai → Thekkady
• Kochi → Alleppey → Varkala coastal route

Private cabs are the most comfortable option for Kerala itineraries, especially when covering multiple destinations.

Kerala Tour Packages From Major Cities

Kerala is one of India's most sought-after holiday destinations, attracting travellers from every corner of the country. Whether you're planning a romantic honeymoon, a family vacation, a luxury retreat, or a relaxing backwater holiday, our customised Kerala Tour Packages can be tailored to suit your departure city, travel style, and budget.

At Vayable Trip, we offer complete Kerala holiday packages with flights, train bookings, hotel stays, private transportation, sightseeing, houseboat experiences, and personalised itinerary planning.

Fully Customisable Kerala Holidays

All Kerala packages can be customised with:

• Flight and train ticket assistance
• Premium hotels, resorts, and houseboat stays
• Private AC transportation
• Sightseeing and activity planning
• Honeymoon inclusions and romantic experiences
• Family-friendly itineraries
• Luxury Kerala holiday upgrades
• Ayurveda and wellness retreat options
• Dedicated trip support throughout your journey

Tell us your preferred departure city, travel dates, and budget, and we'll create a personalised Kerala itinerary designed around your travel goals.

Why Choose Kerala Tour Packages from Vayable Trip

At Vayable Trip, we design Kerala holidays around authentic experiences rather than rushed sightseeing checklists. Our itineraries focus on slower travel, carefully selected stays, scenic routes, and local experiences that allow travellers to experience Kerala beyond standard tourist circuits.

Whether you are planning a romantic honeymoon, a luxury backwater holiday, a family vacation, or a complete Kerala road trip, we create personalised Kerala tour packages designed around comfort, experience, and unforgettable journeys.