Kerala, on India’s tropical southwest coast, offers a completely different pace and landscape to the Golden Triangle – palm-lined backwaters, tea-covered hills, and a long tradition of Ayurvedic wellness, earning it the popular nickname “God’s Own Country.”
Overnight Backwater Houseboat Stay
The definitive Kerala experience - a traditional kettuvallam houseboat, converted into a comfortable floating suite, drifting slowly through Kerala's palm-fringed backwaters and past riverside villages. An overnight stay aboard is genuinely one of India's most distinctive travel experiences, and one we build into most Kerala itineraries.
Munnar Tea Plantations
Rolling hills carpeted in bright green tea gardens, Munnar offers a cool, misty contrast to Kerala's tropical coast - plantation tours, waterfalls, and genuinely spectacular viewpoints.
Ayurvedic Spa Treatment
Kerala is the traditional home of Ayurveda, India's ancient system of natural medicine, and many resorts offer genuinely authentic treatments rooted in centuries of practice, rather than a westernised spa-menu version of it.
Fort Kochi Walking Tour
A charming, low-key coastal town blending Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial influences, Fort Kochi's Chinese fishing nets, spice markets, and pastel-coloured streets make for a lovely, relaxed day of exploring.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
A boat safari across Periyar Lake offers a real chance of spotting wild elephants, alongside a rich variety of birdlife, set within the misty Western Ghats.
Yes — an e-Visa arranged online in advance is the simplest route. We're happy to guide you through this as part of booking.
September to March offers the most reliable, comfortable weather. Interestingly, Kerala's monsoon season (June-August) has its own devoted following - the backwaters are lush and green, and it's when traditional Ayurvedic treatments are considered most effective.
One overnight stay is the classic choice and genuinely enough to properly experience the backwaters at a relaxed pace, though longer multi-day cruises are available for those wanting more time on the water.
Very much so - Kerala pairs beautifully with Goa further up the coast for beach time, or with the Golden Triangle for a fuller North-to-South India itinerary.
As with the rest of India, we'd recommend sticking to bottled or filtered water throughout your stay - all the resorts we work with provide this as standard.
Where to stay
From a lakeside heritage retreat to a landscaped waterfront resort, here are two of Kerala's finest addresses.
The Raviz
Set amid lush greenery on the Ashtamudi Lake, The Raviz blends heritage architecture with genuinely tranquil, resort-style grounds - a strong base for exploring the surrounding backwaters.
Kumarakom Lake Resort
A beautifully landscaped waterfront resort on Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom pairs traditional Kerala architecture with genuine luxury - a lovely base before or after a houseboat stay.