Kerala

Kerala – God’s Own Holiday

Kerala is one of the most popular and easiest domestic international‑style getaways for Indian travellers. It blends backwaters, hill stations, wildlife, and beaches in a compact, well‑connected state. With Bayard Vacations, your Kerala holiday can be planned around the style you want — Munnar–Alleppey–Kovalam, Kochi–Munnar–Thekkady, or a longer loop that includes Wayanad or Varkala.

Kerala feels “abroad‑in‑India”: the houseboats, tea‑clad hills, spice‑scented forests, and long beaches give a relaxed, resort‑like holiday vibe, yet it’s easy to reach from major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad. It works especially well for families, couples, honeymooners, and first‑time hill‑and‑beach travellers.

Why Kerala Is a Strong Choice for Indian Travellers

Kerala is ideal if you want a domestic trip that feels like a full international holiday. It offers:

• A strong mix of backwaters, mountains, forests, and beaches

• Excellent road connectivity and English‑friendly service in tourist areas

• Wide availability of vegetarian food and family‑friendly resorts

• Good value for money compared to many international hill‑country destinations

Key reasons to choose Kerala:

• Perfect for backwater and hill‑station combinations (Munnar + Alleppey/Kumarakom)

• Great for beach extensions (Kovalam, Varkala) after hill‑station stays

• Works very well for honeymoons, families, and senior travellers

• Easy to plan in 4–7 days or extend to 8–10 days for a deeper experience

• Comfortable monsoon‑friendly timing (late September–March) for most of the state

Quick Overview

Popular Kerala Itineraries

Kochi–Munnar–Alleppey / Kumarakom (5–6 Days)

This is one of the most popular Kerala formats for Indian travellers, combining city, hills, and backwaters.

Typical pattern (5–6 days / 4–5 nights):

• Day 1: Arrival in Cochin (Kochi), local sightseeing.

• Day 2: Drive to Munnar (tea‑garden hills, viewpoints, waterfalls).

• Day 3: Munnar sightseeing (Eravikulam, tea‑estates, viewpoints).

• Day 4: Drive to Alleppey / Kumarakom and houseboat stay.

• Day 5: Houseboat backwater cruise, village life, evening in Cochin.

• Day 6: Departure after breakfast.

Best for: Families, couples, and first‑time Kerala travellers wanting a city–hill–backwater mix.

Kochi–Munnar–Thekkady–Kovalam (6–7 Days)

This adds wildlife (Thekkady) and beaches (Kovalam) for a more complete Kerala experience.

Typical pattern:

• Kochi → Munnar (hills and tea gardens)

• Munnar → Thekkady (Periyar Tiger Reserve, spice walks, boat ride)

• Thekkady → Kovalam / Trivandrum (beach and culture) → back to Kochi.

Best for:

• Couples seeking a romantic hill–wildlife–beach route

• Families who want more variety in 6–7 days

Packages of this style often start around ₹13,000–₹15,000 per person (land only) from major metros, with higher budgets for better hotels and houseboats.

Extended Kerala – Kochi–Wayanad–Varkala–Kovalam (8–10 Days)

This longer route adds Wayanad (lush forests, waterfalls, caves) and Varkala (cliff‑top beaches) for a deeper Kerala experience.

Highlights:

• Wayanad – wildlife, waterfalls, caves, and plantation stays.

• Varkala – quiet cliff‑beach ambiance, yoga‑friendly resorts.

• Can be combined with Munnar and Thekkady in a single 8–10 day loop.

Best for:

• Repeat Kerala visitors

• Couples and small groups who want a slow, layered holiday

Trip Cost from India

Kerala can fit a wide range of budgets. Current market data shows:

• Shorter Kerala trips (3–4 days, 1–2 centers) starting from about ₹10,000–₹12,000 per person (land only) on OTAs, but proper holiday packages with inclusions typically start higher.

• Classic 5–6 day “Munnar + backwaters”‑style packages generally fall in the ₹16,000–₹20,000 per person (land only) range depending on hotel category and inclusions.

• 7–10 day premium or honeymoon‑style packages (better hotels, private houseboats, private transfers) can range from ₹30,000–₹40,000+ per person.

Best Time to Visit Kerala

For most Indian travellers, the best time to visit Kerala is September to March, when the weather is pleasant and skies are clear.

• Hill stations (Munnar, Wayanad, Thekkady): October–March is ideal for cooler temperatures and clear views.

• Beaches (Kovalam, Varkala): November–March is best for dry, calm‑sea conditions; monsoon months (June–August) can be windy and rainy.

• Backwaters (Alleppey, Kumarakom): Popular year‑round but most comfortable October–March for smoother houseboat cruises and fewer rains.

Monsoon‑season trips are possible but are more suited for travellers who enjoy greenery, waterfalls, and fewer crowds, with some risk of rain and road‑related delays.

Top Places to Include in Your Kerala Package

Munnar – Tea‑Garden Hills

Munnar is Kerala’s most famous hill station, set amid rolling tea estates and mist.

Best for: Families, couples, honeymooners, and nature lovers.

Highlights:

• Eravikulam National Park (nilgiri tahr and mountain views)

• Tea‑estate viewpoints and photo‑op spots

• Pothamedu, Top Station, Mattupetty Dam

Alleppey & Kumarakom – Backwaters and Houseboats

Alleppey and Kumarakom define Kerala’s backwater experience.

Best for:

• Couples and honeymooners

• Families who enjoy slow‑pace boat travel and village life

Highlights:

• Houseboat stay and cruise through canals

• Village walks, coir‑making, and local cuisine experiences

Thekkady – Wildlife and Spice Trails

Thekkady (Periyar Tiger Reserve) adds a wildlife‑and‑spice‑territory angle to Kerala itineraries.

Best for:

• Wildlife enthusiasts

• Mature couples and small groups

Highlights:

• Boat ride on the Periyar Lake

• Spice‑garden tours and jungle walks

Kochi (Cochin) – Coastal City and Culture

Kochi is the usual gateway to Kerala’s hill‑and‑backwater circuits.

Best for:

• First‑time Kerala visitors

• Culture and history lovers

Highlights:

• Fort Kochi, Chinese fishing nets, heritage walks

• Mattancherry Palace, Jew Town, and local cafes

Kovalam & Varkala – Beach Life

Kovalam and Varkala bring classic Kerala‑beach vibes to the trip.

Best for:

• Couples and honeymooners

• Senior travellers who like slow‑pace beach stays

Highlights:

• Lighthouse beach, quiet shacks, and sunset views

• Ayurvedic spa and yoga options

How to Reach Kerala from India

Kerala is very well‑connected from major Indian cities:

• Air: Direct flights to Cochin (Kochi), Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode (Calicut), and Kannur from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and others. Flight durations are usually 2–3 hours from most metros.

• Rail: Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Kozhikode have strong rail links to the rest of India.

• Road: National highways make it easy to travel between Kochi–Munnar–Thekkady–Kovalam–Varkala–Wayanad as per the itinerary.

For most travellers, Cochin (Kochi) is the easiest and most comfortable entry point, from which Bayard can route to Munnar, Alleppey, Thekkady, Kovalam, Varkala, or Wayanad depending on the package.

Entry Requirements and Permits

Since Kerala is a domestic India destination:

• You only need a valid government ID (Aadhaar, voter ID, or passport).

• No special permits are required for most tourist areas (Munnar, Kochi, Alleppey, Kovalam, Thekkady, Varkala).

• Some wildlife or forest‑area activities (Periyar boat rides, jungle walks) are usually arranged by the operator and included in the package.

What Is Included in Bayard Kerala Packages

Most Kerala packages from Bayard can include:

• Hotel stays in Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey/Kumarakom, Kovalam, Varkala, and Wayanad (as per chosen route).

• Daily breakfast; many packages include lunch and dinner as well.

• Airport / railway‑station transfers in key cities.

• Sightseeing and local transfers (tea‑garden walks, Periyar boat ride, backwater houseboat, beach time).

• Houseboat stay or cruise in Alleppey/Kumarakom where included.

• On‑trip assistance and local guidance.

Typical exclusions:

• Domestic airfare (unless specifically bundled).

• Some optional paid activities (special jungle safaris, premium spa sessions).

• Personal expenses such as shopping, tips, and mini‑bar.

Why Book Kerala with Bayard Vacations

Kerala is a destination where good sequencing and hotel choices really improve the experience. The right hotel locations (near Munnar viewpoints or Alleppey canals), the right mix of hills, backwaters, and beaches, and smooth transfers between cities can make the holiday feel relaxed and well‑paced instead of rushed.

Bayard can help you build a Kerala trip that fits your style:

• A compact 4–5 day Munnar–Alleppey holiday.

• A romantic 6–7 day Kochi–Munnar–Thekkady–Kovalam route.

• A slower 8–10 day loop with Wayanad, Varkala, and backwater extensions.

The goal is to make the holiday easy, comfortable, and good value for money, while giving you the backwaters, hill stations, and beaches that matter most to you.