Kerala: God’s Own Country
How to Plan a Trip to Kerala in 2025: Your Ultimate Travel Guide
At SkysketchIndia Holidays, we believe every destination has a story to tell. Imagine this: you are surrounded by serene backwaters, emerald green hills, and the distant scent of tea and spices. That’s Kerala—God’s Own Country. This Southern Indian state cannot be simply described as a “destination”—it’s an emotion, an emotion that cannot be fully understood until it is witnessed and felt.
With gentle coconut trees swaying in the wind and chiming temple bells, Kerala embraces you like a long-lost friend. Answer the call of Kerala with our exclusive Kerala tour packages from Kolkata! However, go through this tour guide before moving forward with our package. Our special Kerala guide is made to ensure that you get to explore this paradise in its full glory! Plan a trip to Kerala following this guide.
When is the Best Time to visit Kerala?
The most important thing when you plan a trip to Kerala is to clear understanding of when to visit it. Considering this, selecting the best time to visit Kerala will let you do whatever you want to do without much stress. Kerala has three distinct seasons: Winter, Summer, and Monsoon. Each of these seasons has its speciality. Each of them will contribute to your unique experience. The details are provided below:
Winter (October to February)
If you are planning a family trip, winter will be the best choice for you. During this season, the average temperature ranges between 20 to 28℃, and the weather is very comfortable. This means it is perfect for sightseeing tours, cruises, and beach activities.
What can you do in Winter?
- Ride the houseboats in Kumarakom and Alleppey
- Enjoy the beach in Kovalam or Varkala
- Witness the Theyyam and Cochin Carnival Festival
Summer (March to May)
Summers in Kerala are hot and dry. The temperature ranges between 29 to 40°C, with the scorching sun overhead. Therefore, you have to carry your summer essentials. This time is best for a visit if you want discounts on accommodations.
What can you do in the Summer?
- Best time to visit Vagamon and Thekkady
- Enjoy the Thrissur Pooram festival
Monsoon (June to September)
Monsoon will be the best time to visit Kerala for you if you are a nature lover. Although the frequent rains can be a cause for stress, witnessing the state becoming a green paradise makes it worth it. You can go on nature walks and chill.
What can you do in the Monsoon?
- This is the best time to visit the Athirapally Falls
- Witness the famed Nehru Trophy Boat Race
- The best time for going on trekking adventures
If you follow this, you will have the best trip to Kerala!
How to Reach Kerala?
The next thing you must keep in mind while you plan a trip to Kerala is how to get there. Considering this, there are three ways through which you can reach Kerala from Kolkata. You can travel by train, air, or road. Air is the fastest way to travel, but train is the most cost-effective. More details below:
Air:
There are options to fly directly from Kolkata to Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram International Airport) and Kochi (Kochi International Airport). In addition, you can also opt for connecting flights through cities like Chennai or Bangalore. As per the choice of your flight, the average journey time will be 2 to 3 hours.
Railways:
You can take direct trains from Howrah Station to reach Kerala from Kolkata. The average duration of the journey will range from 38 to 45 hours, depending on the train you choose.
Popular Train Choices:
- GURUDEV EXP (12660)
- SCL TVC EXPRESS (12508)
- SHM TVC SUF EXP (22642)
Road:
The distance between Kolkata and Kochi is roughly over 2000 kilometres. There are no direct buses. But if you want, you can plan a long drive. But planning for it will be quite stressful. However, if you still choose to take your car, the average travel time will be 42 to 44 hours. In that case, we suggest you take the necessities to sustain yourself (and your companions if you have them) throughout the drive.
Choose the Best Place for Yourself!
Like most Indian states, Kerala is very diverse. It has everything that you might crave for a holiday. Whether it’s a day by the beach, a trek to the calm mountains, or even a walk in the tea plantations, Kerala is a candy shop! Therefore, make up your mind if you want a good holiday experience. In fact, the best place will make your trip to Kerala worth remembering! To help you get a better understanding of Kerala’s diversity, we have categorised the best offerings of the State below:
Beaches
Love the beach? Well, these are the best spots for you:
Varkala: This coastal town is an underrated paradise coloured with golden sands, rushing waters, and a calm vibe.
Kovalam: Want to experience sunbathing? This is the place for you. You can also participate in water sports like surfing, and go to the local ayurvedic centres for a calming massage.
Marari: If you like beaches, but not crowds, this must be on your list. This underrated tourist spot will give you a glimpse into the lives of the local fishermen.
Hill Stations
If you are a mountain lover, these are your best choices:
Wayanad: Wayanad will welcome you with its wildlife sanctuaries, waterfalls, and lush green forests. You can trek and explore the beauty of this place.
Munnar: This is one of the most famous hill stations of Kerala. Munnar will offer you scenic views, majestic waterfalls, trekking opportunities, and more.
Thekkady: This place is best known for its spice gardens. You can also visit specific spots like Periyar Tiger Reserve, Gavi Forest, and Mullaperiyar Dam.
Backwaters
Experience the famed backwaters of Kerala in these spots:
Kollam: If you want a slow vacation, this spot will be perfect for you! The golden sands and the calm atmosphere will calm your mind.
Kumarakom: This place has earned a reputation for its luxury resorts and bird sanctuaries. So both the backwaters and nature will welcome you!
Alleppey: Famously known as the Venice of the East, this spot is best known for its backwaters and houseboats.
Munroe Island – Backwater Mangrove forest, near Kollam
Nature and Wildlife
Kerala will surely be your paradise if you love nature! Considering this, your choices can be:
Silent Valley National Park: This is best for you if you want to see tropical rainforests in their full glory.
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary: A great place if you want to see exotic and rare species.
Periyar National Park: If you love tigers, this is the place for you.
Cultural Highlights of Kerala
A trip to Kerala cannot be complete without experiencing authentic Malayali culture. In this light, some of your options are:
Kathakali Dance Performances
If you ask a common man what comes to his mind on hearing Kerala, the uncontested answer will be Kathakali. Kathakali is a dance-drama in which the performers enact stories from epics and mythology. They adorn themselves with striking makeup and vibrant costumes. If you want to experience this live, your best choices would be Thekkady or Fort Kochi.
Temple Festivals
The ancient roots of Kerala are preserved through its temples. Throughout the year, these temples become centres of vibrant festivals which showcase authentic Malayali culture to natives and tourists alike. Considering this, events like Attukal Pongala and Thrissur Pooram are worth witnessing once in your lifetime!
Ayurvedic Treatments
Kerala is the home of Ayurveda. Thus, if you want a complete and authentic experience, you must visit one of the local Ayurvedic centres in Kovalam or Varkala. You can opt for traditional Ayurvedic treatments, therapeutic massages, and heal effectively.
Activities in Kerala
When you plan a trip to Kerala, keep these activities in mind!
Tea Plantation Tour
Kerala is well-known for its tea gardens and tea plantations. You can see most of these plantations in places like Wayanad and Munnar. Exploring these places with a knowledgeable local guide is an advantage, as they can provide you with detailed information regarding the tea-making process. This includes everything from the plucking of the tea leaves to how they end up in your cup. If you are a photographer, do not forget to click pictures! The tea gardens are gorgeous!
Houseboat Cruise
A Kerala trip cannot be complete without experiencing the famed backwaters. And you cannot get the complete experience unless you opt for a houseboat ride. Considering this, the best spots to experience this are Alleppey and Kumarakom. Both of these places are known for their calm atmosphere, which is marked by serene waters and breathtaking natural views. You can relax and enjoy the slow life here.
Wildlife Safaris
Due to its immense natural diversity, Kerala is known for thrilling wildlife safaris. Considering this, some of the notable wildlife sanctuaries in this state are Chinnar and the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Both of these places have animals like elephants, birds, tigers, and many others. You can engage in activities like tiger spotting and elephant riding.
Food and Cuisine
Malabari Biryani
This is one of the most well-known dishes of Kerala. Its ingredients include short-grain rice, special spices, and soft meat. It has a distinct smell that is sure to make your mouth water. Best served hot, you can try it in local restaurants in Kunnur or Kozhikode.
Sadya
Sadya is a special dish that is directly connected to the local mythology of Kerala. It is often accompanied by side dishes like sambhar, thoran, avial, and payasam, and served on a fresh banana leaf. It is best to try this dish during Onam.
Kerala Fish Curry
This is a staple food in the coastal areas of Kerala. This colourful curry is made with coconut milk and fish. Spices like turmeric, tamarind, and others are also used. It is best to eat it with rice or roasted bread. You can eat this at any local eatery in Kovalam or Varkala.
Appam
Appam is the Malayali twist on pancakes. Made primarily from coconut and rice, this delicacy is known for its equal softness and crunchiness. It is often given with a vegetable curry. You can get this dish in local eating houses in Kochi and Munnar. This is a breakfast item, so do not be late!
Get Around Locally
Local Buses
Kerala has a very well-connected transport system. If you want to explore any town or city all by your own but also want to take care of your pocket, you can take the local KSRTC buses.
Taxies and Rickshaws
Along with buses, cabs, and taxis are also available. If you want to explore the big cities, this is your best option.
Ferries
If you want to explore the backwaters of Kerala, you can do so through the ferries. Ferries are readily available in the big cities, and the ticket price is nominal. Truly a small price to pay for breathtaking views.
Choosing the best type of transportation for yourself is a vital part of your trip to Kerala!
Kerala Tour Essentials
If you want to plan a trip to Kerala, you need to prioritise your comfort. For that, you cannot forget to pack:
Clothing and Accessories
- Lightweight casual clothes
- Steady walking shoes
- Rain jacket
- Light sweater (for winter)
- Rain essentials (for monsoon)
Other Essentials
- First Aid Kit
- Portable chargers/ electronics
- Travel documents
- Camera
- Snacks
- Reusable water bottle
And other essentials.
Enjoy your Stay!
If you want to have the most authentic experience of Kerala, choose us, SkysketchIndia Holidays, as your travel partner. With our curated packages, you will truly have a once-in-a-lifetime experience! So wait no longer! Start making your travel plans! Make your trip to Kerala a memorable one with us!
