Planning a Kerala holiday for your self is a step by step process. You need to know a lot of information before you start off planning a visit to the South Indian state of Kerala, tag-lined as “Gods Own Country”. This beautiful state attracts many, year after year and the graph is always going up. There are a lot of international travelers as well as domestic travelers who cherish fond memories about Kerala. As a tour operator in Kerala we have been seeing a lot of guests, their experiences and this blog post shares information, starting from applying for a Visa to where all you should be going depending on your taste and interest.
Kerala is a located on the southernmost tip of India and any international traveler apart from Nepal, Bhutan and Maldivian nationals would need to have a valid Indian Visa to enter the sub-continent. There is also an option available for a bunch of countries whose citizens can avail the Visa on arrival facility available at few Indian airports. An Indian Visa application is a straightforward process. The application could be made online at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ or you could visit the Indian Embassy in your country or various other Indian Missions in your country.
Kerala has three International Airports open to the public; these are Kozhikode International Airport (North Kerala), Cochin International Airport (Central Kerala – most popular) and Trivandrum International Airport (South Kerala). Middle East carriers have excellent connectivity with these three airports. Of these Cochin International Airport has the best and the highest flight arrivals from the Middle East. The Emirates have two arrivals each day, which eventually has good connectivity to Europe and other Western Nations. There are multiple low-cost carriers and full-service airlines operational from Malaysia and Singapore which easily connects far East to Kerala.
1. Beaches in Kerala and the long Coastline
Kerala is a coastal state with a coastline of around eight hundred kilometres, and there are some of the most exotic and romantic beaches on this coast. Of these Cherai is the nearest beach destination to Cochin Airport. Mararikulam is another popular beach destination in the district of Alleppey, south of Cochin Airport. Other beautiful beaches would be Varkala, Chowara, and Kovalam (all of them in South Kerala close to Trivandrum). Towards North, there is the Bekal beach, Muzhipilangadi and Kannur that have some of the finest beaches. So if you are sun sand and sea lover, you have lot many options available in Kerala.
2. Backwaters of Kerala – Something Unique to Kerala
The backwaters are something specific to Kerala that lay parallel to the Arabian Sea. The Vembanad lake spread across the districts of Alleppey, Kottayam and Cochin is the largest backwater lake in Kerala, that occupies 99 percent of the houseboats in the State. The backwater destinations include Kumarakom, Muhamma and Alleppey. Alleppey is more known for the houseboats of Kerala, on the other hand, Muhamma is known for homestays and small boutique backwater resorts. Kumarakom is known for high-end backwater resort. These three destinations are to be considered if you are looking for a backwater experience.
3. The Hill Stations of Kerala and the long Western Ghat stretch
The mighty Western Ghats lie very much parallel to the Arabian Sea. As the crow flies, it is less than 100 kilometers to reach from coastal Kerala to the high ranges of Kerala. The highest peak in South India, the Anamudi is located at the Eravikulam National Park in Munnar. The Western Ghats go up north to Maharashtra, inhabiting a wide range of Flora and Fauna in the Indian Subcontinent. Some of the places you should be visiting in the high ranges would be Munnar for the tea plantations and serene beauty, and Thekkady – a popular spice hub. Cochin is the nearest Airport to both these destinations.
4. Wildlife Reserves and Rich Flora and Fauna
The Western Ghats had some of the most diverse Flora and Fauna in the world. Most of them have been replaced by plantations now. Today the Govt. of Kerala has marked a reserve area for the wild being and the forests. There are a few forest and wildlife reserves, the most famous ones being the Eravikulam National Park in Munnar and the Periyar National Park in Thekkady. The Periyar National park and the forest department offers a lot of forest and wildlife-related activities for guests visiting Kerala.
5. More interesting elements of Art, History, and Monuments
The kings and kingdoms in Kerala appreciated art and culture and favored local traditions and cultures. The state has a history dating back to 2000 years. It is believed that Christianity and Islam entered India through the ancient port town of Muziris. There are small places of local kingdoms as well as significant places like the Padmanabhapuram Palace, South of Trivandrum, which is the largest wooden palace in Asia. There is a long history of Jews and Christians in Kerala. The port town of Cochin had been the base of the colonial rulers in Kerala and India. The colonial building still retains their charm, beautifying the city.
The Kochi Muziris Biennale happens every two years in Kochi and the best way to organize a Kerala holiday is to have a reliable Kerala tour operator. To experience Kerala, you would need to travel through the length and breadth of the state, hopping from destination to destination. The state is friendly to backpackers as well as for the most splurge travelers. Kerala is rich in experiential travel, and there is a lot more to explore. The rest is for you to see and experience.
Welcome to Kerala “Gods Own Country” if you wish to see a ready made Kerala itinerary, kindly look into the Kerala Itinerary that we have prepared. If you wish to get a quote for your Kerala itinerary, kindly send an email to hello@greenearthtrails.com or visit greenearthtrails.com