How to Plan a Kerala Trip

Before you start planning Kerala

Kerala is long and narrow, with the hills, backwaters and beaches several hours apart. Most planning mistakes come from squeezing too many stops into too few days.

Pick your must-do experiences first, then choose a route that does not double back.

When to go to Kerala

October to March is the comfortable season for sightseeing. April and May are hot and humid, though hill stations stay cooler.

June to September is the monsoon, which suits Ayurveda and lush scenery but limits sightseeing and some activities.

Getting there and getting around

Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode are the main airports. Kochi to Munnar takes about four hours by road, Munnar to Thekkady about three, and Thekkady to Alleppey about four.

If you land in Kochi and leave from Thiruvananthapuram, ask agents about one-way vehicle charges and compare them with a round trip.

Where to base yourself

A common structure is Kochi (1 night), Munnar (2), Thekkady (1), Alleppey (1) and a beach (1 to 2). Fewer stops means more time at each.

If you want a houseboat, choose one night rather than two; most of the interest is in the first afternoon and evening.

What to book early

• Houseboats in peak winter and during Christmas and New Year.
• Periyar boat or safari tickets.
• Hotels in Munnar during school holidays.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Trying to include Wayanad, Munnar and Alleppey in five days.
• Booking a houseboat without checking the boat type, cruise hours and meals.
• Ignoring monsoon rain when planning outdoor activities.
• Choosing an Ayurveda centre without checking credentials.

A simple route to start from

Treat this as a starting outline and adjust it to your dates and pace.