Seeing Kerala differently

Top ten experiences in Kerala

Alleppey

1. Hop aboard a kettuvallam houseboat…

The traditional houseboat of Kerala is one of the state’s most enduring images. The word kettuvallam translates as ‘stiched together canoe’ and the boats are typically made from planks sewn together with coir fibres and waterproofed with sardine or cashew oil. We recommend a day cocooned in such a boat, slowly meandering through Kerala’s vast maze of canals and rivers drifting past tiny hamlets and lime green paddy fields.

2. …or take to a kayak

For something a little more active, spend two to three hours paddling a kayak. Starting from Alleppey, explore backwater lagoons and lakes connected by the 40 odd rivers that flow from the Cardamom Hills to the Arabian Sea. The beauty of kayaking is being right down at water level, up close to dragonflies, kingfishers and cormorants with nary an engine in earshot.

3. Cast off for lunch

If you’re a keen angler, you’re in luck. The Keralan waterways hold a rich variety of fish including karimeen, tilapia, catfish and prawns. Cast your line from the riverbank, exhale and simply wait. With fortune on your side, you might reel in lunch – but even if you return empty handed, we’ll arrange a slap-up meal of local culinary delights at a nearby heritage home or farm stay.

Kochi

4. Explore Fort Kochi on two wheels

A half day bike tour is a great way to discover Fort Kochi, the city’s historic quarter. As you cycle through narrow alleyways and city lanes, architectural styles reflect the many people who have lived here. Portuguese churches and Dutch houses rub shoulders with porticoed plantation style homes built by the British, while standing guard over the harbour are Chinese fishing nets. Along the way, you’ll pass contemporary art galleries, cafes, bookshops and boutiques.

5. Meet the women of kathakali

Kerala’s classical dance form kathakali has traditionally been performed by men throughout its 400-year history. However, a new all-female troop is breaking with gender norms. Over a cup of tea, sit down with these extraordinary women to find out how they balance rigorous dance training with family life, as well as learn more about kathakali and its epic stories, lavish costumes and intricate make-up.

6. Fill your stomach in Kochi

One for adventurous foodies, a half day culinary tour will see you sampling many of Kochi’s mouthwatering delicacies. Led by an expert of the local food scene, pop into cafes, visit restaurants and graze through markets, relishing authentic Kochi staples such as roast dosa, string hoppers, and spicy puttu and kadala curry.

Kumarakom

7. Visit Philip Kutty’s Farm

Drop in for lunch or even stay overnight at Philip Kutty’s Farm. The farm is a serene world of its own on a reclaimed island amid Kerala’s backcountry waterways. Take a tour of the 200,000 square metre estate where ridges and canals bisect crops including coconut, nutmeg, cocoa, banana and pepper. This is a bird lover’s paradise so keep your eyes peeled for woodpeckers, egrets, herons and snakebirds.

Munnar

8. Hike the hills of Munnar

High in the misty peaks of the Western Ghats, Munnar is a great base for trekking. One of our favourite walks is the comfortable half day hike to Letchmi Hills that passes through neat rows of coffee and spice bushes. The route follows the ridge line with rocky slopes on one side and tea plantations on the other. On a clear day, you can see as far as Anaimudi, the highest peak in Southern India, and Idukki Dam. For the more adventurous, there are various multi-day hiking trails in and around Munnar.

9. Make time for a brew

Tea is Kerala’s biggest and most iconic export, so no trip to the region would be complete without exploring a tea plantation. At one of Munnar’s elegant tea gardens you’ll learn how tea is grown, harvested, processed and packaged. Then visit the Tata Tea’s Museum which showcases the history of Kerala’s tea industry. Finally, it’s time for a cuppa! Try brews of various leaves and get some tips on tea preparation.

Thekkady

10. Take an early morning jungle jaunt

Get up early and follow a wildlife ranger on a walk through Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. As the jungle stirs, you’ll prowl through the undergrowth for the chance to spot black monkeys, sambar deer, giant Malabar squirrels and wild boar. There are close to 300 bird species too, including giant hornbills and the endemic Malabar trogon. The sanctuary’s guides come from local tribes. As well as teaching visitors about the native flora and fauna, they’ll explain how their community has carved out an existence deep in the jungle.