Things to do
A night on a houseboat, a dawn trek through tea, a jeep safari, a Kathakali evening. Here is what to do across Kerala, and the places where you can do it.
Athirappilly, Thrissur
The Chalakudy river pours over a broad rock face into the forest, at its fullest after the monsoon. Vazhachal falls is a short drive further upstream.
About AthirappillyA 2 km forest walk near Meppadi leads to a three-tiered fall of about 200 metres and the pool at its foot.
About Soochipara WaterfallsTwo streams from the Ghats meet across three waterfalls in the Kozhikode hills, with trails climbing beside them.
About ThusharagiriRidge-top viewpoints, Kozhippara waterfalls and the Kurishumala trek, in the cool hills where Kozhikode meets Malappuram.
About Kakkadampoyil
Chembra Peak, Wayanad
Wayanad's highest peak, a guided trek of three to four hours from Meppadi past the heart-shaped Hridaya Saras lake.
About Chembra Peak
Vagamon, Idukki
Rolling grassland, pine forest and the climb to Kurishumala, on the cool plateau between Kottayam and Idukki.
About Vagamon
Ponmudi, Thiruvananthapuram
A winding drive and short walks in the hills closest to Thiruvananthapuram, often in cloud.
About Ponmudi
Thekkady, Idukki
Boat rides, guided nature walks and bamboo rafting inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve at Thekkady, where elephants and gaur come down to the water.
About Thekkady
Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary, Wayanad
Guided jeep safaris through teak and bamboo forest in northern Wayanad, home to elephants, gaur, deer and many birds.
About Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary
Munnar, Idukki
Eravikulam National Park, just outside Munnar, protects the rare mountain goat on its high grassland slopes.
About Munnar
Alappuzha, Alappuzha
Traditional kettuvallam houseboats cruise the canals and paddy country of Kuttanad from Alappuzha, with Kerala meals cooked on board.
About Alappuzha
Kumarakom, Kottayam
Village backwaters and a bird sanctuary on the shore of Vembanad Lake, best early in the morning.
About Kumarakom
Kuruva Island, Wayanad
Bamboo rafts carry you across the Kabini to a cluster of uninhabited river islands with forest trails.
About Kuruva IslandA 250-metre zipline, kayaking and bamboo rafting at the Wayanad Adventure Camp near Banasura Sagar.
About Karlad Lake
Thekkady, Idukki
Evening shows at Kumily's cultural centres bring Kerala's classical dance drama and martial art up close.
About Thekkady
Fort Kochi, Ernakulam
Chinese fishing nets, colonial churches, old warehouses and Mattancherry, a short ferry ride from Ernakulam.
About Fort Kochi
Edakkal Caves, Wayanad
Rock engravings thousands of years old, high on Ambukuthi Mala near Sulthan Bathery.
About Edakkal CavesAn ancient Vishnu temple in the Brahmagiri hills, beside the sacred Papanasini stream.
About Thirunelli Temple
En Ooru, Wayanad
Kerala's first tribal heritage village, run with the communities whose crafts, food and music it shows.
About En Ooru
Priyadarshini Tea Environs, Wayanad
Priyadarshini Tea Environs near Mananthavady shows each step of tea-making and ends with a tasting.
About Priyadarshini Tea EnvironsSpice farms, the Uravu bamboo craft village and traditional cooking, through Wayanad's first Responsible Tourism project.
About Vythiri
Munnar, Idukki
Tea estates, Mattupetty Dam and viewpoints on the high roads around Munnar, best in the clear light after rain.
About MunnarNine hairpin bends bring the road from Kozhikode up to the viewpoint and the legendary Chain Tree at Lakkidi.
About Vythiri
Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram
Cafés line the red laterite cliff above Papanasam beach, with the old Janardhana Swami temple close by.
About Varkala
Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram
Crescent beaches and the red-and-white lighthouse on the coast just south of Thiruvananthapuram.
About KovalamA quiet fishing-village beach north of Alappuzha, with backwaters a few minutes inland.
About Marari Beach
Bekal, Kasaragod
A great laterite fort standing over the sea in Kasaragod, with walks along its walls and the beaches below.
About BekalList them for free, and travellers will contact you directly.