Kerala: A Quick and Handy Travel Guide

Verdant coastlines, languid backwaters, lush tea gardens and the smell of fresh-grown spices wafting in the air—Kerala is a sliver of tropical paradise that has attracted tourists from all over the world. Whether you want to roam the crowded streets of Kochi, a melting-pot of Indian and colonial traditions, or savour a quiet cup of tea at Munnar, Kerala’s favourite hill station, or simply walk down the glorious palm-fringed beaches of Kovalam, sampling seafood, Kerala has something for everybody!

Don’t leave Kerala before you

Kochi: 

The thriving port town of Kochi, or Cochin, once the main centre of India’s spice trade, is a unique amalgamation of the old and the new. Take a walk down the rambling alleys of Kochi’s historic Jewish Colony, lined with brightly-painted houses, to see the Mattancherry Synagogue, one of the oldest existing synagogues in the Commonwealth. Or go see the Chinese Fishing Nets, in the Fort Cochin area. Unlike usual nets, these are fixed land installations and can only be found at Kochi, outside of China—a lasting testimony to the good relations between ancient Chinese emperors and the rulers of Kochi.

Munnar: 

The rolling hills of Munnar house some of the largest tea plantations in South India. Take some time off from Kerala’s more famous beaches and visit the tea museum, 1.5 kilometres out of town, or simply relax with a freshly-brewed cup on a serene tea estate. A perfect honeymoon destination in Kerala, Munnar boasts of an astonishing terrain and breathtaking landscapes. 

Alappuzha: 

Home to the famous backwaters of Kerala, Alappuzha or Alleppey, as it’s more commonly called, was originally a small fishing village that has now become one of India’s most popular tourist destinations. Precariously balanced on an intricate network of inland canals and backwaters, life at Alleppey is languid, best experienced on a houseboat, or by taking a quiet stroll on Alleppey Beach.

Kovalam: 

The most famous of Kerala’s beach destinations, Kovalam might be a tad touristy—families in for the weekend from Kochi, tiny kids making a dash for the water with ice cream in hand, beach-umbrella wallahs accosting you at every turn—but it still hasn’t lost its charm. You could go up to the lighthouse on the headland or see the sunset at one of the beachfront restaurants.

DO'S

Take a ride on a houseboat at Alleppey: 

No trip to Kerala is complete without a lazy ride on a kettuvallam meandering through the winding backwaters of Alleppey. Originally used for transporting rice and spices to and from the port, these boats are now luxury liners that are available for hire.

Cruise along the Periyar River: 

One of India’s most popular wildlife sanctuaries, the jungles of Periyar are home to langurs, bisons, sambars and tigers. Take a one-and-a-half-hour cruise, organized by the Forest Department and Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC), to spot some wildlife!

Watch a performance at the Kathakali Centre, Kochi: 

Kathakali is the ancient form of storytelling through dance that originated in Kerala in the 17th century. Get a taste of the past with an enthralling dance performance at the Kathakali Centre. If you’re feeling adventurous, the Centre also holds performances of Kalaripayattu, one of the oldest forms of martial arts.

Eat:

Appam with Stew: Appams are light, fluffy pancakes made of rice, crispy at the edges and moist at the centre, best enjoyed with a fragrant stew of meat and/or vegetables.

Kerala Beef Fry with Malabar Porotta:  Chunky, fried pieces of beef cooked in a spicy masala mix served with light, flakey Malabar paratha—one of Kerala’s signature dishes.

Prawn Moilee: What’s Kerala without its seafood? While everything from the karimeen to the lobster here is delicious, don’t leave Kerala without trying the moilee, a curry made from coconut and kokum, a local fruit used to add a sour tang to curries.

When to go:

October to February: Winters are the best time to visit Kerala, although tourists abound all year round. Temperatures are mild (17-30 degrees Celsius) and perfect for beach bums. pack your bags with your kids or spouse and head to those amazing beaches for a perfect holiday

March to June: Summers can get very humid in Kerala but that’s all the more reason to enjoy a dip in the sea! This is off-season, so you can get better deals on hotels during the summer. Everything out there, ranging from food to accommodation to travel is available at a dirt cheap price. Its the best time to bargain and get some amazing discounts on those resorts and flights you were willing to book.

July to September: The monsoons showcase Kerala in all of its lush splendour and can be a great time to visit Kerala. Nature is at its best during these two months. As its monsoon in Kerala in the month of June and September,be sure to carry waterproof clothing and umbrellas as the downpours here are very unpredictable.

Getting There:

By Air: The Kochi International airport is well connected to all major cities. You can take a taxi from the airport to roam about in the city.

By Train: Cochin is well connected to all major railway stations in India. Most trains stop at either the Ernakulam Town Station or the Ernakulam Junction Station.

By Bus: Kerala State Run Transport Corporation (KSRTC) runs Volvo buses to and from cities like Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Trivandrum.

Getting Around:

Bus: Cochin has a large network of buses that connect you to all major towns in Kerala. They are cheap and government-run.

Auto Rickshaw: Autos are available in most cities.They’re cheap, but they often tend to fleece tourists so make sure you ask for a rate card.

Ferry/Boat: Ferry is a great way to travel, especially in and around the Fort Cochin area.

What to Pack:

• Light cotton clothes if you’re travelling in summer or the monsoons, since humidity tends to be very high
• Beachwear, of course, and sunblock
• Flip-flops for the beach and comfortable shoes for walking around in the city
• Mosquito repellent, especially if you’re planning to visit Periyar

7 Travel Experiences in Northeast India

Assam – Kaziranga Elephant Safari – A Ride to Remember

Being a nature lover, I chose to first visit Kaziranga National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This protected region, which lies in the Nagaon and Golaghat districts of Assam, was set up in 1908. It is not only home to a high density of great one-horned rhinoceroses and tigers, but also several species of birds. Drained by four rivers, including the mighty Brahmaputra, this National Park offers fantastic safari opportunities, across its 430 sq km area.

One horned rhino at the Kaziranga National Park

Both vehicle and elephant safaris are available at the park. Since I had already experienced vehicle safari at Jim Corbett, this time I went for the second option; and believe me, it was real fun. Elephant safaris (1 hour duration) in this park are offered in the morning as well as late afternoon from Kaziranga, Eastern, Western and Burapahar Ranges. The safari group I was part of, began its journey from Ghorakati near Rhino Land Park. We expected to spot the tigers easily, but it wasn’t to be; though we did come across several pug marks. The mahout told us that the tall elephant grasses of the park offer perfect camouflage to the tigers.

The chirping of birds and the sight of one-horned rhinoceros is still vividly emblazoned in my mind from that safari. A year and half later, I planned another trip to Northeast India and this time, I chose to visit Meghalaya.

Meghalaya – Cherrapunjee Living Root Bridges’ Trek – Adventure amidst the Beauty of NatureThough Mawsynram currently holds the record for being the wettest place on the planet, there was a time when Cherrapunjee had this distinction. However, it still holds the record for receiving the highest rainfall in a month and a year. Often in weather reports I would read about this place. It quite intrigued me as to how would it feel like to live in a place such as this, and always wanted to come here to indulge in trekking. Finally, it happened.

Living root bridge in Meghalaya

The first trek that I took part in was to the Living Root Bridge in Umunoi. This 4 km trail included 2 km of downhill trek and 2 km uphill, passing through the village Sohsarat. Our group took nearly 3 to 4 hours to complete this journey. About half the distance on this trail featured steep steps while the other half required us to cross a jungle that led to the Living Root Bridge. Since it was not raining on that day, the lushness all around was simply a sight to admire.

On the second day I trekked to the famous Double Decker Root Bridge and Natural Swimming Pools. It was quite a demanding journey, with its distance of about 20 km, out of which 10 km trail was through a scenic valley and a few Khasi villages. It took our group about 9 hours to complete this difficult trek, but it was worth the effort. The natural beauty and the peaceful environ simply made it a trek to cherish for a long time.

After trekking on two of the most popular trails in the state, it was time for some day hike to Mawphlang from Lad Mawphlang. This interesting trail is of about 18 to 20 km and it took our group 6 hours to reach Mawphlang. En route Mawphlang, we crossed several gushing streams, small villages and picturesque valleys. While trekking through these terrains, one thought that came to my mind was how adventurous we may be, but what really attracts us to such places is our deep connection with nature.

On my next tour to this part of the country, I visited Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh but this time I wasn’t alone, my family accompanied me.

Nagaland – Hornbill Festival – Truly Festival of FestivalsThe plan to visit Nagaland came up when I read about the famous Hornbill Festival, which is held every year in the month of December. Hosted in Kisama, which lies about 12 km from the state capital Kohima, by the departments of State Tourism, and Art & Culture, this festival showcases the culture of the Naga Tribes. This week-long festival witnesses food fairs, sports events, ceremonies, colourful performances and traditional crafts exhibition-cum-sale. It was an amazing experience to see a different culture of India and it made me more proud when I saw people coming from all over the world to enjoy the festival. We stayed in Nagaland for only 3 days before heading to Arunachal Pradesh.

Dance performance at the Hornbill Festival

Arunachal Pradesh – Jeep SafariKnown as the Land of Animists, Arunachal Pradesh is one of the most scenic states of India. There is so much to see in the state that one has to spend at least 10 days here, and we did exactly that. We opted for a jeep safari that took us to some of the top attractions, which included visits to the Buddhist Gompa of Itanagar, Ziro, Daporijo, Pasighat, Roing and Anini, among others. To travel to this state, we had to take Inner Line Permit from an Arunachal Pradesh government office in Kolkata.

Gateway to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh

Manipur – To the Floating LakeOn my last visit to the state, I inquired about best places to see in Manipur and the locals suggested me to visit the beautiful freshwater lake. It was only when I saw it that I believed that it was really a “floating lake”. The lake is said to be the largest freshwater floating lake in the India. The floating phumdis over all the lake make it more beautiful. The lake is a lifeline for many people, as it’s a source of water for many purposes and the fishermen largely depend on it. Dried fish is one of the most favorite foods in Manipur, and it is found here in plenty. It was a sight to behold to see those colourful birds flying over the lake in search of their food. Dense forests, sprawling grasslands, enchanting lake and the rich culture made my journey to Manipur memorable.

Loktak Lake

I had a lot of time in hand, so next I decided to visit the Phawngpui Peak in Mizoram.

Mizoram – Blue MountainsThe deep valleys, exotic culture, pleasant weather and the rare natural flora and fauna of Mizoram allured me. Phawngpui Peak is the highest peak in Mizoram and said to be the abode of Gods! When I reached the hilltop, I couldn’t agree with it more, as it was indeed the abode of Gods. The view was enchanting; the blue hazed hills seemed surreal with colourful flowers all around. As the sun set I was awestruck by the view of the scarlet sky! It was a sight to behold. I was feeling happy to have included this place in my travel bucket list of North East India.

Blue Mountains of Mizoram

Before heading back I wanted to visit the last state left out of the 7 sisters of North-East – Tripura.

Tripura – Unakoti in Agartala
The huge rock-cut stone idols date back to 7th-9th century, their existence still a mystery! The locals have several stories but none of them are proved as such, as there are no written records. The sight of these large stone sculptures on the Unakoti hills bewitched me. The place is one of the less travelled and still unknown to people.

Mysterious rock-cut statues in Tripura

Even though, I have travelled to Northeast India three times; it somehow feels that the experience has been too little. And that I need to pack my bags once again and hit the road; may be Sikkim this time!

Top 5 Unique Winter Destinations in India

Auli

Auli is hot. Despite all the snow, the almost-Alpine locale, it is hot- as a skiing destination. Sitting pretty in the midst of glorious Himalayan peaks, this Bugyal (Garhwali for meadows) comes alive to boisterous travellers and pure adrenaline every winters as it claims its spot atop the list of premier skiing destinations in Asia. Asia's longest cable-car and one ski-lift and chair lift apiece take adventure-seekers to the top of the skiing slopes, as magnificent oak and deodar trees shield them from the chilly winds on their descent downhill. Even if you're not one for adventure, there's no way you should miss the wonderful dawn behind the Nanda Devi peak, the bright clear night sky and the surreal snowfalls that will make you feel like no other place in India.

Rann of Kutch

Not your typical winter getaway, Rann of Kutch is a heady concoction of bleak nothingness, natural awe and cultural abundance. Vast and vastly obscured from the usual tourist, this glaring solitude of salty marshes is meditative in its sparing beauty and roars back to life from December to February when the Rann Utsav is in full swing. Host to long festivities of handicrafts, cultural performances, folk music and lip-smacking local food, don't miss this if dipping in local culture under a chilly, clear night sky is your kind of fun.

Bir-Billing

Bir-Billing is a glowing winter destination India should have woken up to a long time ago. The Bir and Billing villages are like a pair of siblings who are unlike each other in every respect other than lineage. Bir is a quiet village, home to a large community of Tibetan refugees and several Buddhist monasteries. Multiple travellers have described their stay here as a religious experience. But we bet the real spiritual awakening begins when you travel 14 km north to Billing for a paragliding session. Cool winds rushing to meet you, a view of the gentle slopes of the Dhauladhar range below you, a clear sky above, and a bird's eye view of the distant Himalayas jutting abruptly up- take a shot and let us know if it doesn't make you a believer.

Rajasthan

Rajasthan is a much-written-about victim of cliché. The Land of Maharajas, the Seat of Royalty, the history, the culture, the heritage- it is all that and more. And did we even need to be told that? Rajasthan is breathtaking in all its 'lake palaces, great lofty royal halls, bright museums and barren deserts' beauty. And if you ever needed a reason to travel to this must-must-definitely-for-sure-visit place, let it be this- the weather is a lot friendlier during the winters and walking barefoot on these old sandstone floors won't burn you for a change. The state is host to some colourful, culturally-rich festivals during the winters including the Pushkar Mela, the Rajasthan International Folk Festival, among others. We recommend visiting Udaipur, and Jodhpur followed by Pushkar and Jaisalmer.

Nagaland and Shillong 

The gentle rolling hills of Shillong are a treat to the eyes. Not for nothing, the city's British settlers thought these hills reminded them of Scotland, and thus it got its sobriquet, 'Scotland of the East'. Shillong has greatly modernised since then, but it still retains some of the old-world charm with its love of overhauled cars & rock and roll and an idling pace of life. Visit the annually-organized Ziro Festival for an unflitered glimpse into its music and culture.

Nagaland has come a long way from its savage self, but you can still witness some of the erstwhile primal legacy in the way of life of the tribes. The exotic scenery, the lush valleys and serene hills, and culture is still pristine and unspoiled by most modern influences. Apart from the rich tribal culture and scenic beauty, the state as a rich culinary and music culture. The annual Hornbill Festival is one of the most-attended music, food and culture festivals of India and a certain visit if you're in this part of the country.