India guide
India is an explosion of colour. The Golden Triangle glistens with culture, Rajasthan has pink and blue cities, and Kerala has lush green Ghat Mountains...
Kerala travel advice
Visa information
The visa application process to enter India for a vacation is pretty simple and inexpensive now. UK citizens are among one of 113 nationalities able to apply for the 'e-Visa'. Apply and pay online for vacations of 60 days max, make sure your passport has six months’ validity from the date of your arrival in India, that it has at least two blank pages for stamping upon entry, and apply a minimum of four days before you travel. For more information, see Indian Visa online website.Packing tips
Vishal Koshy, general manager of our supplier Kalypso Adventures:
“Don’t forget a good pair of binoculars.”
Rajat Kumar, Managing Director of our supplier ExplorIndya:
“Bring dark coloured cotton clothing to use during Ayurveda massage and therapy sessions. Given the oils and the fact that they get on clothes, dark colours for these situations are ideal.”
“Don’t forget a good pair of binoculars.”
Rajat Kumar, Managing Director of our supplier ExplorIndya:
“Bring dark coloured cotton clothing to use during Ayurveda massage and therapy sessions. Given the oils and the fact that they get on clothes, dark colours for these situations are ideal.”
Our Kerala Vacations
Kerala tailor made vacation, 11 days
Revitalize in Kerala - A most wonderful and balanced trip
From
£1349 to £1779
11 days
ex flights
Kerala birdwatching vacations, Western Ghats
An endemic birding tour through the Western Ghats of India
From
US $1360
8 days
ex flights
Kayaking in the Keralan Backwaters
Experience local life kayaking through Kerala backwaters .
From
£430
5 days
ex flights
South India & Kerala vacation
Mysore Palace village stay Kerala Backwaters
From
US $1162 to US $1810
15 days
ex flights
Tamil Nadu and Kerala vacation, India
Epic exploration from west to east - Tamil Nadu to Kerala.
From
£1999 to £2399
14 days
ex flights
Kerala hiking vacation in India
Walk through beautiful hills and tea plantations
From
US $2349 to US $2649
15 days
ex flights
Kerala walking, culture & wildlife vacation, India
‘Feel’ the place through people, experiences and local food
From
£1450
15 days
ex flights
Kerala Hike, bike & kayak in India
Cycling, hiking & kayaking through Kerala countryside
From
US $1700
13 days
ex flights
South India tour, Trivandrum to Goa
Head to the beaches and backwaters of southern India.
From
US $911 to US $1375
16 days
ex flights
South India vacation, small group
Classic south Indian tour of Kerala from Chennai to Kovalam
From
US $1871 to US $2830
15 days
ex flights
Golden Triangle & Kerala vacation, India
Best of Golden Triangle & Kerala, a perfect intro to India
From
£1985
17 days
ex flights
Kerala luxury vacation, India
See inside Kerala with a touch of luxury
From
£1788
12 days
ex flights
Northern Kerala tailor tour, tailor made
Uncover the rich culture of northern Kerala
From
£1400
13 days
ex flights
Southern India tour
Enter a world where time feels like it has stood still forever
From
US $1160 to US $1499
14 days
ex flights
Family vacation with volunteering in India
A truly fun & rewarding experience for families of any size
From
US $594
7 days
ex flights
Tailor made houseboat cruise in Kerala, India
Cruise along the backwaters of Kerala
From
£1020
7 days
ex flights
Southern India small group vacation
Discover the two southern most states of India
From
US $1949 to US $2249
14 days
ex flights
Kerala and tropical India cycling vacations
Beautiful landscapes, fascinating towns and long white beaches
From
US $2949 to US $3749
14 days
ex flights
Kerala family activity vacation, India
Discover lush green forests & magical Kerala backwaters
From
£985
14 days
ex flights
Photography vacation in southern India
An incredible photographic Journey into Tamil Nadu & Kerala
From
£3950
16 days
ex flights
Rural cycling tours in South India
The perfect way to cycle in rural Keralan countryside.
From
US $980
8 days
ex flights
Kerala biking vacation, India
Kerala through the magical landscapes & backwaters of Kerala
From
£1298
10 days
ex flights
North Kerala homestay tours in India
Homestay tour in North Kerala - plus Coonoor.
From
£2060
15 days
ex flights
Highlights of Kerala tour, 16 days
An exclusive bespoke tour through the wonders of Kerala
From
£1699 to £2592
16 days
ex flights
Chennai to Kochin biking vacation across India
Explore the contrasting nature of India
From
US $3179 to US $3579
14 days
ex flights
Culture tips:
Vishal Koshy, general manager of our supplier Kalypso Adventures:“Kerala is quite a conservative society, and so showing affection in public places is an issue for many people here, especially in rural areas."
Tips on tips
Rajat Kumar, Managing Director of our supplier ExplorIndya:
"I would ask that people do not tip excessively. There is nothing wrong in sharing the wealth, but money has a different value here and when you give excessively people start expecting things unreasonably. They start to believe that they deserve more than they are due, and this becomes a perverse culture in hospitality. So, people should be cognisant of the fact that just because the converted value of the service or product is far less than what it might be in your country, doesn't mean that it isn't in keeping with the standard of living here. So, just because a beer costs a tiny amount, doesn't mean you should have to pay four times amount just because you like the face of the person serving it. It creates a perverse culture in a tourist driven economy, with people becoming greedy, as the level of expectation gets raised across the board. We give our guests very detailed tipping guides, to help them tip responsibly."
"I would ask that people do not tip excessively. There is nothing wrong in sharing the wealth, but money has a different value here and when you give excessively people start expecting things unreasonably. They start to believe that they deserve more than they are due, and this becomes a perverse culture in hospitality. So, people should be cognisant of the fact that just because the converted value of the service or product is far less than what it might be in your country, doesn't mean that it isn't in keeping with the standard of living here. So, just because a beer costs a tiny amount, doesn't mean you should have to pay four times amount just because you like the face of the person serving it. It creates a perverse culture in a tourist driven economy, with people becoming greedy, as the level of expectation gets raised across the board. We give our guests very detailed tipping guides, to help them tip responsibly."
Diana Syrett, Managing Director of one of our top suppliers, Kerala Connections:
“If you give a tip, don’t expect a thank you. Sometimes our customers are worried that they haven’t given enough, but it is not in Kerala culture to say thank you. The cultural thing is that the pleasure is for the person giving the gift, and so therefore you don’t have to thank them. So, generally, thank yous are few and far between. So please don’t think people are being rude, it is just their way."
“If you give a tip, don’t expect a thank you. Sometimes our customers are worried that they haven’t given enough, but it is not in Kerala culture to say thank you. The cultural thing is that the pleasure is for the person giving the gift, and so therefore you don’t have to thank them. So, generally, thank yous are few and far between. So please don’t think people are being rude, it is just their way."
Food tips
Diana Syrett, Managing Director of one of our top suppliers, Kerala Connections:
“My husband and I are both vegetarian and it is one of the reasons we love south India so much, as the food it is the easiest place on the planet to be vegetarian. You can get meat, and because they have about 25% Christians and 25% Muslims, there is a lot of fish eaten and also, interestingly, beef is eaten in Kerala, and is only one of two states in India that is licensed to eat it."
“My husband and I are both vegetarian and it is one of the reasons we love south India so much, as the food it is the easiest place on the planet to be vegetarian. You can get meat, and because they have about 25% Christians and 25% Muslims, there is a lot of fish eaten and also, interestingly, beef is eaten in Kerala, and is only one of two states in India that is licensed to eat it."
Vishal Koshy, general manager of our supplier Kalypso Adventures:
"One of the specialties from the backwaters, especially in an area called Kuttandad, where farming happens below sea level, is duck roast, prepared with local spices of course. This is a must."
"One of the specialties from the backwaters, especially in an area called Kuttandad, where farming happens below sea level, is duck roast, prepared with local spices of course. This is a must."
Our top Kerala Vacation
Kerala tailor made vacation, 11 days
Revitalize in Kerala - A most wonderful and balanced trip
From
£1349 to £1779
11 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Kerala or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
Health & safety in Kerala
HEALTH
SAFETY
Kerala tips from our travelers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travelers are often... other travelers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful Kerala travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful Kerala travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.
The mountains really get cold at night, so absolutely bring a warm sweater and long pants and a light warm hat.
– Julia Jean-Francois
"Go, be brave, leave the well- trodden tourist trail, go up the mountains ...live with the families...it's much more in tune with the pulse of the country. Trust people to plan for you.. it's India ..they will not betray your trust. Be sensitive, in your dress and demeanour, this is a culture with values. Enjoy its diversity...landscapes spiritual beliefs, culinary treats ..." – Mary Phillips
"Be prepared for cultural differences. For example, it appears to be polite for someone to watch you eat every mouthful, wait for feedback and be on hand to refill your plate immediately whereas in the UK we leave people to enjoy the meal in peace. Secondly, the Ayurvedic massages are nothing like a massage in UK. They are not soothing and do not use aromatherapy oils just lots of oil. They could be described as an intense rub down and invigorating, you are always naked and sometimes two masseuses work on you in tandem!" – Daphne Donkin
"Take plenty of hand sanitiser for when you are out and about and some toilet rolls too" – Gentian Bolt
"Plenty of warm clothes for the top of the mountain. A torch - and maybe a few games/cards, etc., When the sun sets and you are on top of a mountain, staying on a rice boat, or simply at a camp sight/homestay with no entertainment, you need to make your own" – Janice Eastman
"Be prepared for cultural differences. For example, it appears to be polite for someone to watch you eat every mouthful, wait for feedback and be on hand to refill your plate immediately whereas in the UK we leave people to enjoy the meal in peace. Secondly, the Ayurvedic massages are nothing like a massage in UK. They are not soothing and do not use aromatherapy oils just lots of oil. They could be described as an intense rub down and invigorating, you are always naked and sometimes two masseuses work on you in tandem!" – Daphne Donkin
"Take plenty of hand sanitiser for when you are out and about and some toilet rolls too" – Gentian Bolt
"Plenty of warm clothes for the top of the mountain. A torch - and maybe a few games/cards, etc., When the sun sets and you are on top of a mountain, staying on a rice boat, or simply at a camp sight/homestay with no entertainment, you need to make your own" – Janice Eastman
If you have time, visit the area around Munnar. We stayed in a bungalow on a cardamom plantation. The views were stunning.
– Alison Brookes
More about Kerala
Discover the best time to visit Kerala, according to its three specific seasons, which range from cool and dry, to hot and humid, with a monsoon season, too.
This Kerala travel guide explores every side of this southern Indian state, from hiking in the Ghat Mountains, and canoeing through the backwaters, to discovering Kerala’s stonkingly delicious food, tea and spices.
Kerala’s map and highlights of places to see covers a glorious gamut of temples and trekking, backwaters and beaches, spices and cycling , tigers and tea plantations.
Slow travel is the way to go here, because there are so many culturally exciting things to do in Kerala, you need to time to take it all in.
The food in Kerala is as big a highlight as its green hills, coast and wonderful wildlife, and its mellow flavours and nutritious ingredients have seduced many a hungry traveler.
Kerala’s converted rice barges are a great way to explore the backwaters, and the houseboats that Responsible Travel recommends offer an authentic experience.
In Kerala, visiting the spice and tea plantations that cloak the hills is a highlight of any vacation, while on the coast, the port town of Kochi still bustles with the spice trade.
Hiking through tea and spice plantations, up forested slopes to peaks with views over lakes and distant plains – walking vacations in Kerala are a treat.
Ayurveda is an ancient healthcare system that originated in southern India and still thrives in Kerala today.
Some families head to Kerala to soak up the winter sun, but there are many ways to see Kerala with kids that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
Overdevelopment and its trail of destruction are now the biggest issues when it comes to responsible tourism in Kerala.
More relevant guides
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Photo credits: [Page banner: Scorpp] [Binoculars: Aniket Suryavanshi]
[Waiter: Meena Kadri]
[Food tips: Diana Syrett]
[Coconut: Julia Maudlin]
[Nighttime in the mountains: Muhammed Fayiz]
[Tea plantations: Silver Blu3]
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