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...
Traveling in Kerala with kids
Kerala and southern India generally are an 'easier' starting point for families compared with the north of India. The north of India is a product of its turbulent history, and a bit more brusque. Keralites are innately more peaceful, creative and spiritual. It is also more accepting to visitors.
There is a temptation for this to just become a beach vacation destination for families, with the worldwide epidemic of all-inclusive resorts spreading to this southern tip of India too, and families being particularly vulnerable. There are wild elephants to be seen in the Periyar National Park, rivers to be kayaked along in the famous backwaters and, for those hollow legs, food like you have never tasted in some of the most remote, and unexpected spots . Also, Keralites are very family orientated, and so the more you delve into the culture as a family, the more they welcome you with open arms. You will make friends for life.
Our top Kerala family Vacation
Kerala family activity vacation, India
Discover lush green forests & magical Kerala backwaters
From
£985
14 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor-made to suit your interests, time schedules and budget requirements.
This trip can be tailor-made to suit your interests, time schedules and budget 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.
Activities for families in Kerala
Welcome home
You might think that this will take you out of your comfort zone, but staying in a homestay will be one of the most memorable things you will do in Kerala as a family. Keralites genuinely love to include you in their everyday lives, whether it is farming, coir making, visiting the local school, or teaching you their natural cooking skills. Bring a cricket ball and just watch those kids bond in minutes. Bring a bat and they will be friends for life.
Crafty rafting
In peak season you need to book bamboo rafting early, but it is a great way to see Periyar National Park, and you have a much better chance of seeing elephants from a raft, as you drift slowly into remote spots, away from the crowds on the cruise boats. If you are lucky, one will even swim over from the banks to see you. Either way, you will get wet on this trip, making it an ideal way to have a fun time immersion in one of Kerala’s wilder spots.Kayaks are cool
Kayaking through the backwaters is the cool way to go, as you paddle past the traffic jams of houseboats and straight out into the real backwaters, alongside dugout canoes with kids going to and from school, and chatting with farmers and fishermen transporting their produce along the waterways. Plus, it is just a peaceful way to hang out as a family and kayaking guides are always switched on local people, who not only love these waterways, but know them like the back of their hand.
Traveling in Kerala with kids
Rajat Kumar, Managing Director of our supplier ExplorIndya:
"Kerala and southern India generally are an 'easier' starting point for families compared with the north. The north of India is a product of its turbulent history, and a bit more brusque. Keralites are innately more peaceful, creative and spiritual. It is also more accepting to and tolerant with visitors. And I come from the north, but live here, so I feel I can say that."
"Kerala and southern India generally are an 'easier' starting point for families compared with the north. The north of India is a product of its turbulent history, and a bit more brusque. Keralites are innately more peaceful, creative and spiritual. It is also more accepting to and tolerant with visitors. And I come from the north, but live here, so I feel I can say that."
Vishal Koshy, general manager of our supplier Kalypso Adventures:
“Our advice to families is come with an open mind. Because it is a different culture here. We highly recommend homestays, but don’t expect super luxury for example. All the properties have excellent standards and all very well kept, but it is about changing your mindset so that you can make the most of interacting with local people. Then you will have a great time.“
“Our advice to families is come with an open mind. Because it is a different culture here. We highly recommend homestays, but don’t expect super luxury for example. All the properties have excellent standards and all very well kept, but it is about changing your mindset so that you can make the most of interacting with local people. Then you will have a great time.“
Rajat Kumar, Managing Director of our supplier ExplorIndya:
“Don’t rush a trip to Kerala when you are here with kids and try to do too many things. You can keep the kids occupied with activities, such as kayaking, bamboo rafting or cycling, where they can still discover nature. “
“Don’t rush a trip to Kerala when you are here with kids and try to do too many things. You can keep the kids occupied with activities, such as kayaking, bamboo rafting or cycling, where they can still discover nature. “
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.
Read lots of advice on travel to Kerala, on everything from visas and packing, to culture and food, from some of our expert travel companies and fellow travelers.
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: Akhil Mekkatt] [Intro: Sergey Tsarev]
[Welcome home: Scott Austin]
[Kayaks: Silver Blu3]
[Vishal quote: Girish Gopi]
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