Kerala Houseboat

How to book a houseboat in Kerala is one of the most common questions we get asked. Everyone wants to experience floating through the lush green backwaters in a traditional rice barge but it can be confusing knowing how to book one and whether you should book one in advance.

We recommend not booking a houseboat in advance so that you can see the boat for yourself and get a better price by haggling. We’ve written before about our strategy and what to expect in our detailed Kerala houseboat guide but we wanted to share this post from Dani and Jess of the Globetrotter Girls who have more recent experience booking a houseboat in Alleppey during the low season.

We usually recommend booking a houseboat from quieter Kollam but surprisingly the girls were unable to get a good price from Kollam—Alleppey as the boat owners wouldn’t have enough business for the return journey. They did get a great deal by haggling in the ferry ports of Alleppey on the morning they wanted to start a trip and got a two bedroom houseboat for 7000 rupees per night. This could work in low season but in high season booking the day before is probably a better bet (like we did).

Dani and Jess were not fans of Kollam either. I can understand it’s not a town for everyone—it doesn’t have obvious tourist appeal—but we enjoyed our short stay there for a slice of real India and for the excellent canoe tour we took.

As well as their tips for booking a houseboat in Kerala also read about their relaxing experience on the houseboat, which was their highlight of India, and their photo essay of the fishermen in Fort Cochin.

The post Tips on Booking a Houseboat in Kerala first appeared on Kerala India Travel.

It can be difficult to find short-term apartment rentals when you are travelling though, so we were happy to discover the Roomorama website. Roomorama lists short-term apartment rentals around the world where you can rent direct from the owner.

I tend to drive myself crazy comparing all the options when looking for accommodation but the site makes researching easy―you can choose your location, dates, price range, neighbourhood, amenities and whether you’d prefer an entire apartment to yourself or just a room in someone’s house.

I usually choose an apartment and amenities such as a kitchen, wireless internet, bed linen and towels, a washing machine, air conditioning and a swimming pool. Once you have chosen your criteria the site shows the properties that meet them – in a list or on a map. I like to sort the options by Price (Low to High) to see the best value options. If nothing is available for your dates and budget then you’ll need to reduce the number of criteria.

Once you’ve found a property you like then hit the “Inquire Now” button to check the availability. In our experience the availability calendars on the site are not always kept up to date by owners so its best to contact a few different properties to increase your chances of finding one available.

Once the owner has confirmed availability the Roomorama booking process is very easy. You pay online by credit card or Paypal and payment is kept by Roomorama until you have checked in and handed the owner a payment code, so you feel very secure.

We have loved our experiences renting Roomorama apartments around the world (in Thailand and in Italy), not only because it’s easy to use, great value and more comfortable than a hotel room, but because it allows you the opportunity to live like a local. The properties we have rented have been in untouristy neighbourhoods where we’ve been able to experience local life, shop at the markets and cook in our kitchen. The owners have always been very friendly and happy to provide tips on the local area.

There are currently 1187 properties listed in India and although there aren’t a huge number in Kerala there are a number of interesting options with rates from $20 a night for a double room and it could be a a good way of finding a home stay. Have a browse on Roomorama for yourself and you might find a great alternative to a hotel for your India trip.

The post Finding Apartments Around the World with Roomorama first appeared on Kerala India Travel.

Kerala Backwaters

This is a guest post with some ideas of other places to combine with Kerala on your India trip.

India has long been a popular destination with travellers on a tight budget and certainly tops the list when it comes to backpackers and their itineraries; where else can you subsist on such a small amount of money for months at a time?

With some seriously tasty – and spicy food – a low cost of living and such a vast country to explore, it’s quite easy to spend months, if not years, in this amazing place which has so much to offer the tourist. Just be careful where you eat and do expect to get the infamous ‘Delhi Belly’ at least once during your stay…

You’ll need to be determined if you plan to explore everything India has to offer, as it can take days of travelling to move between destinations, but it’s worth it to experience the amazing contrasts to be seen here. From the sprawling, chaotic and busy urban jungles of Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore, to the beautiful, but somehow ethereal sight of the world famous Taj Mahal Mausoleum and then on to the beautiful Backwaters of Kerala on the stunning Arabian coast, you’ll find that you soon fall in love with this country and it’s way of life.

With so much to see and do it’s difficult to even begin to work out where to visit so I’ve picked my top 5 must see attractions/destinations to give you some inspiration:

Mumbai

Dhobi Ghat in Mumbai

If you’re a city boy or girl and feel like you need a taste of city life in India, Mumbai is a great place to start. After you get over the shock of the utter chaos that resides in this highly populated metropolis – over 12 million residents call the city home – you’ll really begin to appreciate how very much it has to offer.

Aside from being effectively the fashion and entertainment capital of India, there are loads of stunning Art Deco buildings, temples and colonial relics to visit and the markets – if you can brave them – are just amazing.

Goa

Taj Fort Aguada, Goa. Photo by @SwamiStream

Goa really is a tropical paradise (and a great place if you plan to do some partying during your stay here) and it is famous for its white sandy beaches, sparkling turquoise waters and verdant coastline which make this a slice of heaven on earth.

As well as a general laid back atmosphere and the feeling of serenity to be experienced here, you’ll find that Goan cuisine is simply delicious. It’s a tasty fusion of Portuguese and Indian flavours thanks to Goa being a Portuguese outpost for well over 500 years. It’s definitely worth spending a couple of weeks here after a trip to a bustling city like Mumbai, even if it’s just to relax before moving on to the next stop on your itinerary.

Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal. Photo by NJ.

Built by the Emperor Shah Jahan as a Mausoleum to remember his favourite wife by – it took 17 years to complete during the 17^th century – the Taj Mahal simply has to be the most iconic sight of India being recognised the world over.

It really is a masterpiece of Indian architecture in white marble with its beauty furthermore enhanced in the early morning light and during the spectacular sunsets that occur here.

You’ll find it’s busy during peak tourist season – usually between October and February when it’s cooler here – but it’s well worth adding this simply stunning monument to your itinerary.

Backwaters of Kerala

Kerala Houseboat

The scenery to be found in this chain of brackish lagoons is certainly photogenic and, with its unique ecosystem, the area is home to all manner of weird and wonderful residents that co-exist beneath the palm trees and in the green tinged water of the lagoons.

Whilst you’re here, make sure you spend at least a couple of nights on one of the many converted houseboats; it really does make for a unique experience. You’ll also find many water tours on offer and these are highly recommended if you want to see the best of the Kerala Backwaters.

This is certainly one destination that should be on everyone’s ‘bucket list’ and the memories of your trip here will last a lifetime.

Darjeeling

Kanchanjanga peak of the Himalayas from Darjeeling. Photo by Partha Sarathi Sahana

The tea covered, verdant and terraced slopes of the hills in Darjeeling and their Himalayan mountain backdrop has to be one of the most beautiful sights you’ll see in India.

There’s much to see and do here besides sampling some of the tea for which the area is so famous, whether you’re a fan of ancient temples and monuments, want to visit the botanic gardens or even fancy visiting a zoo during your stay, you’ll find that Darjeeling won’t leave you disappointed when it comes to your stay here.

The post Why Travel To India? first appeared on Kerala India Travel.

Kathakali makeup being applied before a show in Cochin, Kerala

On this site you’ll find a wealth of resources to help you plan your trip to Kerala – from choosing your itinerary to recommended hotels and experiences. If you are new to this site this post will highlight some of the articles that will help you plan your trip.

Getting Started

As an introduction to Kerala take a look at these posts:

Top 10 Reasons to Visit Kerala – If you are considering a trip to Kerala hopefully we’ll convince you here when we talk about the reasons why we love this Indian state.

Top 10 Places to Visit in Kerala – A concise run down of the most popular and interesting places to visit in Kerala.

Suggested Itineraries

One of the most common questions we get asked is where people should go during their holiday in Kerala. In these posts we make some suggestions.

Kerala Suggested Itineraries – 1 week – It can be difficult deciding where to go when you have limited time. Here we suggest four possible routes.

Kerala Suggested Itineraries – 2 weeks  – With two weeks in Kerala you’ll have a chance to see many of the popular attractions or get off the beaten track.

Which Kerala Beach is Right for You? – If spending some time on a beach is important to you take a look at this series which details the pros and cons of beaches in South, Central and North Kerala. You can decide whether you’d prefer the more popular beaches such as Kovalam or Varkala, or want to retreat to quiet and unspoilt Cherai or Kannur.

Best Places in Kerala to See Elephants – Plan your trip around these mighty animals by finding out the best places to spot them.

The Kerala Backwaters

It’s no secret that the backwaters are our favourite part of Kerala – they are a wonderfully tranquil, lush green world of rivers and canals. In these posts you can learn more about the best ways to explore them.

Introduction to The Kerala Backwaters – What to expect from this beautiful part of Kerala.

The Best Ways to Experience the Kerala Backwaters – This article explores the best ways to experience the backwaters including houseboat, canoe, homestay and local ferry.

Kerala Houseboats – The Essential Guide – One of the most popular things to do in Kerala – this five part series takes you through everything you need to know to plan your houseboat trip including what to expect, how much it costs and how to book.

Quiet Alternatives to Alleppey For Kerala Houseboat Trips – Alleppey can get crowded with houseboats so take a look at these alternatives.

The Best Homestay in Kerala – Community Greenpalm Homes Review – A homestay is a great way to experience the backwaters and in this three part post you’ll find out why I love Community Greenpalm Homes so much, what activities are on offer, and the practical details of how to book and how to get there.

Travel the Backwaters by Canoe – A canoe trip is one of my favourite ways to experience the Kerala backwaters up close. Read about my experiences on the DTPC canoe trip to Munroe Island.

Destinations

A Guide to Munnar – Munnar is one of the most popular destinations in Kerala for its stunning green hills and tea plantations. In this guide we tell you what to do, where to stay and how to get there.

Quiet Alternatives to Munnar – Get off the beaten track by visiting these alternative hill stations.

A Guide to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary – Our guide to the popular wildlife sanctuary.

Quiet Alternatives to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary – See wildlife without the crowds in these alternative destinations.

Beena Homestay Review, Fort Kochi – A friendly homestay in Fort Kochi.

Practical Details

This article series covers some commonly asked questions for first time visitors to Kerala.

Preparing For A Trip To Kerala – Things you need to take care of before you visit Kerala including vaccinations and arranging holiday insurance.

Tips To Plan Your Trip Part 1 – When to visit Kerala, and what to take and wear.

Tips To Plan Your Trip Part 2 –  Do you need a visa and is it necessary to book in advance.

Tips To Plan Your Trip Part 3 –  Transport, money and malaria.

Making Sense of Indian Trains – The railway system in India is confusing but we try to make things clearer in this post.

I hope you find these posts useful for planning your trip to Kerala. If you need some help in booking your trip then fill in the form near the top of the sidebar on the left and our partner agency will help you out.

The post Planning Your Trip To Kerala first appeared on Kerala India Travel.

Arrange Travel Insurance – As with any trip abroad you should arrange for travel insurance to cover your luggage and any medical expenses that may arise. It’s a good idea to buy your travel insurance when you book your flight so that you are covered in case of cancellation. If you are planning any adventurous activities, even if it’s riding an elephant – make sure that your insurance covers you.

Visa – You need to get a visa to India in advance – usually a 6 month tourist visa. Contact your local Indian embassy or high commission to process the application. In the UK the High Commission of India has outsourced visa processing to VFS Global – the current fee is £41.24 including service fee. You can apply online or at various centres around the country. I recommend allowing at least a few weeks before you travel, preferably more to allow enough time for processing.

Vaccinations – Visit adoctor or travel clinic at least two months before you travel to find out which travel vaccinations are necessary. You may also consider taking malaria medication. The Fit for Travel website run by the British NHS has useful information on vaccinations needed for destinations around the world.

Inform Bank – It isn’t possible to purchase Indian rupees outside the country so your best option is to use an ATM card to withdraw money at the airport when you arrive. ATMs are easily found in the cities in Kerala, although you’ll need to make sure you have cash when visiting rural areas. Before you leave let your bank know that you are going abroad so that they don’t block it when you use it in India. It’s always a good idea to have a few bank cards as back ups in case one gets blocked or stolen.

Pack Light – Unless you are renting a car and driver it’s best to pack light when travelling in India. This will make your life much easier on crowded buses and trains. It’s hot year round in coastal Kerala so light clothing is fine – pack a sweater if visiting the hill country around Periyar and Munnar though. Women should remember to pack clothes that cover their shoulders, knees and chest. Shorts aren’t appropriate for men or women when visiting temples.

Buy a Guidebook – A good guidebook will not only provide you will information about sights and accommodation but will warn you about local etiquette and teach you about the history and customs of Kerala. I recommend the Rough Guide to Kerala or the Lonely Planet South India if you are exploring beyond Kerala.

Make photocopies – Make photocopies of your passport, visa and other important travel documents and leave one copy with someone at home and keep one with you. You could also email it to yourself. This makes things much simpler in case you lose your passport..

If you take care of all of the above tasks your trip to Kerala will be a lot smoother.

The post Preparing for a trip to Kerala first appeared on Kerala India Travel.

Photo by Arun Kumar Sinha

Kerala’s position as the jewel of the tropical Malabar Coast and the number of holiday deals available to the region have cemented it as a tourist favourite in recent years, but many tourists don’t know that one of the most amazing sights to be seen in the area is to be found tucked away in the region’s backwaters.

The Vallam Kali, literally “boat race” in Malayalam, is a succession of fast paced, exciting races that take part on the rivers in the Kuttanad region, usually during the Onam harvest festival in the autumn. The tradition of the boat races stems from times when local rulers used the long boats to transport soldiers during waterfront wars. This has changed and adapted in modern times when four of the boats were sent to receive a statements and a boat race was organised for his amusement. He was so impressed by this that upon his return to Delhi he sent back a silver trophy so that the boat race may be held again every year. This heralded the beginning of the Vallam Kali boat races, with teams from neighbouring towns and villages pitted against each other to win the coveted Nehru Trophy.

The most thrilling of these races is undoubtedly the Chundan Vallam, or snake boat, race. The snake boats can be over 130 feet long; with a raised prow that stands 10 to 20 feet above the water. The snake boat moniker comes from the appearance of the prow, which resembles the hood of a snake. Each boat holds around a hundred oarsmen at peak physical condition and is constructed according to ancient specifications handed down in the Sthapathya Veda, a traditional treatise for the building of these boats. The boats are extremely important to villagers and each boat is treated as a sacred object – only the men of the village are allowed to touch the boat and must be barefooted to do so.

The races are regarded as similarly significant and competition for the trophy is fierce making these races one of the most exhilarating sporting events in the country. The pomp and pageantry surrounding the events are also a must-see as the villagers sell local cuisines and items of interest to visiting tourists and neighbouring villagers. Kerala’s boat races are definitely not to be missed!

The post Kerala’s Boat Races: Not for the Faint of Heart! first appeared on Kerala India Travel.

Photo by nattu

If you’re after the holiday of a lifetime, this could very well be it. An action-packed week (or two, or three!) in vibrant Kerala, followed by an utterly indulgent, totally relaxing week in the Maldives. With only an hour’s flight between Trivandrum and Malé, it’s easy to combine adventure and relaxation – culture, history and buzzing markets in Kerala, and spas, snorkelling and sunbathing in the Maldives. Accommodation options abound in each location, from a houseboat on the backwaters of Kerala to luxury hotels in the Maldives.

Far smaller than other Indian states, exploring Kerala feels less daunting and more accessible whilst simultaneously still immersing visitors in the culture of this fascinating country. Although you can still feel that irrepressible energy that is always bubbling just below India’s surface, Kerala has a far slower pace of life than the sub-continent’s raucous major cities. This is illustrated perfectly in Kerala’s tranquil backwaters, and a trip down them on a houseboat is an absolute must when visiting the region. Lie back on a comfy chaise longue, listen to the soothing sound of water slowly flowing past, and watch children playing in the water or waving from palm-fringed banks, men and women working in the rice paddies, fishermen paddling past in traditional dug-out canoes, and spot kingfishers, cormorants and an assortment of fish.

For the more active, a stay in the bustling town of Kochi offers numerous possibilities to explore and is a great starting point for your Kerala trip. Take a look at the vast Chinese fishing nets, the only place you’ll see them outside of China, and gaze at the beautiful colonial buildings in Fort Kochi. Then head for the hills and wander round the tea plantations in Munmar – a great place to escape the heat and humidity of the lower ground. Further south, in the foothills of the Western Ghats, you can ride an elephant through tea and coffee plantations and fields of spices.

Trivandrum lies on the southernmost tip of India and from there it is a very short plane ride to Malé, where you can jump on a speedboat or hop in a seaplane to take you to your island of choice. With 97 resort islands to choose from, it can be tricky to narrow them down to just one but they all have powder-white beaches, dazzlingly clear, turquoise water, and on-shore reefs teeming with brightly coloured coral and an aquarium’s worth of marine life. Snorkelling and diving are the two major activities, though just flopping down on the beach and snoozing or reading comes a close second. Most resorts also have world-class spas and top restaurants. A Maldivian holiday is all about relaxation – it is a hedonistic escape from everyday life, a retreat from the world.

Most countries do not operate direct flights to Malé so why not extend your twin-centre holiday to a triple-centre trip and enjoy a two or three day stopover in Singapore on your way home, the country through which many flights from the Maldives will pass? Singapore hotels are some of the most luxurious in the world and the city has much to offer the entire family. It could be a great way to end the holiday of a lifetime.

Disclosure: this is a sponsored post.

The post Kerala and the Maldives: The Perfect Twin-Centre Holiday first appeared on Kerala India Travel.

Local Kids in the Kerala Backwaters

This week´s post is an interview with my mum Sheila McNeaney. My parents recently returned from a trip to Kerala in February 2010, so I thought it would be useful to share their up to date tips and advice on planning an itinerary for a short six day trip to Kerala. Hopefully this will help you plan your own short (or long) trip to Kerala.

What was your itinerary in Kerala?

After visiting Goa we took the overnight train to Alleppey and spent 5 nights in Kerala: 2 nights at Green Palms Homes homestay near Alleppey, 2 nights in Kumily (near Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary) and 1 night in Cochin.

How did you get around and did it feel too rushed?

Our trip didn´t feel too rushed. We initially wanted to include Munnar as well but that would have been too much. It helped that we travelled by hired car and driver which saved on travel time. We didn´t hire a driver for the whole time: we took a taxi from Alleppey train station to the homestay and then we just arranged a taxi with our accommodation to take us to the next destination when we were ready. This made things really flexible. Taxis are very easy to organise.

How much did it cost to hire a car and driver?

The taxi from Alleppey train station to the Green Palms homestay cost 400 rupees, and then we had to take a short canoe trip across the river to reach the house.

Thomas arranged an an a/c car to take us from the homestay to Kumily. It took 4 hours with one stop and cost 2200 rupees. It was a lovely drive with stunning views and unusually for India the driver was very sensible and safe!

The taxi from Kumily – Ernakulum/Cochin cost 3100 rupees and took 4.5 hours.

What was your favourite place in Kerala?

Green Palms homestay. The house was full but despite the number of guests we really enjoyed the peace and quiet there. The family were so friendly and welcoming, and it had such a relaxed atmosphere. We found the rooms comfortable and the home-cooked food was delicious.

One of our favourite experiences was taking a trip on a small motor boat out into the backwaters. It was so peaceful watching the world go by, and we stopped at the perfect spot to watch the sunset. Another great trip was the 6.30am bird watching walk where we spotted many unusual birds.

We really enjoyed our time in Kumily too though. We did a one hour boat trip on the lake which was lovely, although we didn´t see any big animals and at 450 rupees it was a bit overpriced. We also enjoyed an interesting trip to a tea factory and plantation.

What was your favourite hotel?

For comfort and facilities I would say Chrissie´s Hotel in Kumily. It doesn´t look like much from the front but when you go inside you come to a lovely garden at the back. It´s a tranquil place on a quiet street off the main road although it´s still very central to town.

The rooms were large with a comfy bed and a balcony with fantastic views of the forest. You have to be careful not to leave anything on the balcony though or the monkeys might get it! They have their own rooftop restaurant which is also very good with delicious Italian food. We thought the room was good value at about 2000 rupees a night.

Why didn´t you take a houseboat trip?

The main reason was time but we felt we got to see the backwaters well enough by staying at the homestay and taking a small boat trip around the smaller canals and lake. We saw many houseboats in the backwaters. There are now around 1000 in the Alleppey area and Thomas at the homestay told us that they are causing a lot of pollution problems to the local people.

How was Keralan food?

The food was lovely – it´s not too spicy, uses fresh ingredients and there were lots of options. It can be difficult to buy beer though as only big hotels have a licence to sell it. If you ask around though you can usually find a place to buy it.

What was your worst experience?

We didn´t have any bad experiences in Kerala but the overnight train journey from Goa to Kerala wasn´t any fun. We accidently booked the sleeper class instead of AC2 (which had been recommended to us as the best class to travel in), and it wasn´t very comfortable at all. It was crowded, noisy, the toilets were awful, there were no blankets so it got chilly at night (you must bring your own in sleeper class), and as there was no a/c it got very hot during the day. It was cheap though – only 375 rupees per person.

On the way back to Goa thankfully we took a flight via Bangalore with Indian Airlines and this cost 6400 rupees per person.

Would you recommend Kerala to others? Do you have any tips for people planning a trip there?

Yes we´d definitely recommend Kerala to friends, in fact I already have. My main advice would be to have plenty of time – don´t think that you can see it all in a few days. It´s such a relaxing place that it´s good to take your time and enjoy it. We would have liked to spend more time in Kerala, especially to explore Fort Cochin.

I would also say that although houseboats are nice they aren’t very good for the environment and are an expensive way to see the backwaters. We´d recommend staying at a homestay and exploring on a small boat or canoe.

Finally, if you are looking for a comfortable place to stay, don´t rule out accommodation listed in the Budget section of the guidebooks – some of them in Kumily looked really nice.

If you’ve recently returned from a trip to Kerala and would like to be interviewed for this site and share your tips then please get in touch.

The post Interview with a Recent Kerala Visitor first appeared on Kerala India Travel.

Houseboat Jam at Alleppey

Alleppey is one of the most popular destinations in Kerala. It is the houseboat hub and a good place to set off and explore the Kerala backwaters. However the number of houseboats here has grown over the last few years and houseboat traffic jams are now a common sight. This takes away somewhat from your relaxing houseboat experience, and also causes a lot of water pollution in the local area.

A Kerala houseboat trip can be a wonderful experience though, so as part of our ongoing Quiet Alternatives Series here are some other places you could try for your houseboat journey.

Kollam

Kollam is an easy place to rent a houseboat, but sees far fewer visitors than Alleppey. We took an overnight houseboat trip from Kollam-Alleppey and the backwaters near Kollam were definitely quieter and more unspoilt. We also liked Kollam as an authentically Indian town without the hassle and touts that you find in more touristy places.

To hire a houseboat just head down to the jetty and ask at the tourist office. They’ll arrange a houseboat for you. We arranged ours the day before, but you could even head down early in the morning on the day you want to leave, as the boats don’t leave until around 11am. Read our Essential Guide to Kerala Houseboats for more on what to expect on your journey.

Kollam is also a good place to stop between the southern beaches of Kovalam and Varkala, and Cochin. It’s only a 30 minute train ride from Varkala. Read our Keralan coast itinerary in our 1 Week Kerala Suggested Itineraries post for an idea of how to fit Kollam into your trip.

Valiyaparamba Backwaters

If you really want to avoid the crowds then you need to leave the southern backwaters behind and head to Northern Kerala. The houseboat scene is far less developed in the Valiyaparamba backwaters, so you’ll have a much more tranquil experience.

The backwaters are 50km north of Kannur (a great place to stop for a quiet beach break). There aren’t many houseboat operators so you’ll need to be more organised than in Alleppey, but Bekal Boat Stay offers cruises on traditional rice barges. It’s more expensive than Alleppey but the trade off is beautiful backwaters all to yourself.

Have you experienced a quiet houseboat trip? Leave a comment and tell us about it.

The post Quiet Alternatives to Alleppey for Kerala Houseboat Trips first appeared on Kerala India Travel.

Festival in Thrissur, Kerala. Photo by Spisharam.

Who doesn’t love elephants? If you love them as much as I do and would like to see some on your trip to Kerala, here are the best places to find them.

If you’d like to spot elephants in Kerala in the wild you’ll need to visit one of the national parks. Of course, sightings aren’t guaranteed, but if you do get lucky it’ll be an exciting experience.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

The most popular wildlife sanctuary in Kerala has a good population of elephants. A boat trip is a popular way to explore but you’ll have a better chance of seeing elephants if you go for a guided trek into the forest. The longer the trek, the better your chances. Read my Guide to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary for full details.

Wayanad

The Wayanad region in Northern Kerala is much less visited than Periyar and has two wildlife sanctuaries with good chances of spotting elephants. Read my post on Quiet Alternatives to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary for full details.

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary

Chinnar is easily reached from Munnar, but also receives far less visitors than Periyar. The watch tower is a great place to look out for elephants and you can even sleep out overnight. Chinnar is another one of my Quiet Alternatives to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, so have a read for more information.

If you don’t fancy venturing into one of the parks, or if you didn’t have any luck finding the gentle beasts, don’t despair! There are some great options for guaranteed close up interaction with elephants.

Kodanad Elephant Training Centre

Kodanad is an elephant rescue and training centre that is a popular daytrip from Cochin. It’s located 50km away so you’ll need to arrange a trip through your hotel or tourist office, or hire a taxi. If you arrive by 8am you’ll have the opportunity to help wash the elephants, and you can also have an elephant ride. If you are hiring a car to take you from Cochin to Munnar this is a good place to stop on the way.

Guruvayur

Guruvayur is an interesting off the beaten track place to visit in Kerala. It’s a bustling pilgrim town 25km from Thrissur that is well known for its temple, one of the richest and most important in the state. Although non-Hindus aren’t allowed inside the temple you can still enjoy the activities that take place outside during one of the many festivals held there.

The largest festival is Ulsavam during February or March. There are a variety of music and dance performances, as well as an elephant race and procession.

Even if you don’t visit during a festival you can still see elephants at the Punnathur Kotta Elephant Sanctuary 3kms away. Elephants are trained there for temple activities, and visitors are always welcome.

Thrissur

Highly decorated elephants are an essential part of temple festivals in Kerala. Thrissur is another less obvious place to visit in Kerala that has plenty of temples and festivals, so it’s a great place to spot elephants. The annual Puram Festival, the biggest festival in all of Kerala, takes place here in May and features elephant processions, drum orchestras and lots of traditional arts. You can get here by bus or train from Cochin in a few hours.

Festivals take place in Kerala temples throughout the year so keep your eyes open, ask around and you’re bound to come across some elephants.

Where is your favourite place to see elephants in Kerala? Leave a comment and let us know

The post Best Places to See Elephants in Kerala first appeared on Kerala India Travel.