One of the must see places in the world, Kerala has much more to offer than only those usual looks of green trees in hill stations, backwaters and lush fields. You will find a different type of uniqueness in the natural beauty there. Here is the complete list of best things to do in Kerala with Photos for any discerning travelers.
#1: Walk & take a photo between Tea Gardens in Munnar:
The hill station of Munnar is well known for its verdant hills with tea plantations and this is among the best photo opportunities in Kerala. The tea gardens make a memorable background for honeymoon and family photographs. Backdrop of greenery from the tea gardens of Munnar and silvery mist among the mountains form a perfect setting for photography along with other tourist spots in Munnar. Many of the tea estates may not allow trespassing and you may have to seek permission before photographing.
#2: Eat the World’s Best breakfast:
Rated as the world’s best breakfast by Travel & leisure magazine, Kerala’s healthy breakfast is cooked with pure, fresh and seasonal local natural ingredients. Begin your day with Uppma, Masala Dosa, Puttu, Idly and Appams. Appams are recommended with vegetable stew or meat/chicken stew.
#3: Wander through the Paddy fields in Kerala:
Get a different strolling experience by walking through green paddy fields. Wandering through these fields, feeling the mud and water on your feet, gives a unique feeling especially in the mornings and evenings.
#4: Sip Tender Coconut Water from Roadside:
Sipping the cool, fresh and healthy tender coconut water on a hot summer day will rejuvanize you and keep you active throughout the day. It’s tender, white, nutritional pulp is also a strong nutritional diet.
#5: Enjoy Beauty of Backwaters in a Houseboat:
Explore the backwaters of Kerala in a houseboat. It is literally a floating house. The houseboat has the comforts of a house with bedrooms, dining area and a lounge. The glass walls let you get a clear view of surroundings while sailing on the backwaters.Best Things to do in Kerala houseboat include enjoying traditional Kerala food, fishing , canoeing etc and candle light dinner, flower arrangement and cake cutting etc are also organised for honeymoon couples in houseboat
#6: Watch Snake Boat Racing:
Watch snake boats race at Alappuzha – a place in Kerala. Feel the excitement of the racers and the enthusiastic crowd that shout, cheer, wave and clap with great competitive spirit while watching Nehru Trophy Boat Race. You could get a first hand experience of the race by renting a snake boat and participating yourself as well and this is among the best things to do in Kerala in September .
#7: Explore Village Life along the backwaters:
Get a closer look at the village life in Kerala through a backwater village tour . Ride on a bullock cart. Meet with the locals and explore their lifestyle. Enjoy homemade food made by them and take away traditional recipes. Chill with the adorable naughty kids who love to entertain.
#8: Cross Coconut Trunk Bridges:
In the lush green lands of Kerala, you will come across many water bodies which run through the fields and jungles. There are narrow wooden bridges on streams that the natives use to cross them. Crossing these bridges made of coconut trunks is another awesome experience, though it may feel more like a balancing act when you do it the first time.
#9: Eat a Sadya from a Banana Leaf:
Sit cross-legged on a mat and get the traditional sadya (Kerala’s lunch) served with rice, pickles, vegetarian dishes, pappadam and payasam. Sadya is enjoyed when eaten with your hand and not cutlery. Sadya is a pure vegetarian meal served on tender banana leaf and is usually served during Onam. However most of the hotels in Kerala serve Sadya for lunch if you can make prior request.
#10: Fish with Chinese Fishing Nets at Fort Kochi:
Fishing using the Chinese Fishing Nets in Kochi is another one of a kind experience. It is a unique and unusual method of fishing. Chinese Fishing Nets are fixed land installations. Operated from the shore, these nets are set up on bamboo and teak poles and held horizontally by huge mechanisms, which lower them into the sea. They are counter-weighed by large stones tied to ropes and tourists can also participate with fishermen in the fishing. The original Chinese fishing nets here originated from the court of Kublai Khan, a Mongolian King.
#11: Drape a Kerala Saree:
Women can surprise their partners by draping the elegant and traditional Kerala saree. The saree with golden zari border is woven on traditional hand loom. A photo shoot in Kerala traditional wear is something you can have to carry the memories of your Kerala trip and also to show friends and family back home and is among the best things to do in Kerala.
#12: Ride on an Elephant:
Yes! No bike riding or car driving, but an elephant ride! Feel like an emperor of old times, arriving on an elephant to meet his subjects. Pretty cool! Elephant ride is a must if you are planning for a visit to Kerala and among the best things to do in Munnar and Thekkady.
#13: Watch birds in Bird Sanctuaries of Kerala :
We are not talking about just crows and pigeons (however, you will find them too), but the natural beauty preserved in the beautiful and precious birds in the bird Sanctuaries of Kerala like the Kumarakom bird sanctuary and the Thettekad bird sanctuary. You can spot birds like Grey-headed Bulbul, Wynaad Laughingthrush, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Malabar Parakeet, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, White-bellied Treepie, Nilgiri Flycatcher, Rufous Babbler, Malabar Lark and Crimson-backed Sunbird.
#14: Feel the monsoon rain:
Get drenched in the monsoon rain and sip a cup of hot masala tea. Feel the raindrops in your palm. Watch the rain from your room or balcony and enjoy the music of the rain when it hits the roof and the leaves. The smell of the earth when the rain first falls on dry land is something divine. The music, mood and scent of the monsoon is one awesome romantic experience you shouldn’t miss.
#15: Get an Authentic Kerala Ayurveda Massage:
Get an Ayurveda massage from the expert masseurs. It is a very soothing and relaxing experience for your body, mind and soul. Monsoons are the best time to get an authentic ayurveda massage. Traditionally, this is the right time to take a treatment in Ayurveda ,as the climate is suitable for treatments like Abhyangam, Ilakkizhi(Patrasweda), Podikkizhi (Choornasweda), Panchakarma, Udvarthanam (Herbal powder massage), Navarakkizhi, Ksheeradhara, Thakradhara and Pizhichil for any kind of ailments and the flora and fauna are abundantly available for any kind of Ayurveda treatment in monsoon. Ayurveda massages are the best things to do in Kerala in June, July and August
#16: Watch the tea making process from where it originates:
Free up some time to visit the tea plantations at Kerala, one of them is Munnar, you can even see the whole tea making process, if you are lucky enough. Have a sip of tea at place from where it plucked and interact with tea workers in Kerala.
#17: Listen to temple Music:
The temple music, also a part of native’s prayers and festivals and it feels like hypnotizing the listener. Kerala is famous for Panchavadyam which is a temple art and which means an orchestra of 5 native instruments like elathalam , timila, suddha-maddalam, Kombu and edakka.
#18: Visit Local Markets:
The packed crowds, high pitched of voices of merchants and vehicles, people jostling to view items, aromas of food wafting in the air—there is no denying that the best and most honest taste of any place comes from its local markets.The local markets in Kerala are like small stalls of everyday things including food items, fresh vegetables, juices, fruits, fish and meat. These can be visited to buy any specific food item or something for a daily use like knife, forks etc.
#19: Eat Bananas:
The bananas at Kerala are quite noticeable and different in their size, shape and somehow colors. There a long, small, tall bananas and also many ‘banana special’ dishes and items like banana milk shake, banana ice cream etc.
#20: Watch the Bullock Race:
You may have watched the car racing many times but don’t forget to watch the interesting bullock race which will truly entertain in a different and unique way called Maramadi which is a way celebration that doesn’t involve torturing and killing poor animals. Maramadi takes place in flooded rice fields and is mong the best things to do in Kerala in August, which makes it infinitely more entertaining for the crowds watching from the sidelines.