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Kerala reveals a gentler side of India, with tea-clad hills, historic towns, tranquil backwaters, and serene beaches.
Don’t miss Fort Kochi’s heritage lanes, Munnar’s viewpoints, historic Madurai, Thekkady’s spice gardens, Periyar Lake, and Marari Beach.
Visit in January and February for dry and comfortable weather. October and November can bring brief coastal showers with clearer breaks in the hills.
Taste the region’s delicious appam with coconut stew, dosa and sambar, Kerala fish curry, and karimeen (pearl spot fish).
A Just You escorted tour to Kerala, India, provides smooth travel, balanced free time, and rich local insight.
Kerala is one of India’s most captivating destinations, with palm-fringed backwaters where kingfishers dart between emerald rice paddies, tea-clad hills quilted in green, spice-scented markets, and soft golden beaches where the Arabian Sea slips ashore at sunset.
On Just You’s Discovering Kerala – Revealing the Treasures of Southern India escorted tour, you can explore the region’s highlights without worrying about the logistics of your trip. Your dedicated Holiday Director and Specialist Local Guides provide friendly company, expert insight, and handle the travel details for you.
It’s the easy, comfortable way to unlock Kerala’s treasures as a solo traveller on one of our holidays to India.
Kerala’s peak season runs from November to February, bringing dry, comfortable weather with warm days and cool nights. It’s also the busiest period, with festivals adding colour. Just You builds in smart timing for key sights to help you sidestep the largest crowds where possible.
Shoulder seasons (September to October, and March to April) can mean fewer crowds, greener landscapes, and warmer, more humid conditions, particularly on the coast and backwaters. Earlier starts can help you make the most of cooler mornings.
Kerala has two monsoon patterns. The southwest monsoon (June to September) brings heavier, frequent rain, especially along the coast.
In late October and November, the northeast monsoon can deliver short, occasional downpours on the coast and backwaters, while the hills often stay fresher and see more breaks in the weather.
Discover our top 10 reasons to visit India.
Explore some of the most captivating destinations in Kerala, India, from lush tea plantations to stunning beaches.
Fort Kochi is a historic neighbourhood located in the western part of Kerala’s cosmopolitan capital city, Kochi, formerly known as Cochin. It was the site of the first European fort in India and has a rich history influenced by Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial rule.
As part of a guided tour, you’ll wander past colourful street art and buildings in a variety of architectural styles. At sunset, visitors can stroll the seafront promenade towards the Chinese fishing nets, where silhouettes are stark against tangerine skies, and fishermen call across the shallows.
An evening performance of Kathakali (classical dance-drama with expressive mudras and lavish makeup) or Kalaripayattu (Kerala’s traditional martial art) could end your day on a cultural high.
Travelling with Just You means a specialist Local Guide is on hand to reveal interesting details, such as ornate doorways and where to find the best cardamom tea.
India’s tea country invites you to slow down and savour the taste of Kerala life. The road into Munnar is a scenic ribbon through valleys draped in tea, creating an ever-changing patchwork of jade and emerald. Viewpoints offer the chance to watch the dawn light brush the green hills with a light coating of pale gold. A visit to a tea museum adds flavour to the scenery, revealing how tender leaves become the brew in your cup.
A light fleece and sturdy shoes are useful for easy hill walks along tea terraces and uneven paths as you trace India’s most popular drink from leaf to cup.
Madurai, situated on the banks of the Vaigai River, is one of India’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. In this lively, historic city, the air smells of jasmine garlands, the bazaars are full of brassware and handloom silk, and street stalls serve the local favourite jigarthanda, a creamy, cooling drink.
At its heart rises the magnificent Meenakshi Amman Temple, a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture crowned by soaring, kaleidoscopic gopurams studded with thousands of sculpted deities. Step inside to find pillared halls, intricate carvings, and the gentle echo of devotional music.
A short hop from the temple, the Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal is the 17th-century palace of King Thirumalai Nayak, renowned for its grand Indo-Saracenic style: colossal scalloped arches, honey-coloured stucco, and an immense central courtyard that once hosted royal ceremonies.
As you head further south, the scents in the air shift from fresh and herbal to warm and welcoming. In Periyar, the air itself feels spiced; cardamom, pepper vines, cinnamon, and clove thrive in these forested hills.
Spice plantations are both the lifeblood of Thekkady and a tourist hotspot, where visitors can discover the stories behind the spices, including cinnamon and cardamom. Many plantations offer guided walks for a more immersive experience.
Nature lovers often enjoy relaxing boat trips on Periyar Lake. A serene ride on the water can offer sightings of a variety of bird species, while ripples on the water mean you might see an otter or two.
The Periyar Tiger Reserve (also known as Periyar National Park) safeguards the rich ecosystem here. Tiger sightings aren’t guaranteed, but elephants and birdlife are sometimes seen near the lake, and the scenic backdrop makes for a truly memorable experience.
For postcard-perfect pictures of Kerala’s backwaters, many visitors head for Alleppey and other villages around Vembanad Lake, such as Kumarakom. Expect a mosaic of canals, lagoons, and rice paddies framed by swaying palm trees.
From Alleppey, you weave a path through narrow canals and rice paddies to the broad expanse of nearby Vembanad Lake. But both offer a taste of village life as you wave at passing school ferries and laundry snaps in the breeze as it hangs from bamboo lines. Consider taking binoculars to observe the stalking white egrets.
As part of Just You’s Discovering Kerala – Revealing the Treasures of Southern India tour, you’ll enjoy a tranquil night on a ‘kettuvallom’, a famous style of houseboat in the region. You could also visit Kumbalangy, an integrated tourism village that supports local livelihoods through community-led experiences and traditional crafts.
A trip to Kerala isn’t complete without a relaxed moment or two at the beach. Many travellers head to Marari Beach on the Arabian Sea coast, where you can wander barefoot in the sand and watch sunsets turn fishing boats into soft silhouettes. You might try grilled fish scented with coconut and chilli, then relax with an Ayurvedic massage.
Bear in mind that sea conditions vary throughout the year, and local guidance is always followed for safe swimming.
Kerala’s kitchens brim with aromatic ingredients including coconut, mustard seeds, pumpkin, plantain, curry leaves, tamarind, and black pepper. Seafood staples include kingfish and tuna and flavours are typically layered rather than fiery.
Some favourites to enjoy include:
Appam with stew – Lace-edged rice pancakes served with a gently spiced vegetable or chicken coconut milk stew.
Dosa and sambar – Crisp, paper-thin rice-and-lentil crepes with a warming lentil broth and chutneys.
Kerala fish curry – Often made with kingfish, coconut, tamarind, and a whisper of chilli – tangy, rich, and perfect with steamed rice.
Karimeen (pearl spot) – A beloved local fish, typically grilled or cooked in banana leaf.
Malabar parotta – Flaky, layered flatbread that can be torn and dipped in spicy kurma and stews.
With Kerala’s tropical climate and humid summers, staying hydrated is essential on your visit. Chilled coconut water served straight from the shell is a popular choice for its natural electrolytes, but fresh lime soda is an equally refreshing and thirst-quenching option.
Stick to drinking bottled or filtered water, and avoid ice outside reputable venues. Coffee drinkers can rejoice in Kerala – South Indian filter coffee is deep and aromatic, often served with frothy milk and enjoyed at any time of day. If you prefer tea, a glass of milky, sweet chai can be the perfect choice.
When planning to eat locally, it is best to choose well-reviewed restaurants (your Holiday Director can point you in the right direction) and stick to cooked dishes if you have a sensitive stomach.
On a Just You guided holiday to India, your Holiday Director and Specialist Local Guides work hard to create a stress-free experience that allows you to focus on everything Kerala has to offer.
Here are a few practical tips for your journey:
UK travellers typically need an Indian e-Visa before travelling to the country. Apply online well in advance, ensuring that your passport details exactly match those on your application. Print or save digital copies and carry your tour and hotel details with you for arrival formalities.
We’ve partnered with Sherpa, an online self-service tool where you can check up-to-date travel entry requirements for any country: find out more.
Kerala’s currency is the Indian Rupee (INR). Consider bringing a fee-free card for convenience, and note that while cash machines are widely available in towns, they tend to be scarce in more rural areas.
Consider carrying small notes for tips, snacks and small purchases, especially for markets and street-side stalls.
Kerala has a modest tipping culture, and the gesture is always appreciated. On escorted tours, tipping might be coordinated into a pool for drivers, local guides, and hotel staff for convenience.
Just You’s chosen accommodation for our escorted tours of Kerala offers Wi-Fi, although its speed may vary.
An eSIM or local SIM for data could be useful to avoid costly roaming charges, and Internet-based apps like WhatsApp are convenient options for sharing messages and pictures with your fellow solo travellers.
Kerala’s sun is friendly but strong so use high-SPF sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Hydrate frequently and pace yourself in heat and humidity. Mosquito protection is wise, especially at dusk and around backwaters; wearing long sleeves and trousers helps.
Check your routine travel vaccinations with your GP or a travel clinic before you go, and ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance.
Light, breathable fabrics are ideal. In temples and traditional homes, cover your shoulders and knees. In some religious sites, visitors are also asked to cover their heads. Remove your shoes before entering and use your right hand for offerings or receiving items. Always ask before photographing people, especially in villages or sacred spaces.
Voltage in Kerala is 230V, and the sockets are commonly Type C, D, and M. Packing a universal adaptor is a wise idea to cover all bases.
Kerala’s roads are scenic, but slow, so don’t expect to get anywhere in a hurry – your comfortable coach/minibus and expert driver are included, so sit back and enjoy the views.
Think about refilling a reusable bottle with safe, filtered water when available. You might also consider avoiding single-use plastics and purchasing crafts directly from local creatives.
Learn more about Just You’s partnership with Planeterra.
Kerala is wonderfully welcoming, and travelling with Just You makes it even easier. You’ll always have your own room as standard, with no single supplements, and you’ll join a small group of like-minded travellers who love discovery as much as you do.
The balance is spot on with plenty of inclusive guided visits and sociable meals, as well as room in the itinerary to relax or explore independently.
Your expert Holiday Director is with you throughout, supported by knowledgeable local specialists who bring Kerala’s heritage, wildlife and culinary traditions to life.
All the logistics are sorted – internal travel, transfers, porterage – so you won’t be juggling tickets or timing. Accommodation and boats are vetted, suppliers are trusted, and you have 24/7 support for complete peace of mind.
If you’re ready for India at its most beautiful, explore everything you’ll see and do on Just You’s 12-day Discovering Kerala – Revealing the Treasures of Southern India escorted tour.
Request a brochure, speak to our friendly Holiday Advisors, or browse our selection of other India singles holidays and solo tours.
Absorb the heady mix of Kerala on this incredible journey from bustling cities to peaceful backwaters on a tour packed with fascinating cultural and wildlife encounters that reveal the region's finest treasures.
