Kerala Tours

Top 5 Experiences on our Kerala Holidays

Stay on a traditional houseboat

A backwater cruise on a traditional houseboat is a serene and unforgettable experience that offers a glimpse into the tranquil nature of Kerala. Navigating through the intricate network of lakes, canals and rivers, the houseboat glides past lush vegetation, quaint villages and traditional rice paddies. As the gentle rhythm of the boat lulls you into relaxation, watch local life unfold along the waterways with fishermen casting their nets and women washing clothes on the banks. The delicious traditional Keralan cuisine served on board adds a flavourful touch to the journey, making it both an immersive and cultural experience.

Visit a tea plantation

Visiting a tea plantation is a must-do experience during Kerala holidays. The green slopes of the plantation unfold before your eyes, the air is filled with the sweet aroma of fresh tea leaves and the sound of rustling leaves adds to the atmosphere. Walking through the neatly planted rows of tea bushes, you can witness the intricate process of tea production, from plucking to processing. The knowledgeable guides provide insights into the history and techniques involved, making it an educational journey. You’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy a freshly brewed cup of Keralan tea.

Take a boat trip on Periyar Lake

Nestled inside a wildlife sanctuary in Thekkady, Periyar Lake provides a peaceful and enchanting experience. As the boat glides through the waters surrounded by rich biodiversity, you can’t help but feel a sense of peace and harmony with nature. A boat trip on the lake is also a great way to spot elephants, majestic gaurs and colourful bird species that can often be seen along the shore. The lake was created in the late 19th century and has become a well-known place for wildlife watching where you can get up close and personal to incredible creatures.

Explore the old spice town of Cochin

Also known as Kochi, Cochin is a vibrant market town in the southern state of Kerala. It is renowned for its idyllic backwaters, historic sites and diverse cultural heritage. The town is an intoxicating blend of old-world charm and modern life, with its rich history reflected in the colonial architecture, such as the iconic Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis Church and the Dutch Palace. Cochin is also a hub of art and culture, with traditional Kathakali performances and classical music concerts keeping its cultural legacy alive.

Sample traditional Keralan food

Traditional Keralan food is a sensory culinary experience that reflects the rich cultural heritage of the region. Known for its unique blend of flavours and spices, the cuisine here offers a wide variety of vegetarian and meat dishes. Coconut, curry leaves and mustard seeds are commonly used in cooking, giving the dishes their distinct flavours and aromas. Some popular dishes that you might want to try include appam, puttu, fish curry and avial. The generous use of coconut oil and coconut milk adds richness to the dishes and the food is typically served on a banana leaf. Keralan food is not just about eating, it’s about savouring the tradition and culture passed down through generations.

Kerala Trips

You could spend a lifetime exploring the nuances that make each place – and each day – distinctly different from the last in India. Each is marked by its own food, festivals and traditions. And there’s an ever-changing landscape too. On Kerala holidays and the languid south, you’ll find the pace much slower than in the frenetic north. Tranquil rural villages, deserted white-sand beaches and wildlife-rich rainforest make Kerala the perfect haven. Beautiful countryside, rolling plains and lush valleys are home to elephants, monkeys and other flora and fauna.

On Exodus Kerala tours you’ll have the opportunity to stay on a converted rice barge and explore the sleepy backwaters. The barges are open on both sides, encouraging a natural breeze and allowing stunning views of both banks of the river. Throughout the journey watch local life pass by, and in the evenings visit villages to experience life here more closely.

Kerala Tours

14 Days from USD 4273

USD 4050

Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)

Cycling

14 Days from USD 1903

USD 1725

Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)

Culture

14 Days from USD 4798

USD 4680

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Culture

8 Days from USD 1275

Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)

Family

14 Days from USD 4123

USD 3930

Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)

Cycling

9 Days from USD 6265

Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)

Culture

15 Days from USD 2580

Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)

Walking & Trekking

8 Days from USD 2173

USD 1980

Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)

Cycling

8 Days from USD 1273

USD 1095

Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)

Culture

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This was a wonderful journey through beautiful Kerala and Tamil Nadu…so bright, so colourful, so vibrant. We had such amazing experiences, from strolling through the streets of Fort Kochi, to trekking through the beautiful tea plantations of Munnar and seeing elephants in the mist of an early morning walk at Periyar. We learnt so much about Hindu culture from our lovely guide Biju, and visited some beautiful temples along the way…a real highlight of the trip.
I loved the contrasts between vibrant buzzy cities, with thrilling tuk tuk rides, and the peaceful backwaters of Alleppey…drifting along the tranquil waters watching Kingfishers and Egrets. Just lovely.
I would thoroughly recommend this tour of the Tropical South.

Nicola Akers Kerala & the Tropical South

We added this trip as an extension to the Discover Sri Lanka trip which was fabulous and we highly recommend. Unfortunately
this trip for us fell far short of the standard we have come to expect from Exodus. I write this as a qualified ride leader with over 40 years of experience in bike maintenance.

Our bikes had multiple problems including excessive play in the rear wheel, unreliable gears, poorly adjusted headsets and badly set up brakes all which affected bike handling and created unnecessary risk. Having discussed this with Exodus they have assured us that changes will be made to the servicing of the bikes and that the ride leader will test ride every bike before handing it to a client.

Generally it is easy cycling on flat roads with a few minor hills on the last day. A lot of the roads are fairly busy, the Indian drivers like to toot so you know they are there, so it is also very noisy. The backwater roads are lovely but views of the sea can be limited because of the coastal defences. There is also a lot of litter and some unwelcome smells due to the lack of sanitation. The locals are generally very welcoming and friendly, plenty of smiles particularly from the children.

Linda Hamilton Cycle the Coast of Kerala

One of my best ever cycling holidays lead by a brilliant local team (Vini and Arun) headed up by the amazing Safi. It was good to experience the chaos of a city in Mysore with crazy traffic and cows in the road. Fort Kochi, which is a world heritage site, was laid back with lots of interesting things to see on our day off the saddle and lovely boutique shops where there was no hassle from vendors! The night on the converted rice barge was lovely and relaxing and so nice to float past everyday life on the river. Cycling along the coast, it was good to see fishermen hauling in their catch and to paddle in those warm waters.
I particularly loved waving at friendly locals as we cycled by (and them waving back) and the school children so excited to see us and practice their English.
Apart from the climb up to Ooty which is optional, I felt this holiday should be rated a difficulty level of 3 rather than 4. Once you’ve finished the Western Ghats, the cycling is very flat.
Added to all that, we had a truly lovely group of fellow cyclists on the holiday who all helped make this such a pleasurable trip.

Alison Stent Cycle Kerala & Tropical India

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