I e-biked through quiet villages, pressed handmade paper, took a cooking class, and sipped mango lassis by palm-fringed pools. Here are a few insights from a personal trip that I took in May, arranged by our DMC, TBi.
Why Kerala deserves your attention
Most of my first enquiries for India focus on the Golden Triangle, the iconic Taj Mahal, the pink city of Jaipur and tigers of Ranthambore. With these big hitters comes a faster pace of life, the chaos, the sights and the sounds of the big city.
But India is a country of incredible diversity and at every turn visitors will find something fresh and unexpected. Take the tropical southern state of Kerala, where life visibly slows down and landscapes take centre stage. Enjoy lazy afternoon tea in the misty mountains, cruise tranquil backwaters or a walking safari in a national park.
Visitors can discover Kerala's backwaters by boat © CGH Earth
Kerala is a leader in social welfare and stands at the forefront of responsible travel in India. It’s certainly a destination worthy of our attention.
Who will love Kerala?
Kerala will suit clients looking for a varied tour with culture and natural beauty. It’s warm climate, famed cuisine and welcoming hotels make it superb tourism destination.
A great diversity of landscapes are within easy reach – within a couple of hours, swap the balmy coastline for grand vistas of tea plantations, then head to the forests of India’s first tiger reserve, before lazily paddling the backwaters of Alleppey.
I’d recommend this region for:
- Wellness enthusiasts – this is the place for that Ayurveda reset with a touch of luxury. Yoga and meditation classes are readily available and the spas are fabulous.
- Foodies – Keralan cuisine is famed for its rich coconut-based flavours. It is perfect for vegetarians, but also offers excellent fish and seafood dishes. There are plenty of opportunities to join a cooking class.
- Multi-generational families – the short travel distances between the regions, beautiful pools and ground-floor villas makes travelling with both younger and older family members easy.
- Solo travellers – I met a few ladies travelling solo in the area, taking their time and staying much longer than us (I was a little envious). There’s plenty to do and we always felt welcome when exploring.
- Retirees – Many clients revisit India after their first experience. Those with a little more time and craving an escape from the chilly winter, often favour Kerala
Trusted hotel partners
For agents looking for a reliable collection of hotels that combine responsible tourism v with luxury, warmth and hospitality, the CGH Earth group is just the ticket. They were early adopters of responsible tourism, embedding environmental and community values into their operations.
Coconut Lagoon © CGH Earth
Arrivals are marked by refreshing welcome drinks, and in my case, petal arrangements wishing me Happy Birthday, alongside locally sourced coffee and tea, and filtered water bottled on site. Each hotel is unique, built from locally sourced materials such as thatched palm roofs and reclaimed timber, cared for by local craftspeople using traditional methods. Swimming pools and gardens were beautifully maintained, with butterfly gardens alive with colour.
Experiences not to miss
With two nights in each location, I managed a yoga class and papermaking at Spice Village in Thekkady, and cycled around villages by e-bike from Coconut Lagoon in Kumarakom, where we also spotted an otter, monitor lizard, and a wonderful array of birdlife. In Periyar National Park we took a raft over the river with a guide from the local tribe, who searched out wild boar and exotic birds, and unfortunately a few leeches!
From Eighth Bastion in Fort Kochi, we toured the Dutch Palace, the synagogue, and the waterfront with its Chinese fishing nets. We stumbled on a Bollywood shoot in the side streets and browsed the craft shops of Jew Town. Be sure to add some time at the end of the trip in Kochi for souvenir shopping.
At Windermere Estate in Munnar’s tea region, not part of the CGH Earth portfolio, but family-run and welcoming, we joined daily nature walks with a resident naturalist. The cool hill climate was a welcome escape from the coast. We also visited a tea factory and learned about the local co-operative.
The long stretch of golden sands at Marari Beach is the perfect place to end the tour. It’s traditional village life with no real tourism infrastructure so it’s ideal for lazing in a hammock with a book and sunset walks in the sand.
Marari Beach © CGH Earth
The food
We stayed on a half-board basis, and meals were consistently excellent, with both à la carte and buffet options. Menus were clearly labelled for allergies, and chefs happily answered questions. Complimentary cooking demonstrations alternated daily between vegetarian and seafood dishes.
Afternoon tea was another highlight. Guests gathered for chai, snacks, and conversation with staff and fellow travellers. At Coconut Lagoon, chai arrived by boat, a lovely touch, enjoyed while watching golden egrets along Vembanad Lake.
A special mention must go to the birthday cakes I was treated to, three in total, much to the amusement of fellow guests.
In summary
As a guide, working with our DMC we priced this trip at around £1,850 per person (excluding flights). It's also possible to book CGH Earth Hotels with Kuoni and Jules Verne. After sharing my experience in a recent newsletter, I received two enquiries and secured a small-group booking.
Travelling in May meant hot, humid weather on the coast, though cooler with light rain in the hills. The best time for clients to visit is between October and March.
I had originally booked direct flights, which were later changed to an indirect routing (approx. 13 – 15hrs with transit). With the time difference, I’d recommend an overnight stop in Dubai or Doha, followed by a morning onward flight to Kochi to arrive feeling refreshed and ready for the day.
I would wholeheartedly recommend Kerala as a superb, and perhaps under-rated, destination for your clients.
