Planning Your Trip To Kerala

Kathakali makeup in Cochin, Kerala

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.

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Tips on Booking a Houseboat in Kerala

Kerala Houseboat

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.

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Why Travel To India?

Kerala Backwaters

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?

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Preparing for a trip to Kerala

Preparing for a trip to Kerala doesn’t have to be difficult but there are some basics that you should take care of before your holiday.

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.

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Kerala’s Boat Races: Not for the Faint of Heart!

kerala_boat_race

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.

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Interview with a Recent Kerala Visitor

Kids in Kerala Backwaters

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.

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Quiet Alternatives to Alleppey for Kerala Houseboat Trips

 

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.

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