Kerala the ‘God’s Own Country‘ with rich culture offers a lot of amazing views to its visitors. The state’s diverse landscapes along with its unique culture and heritage make it a must-visit place at least once in one’s life. Kerala tourism is so famous because unlike other tourist destinations that has got a well-defined off-season and peak season, Kerala is got something to offer to each and every traveller all-round the year. Backwaters of Kerala are beautiful always no matter which season it is. Beaches are great in winter while the magnificent waterfalls are for monsoons and the enchanting hill stations in summer. This versatile nature of Kerala especially makes it best for honeymoon packages in the world. This is because people get married according to their convenience in life and that time may not be a tourist-friendly season in many places but Kerala has something to offer at all times of the year.
The best tourist spots honeymooners can visit according to the time of year are as follows:
Winter
The most popular tourist season in Kerala is during the winters i.e. from October to February. The cool and pleasant climate of this period makes it the perfect time for sightseeing. Low humidity and the occasional drizzles would keep the temperature cool but never chilly even though the winters in Kerala do witness sunny days.
The backwaters of Alleppey are an amazing place to visit during winters. In a hired houseboat or in a country canoe, you could enjoy this bewitching water world. The cool breezes of the backwaters act therapeutically as it takes away all your worries about your hectic life. As you sail away through the tranquil backwaters, the breeze becomes stronger and it will soothe your mind, body and soul.
While in Alleppey it would be great to make a visit to the nearby incredible backwater town, Kumarakom also as it is only 32 Km from Alleppey and just 15 Km from Kottayam town. The little string of islets is very scenic with thick mangrove forests, a multitude of coconut palms, greenery in dazzling shades of green and emerald green paddy fields. Altogether the place has it all to make you spell bonded.
Ashtamudi in Kollam district and Valiyaparamba in Kannur district are the other backwater destinations in Kerala. Apart from sailing in houseboats, the Ashtamudi backwaters consist of some floating cottages where you can stay in order to experience the backwaters more intimately. Valiyaparamba is astonishingly beautiful as the Island of Valiyaparamba has backwaters on one side and beach on the other. So you can enjoy both the things in the same place.
The backwater destinations in Kerala are also famous for traditionally prepared seafood. It is very common to see local restaurants such as ‘Shappu’ in and around these backwater destinations. It is the best place to enjoy some mouth-watering exotic food. These kinds of restaurants also sell toddy which is an alcoholic drink fermented out of coconuts. If you want you can even try that.
The city of Kochi which is the commercial capital of Kerala is also a great place to visit during this time of the year. This is a city with a natural harbour and has a lot to offer to its visitors. Kochi represents the modern face of Kerala with high-end shops and hotels. However, there is also another side to Kochi which is known as Fort Kochi where the Portuguese, Dutch, British and the Jews have once lived. This has given the place a unique identity that oozes the charm and vibe of mixed traditions and cultures. The narrow streets in Fort Kochi are lined by shops selling souvenirs and antiques and it would be great to go on a walk through the streets.
Other tourist spots in Fort Kochi are Dutch Palace, Jewish synagogue, etc. However, apart from Fort Kochi, there are also other tourist spots near Kochi and they are Bhoothanthankettu Dam, Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Hill Palace Museum and ecologically sensitive Magalavanam. Bhoothanthankettu is a very beautiful place with a dam overlooked by hills around it. It is a good place to come for picnics and boating facility is also available. A famous ornithologist once complimented Thattekad Bird Sanctuary as one of the richest bird habitats on entire peninsular India. The sanctuary is abundant inland birds as well as water birds. Different types of cuckoos are the main attraction of this sanctuary and there is even a separate portion in the sanctuary which is known as the cuckoo paradise. Drongo Cuckoo, Indian Hawk Cuckoo and Large Hawk Cuckoo are the main types of cuckoos found here. In fact, 15 Km from Thattekad Bird Sanctuary is another beautiful spot of Kerala the Edamalayar.
The numerous beaches in Kerala would quench the temptation of dipping in sea and for that too winter season is the best. The west coast of Kerala shares plenty of lovely beaches with the Arabian sea such as Alappuzha, Marari, Cherai, Varkala, Kovalam, Kollam, Muzhappilangad, Snehatheeram and Payyambalam beach. The winter season will keep you away from getting burnt by the sun at the same time giving you a beautiful suntanned glow to your body. Kovalam and Varkala beach located in the Thiruvananthapuram district is suitable for swimming. Surfing is also possible for these two beaches. In fact, these two beaches are the most famous beaches in Kerala however be prepared to encounter some touristy things.
If you are interested in beaches soaked in solitude you have to pay a visit to Marari beach. Marari beach was ranked as one of the best hammock beaches in the world by a reputed travel publication. It is the kind of beach where you can go on long walks holding the hands of your loved one undisturbed by crowds or locals trying to sell things to foreigners at heavy prices. Bekal beach in Kasargod district is famous for its huge fort sprawling over 40 acres with sea lining the 1/3rd of the fort. The walkways of the fort are so good to take a walk enjoying the amazing vista of deep blue sea and enjoy the sea air blowing through your hair. Kappad beach is yet another beach which may seem interesting for history buffs. This is because Kappad was the place where Vasco Da Gama first set his foot on.
Summer
The summer season in Kerala is between March to May. With temperature and humidity going high, you will have to take a few precautions such as wearing cotton clothes, applying sunscreens etc. However, the temperature still does not go over 40-degree Celsius and also the occasional downpours will keep the heat in check.
Hill station of Western Ghats is the best place to visit for honeymooners visiting Kerala during this time. The climate is cool and there exist mountain breezes from hill stations that provide great relief from the scorching sun of summer. The most popular hill stations in Kerala are Munnar, Vagamon, Wayanad, Neliyampathy, Thekkady, Ponmudi and Gavi.
Munnar is the prettiest of all hill stations. The hills of Munnar are strewn with greeny tea shrubs and that looks so pleasing to the eyes. The valleys and meadows in Munnar probably can turn you into a photoholic and the photographs you click are going to linger as souvenirs of your honeymoon trip to Kerala. In fact, there are a couple of tourist attractions in and around Munnar such as Mattupetty Dam, Tata Tea Museum, Eravikulam National Park and Chinnar National Park. Echo point is another fascinating spot in Munnar where the honeymooners especially get a chance to make their beloved feel special. At the Echo point in Munnar, you can scream the love for your partner or apparently anything and the forest across the dam will repeat each word once you finish.
Wayanad takes a close second as far as the hill stations of Kerala are considered. Wayanad has a romantic spot for the honeymooners in its green valley on the edge of a mountain that is 1500 ft above the sea level. The spot is none other than the Chembra Peak which holds the perfect heart shaped pond. Vagamon is a hill station that provides adventure sports such as ballooning and paragliding.
Monsoon
The iconic monsoon season in Kerala is from June to September. The landscape of Kerala that is blessed with scenic beauty and greenery comes alive during this season. However, Kerala does not cause much havoc unlike many other places in the country. The monsoon season in Kerala does have a romantic touch to it as its rivers will be full and the waterfalls cascade with extra strength.
About 57 Km from Ernakulum and 54 Km from Trissur stand the towering Athirappilly falls which are also known as the ‘Niagara of India’. The cool crisp water that flows from a height of 80 ft provides an amazing view and is the most visited during Monsoon season. The best way to enjoy it is in fact by booking a tree house facing the mighty Athirappilly waterfalls. In fact, travel another 5 Km from Athirappilly and you will reach Vazhachal falls which is yet another visual treat. The lush green forests surrounding both these falls make it truly alluring and the drive to these places is also scenic. Monsoons also make it possible to go on an adventurous rafting trip through the rapids of Tejaswini river in Kannur district. Tejaswini river flows between Kannur and the forests of Coorg and that give rise to some awesome scenery.
Kerala also boasts of a number of authorized Ayurveda spas and hospitals that provide the treatments. So you can look forward to some Ayurveda treatments. Ayurveda therapies come in different combinations for different seasons. So no matter which time of the year, there will always be treatments in line with the features of a particular climate to give you complete rejuvenation. Ayurveda is generally a medical system that concentrates on the overall well-being of a person and that includes physical, mental and spiritual. There are some Ayurveda resorts in Kerala that offers Ayurveda packages for couples. If you book them, after consulting an Ayurveda consultant they will provide you packages including diets, treatments, yoga, etc., which will motivate you to have a healthy lifestyle change.
Although there are many tour operators in Kerala, the best is Gogeo Holidays who are very efficient and customer friendly. They also have the provision of customization by their customers according to their budget and interests.