India guide
India is an explosion of colour. The Golden Triangle glistens with culture, Rajasthan has pink and blue cities, and Kerala has lush green Ghat Mountains...
Best time to visit Kerala
The second monsoon that happens October and November has virtually fizzled out. So, all in all, apart from June and July, you can go anytime![]()
When working out the best time to visit Kerala, we do not recommend travelling during the monsoon, which peaks Jun-Aug with torrential rain and widespread flooding. Meanwhile, in the dry months of Dec-Jan, Kerala is flooded with tourists. Come immediately post monsoon and the rain has turned forests, mountains and waterfalls to levels of lusciousness that look as if you have a filter on your camera. With the exception of the mountains, it’s hot all year round with mid-Feb to mid-May hitting 35°C. Bring a brolly though, as it can rain anytime.
Thiruvananthapuram Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
23
32
21
FEB
23
32
26
MAR
24
33
40
APR
25
33
119
MAY
25
32
210
JUN
24
30
341
JUL
23
30
239
AUG
23
30
156
SEP
24
30
175
OCT
24
30
268
NOV
23
31
192
DEC
23
31
69
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When to visit Kerala
Our top Kerala Holiday
Kerala tailor made holiday, 11 days
Revitalize in Kerala - A most wonderful and balanced trip
From
£1349 to £1779
11 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Kerala or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
Responsible Travel recommends
Rajat Kumar, Managing Director at our supplier ExplorIndya:
“February and March are wonderful, because places and people are more relaxed after the Christmas rush. October and November are also great, as it is fresh off the monsoon and everything is luscious and green. For hiking March is perfect with clear blue skies - the sort of weather where you wake up with your eyes closed and still know it is a sunny day."
Diana Syrett, Managing Director of one of our top suppliers, Kerala Connections:
“The Easter holidays are good for families and August/September is still low season in a lot of the lowlands, but you need to book flights well in advance for that time of year. Also we used to warn people about the second monsoon, in October/November, but it has virtually fizzled out."
“February and March are wonderful, because places and people are more relaxed after the Christmas rush. October and November are also great, as it is fresh off the monsoon and everything is luscious and green. For hiking March is perfect with clear blue skies - the sort of weather where you wake up with your eyes closed and still know it is a sunny day."
Diana Syrett, Managing Director of one of our top suppliers, Kerala Connections:
“The Easter holidays are good for families and August/September is still low season in a lot of the lowlands, but you need to book flights well in advance for that time of year. Also we used to warn people about the second monsoon, in October/November, but it has virtually fizzled out."
Vishal Koshy, General Manager of one of our supplier, Kalypso Adventures:
“Activity wise, June and July is not advisable, because of the monsoon, especially trekking. It is fine for sightseeing as it doesn’t rain all day, and I love driving during the monsoon as everything is so green and the waterfalls are very full. Also, if you want to enjoy festivals, come in March and April, our summer period. There is a lot of tropical fruit during that time too, so we have mango festivals and so on. “
“Activity wise, June and July is not advisable, because of the monsoon, especially trekking. It is fine for sightseeing as it doesn’t rain all day, and I love driving during the monsoon as everything is so green and the waterfalls are very full. Also, if you want to enjoy festivals, come in March and April, our summer period. There is a lot of tropical fruit during that time too, so we have mango festivals and so on. “
Festivals & events in Kerala
The Aranmula or
Snake Boat Races
During August or September, depending on the date of the Onam harvest festival, villagers and families race in magnificent handmade wooden boats, with up to 60 oarsmen in each, along the backwaters. An ancient tradition for men who worked the backwaters in their rice boats to show their prowess on the water. And still is.
More about Kerala
This Kerala travel guide explores every side of this southern Indian state, from hiking in the Ghat Mountains, and canoeing through the backwaters, to discovering Kerala’s stonkingly delicious food, tea and spices.
Kerala’s map and highlights of places to see covers a glorious gamut of temples and trekking, backwaters and beaches, spices and cycling , tigers and tea plantations.
Slow travel is the way to go here, because there are so many culturally exciting things to do in Kerala, you need to time to take it all in.
The food in Kerala is as big a highlight as its green hills, coast and wonderful wildlife, and its mellow flavours and nutritious ingredients have seduced many a hungry traveller.
Kerala’s converted rice barges are a great way to explore the backwaters, and the houseboats that Responsible Travel recommends offer an authentic experience.
In Kerala, visiting the spice and tea plantations that cloak the hills is a highlight of any holiday, while on the coast, the port town of Kochi still bustles with the spice trade.
Hiking through tea and spice plantations, up forested slopes to peaks with views over lakes and distant plains – walking holidays in Kerala are a treat.
Ayurveda is an ancient healthcare system that originated in southern India and still thrives in Kerala today.
Some families head to Kerala to soak up the winter sun, but there are many ways to see Kerala with kids that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
Read lots of advice on travel to Kerala, on everything from visas and packing, to culture and food, from some of our expert travel companies and fellow travellers.
Overdevelopment and its trail of destruction are now the biggest issues when it comes to responsible tourism in Kerala.
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