Homestays in Kerala
Planning a trip to India will let you gauge the diverse cultures the country is replete with. And a visit to Kerala will be like a feather in the cap because you get to stay in one of the most exotic locations in the world. You must visit places like Munnar, Wayanad, Cochin and Aleppey to understand the true spirit of the country. You will be overwhelmed by the splendid sights of this beautiful state. You will take back pleasant memories of luscious forests, tranquil beaches and calm and serene backwaters. To understand the true spirit of this lovely place you must stay for at least two weeks, go through each of the exotic locations and immerse yourself in the hypnotic visual splendour.
To enjoy the rustic charm of the place you can board in homestays or guesthouse. The houses are adorned in the traditional style Kerala people used to live once upon a time. Lanterns adorn the balcony and patio and they are lit at night making it even more spectacular. The people of Kerala are extremely friendly and they are ready to give you a lecture on the rich history any time of the day or night. To kick start a fulfilling stay you are given a traditional cuisine, a welcome 'sadya' will be arranged where your plate/banana leaf will be resplendent with a 12-15 course lunch. You get to interact with the host family and the stay will be much more economical than in a hotel.
Things to do in Kerala from your holiday guest house
Kerala, one of the most popular states in India attracts thousands of tourists every year and they keep up the iconic tradition of being the healing state by opening up Ayurvedic centres every where in the state. Lots of tourists come here with the sole intention of getting themselves cured. You are given a full body massage, yoga and meditation classes and once your course is over, you will feel refreshed from within. These Ayurveda centres are aimed to cleanse your mind, body and soul and you will be ready to take on the world after that.
The other feature that attracts most people to Kerala is their luscious forests. You get to have first hand experience with the splendid flora and fauna in the ingenious forests. Special hiking and trekking trips can be arranged where you get to meet all kinds of wild animals, sometimes even endangered species.
Finally, you will have the delectable experience of a lifetime when you go on a cruise on the emerald backwaters. When you book yourself into one of those floating palaces you are taken into another world altogether, an enchanting world filled with mysticism.
Top 10 places to visit in Kerala on your homestay holiday
This is the concise edition of the places you can visit in Kerala. Take note of the following and go through each of them for an unforgettable sojourn.
- Kovalam – Right at the tip of Kerala state in Kovalam, you get to see the most exotic beaches in the world.
- Aleppey – Also called the Venice of East, Aleppey is famous for its annual boat race competition. You can hire houseboats for a luxurious cruising through the Vembanad Lake.
- Kumarakom – Take a ride through the panoramic backwaters while in Kottayam district.
- Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary – This is in Thekkady and some of the unique flora and fauna, including the tiger is seen in their natural habitat.
- Fort Cochin - The most prominent tourist spot of all time. Traces of European heritage can be seen here.
- Munnar – The most cool climate is available at this peaceful hill station.
- Wayanad – Another wild sanctuary rich in elephants and gaur.
- Idukki – Dense forests, expansive landscape and gushing waterfalls frame this lovely place.
- Muziris – An ancient sea-port now going through its renovation stage. An important part of heritage tour.
- Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary – Ardent bird lovers will fall in love with this bird sanctuary in Calicut district, now called Kozhikode.
Best time to travel to Kerala on homestay holiday
Kerala, on South-Western Coast of India is a treasure house for tourists; it is one of the major hot spots in the country's tourism map. The majestic hill stations, the enchanting mountains, the dreamy backwaters, rejuvenating Ayurveda programs, exotic wildlife, tranquil, sun kissed beaches and a huge horde of wind swaying coconut trees attract people from all over the world. The best time to come to Kerala will be before or after the monsoons.
If you are trying to make it a medical vacation where you want a full body Ayurveda treatment then you can come anytime between August and March. Though the monsoon is between June to November, nothing deters people visiting this state all year through, especially if they want Ayurveda treatment. The best time for Ayurveda is the October-April period when it will not be rainy, cold or hot. The climate is very pleasant and moderate during these months. These months are good for an exotic tour around the whole state. Maybe you can come in March for treatment at an Ayurvedic resort and then later continue with visiting all the famous places in Kerala.
