Kerala & South

The Kerala & South region offers a radically different Indian experience from the North — gentler, more soothing, less chaotic. Kerala ("Land of Coconuts", 38,000 km², 35 million inhabitants) is a coastal state stretching 580 km along the Arabian Sea, between the Western Ghats range east and the Malabar coast west. It is the Indian state with the highest literacy rate (96%), one of the most prosperous, and most marked by Ayurvedic traditions, Syriac-Christian (since the 1st century, St Thomas Christians) and traditional fishing.

Kochi (Cochin) is the historical economic lung of the state, a trading port since the 14th century. The old town of Fort Kochi and Mattancherry hosts a unique blend of influences — Paradesi Synagogue of Cochin (1568, still in service), Chinese fishing nets facing the sea, St Francis Church (1503, where Vasco da Gama was buried before repatriation), Mattancherry Dutch Palace, Jewish quarter (Jew Town).

Munnar (1,600 m altitude, 4-5h drive from Kochi through the Ghats) is the quintessential plantation station — hills carpeted with emerald-green tea plantations as far as the eye can see, heritage of the East India Company. Cool altitude climate (12-25 °C), morning mist, waterfalls, natural parks (Eravikulam for Nilgiri tahr observation, Anamudi 2,695 m highest point of South India).

Alleppey (Alappuzha) is the epicentre of the backwaters — a labyrinthine network of canals, rivers, lakes and lagoons (notably Vembanad, 96 km, India's largest lake) stretching over 900 km across Kerala. This is where you board the kettuvallam ("tied boats" in Malayalam) — old traditional rice barges converted into houseboats. A night aboard (€200-600/night for 2) is Kerala's signature experience.

Varkala has become Kerala's most prized beach — spectacular 50 m red cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea, with a clifftop promenade lined with bohemian cafes, restaurants and shops. Hippie-yoga-ayurveda atmosphere, authentic alternative to Goa.