How long has it been that any one of us got the chance to step out of our homes? How many days has it been? 65? 72? The last couple of months surely have changed so much in terms of “normalcy”. We are all at the brink of losing our minds, eagerly waiting for all of this to come to an end. And here’s some good news. With the lockdown restrictions now being lifted in most states, very soon you will be able to travel. Of course, we do not recommend you travel to overcrowded places, if and when you do. Therefore we picked up Kerala where you can easily unwind, away from the crowds after the torturous days of home isolation.

Why Kerala….

After spending months in our concrete cages there is no better place to take a breath of fresh air than God’s own Country, Kerala.

Mystic Tea Estates spread out as far as your eye can see,  massive spice plantations and coffee farms spread over acres, a road trip in Kerala is a delightful invasion for the senses – the colours, the smiles, and the landscapes are bound to leave the traveller in you in mesmerized for days on end.

1.     Tea Estates of Munnar

Waking up to the sight of endless tea estates in Munnar is sure the best therapy for your sore eyes. Low hanging clouds float over verdant tea estates, lending magic to the whole landscape. In fact, it should be illegal to leave Munnar without visiting a tea factory. Watch tea leaves being picked and processed into high-quality tea. Make sure you pick a bag or two for friends and family back home.

2.     Thekkady

The drive from Munnar to Thekkady is stunning. You will stop at multiple places for pictures. From starting with tea, coffee and spice plantations; the roads sneakily take you to the Cardamom Hills. You will cross some of the brightest red coloured hibiscuses and yellowest sunflowers. And every once in a while your eyes will spot a carpet of purple wildflowers, like a splash of purple sprayed on a green canvas. Spend your time exploring the Periyar National Park, the mystic spice plantations and trekking through the Kurushmala Hills.

3.     Kumarakom

You will cross many busy and chaotic villages on your way from Thekkady to Kumarakom. Try stopping in one of the villages and experience the everyday life of the city. Grab a coffee or a quick meal. Photograph brightly coloured houses, the changing landscape and the numerous temples you cross on the way. On reaching Kumarakom, you will immediately spot the backwaters and lagoons. Don’t forget to treat yourself to an ayurvedic spa. Be prepared to be smitten by this quaint village of canals while cruising through the backwaters. And on one of the mornings here, go for a bird-watching walk. Home to hundreds of species of birds, Kumarakom bird sanctuary attracts bird enthusiasts from all around the world.

4.     Thrissur

The distance between Kumarakom and Thrissur is around 126 km and should take anywhere between 2 to 2.5 hours to reach. It is believed that Kerala’s rich culture is preserved right here in Thrissur. The reason being, it is from Thrissur that Kerala gets its fair share of festivals. In fact, these festivals are so grand that it leaves the travellers reeling with joy and amazement. A visit to Thrissur is incomplete without witnessing Thrissur Pooram, Onam, Vadakkumnathan Temple and classical Keralan performing arts. If you can spare some time, do rent a car in Thrissur with an experienced driver to explore the neighboring temple town of Guruvayur for its 900-year-old temples and ancient monuments.

5.     Kannur

End your road trip with Kannur. Known to be Kerala’s crown, Kannur is one of the best places to just sit back and relax.  It is bordered by the Western Ghats in the east, the Lakshadweep Sea in the west, Kozhikode & Wayanad districts in the south and the Kasargod in the north – making it nothing short of a stunning location. Sit on one of its pristine beaches and enjoy a beautiful sunrise or sunset with a loved one. And once you are done drinking up the beautiful views of this quaint town, you can rent a car in Kannur with a reliable driver and head back.

That’s it, folks – an idyllic road trip across Kerala. You will be blessed with a plethora of panoramas, sights, and cultural experiences. At the end of the trip you will head back with a rejuvenated heart and soul, for sure.