About
Kerala is a state on the south-western coast of India, and it is often called God's Own Country. The facts that define it for most visitors are its backwaters, its hill stations, its spice plantations and its Ayurvedic treatments, set against landscapes that are lush and green for much of the year.
What a visit offers
- Backwaters: a network of lagoons, canals and lakes that can be explored by boat, and the setting for the state's distinctive houseboats.
- Hill stations: cooler, higher country where the green of the plains gives way to hills.
- Spice plantations: working farms that show where the region's spices grow.
- Ayurvedic treatments: the traditional Indian system of healing, available as a way to rest and recover.
Who it suits
Kerala is a good choice for travellers who want to slow down. A few days on the water, a stay among the hills, or a course of treatment all lend themselves to a relaxed pace. Those interested in plantations and the way food is grown will find a lot to see, and the landscape rewards anyone who enjoys walking, looking at views, or simply being outdoors.
Because the state's appeal rests on its scenery and its slower rhythms, it works best as a destination in its own right, with time set aside for the backwaters and the hills rather than a quick stop on a longer route.
