3 Things That Make Kerala Perfect for a Family Holiday

Are you planning a family getaway to Kerala? India’s tropical paradise attracts thousands of tourists every year seeking solace and a rejuvenating retreat in the lap of nature. However, on a holiday with kids, the focus shifts on the preferences and likes of the little ones. So, while you can spend hours admiring the ceiling of a cathedral in Kerala or say, stealing moments of relaxation and quietude at an Ayurvedic spa, chances are that all your dreams will fall flat if you do not have enough planned out for your kids.

Fortunately, Kerala has plenty of stuff for all age groups to enjoy!

Every time I travel to Kerala, I am swept off by the sight of its lush beauty and well-maintained cities and towns. Even pictures in magazines do not do justice to the breathtaking panoramas that surround you everywhere. For kids, I can only imagine the experience to be even more engaging, enjoyable and educative as they spot wild animals, plants and insects and get introduced to a whole new culture and ecosystem. What respite from the concrete jungles of a metropolis! Remember the vivid description of Kovalam and Alleppey in Arundhati Roy’s God of Small Things or Pi’s narration of his Munnar holiday when he gets acquainted with Christianity in Life of Pi?

Much the same way, let your kids rejoice and wonder in God’s Own Country.

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Read more: Kerala: A Quick and Handy Travel Guide

Wildlife

National parks and wildlife reserves like Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary are some of the best places for kids to enjoy. Spotting animals in their natural habitat along with waiting to catch a glimpse of a tiger are all experiences that kids will cherish all along. Keep the battery of your cameras charged as you will have a great time clicking pictures of animals enjoying themselves in their natural habitat. Kerala has six national parks and a number of wildlife sanctuaries, sufficient enough to indulge your kids in wildlife safari and other such activities going around in these Parks and sanctuaries. Also, try out the elephant training centre in Kodanand where kids can have a memorable time feeding and bathing baby elephants.

Beaches 

Running parallel to the Arabian Sea, Kerala boasts of a 600-kilometre long coastline. The beaches in Kerala are relatively ‘untouched’ and are excellent for family vacation. While one would bet a fortune for those pristine sunsets and sunrises by the beach, you and especially your kids can also enjoy a range of beach activities and water sports like beach volleyball, parasailing, windsurfing and more. The Kovalam and Cherai beaches are ideal for such activities.

In addition to beach activities, one can also enjoy a range of boating experiences at the rivers and seashores that kids would love. Kerala backwaters are famous for their amazing boathouses and boat rides. You can easily book a boathouse to stay for a day with your family which can be a completely different adventure altogether. Alleppey, for instance, is famous for serene houseboat stays but who is to argue that kids would not love canoeing in the exotic canals amidst the rice fields?

Read more: Ditch the Houseboats. Stay at these Hotels in Kerala Overlooking the Backwaters Instead!

Culture

Existing in complete harmony with the sprawling natural beauty of Kerala is its ancient culture. From food to general occupation and culture of the people here, Kerala is a whole new world for children to explore. Village tours and island hopping are enjoyable ways of getting to know the life of locals better.

Kerala has a number of tea plantations in Munnar and Idukki where the whole family can pick tea and enjoy the fresh flavours.  Also, take your kids to some of the ancient temples and cathedrals that they might not even find in their history books.

Kerala is one of the few places in India where one can truly enjoy a family holiday. Surprise your family with a full-fledged holiday package to Kerala from MakeMyTrip and get going!

Tip: Kerala has a hot and humid climate and therefore, home to a number of insects. While travelling with kids, one has to be extra careful and pack cotton clothes, comfortable shoes, knee-length socks and slather mosquito repellent on.

Here are a few tips if you're planning a long weekend getaway to Kerala!

Budget: Rs 15,000 per person (inclusive of stay for 4 nights in 3-star hotels, sightseeing in Munnar, Thekkady and Alleppey)

Distance from Mumbai: Mumbai to Kochi & Thiruvananthapuram is approx. 2 hours by flight

Traveller Type: Friends, Families, Couples

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