Owing to its spectacular views with a variety of landscapes including beaches, mountains, valleys, backwaters and rich flora and fauna; holidays to Kerala are always preferred by Indians and Foreigners. The art forms, hospitality, place to visit in Kerala, food served here and perfect climate throughout the year makes it the most visited holiday destination in the world. Kerala is being loved by youngsters, honeymooners and families alike. It has been divided into North Kerala and South Kerala.

In fact, Kerala is often featured among the top 10 global destinations due to its blend of wellness, nature, and heritage. From Ayurvedic treatments to spice trails, from calm village stays to luxurious houseboats—Kerala’s depth of experiences is unmatched.

Explore the Hidden Charms of North Kerala:

Unlock Best Deal on Kerala Tour Package Now

North Kerala is the more peaceful and tranquil part of the state and has many hidden treasures that include beautiful beaches and serenading natural beauty like lush green hills and rivers, backwaters. There are many coffee and spice plantations in the region with a small village that preserve the culture of this region. The region is popular for its avian density and variety of seafood that adds to the cultural richness of the region. These stunning places are among the most serene north Kerala tourist places and offer an offbeat experience to every traveler.

Southern Kerala: The Cultural Heartbeat

Southern Kerala includes all the major cities of Kerala including the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram. This region also has some famous temples of Kerala, lakes, palaces and museums apart from beaches. This region has some popular spots like the Kovalam beach and many shopping destinations. This region has many performing arts center that showcases the performance of Kathakali, Kalaripayattu and Mohiniyattam. A few of the tourist spots in south Kerala include temples, hill stations, and backwater retreats that appeal to every kind of visitor.

How to Plan a Trip to Explore Northern and Southern Kerala?

If you are planning to cover both, the North and South belts of Kerala, it is a good idea to begin your tour from the North and gradually travel down the South.

Unlock Best Deal on Kerala Tour Package Now

You can begin your tour from Calicut or Kannur and end at Kochi or Trivandrum, depending on the destinations you would like to cover. You can also opt to reverse the route if you wish to travel from South to North. But in this blog, we are giving you a plan from North to South.

Pro Tip: When traveling from North to South, your route naturally moves from raw nature to developed tourist circuits. This ensures you relax more as your journey progresses.

Arrival Destinations:

In case you start your trip from North Kerala, you can arrive at your destination by train or flight. Below are the details as to which mode you should choose.

• By Train: Kasaragod, Kannur, and Calicut are the main railway stations where all the trains have stops. If you are coming from Mumbai or a nearby place, Kasaragod is the idle railway station.  In case you are traveling from Chennai or Trivandrum, the ideal railway stations are Calicut or Kannur.

• By Flight: There are only two airports in North Kerala i.e. Kannur and Calicut. If you are planning only North Kerala covering Kasaragod and Kannur, then Kannur is the best airport to reach. In case you want to add Wayanad, then Calicut Airport is suitable for your departure. 

Unlock Best Deal on Kerala Tour Package Now

Travel Hack: Opt for early morning flights to Kannur and explore the Bekal Fort sunrise – one of the best-kept secrets of Malabar.

Departure Destinations:

It depends on which are the places you want to cover in South Kerala.  Below are the details as to which mode you should choose.

• By Train or Flight:  If your tour is short and covers only Kochi – Munnar – Thekkedy – Alleppey, your departure should be from Alleppey or Ernakulam rly station or Kochi airport. In case you are extending till Varkala or Kovalam and Trivandrum, your departure should be from Kochuveli or Trivandrum Rly station or Trivandrum Airport.

Ideal Travel Route:

If you are traveling from Bangalore, start your tour from Bekal or Kannur. The route would look like this.  Bekal – Kasargod (12 km) – Kannur (91 km) – Wayanad (110 km) – Kochi (265 km) – Munnar (127 km) – Thekkady (91 km) – Alleppey (138 km) / Kumarakom (123 km) – Varkala (128 km) / Kovalam (174 km) – Trivandrum. 

Note: If you are coming from Bangalore by flight, you can directly reach Kannur airport but if you are coming from Bangalore by train, you have to reach Kasaragod or Kannur Rly station.

If you are traveling from Mumbai or via the Konkan Railway route, start your tour from Kasargod. An ideal route plan could be like this: Kasargod / Kannur – Wayanad (197/110 km) – Kochi (265 km) – Munnar (127 km) – Thekkady (91 km) – Alleppey (138 km) / Kumarakom (123 km) – Varkala (128 km) / Kovalam (174 km) – Trivandrum.

Bonus Tip: Booking a self-drive cab from Kochi or Calicut allows flexibility to take short breaks at local food joints, spice gardens, and handicraft markets along the way.

Also Read: Best Route from Munnar to Kodaikanal

Trip Duration Covering North and South Kerala:

To comprehensively tour North Kerela covering Kasaragod, Kannur, Calicut, and Wayanad, you need 5 to 6 days. If you wish to further extend your trip to South Kerala covering Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady, and Alleppey, you need another 5 days. If you wish to add a few more South Kerala destinations covering Varkala, Kovalam and Trivandrum, you need an additional 3 to 4 days. This means you need 15 to 16 days to tour the entire Kerala from North to South.

SreesTours recommendation: If you do not have 15 to 17 days in hand, you can still make the most of your Kerala tour in fewer days covering North and South by understanding what each destination offers.

For instance,

• If you choose Alleppey for the houseboat experience, you can skip the Nileshwar houseboat cruise experience.
• If you choose Bekal or Nileshwar Beach, you can avoid Varkala and Kovalam Beach because they are similar beach destinations.
• If you are exploring two big wildlife sanctuaries in Wayanad, you can avoid Thekkady for wildlife exploration.

This way, you can plan the perfect Kerala itinerary within your preferred trip duration.

Useful Travel Tips:

If you are traveling by taxi during the entire trip, you can cover two more destinations en route without any additional charges. These are Guruvayur Temple and Athirappilly waterfalls.

• En route, you can stop over at Guruvayur Temple located in the town of Guruvayur in Thrissur district. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is also known as the Dwarka of the South. The temple opens at 3 a.m. and closes after the day’s poojas and rituals around 10 p.m.
• If your travel is not between Feb to May, a visit or overnight stay at Athirappilly Waterfalls is highly recommended.  It is the biggest waterfall in Kerala.
• If you are travelling from Wayanad towards the South, we recommend you take an overnight stay at Kochi so that the overall travel doesn’t get overwhelming and hectic. The drive from Wayanad to Kochi takes 7 to 8 hrs. You can stay overnight at Kochi and commence the journey to Munnar the next day which is another 3 hours journey by road. This will keep you fresh and energetic to visit some of the sightseeing points on the way to Munnar from Kochi.

Seasonal Insight: Monsoon (June–August) is magical in Kerala. Expect misty mornings, flowing waterfalls, Ayurvedic therapies, and fewer crowds.

Also Read: How to Book Kerala Tour Package from Goa

How to Travel from Wayanad to Kochi?

There are multiple ways to get from Wayanad to Kochi.

• Bus: The cheapest way to get from Wayanad to Kochi is by taking a public transport bus from Wayanad to Ernakulam. The public transport bus stand is located at “Sulthan Batheri”. Several private bus operators ply on this route. The bus journey costs anywhere between Rs. 600 to Rs. 900, depending on the bus operator. The journey usually takes 8-9 hours.

• Train: Another budget-friendly alternative is the train. To travel by train, you will have to reach Kozhikode and from there, you can board a train to Ernakulam. The total train travel time between Kozhikode and Ernakulam is usually around 3.5 to 4 hours. Below are the major train details:

Train Number	Train Name	Time at Kozhikode	Time at Ernakulam
16345	Netravati Express	9.45 am	2.15 pm
12081	Thiruvananthapuram Central Jan Shatabdi Express	6.10 am	9.40 am
12075	Kozhikode – Trivandrum Jan Shatabdi Exp	1.45 pm	5.20 pm
20631	Vande Bharat Express	8.59 am	11.45 am
20633	Vande Bharat Express	4.30 pm	7.17 pm

• Taxi: The fastest way to get from Wayanad to Kochi is by taking a taxi. However, it can be costly compared to the other modes. The route from Wayanad to Kochi is via Calicut. The total road distance is 265 km and the taxi covers it in approximately 8 hours.

Top 5 Places in North Kerala:

Please check out the below list of famous places to visit in North Kerala with family.

1. Banasura Sagar Dam:

The Wayanad region of Kerala is one of the most visited regions due to its scenic wildlife attractions. Banasura Sagar Dam is a major tourist attraction attributable to its stunning vistas and wildlife attractions. This dam is settled in one of the most picturesque vistas and gorgeous backdrops located 21 km from Kalpetta. The Banasura Lake creates an enthralling landscape that attracts tourists from all over the world.

• Location: Wayanad District, Kerala
• Timings: 9:00 am to 5:15 pm
• Entry Fee: Rs 40 (Adults) and Rs 20 (Children) per person
• Activities to Do: Boating, Trekking, Nature Park, Jungle Safari
• Stay Options: Bonita Banasura, Hill Palace Banasura, Banasura Jungle Resort

Read Also: 13 Amazing Tourist Places to Visit in Wayanad With Family for a Perfect Holiday

2. Guruvayur Temple:

A popular Krishna temple in Thrissur district in Kerala. It is dedicated to the Hindu God Guruvayurappan. This temple is a scenic spot lined by coconut trees and is also considered a pilgrimage where only Hindus are allowed and traditional dress is a must for visitors. The temple is a popular destination due to the peaceful and tranquil environment with a lot of religious importance.

• Location: Guruvayur, Thrissur District, Kerala
• Timings: 3:00 am to 12:30 pm, 4:30 pm to 9:15 pm
• Dress Code: Men required to wear dhoti without any upper body covering, Women can wear sarees, salwar kameez or long skirts with blouses. Children below 12 years are allowed to wear shorts.
• Special Darshan Ticket Price: Rs 1,000/-
• Stay Options: Sree Gokulam Vanamala, Sree krishna Residency, Geetha Govindham

Read Also: 16 Best Places to Visit in Thrissur with Family for an Unforgettable One Day Trip

3. Chembra Peak:

One of the most visited spots of North Kerala, the Chembra Peak is located in the Wayanad district in Kerala. It is a popular hilly terrain that is visited by many nature lovers. The region has great landscape for hikers and gives a view of the Western Ghats. The Chembra Peak is known for adventurous activities in Kerala and it visited by adventure lovers for rock climbing and other activities. This is the largest peak in Wayanad and gives mesmerizing views of pristine lakes and valleys as well as the city landscape of the Nilgiris.

• Location: Wayanad District, Kerala
• Trek Timing: 7:00 am to 5:00 pm
• Entry Fee: Rs 20 for Indians and Rs 30 for foreigner
• Activities to Do: Trekking, Photography
• Stay Options: Zostel Plus, Vythiri Stream View, Vythiri Tea Garden Retreat

4. Silent Valley:

One of the top places that is a must-visit if travelling in northern Kerala, the Silent Valley has the most varied biodiversity of the region of the Western Ghats. This falls in the Palakkad region of Kerala and is a part of the Silent Valley National Park. This region has more than 100 species of flowering plants and orchids. It is home to a variety of flora and fauna with species of birds, animals and butterflies. The exotic species that are local to this region are all exotic.

• Location: Mukkali, Palakkad District, Kerala
• Silent Valley National Park Timings: 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
• Silent Valley National Park Entry Fees: Rs 50 per person, Rs 1600 per jeep – Vehicle Fee for Jeeps (5 pax)
• Activities to Do: Trekking, Camping, Hiking
• Stay Options: The Tree Organic Farm, Valluvanad Residency, Great Hornbill Resorts

Read Also: 17 Best Places to Visit in Palakkad That Will Make Your Trip Amazing

5. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary:

One of the popular wildlife destinations of Kerala in Wayanad region, the Wayanad wildlife sanctuary is known for its eco-tourism and exotic wildlife species that add to its beauty and nature. It’s a popular holiday destination that is home to many small eco-tourism areas like Tholpetty and Muthanga. The wildlife sanctuary has many rare species like elephants, monkeys, leopards, bears, tigers and guars. There are many species of fishes, butterflies, birds and reptiles. The region provides a valuable lesson in conservation to students.

• Location: Bathery- Puthupally Road, Sultan Bathery, Wayanad, Kerala
• Timings: 7:00 to 10:00 am, 3:00 to 5:00 pm
• Entry Fee: Rs 20 for Adults, Rs 10 for Children, and Rs 110 for foreign tourists
• Activities to Do: Jeep Safaris, Trekking, Bird Watching, Nature Walks, Adventure Activities, Camping
• Stay Options: Wayanad Fort Resort, Agronest FarmStay, Orchid Trails Resort

Most Popular Places in South Kerala:

Explore the most popular places in South Kerala below, and don’t forget to check out famous destinations in North Kerala for family vacations. Whether it’s beaches, temples, or wellness retreats, these Kerala tourist places offer an unforgettable experience.

1. Padmanabhaswamy Temple:

Padmanabhaswamy Temple is a highly visited temple of the region. It is one of the best places to visit in Trivandrum and had been visited by many Hindu devotees due to its history and importance in the Hindu culture. This temple is dedicated to the Hindu God Vishnu and has a very unique statue of Lord Vishnu in a sleeping posture. Lord Padmanabha is much revered and has a divine and tranquil air. The beauty of the temple premises is breathtaking and it is believed that the structure has been home to many treasures and gold which is guarded by the heavy doors.

• Location: West Nada, Fort, East Fort, Pazhavangadi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695023
• Timings: 3:30 am to 4:45 am, 6:30 am to 7:00 am, 9:00 am to 10:00 am, 4:30 pm to 6:15 pm, 6:45 pm to 7:20 pm
• Special Darshan Tickets: Rs 150 (Without prasadam), Rs 180 (With prasadam)
• Dress Code: Men must wear a dhoti (mundu) and are not allowed to wear shirts or t-shirts. Women can wear sarees, mundum neriyathum (set-mundu), skirt and blouse, or half-sari.
• Stay Options: RangaMaalika Heritage Residency, Ramas Garden, Hotel Highland

2. Neyyar Dam & Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary:

Neyyar Dam is a scenic lake, situated on the Neyyar river. It is a popular picnic destination Trivandrum. The Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary is a great spot which is home to many species of flora and fauna and is popular for its deer and lion safari. The wildlife sanctuary is a great place for photography and nature enthusiasts and has a wide variety of flora and fauna and is popular due to the guided tours and the elephant rehabilitation center.

• Location: Kallikkad, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
• Timings: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
• Entry Fees: Rs 250 per person for Adults, Rs 125 per person for Children (5 to 12 years), Rs 5 per person for Children (Below 5 years)
• Activities to Do: Wildlife Safari, Trekking, Boating
• Stay Options: Amritham Holidays Homestay, Amara Ayurveda Retreat, Anantya By The Lake

Read Also: 9 Famous Dams in Kerala: Get Glimpse of Largest, Biggest & Highest Dams of Kerala

3. Poovar Island:

Poovar is a scenic and small coastal village in the Vizhinjam region of Southern Kerala. It is a small and picturesque fishing village and has been an important trade and shipping center for timber, sandalwood and spices. The coastal region has many holiday villas. It is located 35 km from Thiruvananthapuram and is surrounded by the Poovar River. Many couples visit this region for holidays.

• Location: Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala
• Activities to Do: Backwater Cruises, Water Sports, Beach Relaxation
• Stay Options: Poovar Island Resort, Isola Di Cocco, Leela Backwaters inn

4. Gavi:

One of the most Serene and picturesque Havens in the town of Pathanamthitta, Gavi is popular due to its pristine beauty and forests rich with a variety of Flora and fauna. It is also a major eco-tourism hub that is high on the list of must-visit spots in southern Kerala. It is popular due to the rich variety of fauna including the endangered species including the Lion-tailed macaque and Nilgiri Tahr. The rich beauty of this spot is enhanced by the waterfalls and the lush green plantations with rare species of birds like the woodpecker, great pied hornbills, and kingfisher. The region is popular for night camps, treks, and birdwatching activities.

Location: Pathanamthitta District, Kerala

Activities to Do: Trekking, Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching, Boating, Night Safaris, Camping, Bamboo Rafting, Jeep Safari

Stay Options: L&G Riverview Haven, Green Court Cottages, Hotel Treetop

5. Vaikom:

One of the lesser-visited places in the Kottayam region of South Kerala; Vaikom is a small yet serene village that is a great spot for tourists due to many scenic backwaters of the region like the Kumarakom. It is also home to many heritage sites with many old-world attractions that make its beauty more serene and simplistic. The regions are filled with many calm and secluded places that are great for relaxing with family while enjoying the local culture and beauty.

• Location: Kottayam District, Kerala
• Vaikom Mahadeva Temple Timings: 4:30 am to 11:30 am, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
• Stay Options: Vaikom Villa, Lovedale Lakeside Homestay, White Gate Residency

Read Also: 11 Best Tourist Places to Visit in Kottayam for an Enriching Travel Experience

Time to Plan Holidays in Kerala:

From Kochi, you can follow the traditional South Kerala route which is mentioned above. We hope this article helps you plan your next Kerala holiday combining North Kerala and South Kerala. For more information, get in touch with Srees Tours and we can help you curate the perfect budget-friendly itinerary for your next Kerala holidays. Whether you are looking for peaceful hill towns or bustling backwaters, the numerous places to see in south Kerala will ensure you have something new to explore every day.

FAQs: