7 best outdoor things to do in Kerala

Outdoors in Kerala

Park · Munnar

1.Eravikulam National Park

Go early to beat the queue for park buses; the park usually closes for several weeks during the tahr calving season around February and March.

Time needed

2–3 hours

Cost

Low cost

• Nature
• Kids
• Views
• Outdoors

Experience · Munnar

2.Munnar tea estates and Tea Museum

Book a guided estate walk through your homestay; early morning walks often come with mist and the sound of pickers.

Time needed

Half a day

Cost

Low cost

• Outdoors
• Views
• History
• Photo spot

Viewpoint · Munnar

3.Top Station

Go early in the day; clouds often roll in and hide the view by late morning.

Time needed

Half a day

Cost

Free

• Views
• Free
• Photo spot
• Nature

Park · Thekkady

4.Periyar Tiger Reserve

Take the first boat of the day for the best chance of animals at the shore, and book guided walks with the forest department rather than private operators.

Time needed

Half a day

Cost

Mid-priced

• Nature
• Kids
• Outdoors
• Active

Experience · Thekkady

5.Spice plantation tour

Buy whole spices on the tour or at Kumily market rather than pre-packed blends; they keep better.

Time needed

1.5–2 hours

Cost

Low cost

• Food
• Kids
• Nature
• Shopping

Nature · Kumarakom

6.Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

Go at dawn, when birds are most active, or see it from the water on a canoe ride.

Time needed

1.5 hours

Cost

Low cost

• Nature
• Outdoors
• Photo spot

Historic site · Wayanad

7.Edakkal Caves

Start early, wear shoes with grip and carry water; visitor numbers are capped each day.

Time needed

2–3 hours

Cost

Low cost

• History
• Active
• Outdoors

Grouped by area

Booking and timing

Of these 7, 1 free, 5 low cost, 1 mid-priced. Book ahead for Periyar Tiger Reserve. The longest visit is Munnar tea estates and Tea Museum; group the rest by area to save travel time.

• Periyar Tiger Reserve: Boat and activity places are limited each day; book through the official Periyar eco-tourism channels in advance in peak season.

How to fit them into 6 half-days

Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.

• Half-day 1 (Munnar): Eravikulam National Park, at least 2 hours.
• Half-day 2 (Munnar): Munnar tea estates and Tea Museum, at least 3 hours.
• Half-day 3 (Munnar): Top Station, at least 3 hours.
• Half-day 4 (Thekkady): Periyar Tiger Reserve, at least 3 hours.
• Half-day 5 (Thekkady and Kumarakom): Spice plantation tour → Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, at least 3 hours.
• Half-day 6 (Wayanad): Edakkal Caves, at least 2 hours.

The best months to be outside

• January: highs of 32°C (90°F), about 1 rainy days, very busy crowds. Dry, sunny and comfortable, with cool nights in Munnar; one of the busiest months for houseboats and beaches.
• February: highs of 32°C (90°F), about 1 rainy days, busy crowds. Warm and dry with clear skies; temple festival season is in full swing across the state.
• December: highs of 32°C (90°F), about 3 rainy days, very busy crowds. Dry, sunny and the peak of the season; houseboats and beach hotels book out around Christmas and New Year.

The neighbourhoods they are in

• Kumarakom — Lakeside resorts and bird sanctuary on the eastern shore of Vembanad Lake
• Munnar — Hill town surrounded by tea estates in the Western Ghats
• Thekkady — Spice-garden town at the gates of the Periyar Tiger Reserve

More of Kerala

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