Kerala Trip Advice
 

Hello All,

I will be in Kerala around last week of Jan'2016. Just confused about the places to visit in Kerala. Most probably it will be a week's tour. So, don't know how to split the places. Also any good agency who can help me getting into the places. Actually, I am keen on visiting some unknown places like you know, the places which people don't go often. The 'most visited or famous or tourist' kind of places. Just to explore the new places. Kindly help me. Don't wanna have a packed tour.. looking forward to a freelance tour. Hope I can get help..
Thank you.

What do you want to do on your trip and what types of experiences do you enjoy? With only a week you will need to be very selective and choose max three different places. If you want beach time the Kannur area is nice as is Mararai Beach. If you want more nature oriented than cultural Wayanad is beautiful. If you want cultural look off the beaten path in the Nila River area (north of Kochi) for some authentic Hindu areas.

as you have only one week and I assume you are coming in through Kochi Airport , you can go through the following itinerary:

Kochi (1 night)- Thrissur (2 night)- Waynad (2 nights)- Bekal for beach ( 2 night)

The itinerary is a good mix of culture, nature and leisure components and very much offbeat too.

Kerala is the best spot for a sojourn. It is the apt place for family trip and also for Honeymoon couples. This small strip of land is rich in art and architecture. It has the most intricate wooden carvings and is a safe haven for many precious monuments. Never leave Kerala without a day in the glassy lagoons in the sublime backwaters of Kerala. You can also get archaic things and paintings from here.

Thank you all for your suggestions. Very helpful.

@Pawan: What can be seen in Thrissur..???

@Mary; There is lot to see in Thrissur. It is also called as the cultural capital of kerala. Guruvayur temple, Bible tower, Kerala Kalamandlam, Shakhthan Thampuran palace and archaeologoical museum etc are some important and interesting sites to visit.
You can also make an excursion to Athirppally water fall (around 60 kms).Its the Niagara of India))

We stopped for an hour or so at the Guruvayur temple and also visited the nearby elephant reserve.

We spent 2 nights here, but we did that in conjunction with a pooram. Otherwise, I'd think one night would be sufficient. The place really is isolated but truly authentic.


http://www.olappamannamana.com/

That's interesting. Thanks @Julies and @Pawan.

If you don't mind, have another doubt.
I have heard that guruvayur temple is strictly for hindus, do I being a christian, be able to enter the temple or they will deny my entrance..???

Will they deny me entering the temple or would I just get to other things, skipping the temple...???

The entry of non- Hindus is restricted in the temple but still if different cultures are of your interest, it is still a good place to visit, even from outside)). You can watch thousands of pilgrims gathering around and waiting in long queues to get into the temple or temple elephants taking bath.

If not, than you can skip it.

Most Indian temples deny entrance to non-Hindus to the central sanctuary, but not to the (large) surrounding areas. There are a few that deny entrance altogether, though, so if you are visiting any other temples I wouldn't bother with one that excludes you completely.

We spent perhaps 30 to 45 minutes wandering around the temple complex. It was enroute to our destination so wasn't too far of a detour for us. However, I would not make a special trip just to visit there.

If you do some googling, in addition to Olapappamana there are also a couple other family homes in this area with similar devote Hindu homestay experiences.