Kerala Beyond the Backwaters
Destinations·14 September 2025·7 min read

Kerala Beyond the Backwaters

By Priya Nair

Everyone comes to Kerala for the backwaters, and they are every bit as dreamy as promised. But linger a little longer and the state reveals its quieter treasures.

Climb into the hills of Munnar, where tea gardens ripple to the horizon and the air turns cool and green. A colonial bungalow here is one of India's great romantic stays.

Down on the coast, Ayurveda is not a spa menu but a way of life. A bespoke wellness programme, guided by a physician, can genuinely reset body and mind.

Weave these threads together and Kerala becomes far more than a boat trip — it becomes a journey into India's most soulful corner.