Most people would think to avoid travelling during monsoon season, but there are some unexpected advantages in travelling to Kerala at that time.
1. Discounts
Unromantic but true: Kerala, one of India’s most prosperous states, is also a relatively expensive place to travel in India. Most comfortable crashpads hover around the mid-range mark, between INR 1000 and INR 3000. However, travel in September, and even October, and you will find huge discounts on peak prices (high season runs from November to March), usually of at least a third, if not 50%, on rooms. And deals are even to be found on Kerala’s famous backwater houseboats (there are not many tourists about, and stately vessels galore; turn up and bargain).
2. The sound of the rain, when it comes
Rather more poetically, there are few things as romantic as the sound of the rain plummeting down while you’re safely under shelter. The monsoon often takes the form of several downpours of a couple of hours, rather than all-day rains. Lie in bed and hear the rain pound a straw roof.
3. Onam, Kerala’s biggest festival.
This takes place around August to September. Onam celebrates the ancient homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali who reigned over a golden age in Kerala and lasts for 10 days. It’s a harvest festival where people lay intricate flower carpets, buy new clothes and dress up, and celebrate with snake boat races, costumed parades, and an elaborate ninecourse banquet visitors are usually welcomed to join in the party, or at least the feast.
4. Prime time for ayurveda.
Monsoon is considered the ideal time of year to try some ayurvedic treatment. The atmosphere is damp, and less dusty and muggy, opening the pores and making them more receptive to herbal oils and massages. Kerala’s ancient traditional medicine can help treat anything from arthritis to insomnia through herbal medicines, massage and relaxing oil-based treatments. Herbs and medicinal plants are particularly profuse during monsoon, which leads on to the fifth point.
5. Lush, lush, lush
Kerala is always green, but during the monsoon its greenery positively explodes, its mountains and watersides are lush with spices, grain and fruit: bananas (red, green and yellow varieties), pineapple, cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, basil, turmeric, fringed fields of rice and spiky expanses of ginger. Waterfalls are heavy, the backwater levels rise, and the sea crashes, swallowing up the beach.
Ayan Tours has been helping people to make their travel smooth since 2010. Our focus has been to provide great travel experiences for young families and Travellers in search of concept tours. We don’t claim to have cheapest pricing in the market, neither do we want to be. Our customers have sought us out because we stand by their side during the travel and support them through thick and thin. If you think you fall into the category who consider Time as Money check with us how we can help in planning your travel and making it a more enriching experience. Visit www.ayantours.com.