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Kerala is renowned for its lush green plantations, mysterious backwaters, friendly natives, beaches bathed in breathtaking sunsets, and delicious cuisine served in the traditional manner. 

It is located on the Malabar coast of South India and is often regarded as God’s own country. Its 600 km of scenic shoreline is lined with heavily forested palm trees.

Kerala is often described as a paradise on earth. This can be attributed to the fact that the greenery takes on a whole different appearance in this state as you move from the hills of Munnar and Wayanad perched on the western Ghats to the lush backwaters of Allepey and the verdant beaches on Trivandrum.

Kerala is also acclaimed for having ancient temples that are no less than architectural marvels.  Its intriguing colonial past and current religious significance will undoubtedly make your trip to Kerala a memorable journey.

The variety of flora and wildlife that this southern jewel holds in every corner will undoubtedly leave you in awe after a delightful trip through it, and you’ll certainly start recommending it to everyone as a preferred travel destination.

You can consider this Kerala itinerary and tweak the days according to your time, while on the hunt for different Kerala tour packages.

Kerala Itinerary overview:

Exploring Kochi. (3-4 days)
The city of Kochi is a significant port in the country and has seen numerous colonial powers step on its lands in their search for the spices and riches of India. Buildings from the 14th and 15th centuries can be found, some of which bear Portuguese, Dutch, British, Arab, and even Chinese influences.

The St. Francis Church near fort Kochi, a small sea-side part of the city is known to be the first European church built in India. This is the famous place where the remains of Vasco da Gama were initially buried before being excavated. The cafes lined up at the Kochi beach are a must-try.

Moving on to Willingdon Island, a man-made island on the port, will allow you to explore the backwaters by boat tours. Another notable location is the Hill Palace Archaeological Museum.

The Folklore Museum, Thirikkakara Vamanamoorthy Temple, where Onam is celebrated, and Ernakulam Shiva Temple, which offers a taste of the rich Hindu culture mixed with colonial history, are some other well-liked tourist destinations.

A beautiful way to end your day is to take a sunset cruise on Marine drive and then witness an evening performance of Kathakali and Kalaripayattu at Greenix Village, a cultural centre.

Tea estates at Munnar. (2-3 days)

A 4-hour trip from Kochi takes you to this charming hill town in the Western Ghats, which is known for its tea estates, waterfalls, and gardens. It is bordered by three rivers: the Madupetti, the Nallathanni, and the Periavaru.

Enjoying a vacation by staying in a treehouse can be a unique experience here that you cannot afford to miss.

Places worth exploring here are the top station that offers breathtaking scenic views, Pothamedu view point, Echo point, Madupetti Dam and Chinnaknal waterfalls.

Thekkady-Periyar National park. (2-3 days)

Periyar National park is the country’s largest Tiger reserve spreading out on a land of 300 square miles. A 3-4 hour drive from Munnar, it is home to rare species of Deer, Elephants and Nilgiri Langurs.

Bamboo Rafting in the catchment area of Periyar lake is a great Leisure activity to indulge in. Setting up a camp on the banks of Periyar Lake is also a unique experience to look for.

Kumarakom Allepey. (3 days)

Allepey is another tourist destination which is a 3-4 hour drive from  Periyar. The Bay Island Driftwood Museum is worth exploring. It is a one-of-its-kind museum housing unique wooden sculptures.

The Pallipuram Island on the Vembanad lake is a small pristine village that has white sands and is an ideal location for perfect photographic backgrounds and selfies.

Alappuzha- Varkala. (3 days)

Spend the 5th day in the beautiful town of Alleppey on the Laccadive sea and cruise through its extensive network of sparkling canals and calm lagoons while sipping on the traditional toddy.

Places worth visiting here are Mullakkal temple and Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna temple for their Kerala-style architectural grandeur.

You can also explore the traditional ad fun snake boat race if you happen to visit in August. You can also take your children and let them enjoy the fun rides at Vijay beach park. Another soothing activity to indulge in is the Ayurvedic massage that relaxes your nerves which happens at Punnapra beach.

Varkala is a 3-hour drive from Alleypey and widely known for stunning sea views and sunset.

Varkala- Thiruvananthapuram. (3 days)

Begin your day in Varkala by visiting the Anjengo Fort and lighthouse which is established by the British East India Company in 1696. Other places worth visiting are the Vishnu temple which is believed to be at least 2,000 years old, and the Kaduvayil Juma Masjid, famous among Islamic believers for its healing powers.

A prime attraction of this town is the Kappil Lake contoured by coconut trees. Visit the Varkala Tunnel- a colonial-era architecture which is believed to have taken 14 years to build and was used frequently by sailors on their way to Thiruvananthapuram. The St. Sebastian’s Pilgrim Church is also well known for its calm and beautiful interiors. 

You can reach Thiruvananthapuram, which is a 2-hour drive from Varkala, before or after lunch and spend the latter half of the day there.

A must-visit pilgrimage site is the majestic Padmanabhaswamy Temple, in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram. It is not only a sought-after pilgrimage attraction in Kerala but the whole of India.

It is one of the 108 Divya desams, holy abodes of Lord Vishnu, and attracts devotees from all across the nation.

Thiruvananthapuram. (2-3 days)

Visiting the Kanakakunnu palace, Kuthrilamalika palace, the zoological park, and the Napier Museum is the ideal way to cap off your seven-day trip to Kerala.

In order to unwind and revitalise before returning to your hectic life, Kovalam, one of Kerala’s most beautiful beaches, is definitely worth a visit toward the close of your trip.

Before your scheduled departure, take some time to unwind at Thiruvananthapuram’s Veli Beach or by Akkulam Lake. It’s a peaceful way to end this lovely journey.

Kerala is an absolute delight for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the green marvel of nature. If the idea to explore Kerala has been on your mind, let us help you make it a reality.

To make the planning part easier for you, we have curated the most preferred Kerala tour packages based on the recommendations and experiences of our travellers. 

Indian food is famous all across the world for its unique blend of spices and a multitude of palates shaped by centuries of skill and culture. Whenever visiting India, you can get a chance to try out the assortment of cuisines prepared in different ways in different parts of the country.

But before that, there is a key question that haunts every wayfarer desiring to travel to India.

What is the proper way to eat Indian food and avoid getting sick while enjoying their vacation in India?

A major challenge for tourists visiting India is coping with the eating rituals of the individuals residing in this country. Furthermore, if you are not careful about what food you are eating and from where, you may end up upsetting your stomach and getting sick during your stay here.

While the food served in North India is completely different from that served in South India, the eating ritual is pretty much the same across the country.

Just looking at an Indian meal can be overwhelming, let alone eating it with your hands.

But worry not. To help you get comfortable with the eating ritual in India and enable you to eat like a local in India without getting sick, we have compiled a list of points to remember while eating in India to ensure that you have a healthy and safe stay in the country.

But before we dive into the nuances of eating in India, let us first look at the different components that make up an Indian meal.

What makes up an Indian meal.

An Indian meal consists of a chapati, paratha or roti accompanied by a main dish like a vegetable or meat with or without gravy, a watery lentil dish like dal or sambhar, some rice and also a side dish like salad, papad or pickles.

Now that you are familiar with the components comprising an Indian meal, let us look at the finer details of eating the Indian meal and the necessary precautions to take to avoid getting sick.

Steps to eat in India.
1. Use your hands to eat.
In India, it is considered normal to eat food with your hands. Just make sure to wash your hands thoroughly before beginning to consume your food.

Also, when using the plate, wipe it clean with dry tissue first to get rid of any dust particles and then place the different food dishes in it. Once ready, you can begin eating the food with your right hand.

This gives you the local Indian vibe as well and you would experience that eating with your hands is a lot of fun.

2.  Preferred choice of eating.
The variety of dishes in the Indian meal can be perplexing though. Which dish is to be eaten when? Or are they all eaten together?

It is always recommended to eat the roti or chapati first with the vegetable or meat dish, followed by the remaining vegetable or meat dishes with rice and dal.

The purpose of side dishes is to add flavour to the main dish while eating. Hence, you can consume a small amount of the side dish after every bite of the main dish.

3. Try out regional cuisines from local restaurants.
As stated earlier, the Indian plate is filled with an assortment of cuisines, both regional and common. The regional specialities served in the local restaurants look more authentic and taste better.

Besides, it is also considered safe to eat food prepared in restaurants that are popular among the locals rather than by roadside vendors to avoid getting sick.

In addition to this, we would suggest you rely more on vegetarian food options than non-vegetarian food varieties. Depending on your eating preferences and history, your stomach might not be able to digest the super spicy non-vegetarian food served at some places in India.

Certain regional cuisines may appeal to your taste buds and it’s tempting to indulge in a little overeating. However, avoid overeating at all costs to avoid getting sick.

Eat moderate and eat right. That’s how you will be able to relish Indian cuisine to the fullest without getting sick.

Always make a choice to drink water from packed water bottles and refrain from drinking tap water. Tap waters are often not purified and drinking them directly can upset your stomach and make you sick.

Food is one of the highly regarded specialities of India and every Indian swells with pride in the regional cuisines available in their locality. Indian food has something unique to satiate the taste buds of individuals from different cultures.

If you have never visited India, consider giving yourself the privilege of tasting authentic and rich Indian food. It won’t be long before you start eating the meal in Indian style and enjoying it too, without worrying about getting sick.

To make it easier for you, XYZ Travels has customised packages designed to help you travel to the most chosen destinations in India and get a taste of the exquisite Indian cuisine famous across the globe.

In the north of India lies the majestic state of Rajasthan, the ‘Land of the Kings’. Encompassing the Thar Desert, the Aravali Range, the Keoladeo National Park World Heritage Site and three National tiger reserves, Rajasthan is also home to some of the world’s most beautiful palaces and forts. It’s no surprise that it is one of India’s most popular states for visitors.

As we start a new year, here at Boundless Explorism, we have put together a list of unmissable forts and palaces full of beauty, history and tradition which should be included on any trip to Rajasthan. 

Famous for its lakes, Udaipur is a favourite filming location and with its vast palaces, beautiful gardens and spectacular scenery, it’s easy to see why Construction began on Udaipur’s City Palace in 1553 by Maharana Udai Singh II and continued over the next 400 years. The City Palace became the administrative centre for the Maharanas. Built on a hill on the east bank of Lake Pichola, the complex comprises several palaces and villas linked through a series of chowks (courtyards, bazaars or streets), with two of these – the Fateprakash Palace and the Shiv Niwas Palace – now heritage hotels. The Palace showcases the magnificence and splendour of Rajput architecture, whilst its interiors display intricate mirror-work, murals, silver-work, frescoes, towers and cupolas. 

Within the vista of the City Palace is the beautiful Lake Palace. Situated floating on an island in Lake Pichola and only accessible by boat, the Lake Palace was originally built in 1793 by Maharana Jagat Singh II as a summer dwelling. Originally known as Jig Niwas, the palace is a masterpiece of black and white marble adorned with semi-precious stones. Stepping off the boat to the palace, the visitor enters a beautiful landscape of elegant gardens, fountains, courtyards and terraces. Used as the lair of Octopussy in the James Bond film, the palace is now a luxury                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Taj hotel with Royal Butlers who are descendants of the original royal retainers. A stay in the Lake Palace may be pricey, but it is the best way to experience the full opulence of the floating Lake Palace. 

Near Jaipur in the town of Amer is the Amber Fort (or Amer Fort). Construction on the fort was started by Maharaja Man Singh in the sixteenth century and added to by successive rulers. Built-in distinctive sandstone, the fort is divided into four main sections, each with its own courtyard. A series of tunnels connect Amber Fort with Jaigarh Fort and parts of these have been restored and opened to the public. Amber Fort is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Jaipur. The fort is perched on a hilltop overlooking lake Moata and the journey up the narrow road leading to the fort’s Suraj Pol (sun gate) gives today’s visitor the experience of how magnificent and imposing the fort would have appeared to those arriving many centuries ago. 

Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) was designed by the celebrated architect Lal Chand Ustad in 1799. Its red and pink sandstone is in keeping with the ‘pink city’ of Jaipur. The facade is a pyramidal honey-comb structure facade featuring 953 small windows (Jharokhas) designed to allow the royal women to observe the street life below without being seen themselves. This unique design also ingeniously provides a cooling system as air passes through the structure. The palace now houses a museum. 

The magnificent Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur was built by the Rajput ruler Roa Jodha in 1459. The fort complex covers 1200 acres of land on top of a hill overlooking the city. The fort was built over a period of 500 years and encompasses various architectural styles and some gorgeous stained glass work. The seven gates to the fort were built to commemorate various victories in battle. The fort is now open as a museum showcasing the rich history of Jodhpur.

Near Rajasthan’s eastern border lies one of India’s largest forts, Chittorgarh Fort, covering an area of around 700 acres Built high above the banks of the Barach river, the fort encompasses 65 structures, including temples, palaces, ponds, wells and step-wells. Chittorgarh’s Jain temples have become a major tourist attraction. In 2013, along with Amber and Jaisalmer on our list, Chittorgarh Fort was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

For a large part of its 800-year history, Jaisalmer Fort contained the whole city. Today it is one of the world’s only living forts with around 4000 inhabitants living within its walls. The fort was built in 1156 by the Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal, from whom the city gained its name. Part of the magic and majesty of Jaisalmer fort is seeing it at sunset. As the sun sets across the Thar desert, the fort changes from its yellow sandstone colour to a beautiful gold. It’s no wonder Jaisalmer Fort is also known as The Golden Fort. 

India is a beautiful country with enormous history and culture. People in India are really welcoming with some great smiles on their faces and values rooted deep, as we believe in manifesting our tourism slogan “Atithi Devo Bhava” which translates as “the guest is God”.

We help traveller’s to find their perfect boundless vacation with the pride and satisfaction of contributing towards a noble cause of empowering women in India.

You will experience an insightful understanding of the city’s rich history, culture, and lifestyle led by our friendly English-speaking female tour guide (who also is the brand ambassador of our organisation). 

To know more about us or our tours & experiences in Mumbai, kindly send us an enquiry.

Densely populated, congested group of poorly constructed temporary settlements. This is what comes to your mind when you hear the word “slum” right? And a slum indeed has the same look which naturally makes an impression about the people living there in our minds as “poor and helpless”. This is what differentiates Dharavi, the heart of Mumbai from other slums. You might be wondering what makes it so unique and even worthy to take a tour!

Well, it’s time to dive deep into it…

Filled with innovative mindsets

Dharavi, better known as the heart of Mumbai, is famous for its highly talented population and the level of innovation that goes into achieving maximum efficiency. There are a huge number of small-scale businesses being run by the local people of Dharavi  like leather goods manufacturing, pottery making, textile, and Plastic recycling. The most interesting fact is, there are tons of goods manufactured in Dharavi that are exported internationally. Most factories in Dharavi have frugally-innovative machinery. For instance, the plastic crushing machine used in the recycling area is designed and built by the uneducated engineers of Dharavi and there’s a band in Dharavi called “Dharavi rocks” which makes music through instruments made out of recycled items. 

People are hardworking and Independent

Unlike the traditional mindset that portrays slum dwellers as “poor and helpless”, residents of Dharavi have a self-dependent mindset and make a living out of their hard work. It wouldn’t be shocking to say that this hardworking bunch of people help Dharavi bring out an annual turnover of US$ 1 Billion approximately. 

The hub of small businesses

Dharavi has around 10,000 small scale businesses producing goods with very little technology and machinery and most of these goods are sold to different shops and brands nationally and internationally. No doubt, Dharavi is very fruitful to the economy generating over US$ 1 billion annually unlike most slums. This makes it worth naming it “ An entrepreneurial Slum”.

The slum with the highest literacy rate

Dharavi breaks the record in yet another criteria. It is said to be the most literate slum with 69% of the population being literate. Not just figures, but Dharavi has produced a quality population where 16-year-olds create mobile apps to solve daily life problems arising in slums. Yes! That’s true. A group of girls aged 12-14 years has created mobile apps to deal with issues like education, water shortage, and women’s safety. Isn’t it extraordinary, something that even normal people struggle to think about? 

What would you experience on the tour

Briefly, the most fascinating thing you’ll experience throughout your Dharavi tour is the way people take up their everyday challenges and still excel at whatever they do. On the tour you will learn the life of Dharavi and witness the spirit of the hardworking people. With having so much inspiration and positive real life experience, Dharavi has bagged the first position in the “Top 10 experiences in India” and also made it to the “Top 10 travelers choices in Asia” in 2019. 

You can only imagine how interesting it could be! 

We help travellers to find their perfect boundless vacation, with the pride and satisfaction of contributing towards the noble cause. To know more about us or our tours & experiences in Mumbai, kindly send us an enquiry.

You can choose us to be your travel partner on your educational tour to Dharavi. Below are some unique experiential tours combined with the Dharavi tour. You can even combine a few of them at your convenience. You can mail us at mumbai@boundlessexplorism.com or send us a Quick Whatsapp message.

Densely populated, congested group of poorly constructed temporary settlements. This is what comes to your mind when you hear the word “slum” right? And a slum indeed has the same look which naturally makes an impression about the people living there in our minds as “poor and helpless”. This is what differentiates Dharavi, the heart of Mumbai from other slums. You might be wondering what makes it so unique and even worthy to take a tour!

Dharavi is an economic powerhouse in the heart of Mumbai, being an industrial centre of small-scale manufacturing. It has around 10,000 small scale businesses producing goods with very little technology and machinery and most of these goods are sold to different shops and brands nationally and internationally. Dharavi is home to over 1 million people generating over US$ 1 billion annually unlike most slums. This makes it worth naming it “ An entrepreneurial Slum”.

Briefly, the most fascinating thing you’ll experience throughout your Dharavi tour is the way people take up their everyday challenges and still excel at whatever they do. On the tour you will learn the life of Dharavi and witness the spirit of the hardworking people. With having so much inspiration and positive real life experience, Dharavi has bagged the first position in the “Top 10 experiences in India” and also made it to the “Top 10 travelers choices in Asia” in 2019. 

You can only imagine how interesting it could be! 

The most significant forms of celebrations witnessed in India take place around its festivals. Festivals are to Indian culture what spices are to Indian cuisine.

Without the biggest festivals in India, its culture wouldn’t be as rich and diverse as it currently is. Festive occasions in India are a time of great gusto and excitement.

The rich diversity of India is reflected in the enthusiasm by which we celebrate the wide range of famous festivals in India. Be it ringing in Christmas, welcoming Lord Ganesh with great pomp and celebration during Ganesh Chaturthi, exchanging greetings during the holy Ramzan Eid or lighting up the halls with Diyas in Diwali, each and every festival in India is greeted with big celebrations and cultural harmony. 

Let’s walk through the 10 biggest festivals in India that magnify the nation’s beauty.

1. Holi.
   According to Hindu mythology, the festival of Holi represents the triumph of good over evil. The festival also announces the arrival of spring.
   
   Holi is one of the most popular and biggest festivals celebrated in India. The streets are occupied with people applying dry and wet colours on each other’s faces celebrating the victory of good over bad.
   
   Holi is celebrated with great zeal and fervour where people dance, toss coloured powders and water balloons and of course, drink Lassi.
   
2. Eid-Ul-Fitr/ Ramadan Eid.
   Following the month-long fast of Ramadan, Muslims from all over the country celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr. In essence, it marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month during which Muslims observe fasting.
   
   Eid-ul-Fitr is unquestionably one of the biggest celebrations in India and a significant festival for the Muslim population worldwide. The festivities are very wonderful since this festival marks the last day of rejoicing after a holy month of fasting.
   
   There are gatherings for communal prayer, a sacrifice ceremony, a lavish feast, and other events where friends and family are invited.
   
3. Janmashtami
   Janmashtami is observed as the birthday of Lord Krishna in the Mathura prison. It is a widely popular festival of India which is celebrated with tremendous enthusiasm!

There are illustrious celebrations that take place across the country, especially in Mathura and Vrindavan. There are prayers, bhajans, dance and other hymns sung throughout the night and day as Lord Krishna’s birth is depicted.

4. Ganesh Chaturthi
   The celebration of this festival marks the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God and son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

In Maharashtra, Ganesh Chaturthi is a well-known celebration.

In fact, Lord Ganesha’s rebirth after a tragic tale makes it a very significant event in India as well. People bring home Ganesha statues or even erect pandals with Ganpati idols for the length of the 10-day carnival-like celebration before the idols are submerged in the sea on the last day.

5. Onam.
   Malayalis commemorate the return of the legendary King Mahabali during the auspicious festival of Onam.

In God’s Own Country, Kerala, Onam is practically a weeklong carnival celebration! As the streets are packed with entertainment, sumptuous feasts, boat races, processions, and more, this festival unites everyone in Kerala.

You won’t forget the exciting experience of visiting Kerala during Onam.

6. Navratri
   The festival of Navratri represents the nine diverse forms of Goddess Amba and each day is devoted to one of the nine different manifestations, as described in mythological stories. The festivities culminate in Dussehra when Goddess Durga takes her final form.

Navratri is one of the most significant festivals celebrated in India and is celebrated for a variety of different reasons. Garba which is a popular Navratri dance is practised during those nine days.  Worshipping Goddess Amba in her various guises as she assumes new ones to vanquish demons is their one and only shared objective.

7. Dusshere/Vijaydasmi.
   The 10th day of Dussehra marks the conclusion of the nine days of Navratri. The major highlight of this festival is the burning of the effigies of Ravan and his two brothers, which represents the victorious moment when Lord Rama defeats Ravan in the epic story of the Ramayana.
   
   The firecrackers inside the effigies cause a medley of loud noises when the entire, nearly 100-foot-tall tower collapses. The crowd then cheers even louder to honour the symbolic achievement.
   
   In certain cities of India, there happens street plays called Ramlila that depict the complete story of Ramayana.
   
8. Diwali
   Without a hint of doubt, Diwali is one of the most famous and biggest festivals in India. Celebrated across the nation, this festival of lights has a wide significance for diverse cultures in the country.
   
   However, everybody comes together to light up Diyas and celebrate the festival of lights in unison. It is quite a spectacle to witness the Indian streets and households during this auspicious festival.
   
9. Christmas
   Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. In India, this occasion is observed with passionate revelry and beautiful joy. Every home can sense the comforting aroma of walnut cakes.
   
   Christmas is the occasion when Santa hats and reindeer headgear are most common, decorating people’s heads as if enthralled by a confetti of Santa hats.
   
   Many individuals decorate Christmas trees in their homes with colourful stars and hanging balls. On this auspicious event, people also go to the church to seek the holiness of Christ’s graces.
   
10.  Lodhi
    Lodhi, a colourful celebration celebrated with joy and unity, is a harvest festival distinctive to North India. In January, the festival is intended to commemorate the winter crop.
    
    It is celebrated during the late evening time around a cosy bonfire when guests munch popcorn, delicious north Indian specialities and peanuts while savouring the warmth of the fire and their shared love.

The biggest festivals in India truly depict its diverse culture, harmony, and enthusiasm and to experience each of them is similar to living a hundred lives in one. Your trip to India is bound to be etched in your hearts forever if you visit this country during any of its festival times. 
If you are planning to visit the nation anytime soon during the festive season, let us make the hard work easy for you. Our travel package experts are here to get to every detail of your trip to India and make it a memorable journey.