Top
  >  India   >  Ecotourism in Kerala: a sustainable travel guide

After exploring how to travel responsibly in India here, it’s now time for this small state in the South of the subcontinent. Welcome to the ultimate guide to sustainable travel and ecotourism in Kerala!

Munnar Valley

Located on the western tip of India, Kerala is famous for its tranquil backwaters, charming houseboats, and… ecotourism opportunities!

If you can only manage a short stay in India, this is the place to be. With over 600 miles of beaches along the Arabian Sea and 44 major rivers, Kerala is the perfect destination if you’re looking to soak up the sun along a shoreline.

It also has a lot to offer in terms of hospitality. From small hostels to luxury resorts, from relaxing sandy beaches to adrenaline-filled water sports, there’s something for everyone.

Unfortunately, all that popularity comes at a cost. Overtourism is putting a strain on the locals and their lifestyle, cruise ships are disrupting the marine ecosystems, and backwaters are jam-packed with houseboats.

This guide is here to help you plan a responsible trip without giving up any of the fun. Read on to learn more about sustainability and ecotourism in Kerala.

Best time to visit Kerala

Every time of the year has its perks when it comes to visiting Kerala. However, certain months are better than others depending on the kind of trip you’re looking for.

You certainly don’t want to plan a beach vacation during the monsoon season, just like you want to be prepared for the summer heat in March-May.

Let’s take a closer look.

Backwaters in Kerala

September – February: high season

The winter season goes from September through February in Kerala and it’s considered by most the best time to visit.

The monsoon season has just passed and everything is emerald green, temperatures are not at their highest yet but it’s warm enough, and national parks are ready to reopen.

The downside is that high season also means high prices, crowds everywhere, and the toll of overtourism on the locals. If you decide to go during these months, do your best to support the local communities and minimize the negative impacts of your presence there.

Luckily, it’s possible to easily travel off the beaten path in India. Apart from a few popular destinations, there are lots of undiscovered spots that are just as charming.

March – May: shoulder season

If you’re looking to travel outside of the peak times, definitely consider visiting in the shoulder season from March through May. You’ll avoid the larger crowds and won’t overwhelm local areas.

It is much warmer and more humid, with temperatures hitting 35-40C (95-104F).

Not surprisingly this is the perfect time to go to the beach and enjoy the sun or escape the heat and hike in the mountains.

Visiting hill stations is also a tourist favorite and there’s no shortage of festivals where you can see for yourself how colorful and charismatic India can be.

Finally, how not to mention safaris. Because of the high temperatures, elephants and other animals spend most of the time near water and you have the best chances to spot them. Just make sure you pick an ethical operator!

June – September: low season (or Monsoon season)

The monsoons usually reach the coasts of Kerala in early June and bring heavy rain and lightning with them. The weather becomes very unstable and it may be sunny one moment and pouring the next.

Although you may be lucky and get only a couple of hours of rain a day, your options are still very limited. Most national parks close during the monsoon season and so do many resorts and tourism establishments.

On a positive note, prices are extremely low and it could be the perfect opportunity to stay at a yoga retreat or do other indoor activities on a budget.

Keep in mind that flooding is common during the monsoon season. If you’re not traveling on a flexible schedule or are not familiar with the area, it is recommended to stick to the main cities where you can get the best assistance.

Viewpoint in Kochi

Ecotourism destinations in Kerala

Kerala is full of eco-friendly and ethical reserves, as well as stunning nature parks.

Here are some of the best ecotourism destinations in Kerala.

1. Thenmala

Thenmala is “India’s First Planned Ecotourism Destination” and deservingly tops this list.

They offer a wide variety of activities: hiking and trekking, mountain biking, rock climbing, butterfly safaris, boat tours, and more. I really recommend the guided trekking along the Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary – for less than $2 you can get a glimpse of the natural beauty of this area and hopefully spot some wildlife.

As for most of the activities, there’s a minimum number of participants required, but you can also cover the entire fee and go by yourself. I was traveling solo and there were no other tourists – for a little over $7 I could go on the tour anyway.

If you want to make the most of it, you can book their package that includes an overnight stay and most of the activities.

Nearby are the Palaruvi Waterfalls which are worth a visit if you have an extra day.

Munnar Valley

2. Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary

Located in Trivandrum, this sanctuary covers over 53 sq. km. of forest and is home to over 400 species. It is part of one of the 34 biodiversity hotspots in the world, the Western Ghats. Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is especially good for bird watchers and butterfly lovers.

This is a popular ecotourism destination in Kerala thanks to the collaboration of the Kerala tourist board and the Forest Department which makes sure the tours and other activities don’t harm the environment and wildlife.

For example, all treks must be approved by the Forest Department after assessing their impact.

Just over 30km away is Ponmudi, an off-the-beaten-path hill station that offers hiking, rock climbing, and mountaineering opportunities as well as an amazing view of the hills.

Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary

3. Eravikulam National Park

This national park is located in the Kannan Devan hills, in the southern section of the Western Ghats. With a background of tea plantations, this gorgeous park is unlike any other.

The Neelakurinji Trail is probably the most popular as it takes its name from the stunning Neelakurinji flowers that bloom every 12 years in this park.

Eravikulam is also famous for being the natural habitat for the Nilgiri Tahr, an endangered mountain goat on the red list of the IUCN.

Because of that, the park has been separated into three regions: core, buffer, and tourism, which is the only area where tourists can enter while the others are kept untouched.

Neelakurinji flowers in Ooty, Nilgiris Hills

4. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary & Tiger Reserve

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve is home to some of the finest wildlife in India. There are many hiking opportunities that can even be extended to an overnight stay at the campsite if you want to walk along the Tiger Trails.

The sanctuary has a pretty ethical approach to wildlife – tourists are not allowed to feed or interact with the animals during the tours and are warned not to disturb the wildlife.

Unfortunately, elephant rides still take place at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and involve more and more elephants as the destination grows in popularity.

While it is true that facilities that offer animal rides are unethical and should be avoided, it should also be noted that the tiger population in the park is very unstable and the money earned through elephant rides funds a great portion of its conservation.

So, it comes down to a personal choice whether you want to visit this park anyway or do something else. I preferred visiting another park that doesn’t offer elephant rides, and Periyar didn’t really fit into my itinerary anyway. But still wanted to mention it in this list because you can explore the park responsibly.

For example, you could support their conservation efforts by participating in hiking tours or other activities that don’t involve close contact with the wildlife. This way you could still contribute without any animal exploitation involved. I’d still recommend not going on elephant rides regardless of how the money is used afterward.

Bengal tiger

5. Kadalundi

Located in the north of the state, Kadalundi is one of the best ecotourism spots in Kerala and the perfect day trip from Calicut (Kozhikode). A few meters away from the train station is the Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary which attracts tourists from all over for its stunning views of the estuary, the mangrove forest, and – of course – the birds!

There’s a boat service that takes you through the mangroves and gives you the best chance to encounter migratory birds looking for fish and crabs along the river. The best time to go is in December, but it’s worth visiting all year round – you may not be able to see many species of birds in the low season but the mangrove ecosystem is still very impressive.

Once you’re done with the boat tour, take a walk along the banks and go grab a bite from the local restaurants nearby. Although fish is their specialty, there’s no shortage of vegan and vegetarian options.

If you’re in the mood for some shopping, Kadalundi and the surrounding area are famous for traditional handicrafts – it could be a great opportunity to find unique souvenirs to bring back home and support the local community at the same time.

Kingfisher, a common species in Kerala

Sustainability and ecotourism in Kerala

Although there’s still a lot of room for improvement, Kerala sets the standard for what ecotourism should include in India. With initiatives emphasizing sustainability for both locals and travelers, this Indian state truly is working towards more responsible solutions for tourists. We should contribute to these efforts by not supporting unsustainable practices ourselves and trying to benefit the locals instead.

So, what can we do?

A lot that can be said about responsible tourism in Kerala is also true about the entire country. For extra details and tips, check out my sustainable travel guide to India.

Wildlife

If you’re going to an area as rich with life as India, you must check out the local wildlife.

There are a lot of ecotourism projects in Kerala promoting ethical animal tourism and it’d be great if you could add one of them to your itinerary.

Unfortunately, they are still not able to raise enough funds to cover the massive conservation costs.

This is why unethical practices such as elephant rides are sometimes inevitable and necessary to the conservation and survival of other species. Sustainable activities such as safaris are available but not equally profitable at the moment.

Elephants used for rides

What’s the best thing to do then – what’s ethical or what’s useful? It’s not easy to tell, but here are two tips on wildlife tourism in Kerala.

1. Don’t go on elephant rides, but support the communities and parks.

Yes, I just said that elephant rides are often fundamental to funding other conservation initiatives. They also are a source of income for the local community and keep many people away from poaching – running a business with elephant rides is so much more profitable than hunting them and reselling their ivory tusks on the black market.

However, this doesn’t mean that we should ignore the impact of rides on animal welfare. Something like this can be tolerated while there are no other options in the short term but shouldn’t be actively supported.  The idea is to not create more demand for animal rides so that business owners will gradually shift to alternative ways of making money. You can (and should) still support the community by staying at local accommodations and eating at local restaurants.

2. Don’t approach wild animals at festivals

Animals like elephants, camels, and monkeys are commonly used for performances during festivals. People paint their skin, decorate them with ornaments, play polo on elephants, and watch camel races.

These activities are incompatible with animal welfare and shouldn’t be supported.

You may think it doesn’t make much of a difference if you stay away from an elephant when there are hundreds of people teasing and poking it – but it does.

Once again, you can find more details and resources in my sustainable travel guide to India.

Elephant painted for a festival in India

Houseboats

Houseboats are probably what put Kerala on the map. Before they became popular, tourists were not able to explore the backwaters extensively and their stays were limited to very few locations.

As the word spread, Kerala became extremely popular and houseboats started popping out everywhere as accommodation, transportation, and tourist attractions.

Unfortunately, the locals are the ones paying the price for this uncontrolled growth. While houseboats do bring a lot of tourist money into the local economy, the environment and the lifestyle of the residents are deeply affected.

Locals rely on the backwaters for drinking water, transportation, fishing, and rice farming. As houseboats pollute them with plastic waste, sewage, and oil from the engines, the water is no longer safe to drink and the fish population has sharply declined over the years.

It’s also become unsafe for the locals to move around by kayak because of the numerous accidents caused by houseboats and the overcrowding of the backwaters.

Finally, tourists constantly violate the privacy of those living along the streams by taking pictures of them while they relax in their gardens or go on with their daily life.

Houseboat in Kerala

What can you do?

1. Travel off the peak season

Peak times (December-February) are obviously the most crowded and traveling between March and May puts less pressure on the locals and the environment. It is not recommended to travel during the monsoon season instead.

2. Support lesser-known communities

Traveling off the beaten path is another way to avoid overtourism. Do a little extra research and you’ll discover incredible hidden gems.

3. Go on longer tours rather than day trips

Due to the backwaters being so crowded, a day tour will only allow you to travel a short distance and contribute even more to the issue. Instead, a longer tour can take you further away to less popular areas. This benefits the local community and the quality of your stay.

4. Visit the villages

The most effective way to benefit a community is to spend time (and possibly money) in the local shops, restaurants, and accommodations. So, instead of spending day and night on the houseboat, get off and explore!

5. Choose your houseboat accommodation carefully

With Kerala becoming a popular tourist destination, a lot of international companies and tour operators are jumping into this growing market. By doing so, they take potential profits away from the locals and don’t reinvest in the community. Try to avoid this and make sure the stay you book is locally-owned.

6. Ask about the environmental impact of your stay

The local government is finally trying to regulate houseboats and minimize their impact on the environment. In addition, some owners are taking action on their own initiative and powering their houseboats with solar power, using water filters, and providing plastic-free meals.

Check their website or email them to ask if they’re taking any of these steps toward sustainability. Unfortunately, it’s not that common yet and it’s a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack. But who knows – you may be lucky, or at least you’ll have hinted to them that visitors are interested in the environmental impact of their boats.

Houseboat in Kerala

Eco-friendly accommodation in Kerala

If you’re going to the land of ecotourism, you’ll want to stay in the most eco-friendly accommodation. Good thing Kerala is full of them.

From budget-friendly to the most luxurious resorts, Kerala has eco-friendly accommodations for any budget. There are many options to choose from, but here are some we like.

1. Thekkady Spice Village  

This village in the mountains emphasizes ecology, community, and culture. Over 75% of the energy used is solar, and the majority of the food eaten is grown in their gardens. At the Spice Village, you can introduce yourself to new and fragrant spices, learn how to upgrade bio-waste to make your own paper, or take a trek to the Periyar Tiger Reserve with an indigenous guide.

2. Indhrivanam

With many practices focusing on sustainability, you’ll be sure to have a luxury experience unlike any other. Situated in a private forest, there is just one cottage available for visitors. Among other things, this accommodation harvests rainwater and uses only natural or cruelty-free products. All food served is vegan

3. Amritara Shalimar Spice Garden

This affordable three-star hotel will connect you to nature’s silence and relax your mind. Located near a cardamom plantation tiger reserve, there is an activity for any type of nature lover.

Munnar Valley

Getting around Kerala

There are many ways to travel around Kerala. Taking a bus or hiring a car are options, although I recommend using their train system or renting a motorbike or bicycle. Anyway, here are 3 apps you may find useful to navigate the transportation system in Kerala (and India).

Maps.me

This offline map makes it easy to travel anywhere without getting lost. This is excellent for those using public transportation or walking/cycling. Never get lost again!

Incredible India

Created by India’s Ministry of Tourism, this app offers information about sightseeing locations, restaurants, and landmarks.

IRCTC Rail Connect

If you’re looking to travel by train, this app is for you. Launched by the government, this app can be used for online rail booking, train routes, and seat availability.

Backwaters in Kerala

A Sustainable Budget

Kerala is an affordable destination for many travelers. With options ranging from true backpacker to the height of luxury, you truly are able to spend as much or as little as you want.

On average, expect to pay around $30 per day, with $20 going towards accommodation, $6 towards food, and $4 towards transportation.

If you’re looking to stretch your money, opt for cheaper eco-friendly rooms and local street food, and take public transportation rather than private cars.

Trains are a very efficient way to move around India and the overnight ones allow you to save time during the day and money for accommodation.

Once you get to your destination, bicycles are the way to go if you want to get around on your own, and can be rented for as little as $5 per day. Kerala is truly a stunning state that you won’t be able to get enough of, so rent that bicycle and take scenic routes to each location you visit.

Luxury options are always available, and many of them offer incredibly eco-friendly experiences.

Pick and choose what works for you and, if possible, make it a responsible trip!

Backwaters in Kerala

Final Thoughts

Kerala just might be the ultimate destination for eco-tourists. With long stretches of seaside, rivers, jungles, and cities, this Indian state has it all.

It is also incredibly easy to encourage sustainable tourism in Kerala. Many accommodations are eco-friendly, as are activities and bucket-list experiences.

If you’re looking to travel sustainably, do check out this must-visit destination.

post a comment

I accept the Privacy Policy

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.