Travel Guide

If you have a few extra days before or after the wedding, we highly recommend adding some time to sightsee around Kerala! If you want to book a tour or a car to take you around, you can reach out to: Hashim Hamza at Flywell Tours at +91 9895402255.

Commonly known as "God's Own Country", Kerala is a coastal state in South India that boasts palm-lined beaches, backwater canals, sprawling tea estates, and pristine wildlife sanctuaries. Kochi (also known as Cochin) is located in the backwaters of Kerala and during your time here, we hope you will have a chance to explore this region. If you have an extra day or two, we recommend the following activities to enrich your time in Kerala.

A houseboat tour from Allepey or further south in Kerala
Relax by the beaches in South Kerala leading into the Arabian Sea
Visit the tea estates in the hill station of Munnar
Take a safari excursion through Periyar National Park, home to tigers, elephants, leopards and rare macaques
An Ayurvedic massage is a must-try while you are here (Kerala is world-renowned for its Ayurvedic spa and healing treatments)
Visit the heritage Jew Town in Cochin, which was once home to many thousands of Jews and still carries an old-world charm
Shop for spices and tea to take back as souvenirs (Kerala is rich in spices which made it an early stop on Colonial trade routes)
Enjoy tropical fruits and some of the finest seafood dishes
Taste a traditional Kerala meal (Sadya): a platter of assorted curries, rice, and bread, all served on a banana leaf

KERALA

If this is your first trip to India or you have some extra time off, we also recommend adding a tour of North India. You could visit:

New Delhi: the capital city of India for centuries, the city is vibrant with culture and history from ancient times, the Mughal era, and from the British Raj.

Jaipur: just a few hours from Delhi, Jaipur is also known as the "Pink City" for the distinct hue of its buildings. Many of its courtyards and palaces are still part of a royal residence. Jaipur is in the state of Rajasthan, which is home to some of the most beautiful and well-preserved forts and palaces in the country - if you have time, consider visiting Udaipur or Jaisalmer.

Agra: home of the Taj Mahal and a short drive from New Delhi. While you are there make sure to visit Agra Fort.

You can stop in Delhi on your way to or from Kochi - it's about a 3-hour flight. The climate will be dramatically different in the North where February is much cooler- temperatures range from 10 to 24 C (50 to 75 F) so make sure to pack layers.

Bonus tip: If you are interested in a tropical beach vacation, the Maldives is only an hour by flight from Kochi.