Kerala holidays

If this sounds like you, check out the range of holidays to Kerala on TravelSupermarket and find a bargain break in the tropics...

Located in southern India on the Malabar Coast, holidays in this tempting tropical paradise revolve around beaches, backwaters and ayurveda - a system of traditional medicine that fascinates those keen on alternative forms of healing.

You can lounge on beaches, follow rainforest trails, shop at hippy markets, and hop aboard boats to explore the backwaters of the state, where the still air is pierced with the sounds of monkeys and muted squeals from your travelling party when they spot elephants or eagles.

The region is far from a cultural desert, though, and holidays in Kerala can be fascinating from this point of view as well. See the cities of Kochi, which used to be known as Cochin, and Thiruvananthapuram, formerly Trivandrum, before dipping your toes in the sea at idyllic beaches such as Kovalam and Varkala.

The tastes of Kerala are also delightful - especially if you like fish and seafood. Tasty fish and vegetarian curries rank highly among the top dishes cooked up by clever chefs who wouldn't even consider using anything but locally sourced ingredients.

And if ayurvedic medicine piques your interest, the good news is that many hotels in Kerala offer ayurvedic treatments at their in-house spas. Other accommodation options for Kerala holidays, meanwhile, are varied and equally enchanting, with opportunities to stay in house boats, by the beach, at cool hill-top plantations, at eco-lodges or sumptuous palaces of opulence surrounded by lush palm trees. But wherever you stay, you are bound to enjoy soaking up the flavours of this spicy and humid part of the vast nation of India.

Book your break in colourful Kerala today. Use the search tool to tell us what you're looking for, and TravelSupermarket will tempt you with the best deals available.

This tropical part of India is subject to some distinct weather patterns...

Temperatures rarely dip below 28C whatever time of year you travel, but there's a reason, actually two reasons, why this part of the nation is so lush and green: the south-west monsoon and the north-east monsoon. The first arrives in June and the second in October, although that does not completely rule these months out for a visit. While rainfall is high at these times, it often arrives in short bursts and clears the skies (and the humidity) until the next storm.

Cheap holidays to Kerala are available all year round, though you can often find a really great deal if you're prepared to travel during or close to the monsoon seasons.

Festivals of colour and light mark the calendar in this beautiful part of India. Find out what's on during your holiday...

Onam; August-September: This ancient festival is widely celebrated by Hindus in Kerala and features 10 days of feasts, boat races, carpets of flowers and parading elephants.

Holi; February/March: Temples around the state will celebrate Holi, which culminates in a spectacle of vivid powders filling the air and coating locals and visitors alike.

Deepavali (or Devali/Diwali); October: See destinations in Kerala lit up by candles and lanterns for the Hindu festival of lights. It's a beautiful event.

Whatever kind of travel experience gets you out of bed of a morning, there's something to suit your style in Kerala...

Grown-up families: Take the family on a wildlife-spotting trip through the backwaters of Kerala on a traditional kettuvallam houseboat. Exotic birds are common sights, while you may also be lucky enough to see bigger wildlife such as elephants romping through the forest.

Active types: Pack your hiking gear and tackle the peaks of the Western Ghats. You can book walking tours to learn more from local guides.

Shopping: Jew Town in Kochi was the centre of the spice trade for years. You can still haggle over spices, as well as all kinds of other crafts and trinkets, there today.