Balu, a skilled driver and interpreter, is the owner of Premium Kerala Tours, a certified tourist facilitator, and a licensed tourist guide born and raised in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Kerala. He offers comprehensive travel solutions, including tour operations, translation, airport transfers, and holistic wellness packages featuring Ayurveda, Panchakarma treatments, yoga, and meditation retreats. With his extensive knowledge of Kerala and Thiruvananthapuram, Balu provides unforgettable experiences for his clients, serving as a one-stop solution for all their travel needs in Kerala. Balu personally accompanies clients on all tours, ensuring their safety, providing language support, and offering insightful explanations of the places visited, making the journey truly worry-free and enriching.
You can trust Balu, a seasoned guide with years of experience in the industry, backed by glowing reviews and testimonials from satisfied clients. His official certifications and licenses, combined with personal connections and recommendations from previous customers, demonstrate his expertise and reliability. Balu's transparent and clear communication about services and pricing, along with his commitment to safety and responsible travel practices, ensure a worry-free journey. With a consistent and reliable service, focused on customer satisfaction, Balu has built a reputation as a trustworthy guide, dedicated to making your travel experience in Kerala unforgettable.
Kerala is an extremely safe destination for tourists, renowned for its high literacy rate, lowest crime rate, and warm-hearted people. Visitors can experience the ancient wisdom of yoga and Ayurveda, explore tea and spice plantations, and enjoy the flavors of Kerala. The state's natural beauty is on full display in its wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, picturesque beaches, and ancient temples that marvel at their architectural splendor. Museums and palaces offer a glimpse into Kerala's rich history and heritage, while the seafood cuisine is fresh from the Arabian Sea and the vegetarian cuisine is prepared with love and care. Kerala's pleasant climate means mild winters and balmy summers, with the option to refresh oneself in the cool monsoon rains or bask in the warm sunshine. With its unique blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, friendly locals, delicious cuisine, and pleasant climate, Kerala is an ideal destination for tourists seeking a safe and unforgettable travel experience.
Kerala, being a tropical region, experiences a warm and humid climate throughout the year. The temperature ranges from 25-35°C (77-95°F) with high levels of humidity. There are two main monsoon seasons, the Southwest monsoon (June-September) and the Northeast monsoon (October-November), which bring significant rainfall to the region.
High temperatures and humidity throughout the year
Two monsoon seasons with heavy rainfall
A short dry season from December to February
A warm and sunny climate, ideal for tropical crops like coconut, rice, and spices.
Overall, Kerala's tropical climate is ideal for its lush vegetation, beautiful beaches, and vibrant culture.
Kerala cuisine is known for its diverse and flavorful dishes, often made with coconut, chilies, and spices. Popular dishes include Puttu and Kadala Curry, Appam with Stew, Idiyappam, Nadan Kozhi Varuthathu (spicy chicken fry), Kerala Prawn Curry, Naadan Beef Fry, Malabar Parota (flaky flatbread), and Kerala Style Fish Molee. Seafood lovers can indulge in fresh catches like fish, prawns, crab, and mussels, prepared in a variety of ways like curries, fries, and biryanis. Vegetarians can enjoy a range of dishes like Erissery (pumpkin and gram stew), Avial (mixed vegetable curry), and Thoran (stir-fried vegetables with coconut and spices). Sweet treats like Banana Fritters and Palada Payasam (a traditional dessert) are also beloved. Sadhya, a traditional meal with rice and multiple dishes served on a plantain leaf, is often enjoyed during Onam. Thalassery Biryani and Erachi Varutharacha Curry (beef curry with roasted coconut gravy) are also popular. Kerala cuisine offers a range of delicious and aromatic dishes to explore, with something for every palate and preference.
"Kerala, one of India's richest states, boasts a transportation system that matches its high standard of living. Visitors can rent brand new, clean, and comfortable cars, premium quality mini-buses, and high semi-sleeper buses, ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey. The state's roads are among the best in the country, with smooth highways and minimal traffic congestion, making travel a breeze. In addition, Kerala is also home to a modern and efficient metro system, connecting major cities and towns, and a water metro service, providing a scenic and convenient way to travel through the state's famous backwaters. Whether you prefer to drive yourself, use public transportation, or take a boat ride, Kerala's extensive and reliable network ensures a stress-free experience. With its modern fleet of vehicles, well-maintained roads, and innovative water transportation options, Kerala sets a high standard for transportation in India."
5-star hotels with world-class amenities
Luxury villas and apartments for rent
Boutique hotels with traditional architecture
Family-friendly resorts with games and activities
Family homestays that offer a warm and welcoming atmosphere
Resorts with Ayurvedic spas and wellness centers
Camping sites and eco-lodges for nature lovers
Budget-friendly lodges and inns
Hostels and dormitories
Beachfront hotels with private beach access
Heritage homes that offer a glimpse into Kerala's rich cultural heritage
Toilet paper : Not always available, especially in public toilets. It's a good idea to carry toilet paper or tissues with you.
Western-style toilets: Common in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants, but squat toilets may be more common in rural areas.
Cleanliness: Variable, with some toilets well-maintained and others not so much.
Public toilets: May require a small fee (around ₹5-10) and may not always have toilet paper or soap.
Restrooms at tourist attractions: Usually well-maintained and clean.
Hotels and resorts: Typically have clean and well-maintained toilets with toilet paper and other amenities.
It's always a good idea to carry hand sanitizer and toilet paper with you, especially when exploring rural areas. Enjoy your trip to Kerala!
Dress codes: Some temples have strict dress codes, such as the Guruvayoor Srikrishna Temple, which requires visitors to wear traditional Indian clothing.
Gender restrictions: The Sabarimala Sastha Temple is currently open only to men, children, and elderly women.
COVID-19 restrictions: Some temples, like the Sabarimala Temple, require COVID-free certificates and may have limited capacity or other safety measures in place.
Religious customs: Visitors to temples are expected to abide by religious customs, such as removing shoes and not consuming non-vegetarian food or alcohol before entering the temple.
Photography restrictions: Some temples may not allow photography or videography inside the temple premises.
Festival crowds: Temples can be very crowded during religious festivals, so it's important to be prepared for large crowds and long wait times.
Kerala is a culturally diverse state with a population that comprises various ethnic, religious, and linguistic groups. The people of Kerala are known for their warm hospitality, welcoming nature, and rich cultural heritage. Here's a brief overview:
Ethnic groups: Malayalis (the native ethnic group), Tamil, Kannada, Konkani, and others
Religious groups: Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Jews, and others
Communities: Nairs, Ezhavas, Namboothiris, Christians, Muslims, and others
High literacy rate (over 95%)
Strong cultural traditions
Love for festivals, arts, and music
Delicious cuisine
Warm hospitality
Progressive and open-minded attitude
Overall, Kerala is a vibrant and diverse society with a unique blend of traditional and modern values.
1. Detoxification: Ayurveda treatments aim to detoxify the body and mind. A minimum of 14 days is required to remove toxins and achieve a balanced state.
2. Panchakarma: The Panchakarma program, a cornerstone of Ayurveda, takes around 14 days to complete. It involves massage, steam baths, and other treatments to rejuvenate the body.
3. Personalized treatment: Ayurveda practitioners need time to understand an individual's unique constitution (Prakriti) and create a personalized treatment plan. This requires a minimum of 14 days.
4. Consistency: Consistency is key in Ayurveda treatments. A 14-day stay ensures consistent treatment and monitoring by the same practitioner.
5. Relaxation and stress relief: Ayurveda emphasizes relaxation and stress relief. A 14-day stay allows for a peaceful and calming environment, essential for the treatments to be effective.
6. Diet and lifestyle changes: Ayurveda recommends specific diets and lifestyle changes. A 14-day stay allows practitioners to guide patients in implementing these changes effectively.
7. Follow-up and adjustments: Practitioners need time to monitor progress, adjust the treatment plan, and ensure the patient is responding well to the treatments.
By staying for a minimum of 14 days, patients can experience the full benefits of Ayurveda treatments and return home feeling rejuvenated and refreshed.