4D / 3N
24% OFF
Best Selling Alleppey-Munnar Kerala Weekend Tour
- Hotel
- Meals
- Sightseeing
- Houseboat
- Cab Transfer
₹17,132
₹13,020 /pp
Why November Is A Sweet Spot For Kerala
Kerala in November is one of the best months to plan a trip. The south-west monsoon has retreated, coastal temperatures settle into a comfortable range of about 23°C at night to 32°C by day, and hotel and flight rates sit well below the December peak. The backwaters run full and calm, the tea hills turn a deep green, and beach towns like Varkala and Kovalam are back in swimming season, with only passing showers. You get the lush look of the rains without the daily downpours, thinner crowds than in peak season, and prices that still make a week here easy to justify. Here is exactly what to expect, where to go, and how to plan it.
Key Takeaways
- Expect pleasant, post-monsoon weather: roughly 23 to 32°C on the coast and 12 to 24°C in the hills, with only light, occasional rain.
- Pay less than you would in December. Room and flight rates drop noticeably before the peak season sets in.
- Cruise the Alleppey and Kumarakom backwaters now, when the dry houseboat season opens and migratory birds arrive.
- See Athirappilly Falls while it is still running strong after the monsoon, without the risky monsoon-season access.
- Pick your pace: wildlife at Periyar and Wayanad, tea country at Munnar, or beaches at Varkala and Kovalam, all comfortable this month.
Best Places to Visit in Kerala in November at a Glance
November opens up the whole state at once. The table below is the fast overview, and the sections under it go deeper on each place. For the full year-round list, browse our places to visit in Kerala hub.
| Place | Best for | Do not miss | Ideal stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Munnar | Tea hills, couples | Kolukkumalai estate, Eravikulam NP | 2 nights |
| Alleppey | Backwater houseboats | Overnight backwater cruise | 1 to 2 nights |
| Kumarakom | Birdwatching | Vembanad Lake, bird sanctuary | 1 night |
| Thekkady | Wildlife, families | Periyar Lake boat safari | 2 nights |
| Wayanad | Adventure, trekking | Edakkal Caves, Banasura hills | 2 nights |
| Fort Kochi | Art, heritage | St. Francis Church, Chinese fishing nets | 1 to 2 nights |
| Varkala | Cliff beaches | Papanasam cliff and beach | 1 to 2 nights |
| Kovalam | Beaches, wellness | Lighthouse Beach, Ayurveda | 1 to 2 nights |
| Athirappilly | Post-monsoon waterfalls | Athirappilly and Vazhachal falls | Day trip |
Experience Kerala In November Included in These Affordable Tour Packages
Kerala
Kerala In November
Best Time
October - March
Select Package Type
Best Selling Packages
Best Selling Kerala Houseboat & Jungle Safari Tour Package
5 Days & 4 Nights
₹24,604 /@pp
GET FREE QUOTE9 Best Places In Kerala For November, Plus Weather, Festivals And Planning
The nine places that suit November best, from Munnar to Athirappilly Falls, followed by whether November is a good time to go, the region-wise weather, things to do, festivals, food, a step-by-step plan, getting around, packing and travel tips.
Explore Popular Destination In Kerala
01
Munnar
November is when Munnar looks its best, the tea slopes a saturated green after the rains and the valleys still catching morning mist. Take a jeep from Suryanelli up to the Kolukkumalai estate, just across the border in Tamil Nadu, for sunrise over the plantations, and time a visit to Eravikulam National Park to spot the Nilgiri Tahr on the grasslands. Nights drop into the low teens, so this is the one place you will actually want a jacket. Our Munnar travel guide has the estate-by-estate detail.
Related Tour Packages
❮
❯
02
Alleppey
The dry post-monsoon weeks are the sweet spot for an Alleppey backwater houseboat. Water levels are high, the paddy fields either side run bright green, and the ride is smooth enough to sleep through. Book an overnight cruise, eat the karimeen the onboard cook grills to order, and wake to kingfishers working the canals. If you only do one thing in Kerala this month, make it this.
Related Tour Packages
❮
❯
03
Kumarakom
From November the Kumarakom bird sanctuary fills up as migratory species arrive, and Vembanad Lake settles into glassy calm. Take an early walk or boat to catch herons, egrets, darters and arriving winter migrants before the light gets harsh. It pairs naturally with Alleppey, so many travellers split a two-night backwater leg between the two.
Related Tour Packages
❮
❯
04
Thekkady
For wildlife with the family, Thekkady and the Periyar reserve are the pick. Book the first boat safari on Periyar Lake for the best chance of elephants at the water, then add a guided spice-plantation walk. Two nights lets you fit a bamboo raft trip or a border-trek without rushing.
05
Wayanad
Adventure travellers head to Wayanad, where the waterfalls are still full and the trails have dried out. Climb to the Neolithic-era petroglyphs at the Edakkal Caves (closed on Mondays), trek up towards Banasura Hill, and, if you want a serious safari, the Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary runs jeep drives with a real chance of elephants and, rarely, a tiger.
06
Fort Kochi
Fort Kochi is the easy, walkable option, and November’s easing rain makes it a pleasure to wander. Trace the colonial lanes past St. Francis Church and the 1667 Bastion Bungalow, watch the Chinese fishing nets at dusk, and dip into the David Hall gallery. Note that the Kochi-Muziris Biennale opens in mid-December, not November (the 2025-26 edition ran from 12 December 2025 to 31 March 2026, and the next edition is due in late 2027), so a November visit catches the year-round galleries rather than the Biennale itself.
07
Varkala
Come November the Varkala cliff dries out and the cafe strip along the top comes alive. The beach below is good for a swim in the flagged zones, though currents can be strong, the sunsets face straight out to sea, and a red-cliff walk at golden hour is the signature Varkala moment. Quieter and more laid-back than Kovalam.
08
Kovalam
For beaches with a bit more buzz, Kovalam delivers three crescent bays, fresh seafood shacks and easy access to Ayurveda retreats. Lighthouse Beach is the main stretch, calm enough in November for swimming and a first go at surfing. It is a short hop from Trivandrum airport, which makes it a natural start or finish to a trip.
09
Athirappilly Falls
This is the November-specific one. After the rains, Athirappilly, often called the Niagara of India, is still running strong, with the neighbouring Vazhachal falls just upstream. It is an easy day trip from Kochi into the Sholayar forest, and the post-monsoon weeks pair a dramatic flow with drier trails and clearer viewpoints than the peak-monsoon months. Go early to beat the tour buses.
Is November a Good Time to Visit Kerala?
Yes. November is one of the best times to visit Kerala. The retreating south-west monsoon leaves the state green and largely dry, coastal temperatures stay pleasant at about 30 to 32°C by day and 23 to 24°C at night, crowds are thinner than in December, and room and flight prices are lower. Backwaters, hill stations and beaches are all comfortable at the same time, which is rare in a single month.
The one caveat: the north-east monsoon (Thulavarsham) brings a second, lighter round of rain this month, mostly as afternoon or evening thundershowers in southern and inland districts, so pack a compact rain layer. For a month-by-month view across the year, see our best time to visit Kerala guide, and if you are deciding between months, the Kerala in December guide covers the peak-season trade-offs.
Kerala in November Weather
Across most of Kerala, November days run warm and the nights turn mild, with statewide rainfall easing to around 170mm and tapering as the month goes on. The coast and backwaters stay warm and a little humid, while the hill stations get properly cool after dark. Here is how the three main regions compare.
| Region | Daytime high | Night low | Rain in November | What it feels like |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coast (Kochi, Varkala, Kovalam) | 30 to 32°C | 23 to 24°C | Moderate, easing | Warm, humid mornings, sea around 28 to 29°C |
| Backwaters (Alleppey, Kumarakom) | 29 to 32°C | 23 to 25°C | Occasional short showers | Calm water, ideal for cruising |
| Hills (Munnar, Wayanad, Thekkady) | 20 to 24°C | 12 to 16°C | Light drizzle, misty | Chilly mornings and cold nights |
The north-east monsoon still brings showers, mostly to the southern districts and the hills, but they are short afternoon or evening bursts rather than washouts. Carry a light raincoat or umbrella, and in the hills add a couple of warm layers for early starts and evenings. Overall the state sits in a broad 12 to 32°C band through November (the low end is Munnar at night), dry enough that a wet day rarely derails a plan.
Best Things to Do in Kerala in November
Beyond ticking off places, these are the experiences the month is built for.
Take an overnight backwater cruise
Book a houseboat in Alleppey or Kumarakom and give it a full day and night. November’s calm water and cool evenings are what the boats are made for, and the onboard cook will grill the day’s catch as you drift past the paddy.
Tour the tea plantations
With the monsoon gone, the estate roads in Munnar and Wayanad are dry and the views clear. Walk the Tata Tea Museum and take a jeep up to Kolukkumalai, often billed as one of the highest tea estates in the world, for a sunrise you will remember.
Go on a wildlife safari
Periyar and Wayanad are in fine form as the post-monsoon season opens. Take a jeep drive or a lake boat safari, and keep the camera ready for elephants, deer and a long list of birds.
Book an Ayurveda treatment
The monsoon month of Karkidakam (July to August) is the traditional Ayurveda season, but the cooler, drier weeks after the rains are among the most comfortable times for a course of treatment. Kovalam’s resorts and Kottakkal in Malappuram, home of the Arya Vaidya Sala, are two of the best-known centres. Book a few days ahead and wear light clothing.
Catch a Theyyam or Kathakali performance
November is prime season for Kerala’s ritual art forms. The Theyyam season opens around this time in the village shrines of Kannur and Kasaragod in North Malabar, and Kathakali is staged every evening at cultural centres in Fort Kochi. The Kerala Folklore Museum is the best place to understand what you are watching.
Browse the night markets
The mild evenings make the markets worth a wander. Pick up Kathakali masks and wood carvings in the Jew Town and Mattancherry craft shops, and buy cardamom and pepper straight from the Mattancherry spice bazaar.
Festivals and Events in Kerala in November
November sits between Onam and the December feasts, but the temple calendar is busy. Confirm exact dates locally before you build a day around one.
Mandala Pooja (Sabarimala)
The 41-day Mandala season at the Sabarimala temple begins in mid-November (the shrine is set to open on 16 November 2026) and ends with Mandala Pooja in late December, after which the Makaravilakku season runs to mid-January. Pilgrims from across South India arrive to worship Lord Ayyappa, and darshan slots must be booked in advance through the Travancore Devaswom Board’s online Virtual Queue at sabarimalaonline.org, with only limited spot booking. By long-standing temple custom, women aged 10 to 50 generally do not undertake the pilgrimage (the issue remains before the Supreme Court). Expect heavier crowds and traffic on the Pathanamthitta routes through this period.
Kalpathi Ratholsavam (Palakkad)
This ten-day chariot festival takes over the Kalpathi heritage village in Palakkad around mid-November, with the chariot processions on the final three days (listed for 14 to 16 November in 2026). Decorated rathas are pulled through the streets, and the celebration peaks at the Sri Viswanatha Swamy temple.
Ochira Panthrandu Vilakku and Vaikathashtami
At the Ochira Parabrahma temple, the twelve-day Panthrandu Vilakku lamp festival runs through the first days of the Malayalam month of Vrischikam in the second half of November (the famous bull-effigy Kettukazhcha is a separate event, held around Onam in September). Over the same weeks, the Vaikathashtami festival at the Vaikom Mahadeva temple, one of Kerala’s oldest Shiva shrines, builds towards Ashtami day, expected around 1 December in 2026.
Famous Food to Try in Kerala in November
The cool, dry weather is perfect for eating your way through the state. These are the dishes worth seeking out, with rough per-person prices to set expectations.
| Dish | Where to find it | Rough price (per person) |
|---|---|---|
| Appam with stew | Breakfast cafes and hotels in Kochi and Kottayam | From around INR 120 to 250 (plain appam alone about INR 10 to 20 each) |
| Karimeen pollichathu | Backwater and coastal restaurants (Kollam, Alleppey) | Varies by catch |
| Sadya (banana-leaf feast) | Temples, festivals and traditional restaurants | From around INR 200 to 350 per leaf at restaurants |
| Malabar parotta with beef | Roadside stalls in Kannur and Kozhikode | Budget-friendly |
| Local seafood (fish, prawns, crab) | Houseboat kitchens and coastal towns | Market rates per kg: fish from around INR 300, prawns from around INR 380, crab from around INR 700 (restaurant plates cost more) |
| Toddy | Toddy shops across central Kerala | INR 90 upwards |
| Banana chips and fresh Nendran bananas | Roadside and market fruit stalls | Budget-friendly |
How to Plan a Kerala Trip in November, Step by Step
A November trip books up fast because the weather is reliable. This is the order that works.
- Fly into Kochi (COK), the most central airport, and out of Trivandrum (TRV) if you are ending on the southern beaches. Calicut (CCJ) suits a Wayanad-first trip.
- Book houseboats and Periyar boat-safari tickets one to two weeks ahead. November demand is high and the good slots go early.
- Build a hills-to-coast route: Munnar and Thekkady first, then Alleppey or Kumarakom for the backwaters, finishing at Varkala or Kovalam.
- Pack a light rain layer and a couple of warm things for the hills, plus reef-safe sunscreen for the beaches.
- Lock in a treatment slot if you want Ayurveda. The good centres fill during the post-monsoon season.
- Fix your travel dates around any temple festival you want to see, and confirm its date locally first.
Short on time to piece it together? A customisable Kerala tour package can bundle the transfers, houseboat and hotels into one November-ready itinerary.
Getting Around: Air, Rail and Road
By air, Kerala has four international airports: Cochin, Trivandrum, Calicut and Kannur. Domestic one-way fares into Kerala start from around INR 2,000 to 6,000 depending on the route and how early you book. By train, the Kochi to Kozhikode run (about 190 km) takes roughly 3 to 5 hours depending on the train, and Kochi to Trivandrum (about 205 km) takes about 3.5 to 4 hours, with sleeper fares from around INR 100 to 150 and 3AC from around INR 500 to 800. By road, NH66 hugs the coast and a private sedan with driver costs from around INR 16 to 18 per km, plus a driver allowance (bata) for overnight trips. For the full breakdown, see our how to reach Kerala guide.
What to Pack for Kerala in November
- Light cotton clothes for warm, humid days on the coast and backwaters.
- A couple of warm layers or a light fleece for chilly hill-station nights in Munnar and Wayanad.
- A compact raincoat or umbrella for short north-east monsoon showers.
- Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat for the beaches and boat decks.
- Insect repellent, since some backwater and forest areas still have mosquitoes.
- Broken-in walking shoes for the caves, plantations and heritage lanes.
Travel Tips for Kerala in November
- Book transport, houseboats and hotels ahead. November is high season and the best options sell out.
- Respect temple dress codes, which are stricter than the usual covered shoulders and knees: at many Kerala temples men must remove their shirt and wear a mundu, women are expected in a saree or long skirt (at Sree Padmanabhaswamy, women in a salwar or churidar must wrap a mundu over it, and trousers are not allowed for anyone), footwear stays outside, and some temples (including Guruvayur and Sree Padmanabhaswamy) admit only Hindus.
- Choose eco-friendly operators for backwater and wildlife trips. The state pushes responsible tourism hard.
- Stay hydrated on humid coastal days, and start hill treks early before the afternoon mist rolls in.
- First-timers can take a guided tour for the food, festivals and culture, then explore solo once oriented.
Planning Your Trip
November is the month Kerala comes together: the rains have cleared, the backwaters are full, and the hills, beaches and wildlife parks are all in good form at the same time. Plan the route early, confirm any festival dates, and you can see the best of the state without the December crowds or prices. When you are ready to turn the plan into a booking, browse our customisable Kerala tour packages or start with the Kerala tourism guide for the wider picture.
FAQs
Kerala In November: Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers on November weather, houseboats, clothing, trip length and costs
Yes. November is one of the best months. The monsoon has retreated, so the state is green and mostly dry, coastal days are a pleasant 30 to 32°C with nights around 23 to 24°C, crowds are lighter than in December, and prices are lower. Backwaters, hills and beaches are all comfortable at once.
Warm days and mild nights. The coast and backwaters sit around 29 to 32°C by day and 23 to 25°C at night, while the hills run 20 to 24°C by day and drop to 12 to 16°C after dark. Statewide rainfall eases to roughly 170mm and short north-east monsoon showers are possible, mostly in the south and the hills.
Not on the coast, where it stays warm. In the hill stations, though, it turns genuinely cool, with misty mornings and nights in the low teens. Pack a light jacket if Munnar, Wayanad or Thekkady are on your route.
Yes, and it is one of the best months for them. The post-monsoon backwaters are full and calm, the weather is dry, and migratory birds are arriving, so an overnight cruise in Alleppey or Kumarakom is a highlight of the season.
Munnar for the tea hills, Alleppey for a private houseboat, and Kovalam or Varkala for quiet beaches make the classic honeymoon triangle. The pleasant weather and lower off-peak prices make November an easy month for couples.
Absolutely. The Alleppey and Kumarakom backwaters are at their most scenic in November, with high water and lush green banks. Book a houseboat a week or two ahead, as the good boats fill quickly this time of year.
In some backwater and forest areas, yes. They are manageable with repellent and covered clothing at dusk. The drier post-monsoon conditions mean fewer than during the rains, but it is worth packing a good repellent.
Light cottons for warm, humid coastal days, plus a couple of warm layers for cool hill nights. Keep a compact raincoat handy for short showers, and dress conservatively for temple visits (many Kerala temples ask men to go shirtless in a mundu and women to wear a saree or salwar).
Six to seven nights covers the classic loop comfortably: two nights in the hills (Munnar or Thekkady), one to two on the backwaters (Alleppey or Kumarakom), and two on the coast (Varkala or Kovalam). Add a day for Athirappilly or Fort Kochi if time allows.
Usually, yes. November sits just before the December peak, so flights and hotels are noticeably cheaper while the weather is nearly as good. Booking early in the month locks in the best rates before the Christmas and New Year surge.
