Travel Agents and Tours

The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) has several inexpensive tours, including wildlife-spotting excursions to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and one- to two-week trips that follow a pilgrim trail through Kerala's sacred shrines. Sita Travels can help with bookings and arrange a car and driver. The Great India Tour Company, one of Kerala's best travel agencies, has offices throughout South India. SATM Tours and Travel designs affordable packages around your particular interests. Thiruvananthapuram-based Tourindia created the houseboat phenomenon and offers unusual Kerala backwaters experiences, that is, much more authentic than what you see elsewhere. One intriguing two- to three-day trip—created by Tourindia and the forestry department—sends you deep into the jungle with a local guide, an armed escort, and a naturalist. Destination Holidays specializes in Kerala tours, and has a good reputation among budget operators for good service and local knowledge.

Contacts

Destination Holidays. Pallath Bldgs., Kurisupally Rd., Ravipuram, Ernakulam, Kerala, 682015. 484/235–6497; 484/235–7316; www.destinationholidays.net.

Great India Tour Company. Mullassery Towers, Vanross Junction, Trivandrum, Kerala, 695001. 471/301–1500.

Tourindia. 136 M. G. Rd., Trivandrum, Kerala, 695001. 471/233–0437; 471/233–1507.