Kerala Tempo Traveller Rental in Kochi

Half the fun of this trip is the road – tea gardens on both sides, cool hill air, winding turns. The weekend crowd loves this one, especially families.

Backwater country starts here. Houseboat plans, day trips around the canals – this route sees a lot of bookings for exactly that.

A calmer drive out to the backwater village – people go for the houseboats, the bird sanctuary, and the resorts along the water.

Something's always going on in Idukki, temple-wise – festivals almost every other month. Cabs get booked up fast on those dates, so plan a little ahead if you are travelling then.

Wayanad trades the coast for misty hills and forest roads - wildlife sanctuaries, spice plantations, and waterfalls make this a favourite for a longer weekend away.

The drive down to Trivandrum runs along a mix of highway and coastal stretches, popular with travellers connecting onward to Kovalam or catching a flight from the capital.

Heading north to Calicut takes you through Kerala's Malabar region, known for its beaches, historic port town and a very different food scene from the south.

Kannur's route hugs the northern coastline, with quieter beaches and old lighthouses - less crowded than the usual tourist circuit, which is exactly its appeal.