The short answer
You can plan Kerala yourself, and for a simple trip it can work well. A local specialist earns their place on more complex trips: choosing the right houseboat and hotels, timing drives and festivals, matching the route to the season, and having someone in Kerala to call if plans change.
When booking it yourself works
If you are confident travellers, staying in one or two places with flexible dates, booking flights and hotels directly is straightforward. Plenty of people do it.
Where local knowledge makes a difference
Houseboats
Quality varies widely and photos rarely show it. We inspect boats and choose routes away from the busiest channels.
Drive times
Distances on the map are misleading. A route planned by people who drive these roads avoids long, tiring days.
Season and festivals
Monsoon timing, Onam, temple festivals and park closures all affect a trip. We plan around them.
Hotels
We know which rooms have the view, which properties have changed hands and which suit families or couples.
Support on the ground
If a flight is late or someone falls ill, you have a team in Kerala to call, not an overseas call centre.
About our Kerala office
Globe Travel Centre has been trading since 2006, and our Kerala office in Cochin has been planning trips for 20 years. Every itinerary is tailor made, with private drivers and hotels we know personally. You can read independent reviews from our clients on Trustpilot.
A good question to askWhoever you book with, ask who you will call in Kerala if something goes wrong, and how quickly they can help.
Our Kerala expert
Based in Cochin
Our Kerala office has been planning trips from Cochin for 20 years. This guide reflects what we tell travellers who call us.
Ready to plan your Kerala trip?
Talk to our Cochin team about your dates.
Frequently asked questions
Sometimes, for simple trips. A specialist often gets better value on hotels and transport, and saves you costly mistakes.
Plans your route, books hotels, drivers and experiences, and supports you during the trip.
Our Kerala office in Cochin has been running for 20 years.
