Varkala Tour Packages
Varkala is the only place on the Kerala coast where red laterite cliffs drop straight to the beach. The clifftop path is lined with cafés and yoga studios, while the Janardana Swamy temple and Papanasam beach draw pilgrims for ritual bathing.
Varkala at a glance
- LocationKerala, India
- Time zoneIndian Standard Time (UTC+5:30)
- Driving sideLeft
- Calling code+91
- CurrencyIndian rupee (INR)
- LanguagesMalayalam
- Ideal stay2–3 days
- Getting thereThiruvananthapuram International Airport…
Best time to visit: October to March

Top Varkala travel packages
A few of our Varkala itineraries in different travel styles. Every one is private and can be changed to suit you.
Essential tips for travelling to Varkala

UPI and cards are widely accepted in cities and hotels; keep some cash for small shops, rural areas, hill towns and tips.

Tipping is not compulsory; around 5–10% in restaurants and a small tip for drivers and guides is appreciated.

Drink bottled or filtered water; it is cheap and easy to find.

112 (all emergencies)

Languages spoken: Malayalam.

Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram have the main airports; Kozhikode serves the north and Wayanad. Distances are short but hill roads are slow, so allow 3–4 hours for most transfers.
Houseboat cruises usually start around noon and end the next morning; overnight stays have the boat moored at night by regulation.
Carry light rain gear in any season; afternoon showers are common in the hills.
Stay on North Cliff for the atmosphere; the walk down to the beach is steep, so pack light.
General guidance. Local rules and services change; we confirm details for your dates.
Where is Varkala?
Who should visit Varkala?






Plan your Varkala trip
Everything you need to know about Varkala
Varkala is the only place on the Kerala coast where red laterite cliffs drop straight to the beach. The clifftop path is lined with cafés and yoga studios, while the Janardana Swamy temple and Papanasam beach draw pilgrims for ritual bathing.
Highlights include North Cliff, Papanasam Beach, Janardana Swamy Temple and Kappil Beach. Local food worth trying: Grilled catch of the day, Kerala parotta and Smoothie bowls at cliff cafés. Plan 2–3 days here; it suits young travellers, yoga and surf lovers. Our Varkala itineraries run from 4 to 7 days and every one can be changed to suit you.

When to go
October to March. Sunny and lively; many cliff cafés close in the monsoon.

How to reach Varkala
- By air: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV), about 50 km
- By rail: Varkala Sivagiri railway station, about 3 km
- By road: About 1 hour from Thiruvananthapuram
View all Varkala packages
Private, customisable itineraries with prices quoted for your dates, hotel category and group size.
7D / 6NKochi · Kumarakom · Alleppey · VarkalaKerala Backwaters & Beaches
Water all the way: Kochi's harbour, a lakeside stay at Kumarakom, a houseboat through Alleppey's canals and cliff-top Varkala to finish.
View itinerary →
4D / 3NVarkalaVarkala Cliffs & Yoga Break
Clifftop cafés, yoga classes, surf lessons and sunset over Papanasam beach: an easy three-night reset on Kerala's red cliffs.
View itinerary →
5D / 4NVarkala · KovalamKerala Beaches: Varkala & Kovalam
Two different beaches in one trip: Varkala's cliffs and cafés, then Kovalam's lighthouse bay with a day out to Poovar's estuary.
View itinerary →3 itineraries
More places in Kerala
Top things to see in Varkala
VarkalaClifftop path with cafés and sea views
VarkalaSacred beach below the cliffs
KeralaTwo-thousand-year-old Vishnu temple
KeralaWhere backwaters meet the sea
Nature and landscapes of Varkala
VarkalaClifftop path with cafés and sea views
VarkalaSacred beach below the cliffs
KeralaWhere backwaters meet the sea
Cultural experiences in Varkala
Heritage and landmarks
VarkalaTwo-thousand-year-old Vishnu temple
On the menuFood to try
- Grilled catch of the day
- Kerala parotta
- Smoothie bowls at cliff cafés
Outdoor activities in Varkala


Many activities are seasonal. Best time for Varkala: October to March. We check operating seasons for your dates.
Varkala travel tips
Visa and entry
Indian citizens do not need a visa; carry a government photo ID such as Aadhaar or a passport for hotels and flights.
Health and safety
Travel insurance is a good idea, especially for adventure activities. Carry prescription medicines in their original packaging with a copy of the prescription.
Currency and tipping
The currency is the Indian rupee (INR). Tipping is not compulsory; around 5–10% in restaurants and a small tip for drivers and guides is appreciated.
Best time to visit
October to March. Sunny and lively; many cliff cafés close in the monsoon.
Getting around
Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram have the main airports; Kozhikode serves the north and Wayanad. Distances are short but hill roads are slow, so allow 3–4 hours for most transfers.
Local etiquette
- Dress modestly at temples, churches and mosques, and remove footwear where asked.
- Ask before photographing people, and follow photography rules at religious sites and museums.
What to pack
Pack a light jacket or sweater for cool evenings, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and swimwear, modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees for religious sites, a compact umbrella or rain jacket and comfortable walking shoes.
Phone and internet
Mobile data is good in towns and cities. Coverage can be patchy in remote, hill and forest areas, so download offline maps before you set off.
Budget
We don't publish fixed prices because the season, hotel category, flights and group size change the cost. Your written quote lists exactly what is included, so you can compare like for like.
Varkala FAQs
What is Varkala famous for?
What is the best time to visit Varkala?
How many days are enough for Varkala?
How do I reach Varkala?
Is tap water safe to drink in Kerala?
What are the emergency numbers in Kerala?
How much does a Varkala tour package cost?
Can Nexara Holidays plan a Varkala trip from Chennai?
Destinations near Varkala
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Tiruchendur is the only one of Lord Murugan's six abodes that stands by the sea.
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Valparai is a remote plateau of tea and coffee estates in the Anaimalai Hills, reached by a road with forty hairpin bends.
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Kodaikanal, the princess of hill stations, sits on a plateau in the Palani Hills around a star-shaped lake.
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Madurai is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in India and grew around the Meenakshi Amman Temple, whose fourteen gopurams are covered in thousands of painted figures.
Tamil NaduPalani
Palani is one of the six abodes of Lord Murugan, the Arupadai Veedu.
Varkala guides and articles
Travel guideBest time to visit Kerala: a season-by-season guide
When to visit Kerala for hills, backwaters, beaches and Ayurveda, with what each season is really like and how to plan around the monsoon.
Read →
Travel guideHow many days do you need in Kerala? 4, 6 and 9-day plans
Sample Kerala routes for four, six and nine days, with honest advice on drive times, where to sleep and what to leave out.
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Travel guideKerala houseboat guide: how to choose and what to expect
Everything to know before booking a Kerala houseboat: categories, air-conditioning, timings, food on board, private versus shared boats and where to cruise.
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Travel guideTravelling with infants and toddlers: a practical guide
How to plan holidays with babies and toddlers, from passports and flights to choosing destinations, hotels, food and daily pacing.
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Travel guideTravelling with elderly parents: planning a comfortable trip
How to plan a holiday or pilgrimage with elderly parents: choosing destinations, pacing, hotel rooms, medical preparation and airport assistance.
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Travel guideTravelling in India during the monsoon: where it works and where to avoid
Which Indian destinations are beautiful in the monsoon, which are best avoided, and how to plan safely around rain, landslides and closures.
Read →Plan your Varkala holiday
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