A Journey to Remember: Vipul’s Kerala Family Vacation with Thrillophilia
When I think back to our recent family trip to Kerala, I can still feel the rhythm of the rain on the car windows, the scent of cardamom drifting through the air, and the sound of laughter that carried us through every turn of the journey. For seven days, life slowed into something softer and more precious, and I know that these memories will live in us for years to come.
We were a big family travelling together, three generations in all, and that in itself brought both joy and a touch of chaos. From the moment we landed in Kochi, I was relieved to see how smoothly everything had been organised. The vehicle waiting for us was spacious and spotless, our driver polite and calm even as the children were bubbling with energy after the flight. It set the tone for what would be a perfectly balanced holiday, thanks to Thrillophilia’s thoughtful planning and Yashika’s endless patience during all the back-and-forth before we left.
The drive towards Munnar remains one of my favourite parts of the trip. Rolling hills, waterfalls cascading like silver threads down the cliffs, and the mist hugging the green slopes created an almost dreamlike scene. We stopped at Athirappilly Falls, and I remember my mother standing there quietly, watching the water thunder down, while my son tugged at my hand asking if the spray counted as rain. It was one of those small, unscripted moments that made me realise why I love travelling with family. You see the world not just with your own eyes, but through theirs too.
Munnar welcomed us with its cool breeze and endless stretches of tea gardens. The Star Emirates hotel turned out to be a wonderful choice, especially for a large family like ours. Spacious rooms, warm hospitality, and food that pleased both the older generation and the younger ones. One evening, as we sat together sipping tea on the balcony, my father remarked how peaceful it felt to be surrounded by so much greenery, so different from the busyness of our usual days. The children, meanwhile, were fascinated by stories of how tea was grown and processed, something they discovered at the Tata Tea Museum.
Not everything went perfectly, of course. There was one morning when a drizzle turned into a heavy downpour just as we were about to step out for sightseeing. For a few minutes, it felt as if the day’s plans might wash away, but instead we found ourselves huddled in the lobby, laughing at the weather and sharing packets of hot chips with the hotel staff. When the skies finally cleared, the fresh scent of rain on the hills more than made up for the delay. Those little interruptions somehow added colour to the journey.
The transition from Munnar’s hills to Thekkady’s dense forests brought yet another layer of Kerala’s diversity. At Periyar National Park, while some of us chose a relaxed boat ride, others went for a jeep safari. My nephew was wide-eyed spotting elephants in the distance, while my daughter insisted the macaques we saw were waving at her. It was in these small bursts of excitement that I realised how much the trip was giving the children, not just entertainment but also a sense of wonder about nature.
From there, Alleppey felt like entering another world entirely. Boarding the houseboat was almost magical for the younger ones, who ran from one end to the other shouting that it was like a floating hotel. For the adults, it was a chance to slow down, sit by the windows, and watch daily life unfold on the water. Women washing clothes by the banks, fishermen casting nets, and children waving from the shore. These quiet glimpses of life were as enriching as any grand sightseeing spot. That evening, as we sat on the deck watching the sunset bleed into the backwaters, there was a calmness that words can hardly capture.
Kovalam, with its lively beaches, brought in a different kind of joy. The children built sandcastles and chased the waves while the grandparents sat under umbrellas, smiling at their energy. A visit to the Jatayu Earth Centre turned into a little adventure, especially for the older kids who loved the cable car ride. In the evenings, walking along the beach with the family, I felt grateful for the blend of activity and relaxation that the itinerary had offered us.
The highlight for many was our excursion to Kanyakumari. Standing at the tip of the country, watching the three seas merge, felt profoundly moving. My wife and I found a quiet corner at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, where the sound of the waves seemed to carry centuries of stories. The children were less spiritual about it, but their joy at taking the boat ride out to the statue of Thiruvalluvar made it a special day for them too.
Our journey ended in Trivandrum with visits to the Padmanabhaswamy Temple and the museum, before we caught our flight back. By then, there was a gentle tiredness in all of us, the kind that comes from days well spent.
Looking back, I realise that what made this trip truly unforgettable was not just the beauty of Kerala, but how seamlessly everything was handled. From hotel choices that suited every generation to a driver who felt more like part of the family by the end, every detail mattered. And above all, the constant support from Yashika, who made sure every query and concern was handled with patience and care, gave us the comfort to simply enjoy the journey.
This was our third trip with Thrillophilia, and once again they delivered beyond expectations. Travelling with such a large family could have been overwhelming, but instead it felt easy, joyful, and deeply rewarding. We left Kerala with not just photographs and souvenirs, but with stories, laughter, and moments that stitched us closer together as a family.
Read More: Thrillophilia Kerala Reviews