Best college tour destinations from Kerala
Picking a destination is the first decision for any college tour or IV. This guide groups the places Trip Campus goes by how many days you have, and explains what each trip is best for.
Three-day trips in Kerala and Tamil Nadu
Bus trips that leave from your college at night. Ideal when your class can only spare a weekend and two days.
Munnar: The Hill Station of Kerala
A hill station in Kerala known for its tea plantations, misty mountains and cool climate. Munnar is the first half of the Munnar and Vattavada trip.
Vattavada: The Hidden Paradise of Kerala
A farming village in the highlands near Munnar, surrounded by the Western Ghats. Vattavada is the second day of the Munnar trip, a farming village in the highlands near Munnar.
Wayanad: The Gate of Mountains
A green hill district in Kerala with forests, rolling hills and waterfalls. Wayanad is a short forest getaway.
Ramakkalmedu: The Natural Beauty
A hill station in Idukki, Kerala, at about 3,500 feet, with wide views over the mountains, valleys and villages below. Ramakkalmedu is a windy ridge in Idukki on the Kerala and Tamil Nadu border.
Kodaikanal: The Princess of Hills
A hill station in the Palani hills of Tamil Nadu, called the Princess of Hill Stations. Kodaikanal is the second day of the Ramakkalmedu trip.
Packages: Munnar + Vattavada (3 days, by tourist bus from your college), Wayanad 900 Woods (3 days, by tourist bus from your college), Ramakkalmedu + Kodaikanal (3 days, by tourist bus from your college).
Four-day trip to the Karnataka coast
A short train trip that still gets you river rafting and a beach.
Dandeli: The Heaven of Forest
A small town in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, surrounded by dense forest, rolling hills and the Kali River. Dandeli is the adventure day of the Karnataka trips.
Gokarna: The Mini Goa
A temple town on the Arabian Sea in Karnataka, where pilgrims and beach travellers share the same coast. Gokarna is the beach stop of the Gokarna packages, quieter than Goa and known for its temple town and coves.
Packages: Dandeli + Gokarna by Train (4 days, by train from Kuttippuram).
Five and six-day tours to Karnataka and Goa
The classic college tour from Kerala: forest adventure in Dandeli plus beaches, and either Hampi's ruins or Chikmagalur's peaks.
Goa: The Party Capital
India's smallest state is a tropical coast of sun-kissed beaches, swaying palms and Portuguese heritage. For a college group, Goa is usually the last and most awaited stop of the trip.
Dandeli: The Heaven of Forest
A small town in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, surrounded by dense forest, rolling hills and the Kali River. Dandeli is the adventure day of the Karnataka trips.
Hampi: The Cultural and Architectural Heritage
A UNESCO World Heritage Site on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, Hampi was once the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Hampi is the history day of the Hampi, Dandeli and Goa tour.
Chikmagalur: The Coffee Land
Known as the coffee land of Karnataka, Chikmagalur is a hill station in the Western Ghats with trekking trails, coffee plantations, rivers and waterfalls. Chikmagalur is the hill day of the Chikmagalur packages.
Gokarna: The Mini Goa
A temple town on the Arabian Sea in Karnataka, where pilgrims and beach travellers share the same coast. Gokarna is the beach stop of the Gokarna packages, quieter than Goa and known for its temple town and coves.
Packages: Dandeli + Goa by Train (5 days, by train from Thrissur), Hampi + Dandeli + Goa (6 days, by train from Kuttippuram), Chikmagalur + Dandeli + Goa (6 days, by train from Thrissur), Chikmagalur + Dandeli + Gokarna (5 days, with pickup at Mangalore railway station).
Five days in Maharashtra
Two hill stations and the city of Mumbai by sleeper train, for groups that want something different from Goa.
Lonavala: Forts and Valley Views
A hill station in the Sahyadri range between Pune and Mumbai, known for old hill forts, rock-cut caves and viewpoints over deep valleys.. Lonavala is the first hill stop of the Maharashtra tour, reached by road from Pune after the overnight train.
Matheran: The Car-Free Hill Station
A small hill station in the Sahyadris where motor vehicles are not allowed. Matheran is a small hill station where motor vehicles are not allowed, so the group goes up from Aman Lodge by toy train when it is running, and walks between the viewpoints on red-earth paths.
Mumbai: The City by the Sea
India's biggest city, built along the Arabian Sea. Mumbai is the city finale of the Maharashtra tour.
Packages: Lonavala + Matheran + Mumbai (5D / 4N, by train from Shornur).
All packages at a glance
| Package | Days | Starts | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dandeli + Goa by Train | 5 days | by train from Thrissur | College groups |
| Hampi + Dandeli + Goa | 6 days | by train from Kuttippuram | College groups |
| Lonavala + Matheran + Mumbai | 5D / 4N | by train from Shornur | College groups |
| Chikmagalur + Dandeli + Goa | 6 days | by train from Thrissur | College groups |
| Chikmagalur + Dandeli + Gokarna | 5 days | with pickup at Mangalore railway station | College groups |
| Dandeli + Gokarna by Train | 4 days | by train from Kuttippuram | College groups |
| Munnar + Vattavada | 3 days | by tourist bus from your college | Families and groups |
| Wayanad 900 Woods | 3 days | by tourist bus from your college | Families and groups |
| Ramakkalmedu + Kodaikanal | 3 days | by tourist bus from your college | College groups |
How to choose
- Count the days you really have, including travel nights.
- Mix one adventure day (Dandeli, Chikmagalur or a jeep safari) with one relaxed day (beach, lake or resort).
- Check the season: beaches and Hampi are best from October to February; Kerala hills are good for most of the year outside heavy monsoon.
- Ask the group what they want most: beaches, history, hills or adventure.
Plan your trip with Trip Campus
Send your group size and month on WhatsApp for an itinerary and quote.