Kerala backwaters

Our Story

About Kerala Tours

A family-run travel company born in the backwaters of Alleppey, dedicated to sharing the real Kerala with the world.

500+

Happy Travellers

10+

Years Experience

25+

Destinations

24/7

Guest Support

Kerala Tours founder

10+

Years in Kerala

Who We Are

Born in the Backwaters of Alleppey

Kerala Tours was founded in 2013 by Rajan Pillai, a lifelong resident of Alleppey who grew up watching the world fall in love with his homeland — and wanted to help them experience it properly.

What started as a single car and a passion for sharing Kerala's beauty has grown into a full-service travel company offering private car tours, Arbania mini bus group experiences, and unforgettable houseboat river rides across the backwaters.

In 2019, we opened our USA office in New Jersey to better serve the large and growing community of North American travellers dreaming of Kerala. Today, we operate 24/7 across both time zones, ensuring no question goes unanswered and no traveller feels alone.

We are not a large corporation. We are a family — and we treat every guest as part of it.

What Drives Us

Our Values

Genuine Hospitality

Kerala's spirit of "Atithi Devo Bhava" — the guest is God — runs through everything we do. Every traveller is treated like family.

Safety First

All our vehicles are well-maintained, drivers are licensed and experienced, and we maintain 24/7 contact with every group on tour.

Responsible Tourism

We partner with local guides, family-run homestays, and community businesses to ensure your travel dollars benefit Kerala directly.

Curated Experiences

No cookie-cutter itineraries. Every tour is thoughtfully designed to reveal the real Kerala — beyond the tourist trail.

Our Journey

A Decade of Kerala

2013

Kerala Tours founded in Alleppey with two cars and a dream.

2015

Launched Arbania Mini Bus tours for small groups — a first in the region.

2017

Added houseboat river rides; became one of Kerala's top-rated operators.

2019

Opened USA office in New Jersey to serve North American travellers.

2022

Reached 500+ five-star reviews across Google and TripAdvisor.

2024

Expanded to 25+ destinations across all of Kerala.

The People Behind Your Trip

Meet Our Team

RP

Rajan Pillai

Founder & Lead Guide

Born and raised in Alleppey, Rajan has spent over 15 years guiding travellers through Kerala's backwaters, hills, and heritage sites. His passion for his homeland is infectious.

+91 6238373225
AK

Anoop Krishnan

Operations Manager

Anoop coordinates every booking, vehicle, and hotel with meticulous care. He's the reason your tour runs seamlessly from the moment you land.

+91 9446616117
DM

Divya Menon

USA Liaison

Based in New Jersey, Divya is your first point of contact in the USA. She handles enquiries, bookings, and pre-trip planning across US time zones.

+1 609 332 4185
Kerala houseboat

The Kerala Tours Difference

Why Travellers Choose Us

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Local Expertise

Born and raised in Kerala — we know every hidden gem, shortcut, and secret viewpoint.

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USA Support

Our New Jersey office means you can plan your trip in your own time zone, in English.

500+ Five-Star Reviews

Our reputation is built on real experiences — read what our travellers say on Google and TripAdvisor.