A Kerala wedding is not an event — it is a journey. Come for both days if you can.
Malappuram is in the heart of Kerala's Malabar coast. The closest international airport is Calicut (Kozhikode) — about 1 hour away.
Best airport: Calicut International Airport (CCJ / Kozhikode) — ~1 hr to Malappuram
Alternative: Kochi International (COK) — ~3 hrs, more flights from Europe
From Germany: Connect via Dubai (Emirates/flydubai), Abu Dhabi (Etihad), or Doha (Qatar Airways)
Flight time: ~10–12 hrs with one stopover
Book well in advance — December is peak season in Kerala. Airlines: Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa + connection.
Search Flights →From CCJ Airport: ~1 hr by taxi (pre-book recommended). Approx ₹800–1200 (~€9–14).
From COK Airport: ~3 hrs by taxi or bus. Book a private car for comfort.
Within Malappuram: Auto-rickshaws, taxis, and Ola/Uber are all available.
Between venues: We recommend staying close to Malappuram town. Day 2 at Pottikkadavath House — transport details will follow in the guest briefing.
Tip: Download Ola or Rapido apps for easy local taxis.
e-Visa required for German (and most EU) passport holders.
Apply online: indianvisaonline.gov.in — Tourist e-Visa, usually processed in 3–5 business days.
Apply at least 4 weeks before travel to be safe.
Two airports serve Malappuram. All routes need one stopover — no direct flights from Europe to Kerala. Book early — December is peak season.
1 stopover, ~10–13 hrs total. All links open a pre-filtered Skyscanner search.
Three tiers — from the wedding venue outward. Book early: December is peak season in Kerala. Our top picks only, personally vetted.
Visited in person by Aparna's family — the best Malappuram match. Peaceful boutique hotel on the outskirts with green surroundings, restaurant, quiet atmosphere. Offers both premium rooms (more space, better finish) and standard rooms (good value) — guests can choose what fits their budget. Easy 15-min drive to the wedding venue, just ~10 km via straightforward roads.
The luxury alternative in Malappuram town centre — grand rooms, exceptional Malabar cuisine, English-speaking staff who know the wedding area well. A good upgrade option for guests who prefer a full-service hotel over a boutique.
Recommended by a close friend. Villa-style stay in Kottakkal with private balcony, terrace, free parking and a small wellness area. Great alternative for guests who prefer a villa feel over a hotel.
Spacious 5,000 sq ft modern villa with private mini pool, fully air-conditioned, modern kitchen, secure parking. Perfect for larger groups or families who want their own private space right next to the venue.
Our personal favourite riverside resort — 5★ directly on the calm Chaliyar River, with the property literally meeting the water. Spa, infinity pool, lazy river, Ayurvedic treatments, two restaurants, and a private jetty for backwater boat tours straight from the resort. Stunning river views, December evenings are magical with the mist rising off the water. ~1h 20min from Pathinhattumuri venue (~30 min from Calicut Airport). Note: best for nights before/after the wedding — the river setting alone is worth the drive.
A unique hilltop "Mini Ooty" experience at 1,050 ft — bubble domes and treehouses with misty valley views, an infinity pool, and the Calicut Airport runway visible from the property. Only 4 mi (~10 min) from CCJ airport and ~30–45 min from the venue. Perfect for guests with a flight day to kill before the wedding, or for a different "cloud bed" Kerala experience. Note: only 16 rooms, glamping-style — book early. Some reviews mention "tedious access" up the hill.
A true 100-year-old Kerala heritage home set among rubber and areca plantations. Natural pond pool, vintage rooms, barbecue and campfire space, home-cooked Kerala food. The most authentic countryside experience. Note: ~1 hr drive — strictly for pre/post-wedding stays.
The closest real nature resort to Malappuram. Crystal-clear headwater river on the property for swimming, guided night walks, morning hornbill treks, Adyanpara Waterfalls nearby. Spacious rooms, Kerala food on banana leaf. No mobile signal — pure detox. Best value nature experience in the region.
Legendary jungle retreat tucked deep in the Wayanad rainforest — treehouses, pool villas, waterfalls, monkey families at your balcony. Yoga, guided nature walks, Ayurvedic spa, and zero phone signal: a true digital detox. December is one of the best months — cool, misty, magical.
The luxury sister-property in the same Wayanad valley — a 5★ resort with cottages, infinity pool, multi-cuisine restaurants, full-service spa, and panoramic mountain views. More polished and upscale than Vythiri Resort. Take the 360° virtual tour before booking.
Perched at 1,675m on the Mangalassery Hills — panoramic Western Ghats views, misty mornings, cool air. Valley cottages and mountain rooms. Ideal for younger guests seeking altitude and adventure. Note: muddy road on approach.
South Asia's remotest luxury jungle resort. Hilltop Cottages, Jungle Log Houses, Luxury Pavilions. Zip line, ATV, kayaking, elephant sightings, guided rainforest walks adjacent to Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. Pure adventure — for the brave.
Some of you have asked us about cycling in India — Kerala is a paradise for two wheels, and India hosts one of Asia's most epic ultra-cycling races. Here's what we've found for the cyclists in our circle.
Asia's longest ultra-cycling race — and an officially recognized Asian Ultracycling Championship. Riders cross the entire country from the Himalayas to the southern tip, with categories for solo riders, teams of 2 or 4, and age-group divisions (18–49, 50–59, 60+, specially-abled). If you're a cyclist and curious about combining your wedding trip with a serious cycling challenge — this is the one to know about.
Race Across India →If you're bringing a bike or want to rent one, Kerala has incredible riding: misty climbs into the Wayanad ghats, flat backwater loops near Alleppey, and quiet coastal roads along the Malabar coast. Get in touch with us before your trip — we'd love to help plan a ride or two together as part of your visit.
Tell us in the RSVP →Click any pin to see what's there. The route flows north to south — wedding → wild forests → Christmas in Kochi → mountains → backwaters → southern tip.
You've flown across the world — so stay a while. Eleven stages from the Malabar coast through the Wayanad rainforest, the Nilgiri tea hills, a Palakkad heritage farm, all the way down to the Kovalam beaches at India's southern tip. Do it all (19–27 days) — or just pick 2–3 stages that appeal to you. A car with driver (~€35–55/day) handles everything: no left-hand-driving stress, no navigation headaches. Click each stage to expand.
December in Kerala — perfect weather. 24–30°C, dry, sunny, very little rain. The best time of year.
Ceremony attire: Traditional Indian dress (saree, salwar, kurta) is wonderful and very welcome. Smart western dress also fine. Avoid black and white.
Colours: Go bright! Kerala loves rich colours — gold, red, green, yellow. Avoid all-white or all-black for the ceremony.
Footwear: You will remove shoes at the ceremony — bring comfortable, easy-on/off shoes.
The Sadya feast is vegetarian. Other meals will offer non-vegetarian Malabar dishes (fish, chicken, beef). Please let us know about any allergies.
Water: Drink only bottled or filtered water. Avoid ice in street food.
Stomach prep: Kerala food is spicy and delicious. Some travellers take probiotics before and during the trip.
Travel insurance with health cover is strongly recommended.
Currency: Indian Rupee (INR). €1 ≈ ₹90 (check before travel). ATMs widely available; exchange at airport or use Wise/Revolut.
SIM card: Get a local Jio or Airtel SIM at the airport for cheap data. Bring your passport for registration.
Apps to download: Google Maps (offline Kerala), Ola/Rapido (taxis), Paytm (payments), WhatsApp (everyone uses it).
Remove shoes before entering homes and temples. Always.
Eat with your right hand — this is the tradition at Sadya. Spoons available too!
Touching elders' feet is a sign of deep respect — common in Kerala families. Don't be surprised if you see it.
Photography: Ask before photographing rituals closely. The family is very welcoming but please be mindful during sacred moments.
Please register by 1 September 2026. Takes 2 minutes — answers go straight to us. · Bitte bis 1. September 2026 anmelden.
Probleme mit dem Formular? Direkt öffnen: RSVP Form →
We can't wait to have you with us — across oceans and continents — for the most beautiful days of our lives.
Wir freuen uns unglaublich, euch bei uns zu haben — über Ozeane und Kontinente hinweg — für die schönsten Tage unseres Lebens.