{"id":"f-73cd9b4b27-b6fe23e6-0a8f-5ad2-8acf-8764ef894592","title":"IndiGo travel disruption? Turn your Kerala vacation into perfect road trip","description":"When unexpected flight cancellations disrupt carefully planned holidays, travellers in Kerala are finding new ways to keep their plans alive. With flexibility, scenic routes and spontaneous escapes, a change in direction is turning travel setbacks into opportunities for memorable journeys closer to home.","timestamp":1765800522,"category":"travel_and_lifestyle","headline":"IndiGo travel disruption? Turn your Kerala vacation into perfect road trip","modifiedHeadline":"IndiGo Disruption? Kerala Road Trip Instead!","subCategories":["scid_c3ff64bf"],"region":"IN","bundleMetaData":{"bundleId":"5c499af9-f79f-40d7-81bb-e308c73fe1a2","bundleTitle":"Where To Go Next?","cardData":null},"iabCategoryId":"663","fcSummary":"IndiGo's flight cancellations in winter 2025 disrupted travel plans for thousands from Kerala. Consider a road trip to destinations like Coorg, Munnar, or Wayanad. These offer scenic drives, cultural experiences, and flexible itineraries, avoiding airport stress.","summary":"Kerala travellers turn flight disruptions into road trip adventures! Embrace scenic routes & spontaneous escapes for memorable journeys.","ctaUrl":"https://trends.glance.com/newz/astrology/IN/en/news9/f-73cd9b4b27-b6fe23e6-0a8f-5ad2-8acf-8764ef894592","sourceUrl":"https://www.news9live.com/lifestyle/travel/best-road-destinations-from-kerala-amid-indigo-flight-cancellations-2911916","bannerImage":"https://g-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/fc/image/L0M6dmxCyjt0.webp","content":"

New Delhi: IndiGo’s winter 2025 flight chaos has left thousands of Indians refreshing flight status pages, scrambling for refunds and hunting for last-minute

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alternatives from Kerala’s busy airports. If your long-awaited holiday is suddenly “rescheduled” or cancelled, this is actually the perfect excuse to ditch airport queues and rediscover India on the open road. Think flexible plans, scenic drives, budget-friendly stays and the freedom to stop wherever the view steals your heart.

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If IndiGo flight cancellations, pilot shortages and ever-changing schedules have wrecked your Kerala travel plans, why not turn this aviation nightmare into your most memorable road trip yet? From misty Western Ghats to sunset beaches and wildlife corridors, some of South India’s best destinations are an easy, fuel-efficient and incredibly scenic road trip away from Kerala.

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Indigo flight chaos 2025: What really happened

The real meltdown began in early December when stricter Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) rules exposed an acute pilot and crew shortage at India’s largest airline. Between December 2-8, 2025, alone, IndiGo cancelled well over 2,000 flights, with one day peaking at roughly 1,600 cancellations.

Airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad reported hundreds of cancellations and delays, disrupting travel plans for more than 2.6 lakh passengers within days and sending fares on alternate carriers soaring.

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Best road trip destinations from Kerala

All these road trips from Kerala offer crowd-favourite escapes with flexible budgets, stunning scenery and zero airport stress.

1. Coorg, Karnataka (Approx. 350 km, 9–10 hours from Kochi)

Roughly 5–7 hours from northern Kerala, Coorg is a dreamy drive past forested ghats, coffee estates and mist-laced valleys, perfect when IndiGo cancellations ruin your hill-station plans. Expect cool weather, homestays surrounded by plantations, waterfalls, treks and Insta-perfect viewpoints that feel worlds away from chaotic airport terminals.

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Best places to visit in Coorg

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Abbey Falls is surrounded by lush coffee estates and forest trails.
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Raja’s Seat is a landscaped garden offering panoramic valley sunsets.
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Dubare Elephant Camp, for close-up interactions with elephants by the Kaveri river.
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Namdroling Monastery (Golden Temple), a vibrant Tibetan Buddhist monastery near Bylakuppe.
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Talakaveri and Bhagamandala, the sacred origin of river Kaveri in the Brahmagiri hills.

Top things to do in Coorg

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Go on plantation walks and coffee estate tours with tastings and local storytelling.
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Trek to viewpoints like Mandalpatti for sunrise or sunset cloudscapes.
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Try river rafting on the Barapole River in the right season.
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Indulge in Coorgi cuisine, including traditional pork dishes and homemade wines.
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Visit local lakes and dams such as Honnamana Kere and Harangi for picnics and photos.

2. Munnar, Kerala (Approx. 130 km, 3–4 hours from Kochi)

One of Kerala’s most iconic hill stations, Munnar is a road-tripper’s delight with hairpin bends, rolling tea gardens and viewpoints that glow at sunrise and sunset. Swap flight delays for slow travel through spice plantations, tea factory tours, hiking trails and cosy stays overlooking emerald-green slopes.

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Best places to visit in Munnar

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Eravikulam National Park, home to Nilgiri tahr and rolling shola–grassland landscapes.
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Mattupetty Dam, with boating and misty hill views.
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Tea Museum and surrounding tea estates showcase Munnar’s tea history.
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Top Station, a classic sunrise and cloud-bed viewpoint.
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Attukal or Lakkom waterfalls, perfect for monsoon and post-monsoon photo stops.

Top things to do in Munnar

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Drive or ride through tea-carpeted slopes and stop at Photo Point-style viewpoints.
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Go trekking to peaks like Meesapulimala (with permits) for high-altitude views.
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Enjoy boating or pedal-boating at Kundala Lake or Mattupetty.
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Visit spice gardens to learn about cardamom, pepper and other plantation crops.
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Experience soft adventure like camping, cycling or off-road jeep trails in nearby hills.

3. Wayanad, Kerala (Approx. 245–275 km, 4–6 hours from Kochi)

Wayanad offers one of the best monsoon-and-winter drives from Kerala, with smooth highways cutting through forests, paddy fields and misty hills. Ideal for couples, families and solo travellers, this region packs in caves, waterfalls, dams, viewpoints and wildlife experiences without needing a single boarding pass.

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Best places to visit in Wayanad

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Banasura Sagar Dam, India’s largest earthen dam with island-dotted reservoir views.
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Chembra Peak, a famous heart-shaped lake trek and valley viewpoint.
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Edakkal Caves, known for prehistoric rock engravings and hilltop vistas.
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Pookode Lake, a scenic freshwater lake ringed by forests.
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Kuruva (Kuruva Dweep) Island on the Kabini, a dense, riverine eco-park.

Top things to do in Wayanad

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Trek to Chembra Peak or other viewpoints for cool-weather hikes.
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Go boating and nature walks around Pookode Lake or Banasura Sagar.
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Explore 900 Kandi glass bridge or adventure park-style attractions.
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Visit wildlife sanctuaries like Muthanga or Tholpetty for safari drives.
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Discover waterfalls such as Soochipara and Kanthanpara on a day drive.

4. Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu (Approx. 230–275 km, 6–7 hours from Kochi)

From central and southern Kerala, Kodaikanal is a scenic ascent into pine forests, cloud-kissed cliffs and mirror-like lakes that feel like an old-school hill-station postcard. Boat rides, cycling loops, short treks and café-hopping around the lake make this an easy, relaxed break when flight costs spike overnight.

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Best places to visit in Kodaikanal

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Kodaikanal Lake, the star-shaped, central attraction with walking and cycling paths.
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Coaker’s Walk, a cliffside promenade with sweeping valley views.
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Bryant Park, a manicured botanical garden by the lake.
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Pillar Rocks and Green Valley View, dramatic viewpoints over deep gorges.
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Silver Cascade Falls, a striking roadside waterfall at the town’s entrance.

Top things to do in Kodaikanal

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Go boating, cycling or horse riding around Kodaikanal Lake.
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Take sunrise or mist-watching walks along Coaker’s Walk.
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Explore cafés and bakeries for classic hill-station comfort food.
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Hike to Dolphin’s Nose or other nearby trails for panoramic photos.
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Visit viewpoints and parks in a looped local sightseeing drive.
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5. Mysuru, Karnataka (Approx. 340–365 km, about 6–7 hours from Kochi)

A road trip from Kerala to Mysuru combines smooth highways with cultural, historical and food-centric experiences in one compact city. Visit the illuminated Mysuru Palace, explore markets, try iconic local sweets and then extend your drive to nearby wildlife sanctuaries if you crave more nature.

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Best places to visit in Mysuru

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Mysuru Palace, the illuminated royal residence and city icon.
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Chamundi Hills and temple, overlooking the entire city.
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Brindavan Gardens, known for musical fountains and night-time lighting.
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Devaraja Market, a bustling bazaar of flowers, spices and sandalwood.
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Karanji Lake and its butterfly park.

Top things to do in Mysuru

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Take a guided tour of Mysuru Palace to understand its history and architecture.
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Watch the evening fountain show at Brindavan Gardens.
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Shop for Mysore silk sarees, sandalwood products and local sweets.
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Enjoy heritage walks around old Mysuru and its colonial-era buildings.
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Spend a relaxed morning birdwatching and boating at Karanji or Kukkarahalli lakes.

5. Athirappilly waterfalls, Kerala (Approx. 70–80 km, 2–3 hours from Kochi)

Often dubbed the “Niagara of India”, Athirappilly is an achievable day or weekend road trip from Kochi and nearby towns. The route winds past forests and rivers before opening up to thunderous cascades, film-famous viewpoints and picnic spots that instantly erase flight-related stress.

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Best places to visit around Athirappilly

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Athirappilly Waterfalls view points and base pools.
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Vazhachal Waterfalls, a wide cascade with forested backdrops.
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Charpa Falls, a roadside waterfall between Athirappilly and Vazhachal.
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Thumboormuzhi Dam and Butterfly Garden.
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Nearby forest viewpoints and riverbank picnic spots along the Chalakudy.

Top things to do in Athirappilly

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Trek down to designated viewpoints for close-up waterfall shots.
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Combine Athirappilly, Vazhachal and Charpa for a waterfall-hopping road circuit.
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Enjoy butterfly spotting, river views and a suspension bridge walk at Thumboormuzhi.
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Try soft adventure like guided treks and seasonal river activities, where permitted.
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Spend golden hours capturing long-exposure photos and misty landscapes.

6. Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu (Approx. 300–305 km, about 4–5 hours from Kochi)

The long coastal-ish drive from southern Kerala to India’s land’s end delivers spectacular sunrises, sea views and a sense of ticking off a bucket-list destination without airport drama. Explore beaches, the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and sunset points, then detour through coastal villages for seafood and photo ops.

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Best places to visit in Kanyakumari

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Vivekananda Rock Memorial, set on a rocky islet off the coast.
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Thiruvalluvar Statue, a towering monument beside the memorial.
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Kanyakumari Beach and main sunrise–sunset viewpoints.
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Our Lady of Ransom Church, a striking coastal church.
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Local viewpoints and promenades overlooking the confluence of three seas.

Top things to do in Kanyakumari

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Take a ferry to Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Thiruvalluvar Statue.
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Watch both sunrise and sunset over the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean meeting point.
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Stroll along the seafront, browsing local shops and snack stalls.
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Visit nearby temples and churches for spiritual and architectural interest.
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Add short drives to nearby beaches or lesser-known coastal viewpoints for crowd-free photos.

IndiGo’s ongoing schedule curbs and crew-led cancellations have exposed just how fragile heavy dependence on flights can be for frequent Indian travellers. A well-planned road trip from Kerala, however, hands control back to you – flexible itineraries, transparent costs and the chance to explore hidden gems instead of crowded boarding gates.

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Indigo flight chaos 2025: What really happened

Best road trip destinations from Kerala

1. Coorg, Karnataka (Approx. 350 km, 9–10 hours from Kochi)​

2. Munnar, Kerala (Approx. 130 km, 3–4 hours from Kochi)​

3. Wayanad, Kerala (Approx. 245–275 km, 4–6 hours from Kochi)​

4. Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu (Approx. 230–275 km, 6–7 hours from Kochi)​

5. Mysuru, Karnataka (Approx. 340–365 km, about 6–7 hours from Kochi)​

5. Athirappilly waterfalls, Kerala (Approx. 70–80 km, 2–3 hours from Kochi)​

6. Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu (Approx. 300–305 km, about 4–5 hours from Kochi)​

1. Coorg, Karnataka (Approx. 350 km, 9–10 hours from Kochi)

2. Munnar, Kerala (Approx. 130 km, 3–4 hours from Kochi)

3. Wayanad, Kerala (Approx. 245–275 km, 4–6 hours from Kochi)

4. Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu (Approx. 230–275 km, 6–7 hours from Kochi)

5. Mysuru, Karnataka (Approx. 340–365 km, about 6–7 hours from Kochi)

5. Athirappilly waterfalls, Kerala (Approx. 70–80 km, 2–3 hours from Kochi)

6. Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu (Approx. 300–305 km, about 4–5 hours from Kochi)

IndiGo travel disruption? Turn your Kerala vacation into perfect road trip

SUMMARY