Cool Spots |
Best known as God’s Own Country, Kerala is a heavenly portrait with myriad of enchanting hues. Situated in the southern tip of India, Kerala is caressed by the Arabian Sea in the western coast of India. Kerala itself is called God’s own country, with National Geographic Traveler selecting it, as ‘One of 50 must see destinations of a lifetime ‘and’ one of the 10 paradises of the World. It is nature that rules in Kerala. From the lagoons and backwaters that meander through the enchanting landscapes, to the rich and colourful culture and heritage, Kerala is a dream holiday destination of India. |
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Back Waters: |
The green, sinuous, palm – hung backwaters of Kerala are unique. The backwaters of Kerala offer an enchanting experience of fun and relaxation and a chance to see authentic local life. The best way to enjoy the Kerala backwaters is to take a cruise on a Kettuvallam ( House Boat) or a Shikaras and to drift languidly through its beauty. It is romantic to watch sunset from a Kettuvallam (house boat) or a Shikaras, as you pass a world of coconut trees, canals, shallow lakes and marshy grooves. |
Alappuzha Backwaters: |
It is one of the major centres for backwater tour in Kerala.This place is also known as the “Venice of the East”. Travel through backwaters by houseboats give a real fascinating experience that last a lifetime! |
Kumarakom Backwaters : |
Kumarakom is the place where the charms of Kerala come alive in its labyrinthine backwaters, waterfalls and spectacular landscapes. Kumarakom comprises of a cluster of petite islands scattered across the emerald backwaters of Vembanad. These islands offer a perfect venue to experience the bucolic charms of Kerala countryside and its unique water-based lifestyle. Backwater cruises along these tranquil waters in a houseboat or Shikara is a must-must have for any tourist visiting Kerala. |
Kumarakom is an ornithologist’s delight, with its world-famous bird sanctuary spread across an area of 14 acres. The sanctuary is a safe haven for a large number of birds including the endangered Malabar Hornbill and plays host to the migratory birds in winter. Experience one of the most indelible vacations in the beautiful backwaters of Vembanad complete with a houseboat cruise. |
Kochi Backwaters: |
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Famous for its natural harbour, one of the best in the world, Kochi has earned sobriquet “Queen of the Arabian Sea”. All islands that make up Kochi are well connected by ferry. The Chinese fishing nets, a method of fishing established in Kochi during the time of Kubla Khan line the waterfront |
Whether by Kettuvalloms or by Shikaras, the experience of gliding through the backwaters of Kerala is an experience that is undeniably unforgettable. |
Hill Stations |
Munnar: |
It is one of the most popular hill stations in India. Located at 1600m above sea level, Munnar offers tourists beautiful landscape, cozy weather and sprawling tea estates. Munnar is near Anaimudi, the highest peak of the Kerala Western Ghats. Munnar was the favored summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days. The word ‘Munnar’ means three rivers, as it is merging place of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala.
The hills around Munnar are covered with rare Neelakurunji plant giving it a wonderful look, especially when the flowers bloom to cover the entire mountain range. It is said that this exotic pl- |
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ant flowers every 12 years. Go on a journey of adventure and discovery through the mountains and forests - observe the magnificent wildlife, the birds, and the butterflies of the area at close quarters. Established as a natural preserve for the Nilgiri Tahr, Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary protects the largest population of tahrs in the world. |
Munnar abound in beautiful landscapes and cool pleasant atmosphere. Besides tea and other plantations, the old-world charm of colonial establishments attracts visitors to this place all the year round. In and around Munnar, there are a lot of places to be discovered. All you have to do is to give yourself a little time to discover life in its sweetest hues. It's the place you would love to visit - it's the place you would wish never to leave. |
Nelliampathi: |
Nelliampathi is a popular hill station 60 km away from Palakkad in Kerala a small state in south India. . It is a 3 hour, 75 km trip away from Palakkad (Palghat) and, at 1600 mts above sea level, is surrounded by panoramic views of hills draped by plantations of tea, coffee, orange and cardamom. |
It is famous for its excellent weather condition and is one among the best tourist spots in Kerala. The journey to Nelliampathi itself is an experience. Nelliampathi has immense trekking potential.
There will be many waterfalls by the roadside during the rainy season. The lush valleys in the region have very valuable teak plantations with extraordinary height and girth. |
Ponmudi: |
The name Ponmudi, a hill station so close to the sea, in Malayalam means golden crown. On the way to Ponmudi, the thick tropical forest greets one at the foot of the Ponmudi hill range.
It is mere one and a half hour’s road journey separates the beaches of Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) from Ponmudi Hills, one of the best Tourist Spots in Kerala. |
The air is full with the loud raucous chuckling of heavy billed Malabar hornbills. The shrill notes of the blue-black Malabar whistling thrush add to the cacophony. Even the rare long-tailed paradise flycatchers flit gracefully from tree to tree. It is like an open aviary. The climate is always pleasant here. The tea gardens here are also very famous. Ponmudi serves as a base for trekking and hiking. |
Beaches |
Kovalam Beach: |
Kovalam is a world-famous beach resort. This beach has lovely coconut palms fringe the golden sands. Foreigners throng Ayurvedic parlors, yoga and meditation centers, that have sprung up all over the place. The sea port of Vizhinjam is about 3 km away and famous for its special varieties of fish, old Hindu temples, big churches and a Muslim shrine. The sands on the beaches in Kovalam are partially black in colour due to the presence of ilmenite and thorazite. There are two main beaches at Kovalam, separated by a high cliff. There is small light house in the Eve's beach. The normal tourist season is from November to March. |
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Cherai Beach: |
15 Kilometre long Cherai Beach is the best clean golden beach of Kerala and is rightly called “ The Prnicess of the Queen of the Arabian sea”. 45 kms from Ernakulam city, this lovely beach bordering vypeen island is ideal for swimming. Cherai is well known for the mouth lingering fresh sea food. |
Alappuzha Beach: |
Alappuzha beach is quite a popular tourist spot in Kerala, known to provide relaxation. The pier, which extends into the sea here, is around 140 years old. Blessed with nature's green beauties such as lagoons, vast lakes and numerous fresh water rivers, Alappuzha is a natural wonderland of Kerala state. The Alappuzha (Alleppey) beach is spectacular. It has a long sandy beach. For the entertainment of visitors there is a Park and an old lighthouse nearby. Entertainment facilities at the Park add to the attractions of the beach. The park consists of picnic spot with children's park & boating facilities. |
Marari Beach: |
just an hour from Cochin and even less to Alleppey(also Known as Alpuzzha) is the most fabulous stretch of soft sandy beach fringed with palm, an idyllic retreat for those who want to "get away from it all". Marari originates from "mararikulam", one of the local fishing villages, where life still goes on much as it did a hundred years ago, with the men going out to sea each day to earn a living bringing in the daily catch. Marari offers endless miles of superb sand beaches backed by swaying palms, virgin territory where you can experience to local charm and traditional keralan hospitality at its best. |
Fort kochi Beach: |
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The beach at Fort Kochi is a tranquil experience at any time of the day. Do it alone or in the company of your loved ones, it offers the ideal ambiance to relax and to let your thoughts soar to new heights of creativity. |
Shanghumukham Beach: |
Shanghumugham Beach is a popular city beach near Thiruvananathapuram. This beach of Kerala makes a refreshing holiday option for the city dwellers. Thousands of tourists throng the Shanghumugham Beach of Kerala |
Varkala Beach: |
Travel 54 Km north from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, and you will come to Varkala Beach. Varkala Beach is a quiet and isolated sandy expanse where you can have a relaxing beach holiday without the crowds and bustle of some of the busier beaches in Kerala. The mineral springs here are said to have curative properties. The massage technique has been a closely guarded secret for thousands of years, but for many tourists it's a welcome revival from the toils of the road. Varkala Beach is also famous for its landscape. A high rocky cliff ends abruptly and a stretch of clear sand extends down to the sea. The contrast between the cliffs, sand and sea makes Varkala Beach a striking sight. The sunset at Varkala Beach is truly breathtaking sight. |
Bekal Beach: |
Bekal is a sleepy village on the coast of Arabian Sea and it is 64 km south of Mangalore. Centuries old Fort, virgin beaches and pristine backwaters are the key attractions here. It is 8 km from Kasargod. The Bekal beach is a shallow beach flanked on two sides by long, ravishingly beautiful palm fringed beaches. The Bekal Fort stands proud on a promontory. The fort’s commanding position, with views across the bays to the north and the south are truly breath taking. |
Also enjoy the laid back attractions of other beaches like Thirumullavaram, Kappad, Payyambalam, Thangasseri and Beypore Beach , while on Kerala beach tours with Kerala Colours. |
Wild Life Sanctuaries |
Periyar National Park: |
Periyar beckons are the adventure seekers, nature lovers and the animal watchers alike. Periyar is renowned for the Thekkady/Periyar National Park. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Periyar Lake - an artificial lake, at Thekkady. Here the high ranges of the Western Ghats are clothed in dense evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savannah grass lands.
At the Periyar National Park you may spot the wild elephants, leopard, wild dog, barking deer, mouse deer, Nilgiri langur (a primate), bonnet macaque, sambhar, porcupines, squirrels, gaur (Indian bison), wild boar and sloth bear besides the tigers and the Nilgiri tahrs. It is also the home to pythons |
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king cobras and flying lizards. Birds like darters, cormorants, ibises, gray herons, mynas, flycatchers, orioles, wood pigeons, kingfishers, kites, ospreys, thrushes, and parakeets add to the attraction of Periyar. The Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. Noted for its geomorphology, diversity of wildlife and scenic beauty, the Reserve attracts visitors all over the world and is one of the world's most fascinating natural wildlife reserves. You may watch the animals on the move from the motorboats on the lake or from watchtowers only after prior permission. |
Eravikulam National Park: |
The Eravikulam National Park (15 kms from Munnar) is situated in the Devikulam Taluk of the Idukki District. The mountains covered with the rolling grasslands and high-level sholas is breath-takingly beautiful. This park was established to protect the Nilgiri Tahr also known as the Nilgiri Ibex. The Rajamalai is the natural habitat of this rare mountain goat. Half the world population of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragus hylocres) lives here. It was declared as a sanctuary in 1975. Considering the ecological, faunal, floral, geo-morphological and zoological significance, it was declared as a National park in 1978. The park is divided into 3 regions - the core area, the buffer area and the tourism area. The high altitude rolling grasslands in the park looks like an emerald stretch highly romantic and captivating. |
Chinnar Wild Life Sanctuary: |
The beautiful Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is rated amongst the finest wildlife sanctuaries of India, and is one of the best tourist spots in Kerala. It is set amidst enchanting backwaters of Devikulam in Idukki district of Kerala.
Known for its enchanting scenic beauty, Chinnar is a natural habitat for an amazing variety of flora and fauna including some rare and endangered wildlife species. It is popularly regarded as the second habitat of the endangered Giant Grizzled Squirrel. The place is also ideal for boating and trekking. Best Season to visit the sanctuary is from December to April. |
Silent Valley National Park: |
Located 40 km from Mannarkkad, Silent valley is Extremely fragile, a unique preserve of tropical evergreen rain forests lying above the equator and the forest strip which causes the summer rains in Kerala. This is one of the best tourist spots in Kerala. Perhaps, nowhere else can one also find such a representative collection of peninsular mammals, over a 100 species of butterflies and 400 species of moths and other faunaThe river Kunthi descends from the Nilgiri hills, an altitude of 2000 m above sea level, and traverses the entire length of the valley and rushes down to the plains through the deep forest. The parks best known primates, the Nilgiri Langur and Lion- tailed macaque are both listed in IUCN's Red List of |
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Threatened Animals. A valuable reserve of rare plants and herbs including around 966 flowering and over 100 orchids plants are found along with the wide range of animals and birds. This park consist of 10 sq.kms of evergreen forests, 15 sq.kms of semi evergreen forests and 40 sq.kms of leaf shedding forests with a large variety of trees. There are very old trees in the park including a huge hollow tree, which can hide at least 12 people in it. |
The forest still remains pristine and devoid of human intervention primarily due to its remoteness and inaccessibility. The breathtaking panoramic views of the valleys with silver cascades and perennial wild rivulets will stay etched in the minds of the visitor forever. |