Kerala, is a state in South India on the Malabar coast, nick named as God's Own Country, Spice Garden of India, Land of Coconut Trees; is naturally blessed with the magnificent Western Ghats towering 500-2700 m in the east ( It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the eight "hottest hotspots" of biological diversity in the world ) and the Arabian Sea in the west. Kerala has a wet and maritime tropical climate influenced by the seasonal heavy rains of the southwest summer monsoon and northeast winter monsoon.
Kerala is known for its palm-lined beaches, picturesque backwaters; interconnected with canals and rivers, waterfalls, Sprawling tea, coffee and spice plantations, paddy fields, Lush hill stations and exotic wildlife. It's also known for Historic and cultural monuments, Ayurvedic treatments, cultural art forms and festivals. No wonder then, that Kerala is one of the top tourist destinations in Asia.
Munnar is a town and hill station located in the Idukki district of the Western Ghats mountain range of Kerala, with an area of around 557 sq km. Munnar known as "The Kashmir of South India" one of the most beautiful hillstations in Kerala. It varies in height from 1,450 mts to 2,695 mts above mean sea level and temperature ranges between 5 °C and 25 °C in winter and 15 °C and 25 °C in summer, was once the summer capital of The British in South India. The name Munnar is believed to mean "three rivers", referring to its location at the confluence of the Mudhirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala rivers.
Eravikulam National Park and natural habitat of the endangered the Nilgiri Tahr are considered to be the icon of tourism in Munnar. The national park is also famous for its Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) population which blooms once in twelve years attracts lots of tourists from all over the world. In 2018 we can witness the gorgeous blooming of the Neelakurinji flowers after long 12 years. The breathtaking landscapes, gorgeous waterfalls, mist clad view of the lush green tea plantations, dewy-misty nights and astonishing hill terrains makes Munnar the abode of nature. Munnar a perfect honeymoon destination in Kerala, has won the "The Best Destination for Romance" Lonely Planet India Travel Awards 2017.
The Thekkady town in tranquil countryside and rich spice plantations, skirts the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the finest wildlife reserves in India. The sanctuary is famous for its semi-evergreen, moist deciduous, dense evergreen forests with extremely thick trees and marshy grasslands. The Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary are considered as the most protected area for the elephants and the tigers.
The splendid artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River is a watering hole for elephants, sambar, tigers, bison, spotted deer, leopard, gaur, lion-tailed Macaques, Malabar flying squirrel, Nilgiri Langurs and variety of migratory birds. It's also known for the Spice Capital of Kerala, and the untouched beauty of wilderness, beckoning sights of the valley, orchestra of bird calls, invigorating chill of the mountain, amazing hilly terrain, rich biodiversity, picturesque spice gardens and cardamom plantations make the Periyar valley a veritable tourist destination.
Since the 14th century, the port town of Kochi or Cochin, known as "The Queen of the Arabian Sea" also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala. Cochin has one of the finest natural harbors in the world and is one of The old port city, It was the main center of Indian spice trade for many centuries, and was known to the Greeks, Romans, Jews, Syrians, Arabs, and Chinese. The Arabs, British, Chinese, Dutch, Italians and Portuguese helped Kochi emerge as a bustling center of commercial activity, and have left indelible marks on the history and development of Cochin. The traders and travelers from the countries across Asia, Europe and the Middle East were welcomed with open arms and minds, which helped in its growth into a cosmopolitan city.
Cochin is a place with deep roots in history and its streets exude an old-world charm; a place with beautiful monuments and a variety of linguistic and ethnic communities. Cochin was the first of the European colonies in colonial India. St.Francis Church, originally built in 1503, is the oldest European church in India and has great historical significance as a mute witness to the European colonial struggle in the Subcontinent. The Mattancherry Synagogue, one of the oldest existing synagogues in the Commonwealth. Vasco house is believed to be one of the oldest Portuguese houses in India and Vasco da Gama is believed to have lived here. The Dutch Palace, Mattancherry, was built by the Portuguese and presented to Veera Kerala Varma, Raja of Cochin.
Alleppey (Alappuzha), referred as "The Venice of the East" has always enjoyed an important place in the maritime history of Kerala. It is considered to be the oldest planned city in this region and the lighthouse built on the coast of the city is the first of its kind along the Laccadive Sea coast, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kerala. The sandy strip of land with a chain of brackish lagoons and lakes lying parallel to the Arabian Sea coast of Kerala. Kuttanad in this region known as the rice bowl of Kerala and is one of the few places in the world where farming is done below sea level, where the paddy fields lie about 0.6 to 2 m below mean sea level. Alleppey is globally famous for snake boat races, especially Nehru Trophy Boat Race held in the Punnamada Lake near Alleppey.
The backwaters and wetlands host thousands of migrant common teal, ducks and cormorants every year who reach here from long distances. It was originally a small fishing village that has now famous for its boat races, amazing backwaters, House Boats, Beaches, marine products, coir and carpet industry. The picturesque palm-lined brackish lagoons, network of inland canals, serene stretches of lakes and rivers bordered by the paddy fields offers a perfect blendof scenic attractions and tranquility.
Kovalam is a small coastal town in the southern Indian state of Kerala, south of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala. It has been a favorite haunt of tourists since the 1930s and with the massive arrival of hippies, in the early seventies transformed the casual fishing village into one of the most important tourist destinations in India.The palm-fringed internationally renowned Kovalam beach is unique in that it is composed of Three adjacent crescent shaped beaches, the Eve's (Hawa) Beach, the Samudra beach and the Lighthouse beach. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters.
At the southern end of Lighthouse Beach, atop the palm-covered Kurumkal Hill a 35 meter lighthouse is built using stones. Visitors can climb the spiraling staircase (Lift also available) inside to the top of the red and white tower and can enjoy a spectacular view of the surroundings from the viewing Platform.The sea port of Vizhinjam is about 3 km away and famous for its special varieties of fish, old Hindu temples, Churches and a Mosque and Sagarika Marine Research Aquarium display technology used in pearl production. Kovalam beach is ideal for swimming, water diving, parasailing, wind surfing, Sunbathing, Catamaran cruising, lip-smacking cuisines and Ayurvedic massage centers.
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) the capital city of Kerala, named after Anantha Padmanabha or Lord Vishnu. A long shoreline with internationally renowned pristine sandy beaches, breezy backwaters, historic monuments and a rich cultural heritage make this city a much sought-after tourist destination.
Trivandrum is also a holy abode with many temples known for their excellent architecture and hence a thriving pilgrim destination too. It's distinguished by its British colonial architecture and many art galleries. It’s also home to the Kuthira Malika Palace, adorned with carved horses and displaying collections related to the Travancore Royal family, whose regional capital was here from the 18th–20th centuries.
The main landmark of the city is the giant Dravidian-style Padmanabhaswamy Temple, which is dedicated to Vishnu, with a 7-tier entrance tower. The Sri Chitra Art Gallery holds miniature Indian paintings and work by lauded artist Raja Ravi Varma. The other tourist attractions include, Napier Museum, Natural-history Museum, Koyikkal Palace, Thiruvananthapuram Zoo the oldest zoo in India with over 80 species, Kerala Science and Technology Museum, Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Palace, Kowdiar Palace and Shankumugham Beach etc.
Idukki is a small hill town surrounded by a spread of beautiful, wooded valleys and meandering streams and is a well known tourist center of Kerala. It is also known as the spice garden of Kerala. Idukki is one of the most nature rich areas of Kerala and is geographically known for its Mountainous Hills, Dense Forests and also associated with Power Generation. Idukki has a vast forest reserve area; more than a half of the
district is covered by forests.
The Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary here spreads over the forest land between the Cheruthoni and Periyar rivers. There is a scenic lake lake formed by dam around the sanctuary, covered by an enchanting canopy of tropical evergreen and deciduous trees. The Asia's first and the world's second greatest arch dam is in Idukki. This double curvature parabolic arch dam built across the Kuravan Kurathi mountain is wonderful and beyond description. The aerial view of the Idukki reservoir, panoramic view of peaks and forests makes this a splendid tourist spot. As a tourist destination, Idukki offers diverse attractions like Wildlife sanctuaries, Hill stations, Idukki Arch dam, Boat cruise, Hill view park, Kalvari mount view point, Spice plantation tours and Mountain treks.
Kumarakom is a cluster of small islands on the Vembanad Lake, a popular tourism destination located near the city of Kottayam. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a noted bird sanctuary where many species of migratory birds visit. Which is spread across 14 acres is a favourite haunt of birds like, Egrets, Darters, Herons, Teals, Waterfowls, Cuckoo, Wild duck and migratory birds the Siberian Stork. Kumarakom is set in the backdrop of the Vembanad Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Kerala offers visitors many leisure options like Bird watching, Boat cruise, fishing ect.
Vagamon is a peaceful, romantic hill station located in Kottayam-Idukki border of Idukki district of Kerala at the fringe of the Western Ghats. The Vagamon hill station is comprised of a beautiful series of Hillocks, tea estates, valleys, variety of flowers, orchids and cascading waterfalls that make it the ideal getaway for tourists.
Vagamon was discovered by the British who found the place ideal for tea plantations and they were followed by Christian Missionaries.It has a cool climate with the temperature between 10 and 23 °C during a summer midday. The Kurisumala, Thangal Hill, Barren Hills and Vagamon Lake, Green meadows, Suicide Point or Panoramic Observation point, Pine forests and Ulipooni are popular destinations here. Vagamon has amenities for Trekking, Paragliding, Mountaineering, Jeep safari and Rock climbing.
The most famous waterfalls of Kerala, Athirappalli Known the Niagra Falls of India, and Vazhachal are situated on the Chalakudy River in Thrissur district , which originates from the upper reaches of the Western Ghats. At the entrance to the Sholayar ranges is the largest waterfall in Kerala, Athirapally, which stands tall at 80 feet. Just a short drive from Athirapally, the Vazhachal waterfall is close to dense green Sholayar forests that are home to many endangered and endemic species of flora and fauna. This is the only place in the Western Ghats where four endangered Hornbill species are seen.
The Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, Spread across 25 sq. km, located near Kothamangalam was the first bird sanctuary in Kerala.This globally acclaimed bird sanctuary owes much of its fame to Dr. Salim Ali, the internationally renowned ornithologist, described this sanctuary as the richest bird habitat on peninsular India.The Bird Sanctuary has a rich and varied birdlife and more than 300 species of birds ( forest birds and water birds ) are found here. Birds like Srilankan Frogmouth, Racket tailed Drongo, Bronzed Drongo, Whitebellied Treepie, Shama, Yellow-browed Bulbul, Rufous Babbler, Malabar Parakeet, Whitebellied Blue Flycatcher, Malabar Grey Hornbill, are some of the birds that can be easily seen here. Bhoothathankettu, a scenic dam is also situated close to The Bird Sanctuary.
Thommankuthu is famous for its seven-step waterfall,is located 17 km from Thodupuzha in Idukki district of Kerala. It is an ideal place for adventure tourism in Idukki. Major attractions at Thommankuthu are forest trekking and bathing in the waterfall.
