Kerala Attractions

Thekkady
About 190kms away from Kochi, this grand hill station is very much rich in natural, cultural and traditional wealth. Thekkady has the one of the most fascinating wildlife sancturies and is noted for its geomorphology, diverse wildlife and beautiful landscape. A boat cruise on the Periyar lake is perhaps the best way to watch the wildlife in the reserve, which includes 35 species- the wild elephant, panther, sambhar, deer, wild gaur, tiger, Nilgiri tahr, Malabar giant squirrel and the flying squirrel. The visitor can also watch 265different species of birds like hornbills, stork, woodpecker, raptor, kingfisher, Cormorant, grackle, darter etc.

Munnar
Munnar is one of the coolest tourist destinations of south India. Situated at 1600 meter above sea level, this magical hill station offers a great variety of choices like lakes, reservoirs, mountain streams, scab row rocks, wooded valleys, wavy grass hills, tea plantations, hurling waterfalls, fragrant cardamom bushes, adventurous elephant herds and a beautiful landscape painted with colonial bungalows and buildings. Munnar is a favorite spot for the adventurous tourists with the facilities like trekking, camping, rock climbing, parasailing, gliding and fishing. The Nilgiris or Blue Mountains got its name from the blue flowers of Neelakurinji that blossoms once in every 12 years.

Other attractions includes Eravikulam national park, established to protect 'Neelagiri tahr' (Neelagiri Ibex) ,Annamudi peak is the tallest peak in south India ,the Mattupetty farm,Mattupetty lake and dam, and also ' Kundala' tea plantations and Kundala Lake nearby. Marayoor, situated at 40km away from Munnar, is the only one place in Kerala having the fragrance and natural growth of sandalwood trees. Marayoor claims to have unique caves, rock-edicts and engravings showing the richness of ancient heritage and culture.

Wayanad
About 1300m above sea level, this hill station is renowned for its coffee, tea, cardamom, pepper and rubber plantations. Mountains and forests combine to create numerous outback trails, trekking routes and opportunities for other adventure sports. The green blanketed misty hills cleanse the mind, soul and body.

Ponmudi
Situated about 60 km from Trivandrum this is a region of spices filled with the plantations such as rubber, pepper, cardamom and tea. Other spots of attraction include Peppara wild life sanctuary, golden valley, deer park, and orchids

Devikulam
This peaceful hill station with its velvet lawns, exotic flora and fauna and the cool mountain air is a rare experience. The Sita Devi Lake with its mineral waters and scenic surroundings is a good picnic spot. The lake is wonderful for trout fishing.

Vagamon
A perfect holiday retreat enriched with grass-covered hills, velvet lawns and cool mountains with gentle breeze. The chain three hills, Thangai hills, Mudugan hill and Kurisumala is a symbol of religious harmony and unity. The diary farm managed by the Kurisumala monks is worth a visit.

Peermede
Situated in Idukki district Peermede Hill station is an ideal retreat in the Western Ghats. The small and beautiful waterfalls,pine forests, sprawling gardens of tea, coffee, cardamom, rubber, and eucalyptus lying side by side with natural grass lands make this an ideal summer resort.

Kovalam
The most popular and favorite beach, situated 16kms away from the capital city of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram with three adjacent crescent beaches. The covering of the beautiful rocky mass has created a paradise of calm water and a splendid choice for sun bathing. Beach lovers have plenty of leisure facilities like Ayurvedic health resorts, herbal body massages, shopping malls, massage parlours, convention centers etc.

Varkala
54 kilometers north from Trivandrum, the Varkala beach is also known as Papanasam beach – literally means end of sins because it's believed that the holy waters of Varkala beach cleans the body and soul of all the sins. Sunset at Varkala beach is spectacular where the sun sinking into the sky likes a golden ball.

Bekal Beach
Surrounded by the famous imposing circular fort of Kerala, Bekal beach is a key of attraction in the northern most district, Kasargod; a land of Gods, rituals, traditional programmes, forts, hills, fascinating beaches, and rivers. The illuminated beach provides entertainment and leisure after the sunset.

Kochi
Cochin, 'the Queen of Arabian Sea', industrial capital of Kerala is also blessed with the best backwaters all around the world. Cochin is cluster of picturesque islands namely Bolgatti, Vypin, Gundu and Vallarpadam. This historic town has a lot of colonial symbols of Portuguese, Dutch and English cultures. The visitors can feel the air of colonialism in places like Jewish synagogue Mattanchery, Dutch palace and Bolgatty palace. The visitors can enjoy the wonder of fishing by Chinese fishing nets in the harbor, Fort Cochi.

Marine Drive at Cochin is a unique place for the visitors to have a picturesque view of the Cochin shipyard and also facilitate with houseboats. Other attractions of this place are the beautiful long walkway and greenery park adjacent to the backwaters, arch shaped rainbow bridge and a number of shopping malls.

Alleppey / Allapuzha
Popularly known as the"Venice of the east", Alapuzha is surrounded by numberless waterways, canals and lakes. Most of the backwater cruises begin or end in Alapuzha. The backwaters with water birds and flowers and greenery along their banks are a beautiful and energizing sight. Alapuzha is also famous for the famous snake boat races.The pleasure of traveling on a house boat over the strings of beautiful lakes, lagoons, freshwater rivers and numerous rivulets and estuaries surrounded by picturesque lush green vegetations can not be avoided.

Kuttanad
One of the distinct characteristics of Alapuzha is Kuttanadu region. It is thelowest region of India is the below the sea level seems similar to the polder Regions of the Netherlands where land is reclaimed from the sea and crops are grown. Kuttanadu is also known as the rice bowl of Kerala, enriched with other crops like bananas, yams and cassava. Stretched over 75kms, Kuttanadu sand witched between the sea and the hills and is one of the best backwaters of Kerala.

Athirampilly & Vazhachal
Kerala-God's own country is blessed with many distinct waterfalls; among them Athirapally and Vazhachal waterfalls are remarkable and breaths taking ones. Athirapally waterfalls, an entrance to Shollayar ranges is located 78 kilometers from Cochin. Athirapilly is a picturesque combination of forests and little streams. Falling from a height of 80 feet, this is one of the major waterfalls in Kerala state.

Vazhachal is just a drive from Athirapally, a picturous spot adjacent to dense green forest. Being a popular picnic spot these tranquil places attract people from all walks of life. It takes only a few minutes drive to reach this place of pleasure provides scintillating experience to visitors with eye catching sceneries, misty cool waters, beautiful songs of birds, cool and refreshing breeze and the rocky terrace.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in the Idukki district, this is one of the most fascinating wildlife sancturies Covering an area of 777 square kilometers in the region of the Western Ghats. A boat cruise on the Periyar lake is perhaps the best way to watch the wildlife in the reserve, which includes 35 species- the wild elephant, panther, sambhar, deer, wild gaur, tiger, Nilgiri tahr, Malabar giant squirrel and the flying squirrel. The visitor can also watch 265different species of birds like hornbills, stork, woodpecker, raptor, kingfisher, Cormorant, grackle, darter etc.

Eravikulam National park
Located in Idukki this is the natural habitat of the Nilgiri tahr. The total number of Nilgiri tahrs in Rajamala is estimated about1317. Spread across an area of 97sq.kms, the park exhibits the natural splendor of rolling grasslands and exotic flowers.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
12 kms west of Kottayam town is this small village Kumarakom, which has a beautiful bird sanctuary on the banks of the Vembanad Lake and is an ideal place for backwater cruises. The 14-acre sanctuary is an ornithologist's paradise and a favorite haunt of migratory birds like Siberian stork, Egret darter, Heron and Teal. There are also different varieties of local birds like waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck, owl, water duck etc. The best way to watch the birds of the Kumarakom sanctuary is a boat trip on the lake.

Guruvayoor
Guruvayoor Temple is the most famous Sree Krishna Temple in South India is situated at Guruvayoor. It is one of the most sacred and important pilgrim centers of Kerala attracting thousands of pilgrims from all parts of the Country. According to legends, 'Guru', the preceptor of gods and 'Vayu', the God of winds found this temple and it was named Guruvayoor and the deity came to be known as Guruvayoorappan. The temple is famous for its magical healing powers. One can find idols of Lord Ganapati, Sri Ayyappa and Edathedathy Kavil Bhagavathy in this temple.

Sabarimala
About 65 km from Pathanamthitta, the very famous Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple is situated on Neelimala in the deep forests, on the banks of River Pamba. Sabarimala Sri Dharmasastha Temple is the most famous and important among all the Sastha Temples. Lord Ayyappa is considered as the guardian of mountains and there are several shrines dedicated to Him all along the Western Ghats. The pilgrimage starts in November and finishes in January. Certain customs are to be strictly observed if one has to take on a pilgrimage to Sabarimala. Lakhs of Pilgrims from all parts of India and from the rest of the world visit this sacred place every year during the Mandalapooja and Makaravilakku festivals.

Malayattoor
About 47 km from Kochi, Malayatoor is a famous Catholic Church on a hill that is nearly 2000 ft high. Malayatoor church is dedicated to St. Thomas. Constructed in a combined Greco-Roman style, this Church has a statue of St. Thomas and the impression of the feet of the Apostle on a rock. Many devotees undertake the pilgrimage to the shrine to participate in the annual festival - Malayatoor Perunnal (March/April).