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.
Nelliampathy
About 52Kms from Palakkad the ranges of Nelliyampathy consist of a chain of ridges cut off from one another by valleys. It offers a breathtaking view of the misty mountains and enchanting valleys interspersed with sprawling tea, coffee, cardamom and orange plantations. Nelliyampathy has great trekking potential.
Attapady
A beautiful synthesis of mountains, rivers and forests, Attapady is situated in Palakkad and spread over an area of 827 sq. kms and has the biggest tribal settlement. The Malleshwaram peak is worshipped as a gigantic 'Shivalinga', by the tribals who also celebrate the festival of Shivratri with great passion.
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.
Alapuzha
Alapuzha- Venice of the east is blessed with nature’s boons such as splendid lagoons, vast lakes and enormous fresh water rivers. The traditional and common entertainment and sport of this natural wonderland is boat race, which attracts people inside the country and abroad. The peak entertainment center of this beach is Vijaya Beach Park that provides boating and children’s park. Another attraction is an old lighthouse located nearby the beach.
Beypore
Situated 11 Km from the Kozhikode city, Beypore is one of the prominent port and fishing harbours of ancient Kerala was an important trade and maritime centre. The boat-building yard here is very famed today for its country crafts called 'Uru' built by traditional boat builders, known as Khalasis.
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.
Shanmugham Beach
Just 8 km from the city, this is a favorite haunt of sunset watchers. An indoor recreation club, the matsya kanyaka (a gigantic, 35 m long sculpture of a mermaid) made on a well maintained green lawn and a restaurant shaped like a starfish are the attractions here.
Kappad
Kappad, a historic place had witnessed the 1st footprint of the famous Portuguese navigator, Vasco-da-Gama on 27th of May 1498. This enchanting beach is locally known as Kapakadavu, is studded with rocks and caressed by friendly waves.
Ezhimala Beach
55 kms from Kannur town, at a height of 885 feet is Ezhimala, an isolated but conspicuous cluster of hills. The arrangement of high hills and the sandy beach nearby makes Ezhimala a lovely picnic spot. The biggest Naval Academy in Asia is situated here.
Kappil
Located 6 km away from Bekal Fort, this beach is serene and quite isolated. The Kodi cliff nearby offers a panoramic outlook of the blue waters of the Arabian Sea .
Meenkunnu
Meenkunnu Beach is situated at Azhikkode 12 km away from Kannur. This is a quiet and beautiful beach with its golden sand and coconut trees, it is a tourist's paradise.
Thirumullavaram
Located at 6 km north of kollam, Thirumullavaram beach is filled with coconut palms all around. This is also an perfect place for swimming.
Payyambalam
This long, lovely beach is having laterite rock jutting out into the sea on one end, is a neat and long one. The Naura Cafeteria, the well laid out garden and the massive landscaped sculpture of mother and child erected by famous sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman makes it extremely captivating.
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.
Kumarakom
Kumarakom is located 15km from Kottayam and 75km from Cochin airport. Located on the picturesque Vembanadu Lake, Kumarakom consists of a cluster of islands that have been converted into a number of tourist resorts. These blue backwaters reflect the blue sky with a meadow of water lilies and lotuses. Water channels and waves wind their way through the green paradise of mangroves, coconut palms and paddy fields of the countryside. The other attractions of this heavenly place are the herbal and natural Ayurvedic massage, watching of birds from the Vembanadu sanctuary includes migratory birds like the Siberian stark and other native ones like terns, gulls, herons, lapwings, kingfishers, stilts, brahminy kites, egrets, darters, teal, water fowl, cuckoo and wild duck. Here the tourists have the choice of fishing too.
Alapuzha
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.
Kollam
Formerly knows as Quilon, this is an ancient port located on the edge of Ashtamudi Lake. The most noticeable feature in Kollam is the famous Ashtamudi Lake, which covers around 30% of Kollam town. The 8hr long journey on boat from Kollam to Alapuzha provides the cruiser with all delights of backwater voyage through a meadow of lotuses and water lilies growing in the water and the splashing and playing of a variety of water birds all around.
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.
Thommankuth
Thomankuthu waterfalls is located about 17 kms from Thodupuzha is famous picnic spot. The seven step water falls that drop down a rock from a height of 1500 meters and at each step there is a cascade and a pool beneath. Thommankuthu is a perfect place for adventure tourism. The best way to enjoy the place is to undertake a 12 kilometers trek that takes you to the top of the mountain.
Cheeyappara
Located between Neriyamangalam and Adimali on the Kochi-Madurai highway, Cheeyappara waterfalls is a major attraction for tourists. The Cheeyappara waterfalls cascade down in seven steps providing a truly fantastic spectacle for tourists. This is also an excellent place for trekking.
Maramala
This picturesque stream and its breathtaking waterfalls are together referred to as the enchantress of the jungle. The waterfall is about 60 metres in height, falling into a 12-meter deep pool and unites the River Teekoy way down. It is just 7 kms from Teekoy rubber estate. One has to trek through the estate over the rocky path to reach the falls
Meenmutty
Meenmutty is the largest and most spectacular waterfall in Wayanad with a height of 300 metres having three separate tiers. Trekking equipments are also available at Tourist Information Centre, Kalpetta
Sentinel Rock
Situated about 22 kms south of Kalpetta this waterfall is locally known as Soochippara. This is a 3-tiered waterfall, falling from a height of over 200 meters and is ideal for rock climbing.
Perunthenaruvi
Situated 36kms away from Pathanamthitta, this water fall flows down a rocky bed into a ravine sixty to one hundred feet deep. It is accessible by trekking or by jeep. The 'Charalkunnu' Waterfall is near to Perunthenaruvi.
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.
Muthanga Wild Life Sanctuary
The Muthanga national park at Wayanad, Kerala is spread over an area of around 344 square kilometers. The sanctuary is rich in flora and fauna and the biggest abode of wild animals in Malabar. Elephant, spotted deer, tiger, cheetah, wild bear, etc found in this sanctuary. The Forest Department provides facilities for elephant rides to tourists here.
Parambikulam Wildlife
Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary is a reservoir of tranquil greenery and famous national park spread over 285 square kilometers.This wildlife sanctuary is thickly forested with stands of bamboo, sandalwood, rosewood and teak. This beautiful valley is highly populated with the gaurs (bison) and also shelter for elephants, sloth bears, wild boars, sambhars, chital tigers, panthers, spectacled cobras, kraits, vipers, and crocodiles.
Wayanadu
This district has populated with the highest number of various tribal settlements in Kerala. Wayanad wild life sanctuary is very rich in its biodiversity and also an integral part of the Nilgiri biosphere reservoir, established with a specific objective to conserve the biological heritage.
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in the rain shadow region of the Western Ghats (Idukki District), the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is spread across 90.44 sq km. The location pf the sanctuary offers the unique advantage of watching its fascinating wildlife at close quarters from the road without venturing deep in to jungle. Elephant, gaur, spotted deer, sambar, giant grizzled squirrel,hanuman langur are some of the inhabitants of the sanctuary.
Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in Thrissur the dense, moist deciduous forests of the Peechi Vazhani national park are a haven for a variety of wildlife that consists of many rare species of animals, birds and plants as well.
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.
Silent Valley
A unique reserve of tropical evergreen rainforest; this glorious valley is located 40 kilometers from Manarkkad, a place in Palakkad district. The lush tropical greenery, undulating slops, hills and rivers make this evergreen forest, a typical wild life tourism destination in Kerala. The wildlife of this pleasant valley is enriched with elephants, tigers, wild boar, leopards, sambhar, gaur,lion-tailed macaque ,a number of snake, lizard and amphibian species.
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).
Vadakkumnathan
One of the oldest temples in the State, the Vadakkumnathan temple which has Shiva as its presiding deity is a classical example of the Kerala style of architecture and has many decorative murals and pieces of art. It contains several shrines surrounded by a large enclosure wall with four gateways, crowned by pyramidal ‘gopurams' with multiple roofs. While the basement of the gateways is made of moulded granite stone, as in Tamilnadu, the ‘Gopurams' are in the typical style, having elaborately ornamented gables. The shrine is circular in forms and the tower has only one tier. The pillars are arranged in an interesting manner. This is the venue where famous Pooram festival celebrated annually in April-May. The fireworks at the Pooram are a fantastic sight which is known as Trissur Pooram.
Kurisumala
Kurisumala is one of the most prominent pilgrim centres in South India where hundreds of devotees from far and near converge during the holy week and after, to climb the hill in faith, carrying small wooden crosses. This peaceful Monastery at the top of the hill, the silence of the hills, the cool mountain air and the lush green landscape are all soothing to the soul.
