SOUTH KERALA TOURISM DESTINATIONS
TRIVANDRUM
Trivandrum is not only the capital city of “God’s own Country”—Kerala, but it is also an important center for the culture and heritage of the state. On the one hand you will come across the lavish malls and bustle of the town, while on the other; you will find the old palaces and ancient landmarks narrating the past. Home to fascinating beaches and grandiose palaces, there are many tourist destinations in Trivandrum that make a tour of the city a fascinating experience.
Kovalam:
It is a globally renowned beach destination of Trivandrum and is strewn with the coconut groves that make it a tropical paradise. Kovalam is home to three marvelous beaches divided by rocky outcrops. These beaches are excellent for the tourists who want to enjoy the seaside and water activities such as swimming.
Padmanabhaswamy Vishnu Temple:
It is a magnificent temple, which featuring pure Dravidian style of architecture. The temple houses the shrine of the presiding deity of Thiruvananthapuram, Lord Vishnu and was built by the Maharaja of Travancore. It is among the most famous tourist destinations in Trivandrum.
Neyyar Dam:
It is a charming spot ideal for picnic and for relaxing with friends or family. It is located near the undulating mountain ranges of the Western Ghats.
Napier Museum:
On your travel to Trivandrum, you will also come across this museum that was built in the 19th century and is an amazing example of the affluent history of Kerala. Its architecture is unique and an outstanding amalgamation of traditional Kerala, Chinese, Mughal and Italian styles. This museum is a repository of ancient archaeological artifacts and superb paintings. It is also one of the leading tourist spots in Trivandrum.
Agastyarkoodam:
It is high ranging peak situated in the Western Ghats and soars to a height of more than 1800 meters in the shape of a sharp cone. This peak is an ideal place for trekking and commands wonderful vistas of the surroundings.
Location :70 km from Thiruvananthapuram.
Attractions : Rare herbs and medicial plants.
The Agasthya forest believed to have been the abode of age Agasthya,a character from mythology.Trekking trails Thick forests
Agasthyarkoodam, the spectacular peak in the Western Ghats rises to a majestic 1890 m in the form of a sharp cone. A haven of rare herbs and medicinal plants, its slopes are a breathtaking sight when they transform into colourful glades of the 'Neelakurinji', a flower which blooms only once in twelve years.
Women are not allowed up the peak. The aborigins here believe that sage Agasthya, a mythological character who lived here was a confirmed bachelor, hence they dislike the presence of strange women. The season from December 2'nd week to February is advocated for trekking for which a forest pass has to be obtained from the Wildlife Warden, Forest Dept., P.T.P.Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram.
How to Get There :
Nearest railway station : Thiruvananthapuram central, about 61 km from Bonocaud.
Nearest airport : Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 69 km from Bonocaud.
Akkulam Lake:
Trivandrum also has in store for its tourists this scenic lake which is one of the prominent places of tourist interest in Trivandrum. Located near the lake is a children’s park and you can also get facilities for boating at this place. It is also an ideal venue for picnic as it forms a beautiful locale to unwind and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Koyikkal Palace:
It is one of the most ancient palaces and features traditional Kerala architectural style with slanting roofs and a courtyard within. This palace also has two museums called the Folklore museum and the Numismatics museum. The Folklore museum houses a wide range of musical instruments and models of folk arts and the Numismatics museum has an astonishing set of ancient coins gathered from different places.
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KOLLAM
The heady swish of coconut palms, the mesmerising sounds of backwaters setting a soothing background score - all these describe the appealing beauty of Kollam. Kollam flaunts its beauty very graciously and one can find the unmistakable scent of spices in her name. Many of the admirers of Kollam call her as " Swapna Desham."It is also an important gateway to the magnificent backwaters of Kerala. Kollam is located between the eight cornered Ashtamudi Lake and the Arabian Sea, at the southern extremity of a network of backwaters.Climate
The climate is of tropical humid type with an oppressive summer and plenty of seasonal rainfall. The summer season lasts from March to May.
Sightseeing
There are a number a colonial relics here awaiting to be explored. The square shaped clock tower, which you can see from any part of historic Chinnakada market, is the best place to start touring Kollam. Dutch Quilon was once a British enclave where you can see the sun setting and the moon rising simultaneously. One can enjoy the backwaters as Kollam is the principal centres of backwaters in Kerala. Velankanni Church, the Adventure Park and Ashtamudi Park are the other popular attractions here.
Getting there
Nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram (71 km). Kollam is an important railhead of the southern railways providing good links to the major cities and towns of South India. An excellent road network links kollam to all major towns cities of the state and the country.
Activities
- Buy cashew in unimaginable low rates, as this is a major Cashew trading and processing centre of India.
- Build sandcastles or play in the sand or enjoy swimming and bathing at Thirumullavaram beach, 6 kms from city centre.
- Spend your holidays cruising on The Kayal Pradakshina Cruise which will take you to Munroe Island through Kollam backwaters. Take the sunbath on the roof of the boat, look otters playing, discover nearby areas in labyrinthine water ways and feel the simplicity of Malayalee rural lifestyle.
- Get Ayurvedic Treatment at Alumkadavu, 26 kms from Kollam.
- Visit Amritapuri Asramam and see how followers of Mata Amritanandmayi Devi have been bringing the positive change in the psyche and lives of the people.
- Go for trekking at Jetayu Para, huge rock in the Chadayamangalam village on the MC road.
Climate
As Varkala is positioned close to the sea, it experiences a moderate climate. March to May is the summer time with a maximum temperature of 35 degrees Centigrade. Months of June, July and August see heavy rainfall. Annual average rainfall records 310 cm. Winter extends from December to February with the minimum temperature recording 25 degrees. September to May is the ideal time to visit this seaside destination.
Sightseeing
Papanasam Beach is the main attraction here. At the beach, you can feast your eyes on some of the most stunning sights and watch the sun seem to sink in the sea. As Varkala is a chief Hindu pilgrimage site so a good number of devotees can be seen at its 800-year-old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple. The Sivagiri Mutt is another religious site here, established by Sree Narayana Guru.
Getting There
Thiruvananthapuram, which is 54 km from here, is the closest airport. There are regular flights from here to all the key destinations of the country and the world. Quilon is the closest major railhead providing links to major cities and towns of the South India. Road routes are also well connected.
Activities
- Have fun with your loved ones at its any of the pristine beaches as Papanasam Beach for example.
- Get your body fine tuned at any of the Ayurveda, Yoga or massage centre.
- Pay your visit at Janardhana Swami Temple.
- Watch and participate if possible all the funfair of Onam or Vishu festivals.
- Enjoy Kathakali, Ottanthullal and other music concerts in the surroundings of old Devaswom building during december to January.
- Go for boating in the backwaters of the region. You will surely appreciate the beauty of the estuary between Edava & Kappil..
kerala backwater tourism destinations
The land of the green and the serene Kerala offers an amazing array of the backwaters in Kerala. The breathtakingly beautiful destinations are the true storehouses of the nature at its best. The splendid sunsets, the waxing moonlights, the shoals of ducks, the pulsating palms and the wonderful waves make the backwater destinations the most sought after in kaleidoscopic Kerala.
Alappuzha Tourism
The alluring Alappuzha with its lovely lakes, lagoons and the fresh water rivers will not fail to sweep you off your feet. The stunningly gorgeous ‘Venice of the East’ has more than the boat races, houseboats, beaches, marine products and the coir industry; Alappuzha is home to the diverse animal and bird life. The rich crop of bananas, yams and cassava will surely catch your eye. Kuttanad in the heart of the backwaters of Alappuzha owing to its richness of the paddy crops is referred to as the rice bowl of Kerala. The half an hour journey by speedboat to the nearby island of Pathiramanal will reveal the range of rare migratory birds that fly from various parts of the world.
Cochin Tourism
Then there is the captivating Cochin (Kochi) with the charming combination of the picture perfect islands like Bolgatty, Vypeen, Gundu and Vallarpadam. The reminisces of the Chinese, Arabian, Portuguese and the Dutch travelers and traders are omnipresent in Cochin. The variant village cruises to the coconut plantations and the coir villages should not be missed. The peace and the warmth make the vivacious destination come true to its title of being the queen of the Arabian Sea. The sweet memories of the rustic life and the gorgeous greens of Cochin will carry on to refresh you time and again much after the end of the holiday too.
Thiruvananthapuram Tourism
The capital city of the kaleidoscopic Kerala Thiruvananthapuram is a terrific tourist destination. Thiruvananthapuram is a major center for tourists, politics and industries. The soothing shoreline, beautiful beaches and the backwater stretches make Thiruvananthapuram few of the most frequently visit backwater holiday destination for the tourists to Kerala. The sacred city of the snake is scintillating for the tourists especially during the festivities of the harvest season of Onam. You must pray at the various temples. The architectural planning, the greens and the moderate temperatures of the city throughout the year make the tour even more enchanting.
Thiruvallam Tourism
The stunningly beautiful and serene stretch of the Thiruvallam backwaters is temptingly close to Thiruvanthapuram. The backwater destination of Thiruvallam.
Makes a great one-day tour. The renowned canoe rides make Thiruvallam popular with the tourists. You may even enjoy the water sports in the lagoon and the move to the beach from the village using the floating bridge in the waterfront park. The short village cruises using the country boats are the perfect ways to enjoy the backwaters of Thiruvallam.
Kumarakom Tourism
Kumarakom on Lake Vembanad with its unparalleled boating, fishing and sightseeing opportunities makes a picturesque holiday spot in the backwaters of Kerala. The rich greens and the rural life are clubbed with the beautiful Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. You may take a cruise along the lake to catch glimpses of the birds. What a way to spend summers with the ducks, cuckoos, Siberian stork etc. The ideally located Kumarakom is picture perfect village.
Kottayam Tourism
Close by are the backwaters of Kottayam. Amidst the paddy fields, rubber plantations and the highlands is the charming Kottayam. Kottayam is popularly known as the land of lakes and latex. The entire population of Kottayam is literate that makes it the land of letters too. The cultivation of the cash crops makes Kottayam.
Kollam Tourism
The splendid town of Kollam on the Ashtamudi Lake is renowned for being the gateway to the beautiful backwaters of Kerala. You may opt for an of the backwater tour and cruise that commence from Kollam. The backwater tour from Kollam to Alappuzha is the longest cruise in Kerala. Do not forget to catch on the cashews on your tour to Kollam.
Kasaragod Tourism
On the seacoast the backwater destination of Kasaragod offers mesmerizing trips to the enchanting Chandagiri and the vivacious valiyaparamba. Situated on the Chandragiri river the former is renowned for the chain of forts. The latter provides the best breathtaking views of the backwaters. The boat cruises to and from Kasaragod will never fail to enchant you. On your backwater tour you must check out the well-preserved Bekal Fort. The Pallikere and the Kappil beach at Kasaragod are excellent spots for relaxation and rejuvenation.
kerala hill stations
Kerala has a long chain of lush, mid-clad hill stations that are home to exotic wildlife. All the hill resorts in Kerela offer the most enchanting experience of nature in all its virgin beauty. The major Hill resorts of Kerela are: Munnar, Ponmudi, Peerumade, Neliyampathy, , Peruvannamuzhi, Tusharagiri, Wayanad, Pythal Mala, Ezhimala, Ranipuram, Devikulam, Wagamon etc.
Munnar Hills
Munnar hills is situated in the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni & Kundala. Situated 1600 metre above sealevel, this hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture-book towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town.
Ramakalmedu
Rolling green hills and the fresh mountain air make Ramakalmedu and enchanting retreat. The hilltop also offers a panoramic view of the picturesque villages of Bodi and Cumbum on the eastern slope of the Western Ghats. Situated at a distance of 40 km from Thekkady and 75 km from Munnar
Echo Point
This scenic place gets its name from the natural echo phenomenon here. Echo Point is on the way to Top Station in Munnar
Rajamala
Rajamala is the natural habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragas hylocres), the Eravikulam - Rajamala region is now home to half the world population – estimated at around 1300 - of this endangered mountain goat. But the Tahr is only one of the reasons to make a visit to Rajamala.
Vagamon
One of the most beautiful places with a chain of three hills - the Thangal hill, the Murugan hill and the Kurisumala, important for Muslims, Hindus and Christians respectively.
Pullumedu
Velvet lawns and rare flora and fauna add to the beauty of Pullumedu. The famous Sree Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala and the Makara Jyothi illuminations at the shrine are visible from here. The winding journey to this hill along the Periyar River, offers a stunning view of hills draped in lush greenery.
Vandanmedu
This is one of the world's largest auction centres for cardamom. A walk through the sprawling cardamom plantations of Vandanmedu is a heady experience.
Chellarkovil
This sleepy little village with its breathtaking view of the plains and cascading waterfalls is a feast for the eyes. The village slopes down to the famous coconut groves of Cumbum in neighbouring Tamil Nadu.
Vandiperiyar
The River Periyar flowing through the centre of this town nourishes its vast tea, coffee and pepper plantations. A major trade centre, Vandiperiyar is also home to a number of tea factories. The Agriculture Farm and Flower Garden have a delightful array of rose plants, orchids and anthuria.
Pattumala
Pattumala or Hill draped in silk in Peermede has charms like no other. The lofty peaks, the little streams and the green expanse of the tea plantations give the hills an ethereal beauty.
Eravikulam National Park
A sanctuary for the endangered mountain goat of South India, the Nilgiri Tahr ( Hemitragus hylocrious), the Eravikulam National Park stands out for the stark beauty of its rolling grasslands and sholas, spread over 97 sq km in the Rajamalai hills. An ideal place for trekking, facilities are provided here and tourists are allowed to go on foot up to Anamudi ( the highest peak south of Himalayas )
