Tourist Spots in Kerala

Spread over an area of 38,863 sq km, Kerala stretches for about 360 miles along the Malabar Coast on the western belt of the Indian peninsula. Surrounded by the states of Tamil Nadu to the east, Karnataka on the north, and the Arabian Sea to the west, Kerala has evolved a unique culture owing to the various foreign influences. The tourist spots in Kerala vary from mountains to valleys to tea/spice plantations, from beaches to backwaters, from historical/religious monuments to wildlife sanctuaries. The variety of art and culture of Kerala happens to be some of the major lures for tourists visiting this state. You have to arrange your tour to Kerala in an organized manner so as to cover the huge array of aspects of the state and its culture. There is no denying the fact that Kerala is a paradise as far as natural beauty is concerned. You simply cannot do without experiencing the thrill of cruising in the backwaters on a traditional kettuvallom or houseboat through the green waters and past the tall bamboo bushes, palms, dense thickets and quaint villages. The options for backwater cruises in Kerala are as follows:
Alappuzha Kuttanad Kottayam Kollam Kochi Kumarakom Malapuram Kozhikode Kassarkod Trivandrum

By and large you cover a major portion of the Tourist Spots in Kerala if you have traveled to the districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Kochi, Wayanad and Alappuzha. Backwater cruising in Thiruvallam is a major attraction among the canoe riders. Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, magnificent palaces of the maharajas of the Travancore state, an observatory and a museum, with an assortment of excellent art work is some of the important monuments and other tourist attractions in Kerala. The palm fringed beaches are inseparable parts of Kerala tourist attractions. Visit the Varkala Beach, Kovalam Beach, Poovar Beach, and Kumarakom Beach are some of the choicest Tourist Spots in Kerala. Surfing, water skiing and a catamaran ride or simply relaxing among the golden sands, soaking in the juice of the ambience bit by bit will prove extremely rewarding.

Periyar, Wayanad, Silent Valley, Chinnar, Erivakulam, Parambikulam and Thattekkad offer various wildlife sanctuaries, reserves and national parks, showcasing the varied flora and fauna of the state. The various presentations and representation of the various forms of arts and culture comprise the other tourist attractions in Kerala. A recital of Kathakali or Mohiniattam will transport you to a different world of charm and perfection. A game of Kalarippayattu, a martial art of Kerala, can be as thrilling. On your tour to Kerala you cannot overlook a session of the Ayurveda treatment at any of the resorts. Special massages, yoga and various rejuvenation programs will transform the restlessness or the tiredness in you completely. A smack of the Kerala cuisine comprising dosas, idlis, rasam and uttapams brings your tour to Kerala almost to a full circle.

Package list
Day 01: Cochin On your arrival, you'll find an Indian Holiday representative waiting for you at the airport or railway station. Once at the hotel, you can get some rest before leaving for Fort Cochin. In addition, you can also go for some sightseeing to the Jewish Synagogue, Dutch Palace, St. Francis Church and Chinese fishing nets. Day 02: Cochin - Kumarakom On the second day of your tour with Indian Holiday, why not enjoy a three hour drive to Kumarakom? Plan your stay at any hotel of your choice! It would be best to go in for one that comes with massage and ayurvedic centers. Day 03 : Kumarakom On the third day of your Kerala India travel tour, you may plan a visit to the Kumarakom bird sanctuary. Post breakfast have some fun at the farm houses located close by. Day 04 :Alleppey After an overnight stay at Kumarakom, head to Alleppey on the fourth day of your Kerala India travel tour. Nothing could be more enjoyable than opting for a houseboat and sailing through the Kerala backwaters. The paddy fields, quaint villages and other scenic delights are something that you cannot afford to miss while on your Kerala backwater tour. Day 05 :Cochin Drive back to the Cochin railway station or airport. This marks the end of your backwaters tour with us.

Alapey:
Commonly known as Alleppey, the town of Alappuzha, in Alappuzha District of Kerala is a place with charming backwaters, canals, exotic beaches, and lagoons. Referred to as the Venice of the East by Lord Curzon, it is the center for backwater tourism in the state of Kerala. On your trip to Kerala you will do well to travel to the various tourist attractions in Alappuzha.

Tourist Attractions in Alappuzha:

The various tourist attractions in Alappuzha are discussed below: Punnamada Kayal: This is a must visit in Alappuzha for tourist visiting this town. It is actually the place where the yearly Nehru Trophy boat race is held. During the months of August-September, the backwaters are thronged by several spectators and competitors who come to take part in the renowned Nehru Trophy boat race. Krishnapuram Temple: This is a two-storied building of Alappuzha, representing the typical Keralite style of art and architecture. The biggest mural painting, Gajendra Miksham, is exhibited in a museum here. Ambalapuzha Temple: This temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna, is a place to visit in Alappuzha where one can appreciate the characteristic temple architecture and culture of Kerala and also avail of the chance to relish the Keralite delicacy, payasam, which is offered to the visitors during the festival months of March and April. St. Andrews Church: Established by the Portuguese missionaries in Alappuzha, one of the tourist destinations in Kerala, St. Andrews Church observes the feast of St. Sebastian. Mullackal Temple: Located in the center of Alappuzha, Mullackal Temple, another major tourist interest, is devoted to goddess Rajarajeswari. Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple: Enclosed by deep green forests, Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple is a sacred place where traditionally the king of serpents is offered prayers. Several devotees from all over India and the world visit this place each year.

Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple: It is a common belief that the Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple has miraculous powers that can eradicate the worshippers woes and grant them what they ask for. Hence, it is visited by countless pilgrims every year. Kottamkulangara Mahavishnu Temple and Devi Temple: Kottamkulangara Mahavishnu Temple and Devi Temple are the earliest temples of Alappuzha and they are places in Alappuzha worth visiting, particularly during the festive season. Shopping in Alappuzha: Among the famous local products of Alappuzha are the carpets and coir products. The superior quality, variety of designs and reasonable prices make them favorites in the shopping lists of the tourists. Alappuzha is also well-known for its produce of pepper, coconut oil, areca nut, cardamom, and sugar. These are available in the several markets in Alappuzha.

Kumarakom
The small town of Kumarakom stands on the banks of the charming Vembanad Lake, at around 14 km from Kottayam. The most preferred area in the backwaters is the Kuttanad region, often termed as the rice bowl of Kerala. The following information about Kumarakom will prove quite helpful for tourists planning to visit this place: Kumarakom Natural Beauty at its Best is well said and well described while talking about Kumarakom. Kumarakom is a small and beautiful village formed by a cluster of islands on the Vembanad Lake. The natural beauty of the place gets enhanced with the backwater lagoon, the coconut trees edging the lakes and the marshes, paddy fields, natural habitat of various species of birds, ayurvedic resorts and many other such interesting things. Tour to Kumarakom in Kerala in India must encompass a ride on the boat over the lagoon and the Vembanad lake, body treatment at the ayurvedic resorts, a visit to the bird sanctuary and several other activities that would help the tourists to explore and experience the natural beauty of the place in its true form. While on Kumarakom Tour, tourists can indulge in several water sports like fishing, boating, swimming, waterskiing and windsailing. Natural Beauty of Kumarakom can also be enjoyed while staying at the ayurvedic resorts, which are spread over huge stretches of land and offer excellent accommodation to the guests. The guests are given rejuvenating body massages and treatments with several types of herbal oils and herbal products. The Kumarakom Bird sanctuary is the most visited tourist venue in Kumarakom. This marshy stretch of land is the natural habitat of various species of birds. Migratory birds make this sanctuary their home during the winter season. The ornithologists dream destination, this sanctuary can be best explored during the winter season, that is during November to April. Vembanad Lake is another interesting tourist

destination for people visiting the place from corners of the world and adds to the natural beauty of Kumarakom. Vembanad Lake is the largest backwater lake and a boat ride on the lake is an experience in itself as the tourists can view the beauty of the surroundings with stretches of green extending inland from the shore. The waterfalls around Kumarakom make excellent picnic spot for both tourists and locals. The tradition and culture of the people, the serene and the tranquil atmosphere of the place makes Kumarakom an interesting tourist destination.

Trivandrum Tourist Sites Near Trivandrum

Trivandrum is the capital city of Kerala and an important town of cultural and artistic interests. It draws hordes of tourists all the year round. This town is famous for its majestic palaces, art galleries and museums. Trivandrum is an amazing mix of past and the present as on the one hand you will come across the modern shopping complexes and business centers, and on the other hand you will find a strange aura of the past lingering in its ancient palaces and other historic buildings. Having explored Trivandrum, you can visit some of the tourist sites near Trivandrum that would further enhance the experience of a tour to Trivandrum. Munnar: It is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations near Trivandrum and attracts a large number of tourists from all over the world. It is nestled in the southern Western Ghats in the Idukki district and is acclaimed for its scenic beauty and tea plantations. The important attractions at this place are Mattupetty Dam, Eravikulam (Rajamalai) National Park, Anamudi Peak, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Echo Point, Kundala Lake, Atukkad Waterfalls and Blossom Garden. Cochin: It is a bustling town of Kerala and a busy commercial port. This was also an important point of spice trade for the Arabs, the Dutch, Portuguese and Chinese. It is a clean and quiet town and one of the major tourist sites near Trivandrum. While on a tour to this town you can pay visit to Hill Palace Museum, Fort Kochi, Willingdon Island, Dutch Palace, St. Francis Church, Jew Street, Synagogue and Cherai Beach. Alleppey: Also known as Alappuzha, it is a bewitching town recognized for its mesmerizing backwaters and scenic beauty. The things to watch at this place are Arthunkal, Chettikulangara Bhagawathy Temple and Alleppey Boat Races.

Thekkady: It is an exquisite place located in central Kerala and here you can see nature at its best. The lush greenery and breathtaking landscape is surely going to make for a great time for you among the various tourist places near Trivandrum. It has to offer lots of things to take pleasure in including Chellarkovil, Kurisumala, Mangala Devi Temple, Pullumedu and Vandiperiyar. Kumarakom: While on your tour to Kerala, dont forget to pay a visit to this enchanting tourist destination which is located on the shore of the placid Vembanad Lake and is a nature lovers paradise. This place has numerous attractions to offer to the tourists that comprise Water Bird Sanctuary, Vembanad Lake and Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls. The backwater cruise at this place will be equally thrilling and delightful.

Tourist Attractions In Trivandrum

Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram) is built over seven hills and was one of the most important centers of intellectual and artistic pursuits during the ancient and medieval periods of South Indian history. It formed a part of the Travancore kingdom. Trivandrum, apart from being an important commercial and political center for Kerala, holds a lot of importance for the tourists as well. There are many things in store for the travelers here including museums, palaces and splendid temples. Some of the important tourist attractions in Trivandrum are: Koyikkal Palace: It is one of the major tourist attractions in Trivandrum and is quite ancient, characterized by traditional Kerala architectural style with sloping roofs and a courtyard inside. It also houses two museums namely, the Folklore museum and Numismatics museum. The former one has a rich collection of musical instruments and models of folk arts and the latter has a startling collection of ancient coins that have been collected from different areas. Napier Museum: Built in the 19th century, it is a wonderful instance of the rich history of Kerala. The architecture of this museum features a rare combination of traditional Kerala, Mughal, Chinese, and Italian styles. You will come across ancient archaeological artifacts and exquisite paintings here. Agastyarkoodam: It is lofty peak located in the Western Ghats rising to an altitude of more than 1800 meters and takes the shape of a sharp cone. This peak can be reached on foot and is ideal for trekking. Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple: This is a splendid temple and stands by a tank, the Padmatheertham. This temple has amazing architectural brilliance and houses the deity is of Lord Vishnu in a reclining posture. This temple is one of

the most attractive things to watch in Trivandrum especially for the pilgrimage tourists and should not be missed out at any cost. Akkulam Lake: It is undoubtedly one of the most important places of tourist interest in Trivandrum. Located near the lake is a childrens park and you can also get boating facilities 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. Neyyar Dam: It is a wonderful dam located near the ranges of Western Ghats, and is a well-liked tourist spot. This dam is also an ideal spot for the picnic and for spending some quality moments with friends and family.

Cochin or Kochi, as it is called now, has been an important trading port since the ancient ages. European traders were lured to this port as it offered them the lucrative opportunity to trade in Indian spices, an item much in demand in Europe during those days. With time it got the name Queen of the Arabian Sea and even today, it is considered the commercial capital of Kerala. Cochin is an important business center as well as a famous port on the Malabar coast. There are many tourist attractions in Cochin, making it an important destination for tourism in Kerala. The many forts, churches and other buildings are reminders of the British and Portuguese presence in this city.

Tourist Attractions in Cochin:

Fort Cochin it is the most prominent tourist spot in Cochin and many important monuments related
to the citys history are located in Fort Cochin. These include-

St. Francis church this is the oldest church built in India by the Europeans. Vasco da Gama , the
famous Portuguese trader and explorer was buried here. His remains were later shifted to Portugal by his son.

Santa Cruz Basilica the current structure of this Church was built in 1905 after the British had
destroyed the original cathedral built by the Portuguese. The structure dates back to 1505. It was upgraded to the status of Basilica in 1984.

Fort kochi Beach this beach is an ideal location for a walk during dawn or dusk. The Chinese fishing
nets used by the fishermen are a distinctive feature of this beach.

Jewish Synagogue and Dutch Palace Both of these are located in Mattancherry. The synagogue
was built in 1568. The Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers adorn this wonderful work of decorative architecture. Giant scrolls of the Old Testament are stored here. The Dutch palace was built by the

Portuguese but later modified by the Dutch. This palace was subsequently transferred to the rulers of Kochi. Murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata are the major attraction in this Palace.

Museums:
The museum of Kerala history audio visual aids have been used in this museum to depict the
history of Kerala. Many statues and paintings are also on display here.

Parikshit Thampuran museum the exhibits of this museum have been shifted to the Hill Palace
museum. This was originally used by the rulers of Cochin for their durbars. Currently the building serves as the gallery of contemporary art managed by the Lalith kala Academy. Others: The Bolghatty Palace, Hill Palace, Pallipuram fort, Cherai Beah, Veega Land, and the Wilingdon island are some of the many tourist attractions in Cochin.

Transportation in Cochin:
Air : Cochin has an international airport 30 kilometrs from the city. The city is connected by direct flights with all the major Indian cities as well as many major middle eastern cities and Singapore. Rail : Three railway stations in the city connect it to the rest of the country. These are Eranakulam Junction, Eranakulam Town, and Cochin Harbor Terminus. These stations are the starting points of many important trains. Road : A network of well maintained roads make road travel to and from Cochin very comfortable. Three national highways pass through or originate from the city.