With the Western Ghats towering in the east and the Arabian Sea splashing in the west, Kerala is a fascinating place. 44 rivers crisscross this verdant state. The uniqueness of Kerala stems from its incredible geography, rich culture, immersive history and the perfect climate.
Immerse yourself in the rich culture of the state filled with mesmerizing art forms, mystical festivals and imposing monuments. Get entranced in the lively Kathakali dance form or cheer your heart out during the boat races. It seems everywhere you go you will be faced with a cultural phenomenon. Even history is riveting when you are in Kerala. Europeans first set foot on the Indian subcontinent through Kerala and they have left behind an indelible mark on the state.
It is however, Mother Nature who rules over Kerala. A long shoreline filled with serene beaches line the side of Kerala. Go a bit inside and you will be awestruck at the remarkable transformation of the landscape into tranquil backwaters surrounded by emerald forests. Even further inland, you will come face to face with pretty hill stations. Exotic wildlife, glittering waterfalls and huge plantations combine to form a resplendent natural hotspot. Take a step into the endless expanse of green and you will be drowned in a glorious experience that will touch the very core of your soul. Kerala is where you can walk from an emerald backwater to a forest where elephants roam proudly. Kerala proudly proclaims itself to be God’s own country. As you roam in the mystical forested backwater havens, you will realize how true it actually is.
Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of the majestic state – Kerala is known for its energetic and easy-going demeanor. Sometimes, it is still being referred by its colonial name – Trivandrum.To get a taste of city life down the south of India, every tourist must come here to the “Abode of Lord Anantha” as the name Thiruvananthapuram literally translates into. The town of Thiruvananthapuram is situated to the South of the state. Being the capital, it is also the hub of all political activities. Popular places of tourist attractions include a zoo, beautiful beaches, temples, and quite a few Victorian museums. Enjoy nature to the fullest here. The following places of tourist attractions mustn’t be missed from your itinerary.
Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple
Kuthiramalika Palace Museum
Napier Museum
Priyadarshini Planetarium
Kovalam Beach
The serenity of Kochi has been attracting explorers and traders for more than 600 years. It was once the most important port in not only Kerala but of India also. Its nickname of Queen of the Arabian Sea is apt due to the sheer variety of people that it has been calling out to since the 14th century. The fascinating blend of cultures that can be experienced here can never be found elsewhere in India. You can get giant fishing nets sourced from China, mosques from an ancient era, Portuguese houses, a synagogue that dates back to nearly 400 years and the ruins of the former British Raj. Imagine a rare mixture of stunning Holland, medieval Portugal and the soothing atmosphere of an English village, the tropical beauty of the Malabar Coast and you will get Kochi. This delightful city is perfect for a long relaxing nap in some of the most incredible areas. Kochi will stun you with the many facades that it presents to the tourist. If you are looking for a bustling cosmopolitan city, Kochi will satisfy you with its skyscrapers and shopping malls. Dig a little deeper and the rich history and culture will intrigue you. Its streets are mired in an old world charm that is hard to find elsewhere. Its marvelous monuments and the inconceivable blend of ethnic and linguistic communities which includes Konkinis, Jews and others provide a rich background to the already incredible place. In short, Kochi is like a cocktail of diverse attractions and charms
St. Francis Church
Dutch Palace
Pallipuram Fort
Chendamangalam Fort
Maritime Museum, Kochi
At the foothills of the immense Western Ghats lies the quaint town of Palakkad. At Palakkad, you will see vast patches of palms and paddy fields stretching out to the horizon on one side and dense tropical forests on the other. Rich in history and filled with a vibrant culture, the town possesses a rather unique personality which is difficult to find. The huge tracts of paddy fields have earned Palakkad the epithet of granary of Kerala. The friendly people enhance the pastoral charm of the rural city. You will be hard pressed find a more odd combination of attractions. Wildlife sanctuaries reverberate with animalistic joy while the mystical hills contain some stunning dams.
Parambikulam
Nelliyampathy
Affectionately called Alleppey, Alappuzha is the fantastical hub where the backwaters of Kerala meet. A vast maze of interconnected waterways, Alappuzha is enchantingly beautiful. As you wander around the small but rather chaotic center of the city with its network of canals, you will realize, or rather feel, why this place has been awarded the epithet, Venice of the East. Step out from the city center towards any direction in Alappuzha and you are will be struck by the majestic greeneries all around. The graceful greenish hue lies over Alappuzha like a blanket evaporating into a mesmerizing world of quaint villages, cute canoes, colorful houseboats and of course, toddy shops. Float along the languid waterways and gaze at the peaceful rice fields. The romantic Alleppey provides you with an incomparable serenity in its landscape.
Alleppey Beach
Sri Krishna Temple
Backwater Cruise
You will have never experienced ecotourism as enthralling as the one you are going to have in the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Prepare for one of the most beautiful sights that you have ever seen as the endless expanse of green forests stretch all the way to even greener hills. Built as a sanctuary for the endangered tigers and elephants, this Tiger Reserve contains some magnificent examples of these royal creatures. Boredom does not exist when you are in the Periyar Tiger Reserve where every sight seems like a fresh painting by a master artist.The Periyar National Park was originally conceived as a reserve for tigers and elephants to roam freely in the arms of Mother Nature. The location of the park on a mountain provides some excellent vantage points for you to lose yourself in the incredible panoramas before you.
If you are lucky enough you may see the proud tigers languidly walking around as if surveying their empire. The majestic elephants, on the other hand, will go about their daily business not willing to drawn into the affairs of creatures beneath their prestige. Apart from these glorious beasts, the reserve is home to many other fascinating creatures whose cries reverberate through the forests like the Gaur and the Sambar. Some stunning avian creatures rule the air at the Periyar Park such as the Malabar Grey Hornbill and the Nilgiri Wood Pigeon. Migratory birds do visit this wonderful place.
Sri Meenakshi-Sundareswarar Temple
Thirumalai Nayak Mahal
Alagarkoil
An ever so slight chaotic atmosphere surrounds the cultural capital of Kerala, Trichur. Escape into a fantastical land filled with the vibrant culture and rich history of Kerala collide. Inside the hub of exotic and artistic delights, an enchanting extravagance of culture awaits for you to experience and savor it. Stunning palaces, imposing temples and magnificent historic monuments dot the area which is covered in a splendor that can only be created by nature.
Vadakkunnathan Temple
The magnificent hill station of Munnar is situated on the Western Ghats inside the largest tea growing region of India. The soft green tea leaves cover the landscape like an emerald blanket which seems cozy enough to wrap around you. The mountain ranges of Munnar still hide that indefinable charm of the unknown wilds from whence it originated. A simple walk through the outskirts of Munnar will assault you with a thousand shades of emerald. The peaks, seemingly covered by white smoke, tower over tantalizing deep valleys while the clouds roam close to the ground. The placid lakes, the stormy streams and the majestic mountains, the sylvan valleys and the rich wildlife offer a plethora of treasures waiting for you to rediscover them in all their glory. Once in every twelve years, the rare Neelakurinchi orchids burst out blooming in their wild unfettered beauty stunning the passersby into speechless admiration. This delightful blend of natural beauty and mysticism is hard to explain in words
Mattupetty
Devikulam
Echo Point
Kundala Lake
Tea Museum
Varkala is perched like a magnificent eagle on the edge of dizzy cliffs. The naturally stunning beauty of the location and the enchanting stretch on the top of the cliff offers a serene location to watch the day turn into night. From the cliff, you can look at the thin thread of golden sands that lie beneath it. A walk on the sun kissed beach will show you why this is one of the most popular ones in India. The calm ambience of the beach is a stark contrast to the glorious cliffs that surround it. In Varkala, the craggy rocks stretch out into the sea while the sea visits the mainland through the myriad estuaries and creeks. The pristine sands and the frolicking waves call out to you to enjoy with them. When tired, a blanket or serenity will comfort in you as you stare at the wonderful sight in seclusion.
Varkala Beach
Janardhana Temple
Sivagiri Mutt
In order to know about Wayanad, you can just ask a native Keralan to tell you the most beautiful part of their state. The answer will invariably be the home of the emerald woods, Wayanad. A part of an incredible wooded landscape that trails into the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu, Wayanad offers an epic scene to feast your eyes on. While you immerse yourself in the incredible sight of the mountains drenched in clouds, you should not forget the call of the thick woods and massive agricultural estates to explore them. The rich fauna of the region populates the beautiful forests. Nestled within the mountains of the Western Ghats, the Wayanad region exudes a majestic aura peculiar to the area. Plantations of spices dot the entire landscape. Travelling through the region will give you a heady entranced feeling as the combined scents of vanilla, coffee, tea, cardamom, pepper and various other spices overwhelm you. Even your eyes are not safe as they will show the gorgeous waterfalls, pristine lakes, stunning peaks, verdant forests, rich historical monuments, holy pilgrimage spots and the marvelous wildlife. In short, you should be prepared to lose control of your senses and get entranced while in Wayanad.
Chembra Peak
Meenmutty Falls
Edakkal Cave
Sultan Bathery
Pathanamthitta offers the truest form of a tropical diverse region. Lose yourself in the vast and seemingly endless undulating forested landscape which broken up into charming shards by pristine rivers. These mystical forests are filled with some of the rarest medicinal plants making it a treasure trove of unexplored riches. The incredibly extensive forested area will lie before you as a hotbed of intriguing and varied flora and fauna. The economy of this enchanted land supports the economy of Kerala. The rich culture of Pathanamthitta is distinctive from the other places in Kerala. It has grown out of the soothing religious harmony of the place. Pathanamthitta provides the perfect backdrop to enjoy exciting water festivals which take place in the glittering rivers. Natural splendors thrive in this amazing place screaming out for you to explore and dream. Sabarimala: In order to reach the holy site of Sabarimala, you will have to travel up the rocky landscape of the Western Ghats and through the thick emerald forests. The journey is fascinating and rewarding. When you reach the spot, the magnificent Sabarimala temple will greet you. While there, you can indulge your spiritual self in prayer. Another option would be to simply stare dumfounded as the beautiful surroundings overcome your senses. The surrounding forests accentuate the beauty of the Sahyadri Mountains that rise up on all sides.
