Kerala

Introduction

With the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats towering 500-2700 ms in the east and networked by 44 rivers, Kerala enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. An equable climate, a long shoreline with serene beaches, tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters, lush hill stations, exotic wildlife, and waterfalls is the second name of Kerala. Attractive sprawling plantations and paddy fields accompanied by Ayurvedic health holidays are the prime focus of this state. And what's more, every one of these charming destinations is only a two hour drive from the other. A singular advantage no other destination offers.

Kerala, India's most advanced society: A hundred percent literate people with world-class health care systems. India's lowest infant mortality and highest life expectancy rates is recorded here. The highest physical quality of life, peaceful and pristine, Kerala is also India's cleanest state.

For administrative purpose, the state of Kerala is divided into fourteen districts. Most of these districts offer all the tourism products typical of the State.

Tourist Attraction

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• Ayurveda (External website that opens in a new window)
• Travel Guidelines (External website that opens in a new window)

Beaches

Alappuzha Beach

Alappuzha beach is quite a popular tourist spot, known to provide relaxation. The pier, which extends into the sea here, is around 140 years old. Blessed with nature's green beauties such as lagoons, vast lakes and numerous fresh water rivers, it is a natural marvellous and spectacular. The long sandy beach is decorated with dense palm groves. The old lighthouse nearby adds to the beauty of the beach.

Beypore Beach

Located at the mouth of the River Chaliyar, the Beypore beach will engulf you in the web of peace and tranquillity as you enjoy the dreamlike vistas in front of you. Gaze into the huge expanse of the Arabian Sea and be lulled to sleep by the gentle sound of waves as you let go of yourself in the fairytale environs of the Beypore Beach. Walk bare feet on the stone bridge that makes a pathway into the sea for nearly 2 kms and bask in the glorious sunshine.

Dharmadam Beach

Dharmadam beach is located 17 km from Kannur, this small 5 acre beautiful island is dotted with coconut palms and green bushes. The island is about 100 metres from the mainland of Dharmadam and a special permission is required to enter this privately owned island. Once you enter the beach, you will be spellbound with the works of nature. What one needs to do over here is to set oneself free in the lap of mother earth.

Ezhimala Beach

Ezhimala beach is a major tourist attraction. The charming view of this serene and secluded beach is enticing. It is also known for the rare view of Dolphin jumping. Carved stone pillars, an ancient burial chamber and an ancient cave can be seen at the foot of the hills. The combination of high hills and sandy beaches, make Ezhimala a beautiful picnic spot. Enjoy doing nothing while your body soaks in the fragrance of this beach.

Fort Kochi Beach

Fort Kochi beach is a favourite hunt for tourists. Enclosed by coconut palms and dense bushes, it is a viewer's delight. Its historic essence has not been overlooked or forgotten by the overlapping waves of the sea and have not erased the colourful past associated with the beach. It is also undoubtedly one of the best locations to spend and evening amidst nature's finest creations.

Kappad Beach

Kappad beach, locally known as Kappadkadavu is a beautiful rock studded beach. It has a glorious past because Kappad beach is the very sight where Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese explorer, landed on 27th May 1498, which made him the first European to sail across the Arabian Sea. Witness this historic sights during your visit while lazing around in the tranquil beach and hum to the music of the waves splashing about.

Kovalam Beach

Kovalam beach is a sheltered natural bay with cool soothing palms and gentle waves. It is located just 10 Kms from the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram. It is the foremost tourist attraction of the region. True to its name, which means a grove of coconut trees, the palm fringed bays of Kovalam Beach, awash with the blue waters of the Arabian Sea and endless stretches of white sands seems a fair representation of heaven.

Muzhappilangad Beach

Muzhappilangad beach has something unique that adds to its credit; being one among the few largest of Kerala beaches, it is the only drive-in beach in the whole of the nation. One can take a stroll along its unending stretch of shore or bring one's family for a pulsating drive in the beach, splashing water all through. A large accumulated mass of rock prevents the heavy water currents that may hit the shore, which gives rise to a shallow pool where it is safe for the tourists to get involved in swimming and other water entertainments.

Payyambalam Beach

Situated away from the normal hustle and bustle, Payyambalam beach is a perfect destination for a weary mind to relax and refresh, where one comes face to face with true peace of mind. Quiet, secluded, this beautiful stretch of sand and surf is the best locale for a relaxed evening. The Payyambalam beach is a popular picnic spot of the local people and holds much potential for development into a tourist resort.

Pathiramanal Beach

Pathiramanal - meaning sands of the night - is a cornucopia of biodiversity. Pathiramanal beach is a long clean beach. Its enchanting ambience invites one to swim, sunbathe or just lounge around. While the myriad flora and fauna are a naturalist's delight, the canals around Pathiramanal complete the picture of romantic idyll. It is a favourite natural hub of hundreds of rare migratory birds that reside over here from different parts of the land. In fact, it is a remarkable conjunction of beach and island.

Sankhumugham Beach

Sankhumugham beach is a favourite hunt of sunset watchers. The beach is adjacent to the Thiruvananthapuram Airport and Veli Tourist Village. An indoor recreation club, the matsya kanyaka (a gigantic, 35meter long sculpture of a mermaid) and a restaurant shaped like a starfish are some of the attractions here. Surfing in calm and peaceful waters of the beach is rejuvenating.

Tanur Beach

Tanur beach is a marvelous place to roam about as it gives you immense exposure to the nature. If you are a nature lover, this beach is made for you where you can relax under the cool shades of the palm trees, or you can stroll for hours amidst sun, sand and sea. Tanur Beach is located is in Malapuram. Tanur was one of the oldest Portuguese settlements. It was visited by St. Francis Xavier in 1546.

Thangassery Beach

Thangassery beach is located 5 km far from Kollam town. Thangassery beach seems to be living memories of Portuguese and Dutch settlements. It is a sea side village of historic importance. Tourist attraction near the beach is the Old Portuguese fort and churches built in the 18th century which is in ruin stage now. Here is another tourist attraction is Thangassery lighthouse, 144 feet heights open to visitors every day.

Thirumullavaram Beach

Situated 6 Kms from Kollam, Thirumullavaram beach this beach is a beautiful picnic spot. This beach is dotted with coconut palms grooves is ideal for an early morning walk. The beach has good bathing facilities. About one and a half kilometre into the sea is the Nyarazhcha Para, literally Sunday Rock that can be seen from the shore at low tide.

Varkala Beach

Varkala beach combines a religious ambience with a merry atmosphere to provide a unique experience to pilgrims and tourists alike. The nearby mineral springs at the Varkala beach are said to possess medicinal properties and you too can take a dip or drink from the beautiful springs. Watch the bewitching sunset from the shore of the Varkala Beach for a fulfilling vacation.

Hill Stations

Attappady

A beautiful synthesis of mountains, rivers and forests, Attappady is of great interest to anthropologists. This is the habitat of many tribes like the Irulars and Mudugas. The Malleeswaran peak is worshipped as a gigantic Sivalinga by the Adivasis who also celebrate the Sivarathri festival with great fervour. A PWD Rest House, a VIP Guest House and a few private hotels offers accommodation at Agali.

Munnar

Munnar, one of the most popular hill stations in India is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Located at 1600meter above sea level, this was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes, trekking and holiday facilities make Munnar a unique experience. It's a lush green carpet of tea plants. A trip on the splendid reservoir is an unforgettable experience. The Anayirangal dam is surrounded by Tata Tea plantations and evergreen forests.

More on Munnar (External website that opens in a new window)

Vagamon

If beauty, privacy, serenity are your ideas of a well deserved holiday, then Vagamon is the place for you. Located among the lofty mountains of the Western Ghats in the border of Kottayam and Idukki districts of Kerala at an altitude of 1100 metres above sea level, Vagamon is a lovely hill station in South India. Also known as the Scotland of Asia, Vagamon remained hidden till the British discovered it nearly a century ago, and they used the place for tea plantations, followed by Christian missionaries who built here their abode of service. Vagamon remains cool during most part of the year.

Wayanad

Situated at a height of 2100 meters above sea level in Kerala, Wayanad hill station is one of the most charming and calm hill stations of Kerala. The lush green vegetation, along with mist-clad hills and pure air will make your travel to Wayanad an unforgettable experience. It is a paradise and a must visit if you are traveling to Kerala. The hill station is covered with plantations of tea and spices, which gives a mystical touch to the place. Traveling to Wayanad will definitely be an experience of a lifetime for you.

Devikulam

Devikulam is located at a height of 1800 meters above sea level and is around 16 kilometers from Munnar in Kerala. The hill station is famous for its unique flora and fauna. The hill station has a paradise like feel to it and nature blooms in its best form here. Nothing can beat the experience of taking a walk in the early morning mist along the softly gushing waterfalls that cascade from steep heights. All this creates a magical atmosphere to the place and adds to the romantic beauty here. All we can say is come to devikulam to feel the natural beauty yourself. No words can describe the serenity of this wonderful hill station.

Ponmudi

Ponmudi hill station, Trivandrum is a beautiful hill station located at a distance of 61 kilometers from the city. An unexplored destination, Ponmudi, Kerala is a tranquil spot located atop hills and is a must visit if you to experience true bliss and feel rejuvenated once again. The place is located at a height of 600 meters above sea level and is called the Golden peak. Ponmudi hill station is a welcome break from the hustle - bustle of the city life and one can relax without being disturbed in the lap of nature.

Peermade

On the way to Thekkady, Peermade is a small hill station. It is a fertile land at an altitude of 914 meters. Formerly the summer palaces of Travancore Rajas this tiny and cool hill station is full of rubber, tea, coffee, pepper and cardamom plantation, interspersed with waterfalls and open grasslands.

Idukki

Idukki, the beautiful hill station of Kerala derives its name from a Malayalam word 'idukku', which means narrow gorge. Idukki is known as the land of massive mountains, variegated valleys and splendid streams. Located in the southern portion of Kerala, Idukki offers diverse tourist attractions like hill ranges, mountain treks, spice plantations, virgin beauty of nature and wild life sanctuaries.

Wildlife Sanctuaries

Periyar National Park

The Periyar Tiger Reserve spreads over 777 sq km of tropical evergreen, semi- evergreen and moist deciduous forests. It was declared a Project Tiger Reserve in 1978 under the famous scheme, Project Tiger. The Periyar Tiger Reserve, named after the Periyar River, is one of our prestigious possessions on the High Ranges of Western Ghats. Noted for its geomorphology, wildlife and scenic beauty, the Periyar Tiger Reserve attracts travellers from all over the world. It also harbours an aquatic eco system within itself. Numerous small islets in the large 50 year old artificial lake remind us of the intricate, inherent interrelationship among the terrestrial aquatic and subterranean life forms. This is the only sanctuary in India where the elephant can be observed and photographed at close quarters from the safety of a boat.

The evergreen forests have lofty tree and the canopy is closed. The varied habitat naturally supports a variety of species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fishes. Tiger, panther and wild dog, elephant, gaur, sambar, barking deer, wild boar, sloth bear, Nilgiri tahr langur, lion tailed macaque, otter, Malabar giant squirrel, civets etc. are generally sighted. There are several kinds of poisonous and non-poisonous snakes including the king cobra. Tortoise may often be seen asking on rocks and tree-trunks by the lake. The Masheer, the most famous game fish of India exists in large numbers. The common aquatic birds are the Indian darter, little cormorant kingfisher, and the black-necked stork, the great Indian hornbill, peafowl, brahminy kite and black winged kite. Effective measures to eliminate grazing, prevent poaching and encourage tourism have been taken. Eco development is also a thrust area.

More on Periyar National Park (External website that opens in a new window)

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.

Anamudi, the highest peak (2695 m) south of the Himalayas, towers over the sanctuary in majestic pride. The slopes of the hills abound in all kinds of rare flora and fauna. The Atlas moth, the largest of its kind in the world, is a unique inhabitant of the park. Other rare species of fauna found here are the Nilgiri Langur, the lion-tailed macaque, leopards, tigers, etc.

Idukki National Park

Located in the southern state of India, Kerala, Idukki National Park is one of Kerala's finest havens for wildlife and is home to vast herds of Elephants, bisons, bear, wild boars, sambar wild dogs, jungle cats, tiger, wild boar and has a very large concentration of various species of snakes including cobra, viper, kraits and numerous non-poisonous ones. The bird life in the sanctuary is equally impressive. Important birds include myna, jungle fowl, black bulbul, laughing thrush, woodpecker, peafowl, kingfisher etc.

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Established in 1973, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka on the north-east and Mudimalai of Tamilnadu on the south-east. Rich in bio-diversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reservem, which has been established with the specific objective to save the biological heritage of the region.

The animal population of the sanctuary is varies. Elephant, tiger, Panther, jungle cat, civet cat, monkeys, wild dog, bison, deer, bear, etc. inhabit the sanctuary. Reptiles like monitor lizard and a variety of snakes are seen. Peacock, babblers, cuckoos, owl, wood pecker and jungle fowl are only a few among the different types of birds seen in the area.

Source: National Portal Content Management Team, Reviewed on: 20-02-2010