Kerala, "God's Own Country" the land of rivers and backwaters is a green strip of land, in the South West corner of Indian peninsula. Kerala is a state with full literacy, Higher Health care and lower mortality ratio. In Kerala you experience freshness and touch of mother earth every where. No wonder keralites call their State "God's Own Country".
The backwaters of Kerala are unique attraction to tourists. The biggest among these backwaters is the Vembanad lake, with an area of 200 sq km, which opens out into the Arabian Sea at Cochin port. Backwaters, historical structures, culture, wildlife, and natural beauty, the state has all these and more.
The major tourist destinations in the State include Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kovalam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Munnar, Palakkad, Alappuzha, Kollam, Kannur, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Sabrimalai.
Geographically, Kerala can be divided into three climatically distinct regions: the eastern highlands (rugged and cool mountainous terrain), the central midlands (rolling hills), and the western lowlands (coastal plains). Located at the extreme southern tip of the Indian subcontinent.
With Arabian Sea in The West, The Western ghats towering 500-2700 m in the east and networked by forty-four 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 shore line with serene beaches, Tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters, Lush Hill stations and exotic wild life, Sprawling plantations and paddy fields, Ayurvedic health holidays, Enchanting art forms, Magical festivals, Historic and cultural monuments, And exotic cuisine... All of which offer you a unique experience. And what's more, every one of these charming destinations is in one stretch. A singular advantage no other destination offers.
Kerala, India's most advanced society: A hundred percent literate people. World-class health care systems. India's highest physical quality of life, Peaceful and pristine, Kerala is also India's cleanest state.
Back waters In Kerala
The backwaters of Kerala – meandering inland lakes networked by canals – stretch to over 900 km.Boat trips across these tranquil stretches are an experience unique to Kerala. Large Kettuvalloms (traditional country crafts over 60 ft.in length)have been converted into luxury houseboats for these cruises.
A cruise along the palm-fringed waterways of Kerala in a luxury houseboat is the most enchanting holiday experience in India today. In this world of simple pleasures, you'll skim past ancient Chinese fishing nets, water lilies,
lush paddy fields, coir villages, rustic homes, temples and coconut groves. Innumerable lagoons, lakes, canals, estuaries and the deltas of forty-four rivers make up the 900 km backwater network of Kerala. The backwaters mainly cover four districts of the State Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam and Kochi. The largest backwater 'body, the Vembanad Lake flows through Alappuzha and Kottayam districts and opens out into the sea at the Kochi port. The Ashtamudi Lake, the second largest backwater stretch, offers the longest ride (eight hours) and is considered the gateway to the backwaters.
Your holiday home in this tranquil world is the comfortably furnished houseboat. Traditionally, the houseboat was called kettuvallam, which means a boat made by tying together pieces of wood. Unbelievable as it may sound, not a single nail is used in the making of a kettuvallam. Jack wood planks are joined together with coir rope and then coated with black resin made from boiled cashew nut shells.Today, these giant 80-foot long crafts have been adapted into luxuriously furnished houseboats. A kettuvallam usually has one or two bath attached bedrooms, an open lounge, deck, kitchenette and a crew comprising oarsmen, a cook and guide.
Kovalam
Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees and true to its name the village offers an endless sight of coconut trees. The crescent-shaped beach has three parts. The southern most beach, and the most popular, is light house beach. It offers an amazing sight of Vizhinjam mosque.It takes less than five minutes to walk from Lighthouse Beach to the second largest beach, Hawah Beach. This beach is named thus for the topless European women who used to throng there. It was the first topless beach in India. However topless bathing is banned now. The northern part of the beach is known as Samudra Beach. A large promontory separates this part from the southern side. Samudra Beach doesn't have tourists thronging there or hectic business. The local fishermen ply their trade on this part.
Kovalam is warm and clean filled with the coconut trees and the white sandbed as the seabreeze gently plays with the waves. Swimming and bathing are very refreshing and exhilirating in the waves. One can walk into the sea for about 100 metres without loosing ground. This cove is also the safest place for swimming. At many coastal places there are beautiful patches of coral reefs. The underwater views, which are visible during snorkeling, are really marvellous.
Munnar
Munnar is a hill station in Kerala and in southern India. Munnar is located on the Western Ghats, situated in the Idukki district.
The Munnar town is in Kannan Devan Hills ( KDH ) Village in Devikulam taluk and is the largest panchayat in the Idukki district having an area measuring nearly 557 km².
The nearest major railway stations are at Ernakulam and Aluva (approximately 120 km by road). The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, which is 140 km away.
The region in and around Munnar varies in height from 1,450 meters (4,760 ft) to 2,695 meters (8,842 ft) above mean sea level. Munnar enjoys a salubrious climate.
The exotic series of flora and fauna make it a favorite summer resort not only of today but from the times of British rulers in colonial days. Munnar not only embraces people with its natural ambience but with its amazing foggy hills, and its aromatic zing of tea and coffee plantations. This pleasing and breathtaking hill station has always been famous among honeymooners and tourists from all over the world. The place is a paradise for nature lovers and provides them the best ambience, the honeymooners require for their dream honeymoon tour. Its beauty never misses to captivate people’s mind and soul with its very first glimpse. Rambling tea plantations, rising and falling hills swathe in bright green beauty of flourishing valleys are big attractions for families. Various adventure sports like rock climbing, trekking, paragliding make this heavenly place a perfect holiday spot for you and your family.
Palakkad
The nearest major railway stations are at Ernakulam and Aluva (approximately 120 km by road). The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, which is 140 km away.
The region in and around Munnar varies in height from 1,450 meters (4,760 ft) to 2,695 meters (8,842 ft) above mean sea level. Munnar enjoys a salubrious climate.
The exotic series of flora and fauna make it a favorite summer resort not only of today but from the times of British rulers in colonial days. Munnar not only embraces people with its natural ambience but with its amazing foggy hills, and its aromatic zing of tea and coffee plantations. This pleasing and breathtaking hill station has always been famous among honeymooners and tourists from all over the world. The place is a paradise for nature lovers and provides them the best ambience, the honeymooners require for their dream honeymoon tour. Its beauty never misses to captivate people’s mind and soul with its very first glimpse. Rambling tea plantations, rising and falling hills swathe in bright green beauty of flourishing valleys are big attractions for families. Various adventure sports like rock climbing, trekking, paragliding make this heavenly place a perfect holiday spot for you and your family.
Palakkad
Palakkad is a land of palm trees and paddy fields. It's known to be rich in flora and fauna. Etymologically Palakkad is derived from the words Pala and Kadu. Pala, (Alstonia scholaris) is a tree with sweet scented flowers and Kadu meaning forest.
Palakkad has probably the biggest mountain pass in the world (30-40 Kms) separating the two folds of the Western Ghats on the border of Kerala with Tamil Nadu. It is the chief granary of Kerala, often called the Gateway of Kerala. Palakkad lies at the foot of the gigantic Western ghats on the border of Kerala. Palakkad is known for its historical background and the remnants of Tippu Sulthan’s Fort. Palakkad district is situated in the South West Coast of India. This district with mountains, forests, and fertile valleys, rivers and mountain streams are rich in flora and fauna.
Palakkad district has its own special characteristics. The fort of Hyder Ali tells us the story of Mysore invasions and the advent of the British to this part of the country. The Victoria College, started in 1886, marks the beginning of higher education in Malabar.
Palakkad Fort: The old granite fort situated in the very heart of Palakkad town is one of the best preserved in Kerala. It was built by Hyder Ali of Mysore in 1766. The fort was taken over and modified by the British in 1790. It is now preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Malampuzha Garden (10 km from Palakkad): This famous picnic spot which comprises a dam and beautifully landscaped gardens, is situated on the lower hills of the Western Ghats. There are frequent buses to this place from Palakkad.
Alappuzha
Washed by the silvery waves of the Arabian Sea, the Venice of the East welcomes you to the backwaters of kerala. The Palm fringed canals and shores bustling with glimpses from the day to day life in the country side, the mirror still lagoons, picture book lakesides and its long sandy beach has blessed , the water locked district, to become one of the best Backwater tourism destinations in God's Own Country.
The large network of canals provide Alleppey its lifeline. Water carnivals using the gigantic snake boats and the country canoes of varying sizes have an important role in the community life of the people of the district.
Backwater Cruise
View the landscape beauty , monuments, temples,churches and industries of Alappuzha by cruising through its rivers,canals and backwaters.The starting point is from Alleppey and the finishing point is at Jetty .
Boatraces
Alappuzha district is proud of being the cradle of boat races. All the important boat races, namely the Nehru Trophy boat Race at Punnamada, the Payippad near Haripad, the Thiruvandoor, Neerettupuram, Karuvatta and Thaikkoottam boat races are held at different parts of the district during August-September . Thousands of people from all parts of the world come and witness these races.
Alappuzha district is proud of being the cradle of boat races. All the important boat races, namely the Nehru Trophy boat Race at Punnamada, the Payippad near Haripad, the Thiruvandoor, Neerettupuram, Karuvatta and Thaikkoottam boat races are held at different parts of the district during August-September . Thousands of people from all parts of the world come and witness these races. 