Kerala
- Places of Interest
Beaches t
Backwaters t
Major Cities t
Hill Stations
Kovalam
This internationally renowned beach resort is a favorite haunt of tourist since the 1930s. Kovalam consists of three adjacent crescent beaches. The southernmost, known as the Lighthouse Beach, is the most popular of the three. Kovalam offers accommodation to suit all budgets.
Accessibility: 16km(1/2 hour) from
Thiruvananthapuram.
Kanyakumari (Cape
Comorin), which is two hours away from Kovalam.
The three oceans - the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian
Sea and the Indian Ocean meet at Kanya Kumari. Sun
rise and sun set here are special, soul stirring
moments - given an opportunity do not miss the
visit to the Cape at sunset if not at sunrise!
Click
here for more information about Kerala
beaches.
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Backwaters
Kerala is a land gifted with meandering backwaters. Backwaters are large inland lakes (both fresh and salt water) and ocean inlets which stretch irregularly along the coast of the state. They are an attractive and valuable feature of
Kerala. 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 (about 200 sq. km in area), which opens out into the Arabian Sea at Cochin port.
The
Ashtamudi Lake, The second largest backwater stretch, offers the longest ride (eight hours) and is considered the gateway to the backwaters.
Some other major backwaters, are Veli,
Kadhinamkulam, Anjutengu, Edava, Nadayara,
Paravoor and Ashtamudi. The rivers interlink with the backwaters and together they provide an excellent means of transport on slow moving rice boats called
Kettuvallams.
The unexplored backwaters of Kozhikode also holds great
promise of enchanting holiday options. Elathur, the Canoli Canal and the Kallai river are favourite destinations for boating. Kadalundi, with its beautiful bird sanctuary is a charming site. Korapuzha, the venue of the Korapuzha Jalotsavam is fast becoming a popular watersport destination.
Backwaters are special for their scenic, unspoilt beauty and the charming, slow pace of life along the banks.
Kumarakam
Just 12 km from Kottayam, this unique backwater destination situated on the banks of the Vembanad lake is considered the gateway to the backwaters of
Kuttanad.
Kumarakam Bird Sanctuary is a favorite haunt of migratory birds from across the world which makes it a renowned bird watching
centre. The best time for this is between November and March, when a flocks of migratory birds from Siberia make it their winter home. Some of the species include the Snake bird, Little Cormorant, Crow Pheasant, White-branded water Hen and Tree pie.
Houseboat
cruises at Kumarakom
Kumarakam is a centre for houseboat cruises. Traditionally, the houseboats was called
kettuvallam, which means a boat made by trying together pieces of wood. Unbelievable as it may sound, not a single nail is used in the
making of a kettuvalam. Jackwood planks are joined together with coir rope and then coated with black resin made from boiled cashew nuts shells.
Today, these giant 80 foot 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.
No trip to Kumarakom is complete without a Kettuvallam sunset or sunrise cruise.
Your holiday home in this tranquil world is the comfortably furnished houseboat.
The ride offers a close look into a delightful rustic life. Skiff-fishermen launching their tiny boats. Large flotillas of ducks waddling down to the water from coconut leaf thatched houses on the banks of canals. Palm-filled lagoons, an enchanting view of wooded islands and the main lands are poetically beautiful scenes.
Come, check into a houseboat for the most amazing experience of your life.
Experience
Gold Star Houseboat Holidays or more
Luxury Cruises.
Accessibility: The Muhamma boat jetty is just
41 km away from Kochi. From
there the exhilarating boat ride will take about 10 minutes.
Click Here for more
about the backwaters.
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Thiruvananthapuram
(Trivandrum)
The capital of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, lies at the southern edge of the state. Part of the former princely state of
Travancore, it has several museums and fine buildings, among which the beautiful Padmanabhaswami temple is and outstanding example of South Indian architecture.
The former palace of Padmanabhapuram, elegant, distinctive and built hundreds of years ago can be visited from here. The beach resort of Kovalam is just 16kms. away, and is one of the finest in India.
Kochi
(Cochin)
The commercial and industrial capital of Kerala has one of the finest natural harbours in the world. This city is home to the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth as well as numerous old churches and temples. Jew Town, the area around the synagogue is a centre of spice trade and curio shops.
Ancient mariners from Arabia, China, Holland, Britain and Portugal have all left their mark on this beautiful island city. Half the fun of visiting Kochi is moving around on the local ferries. A conducted cruise through the winding waterways will take you to several quaint spots.
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more
Alappuzha (Alleppey)
Also known as the Venice of the east, Alappuzha is famous for its boat races, houseboats holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry. A singular characteristic of this land is the region called
Kuttanad. The Granary of Kerala, Kuttanad is one of the few regions in the world where farming is done below sea level.
Accessibility: 64km (2 hour) from Kochi.
Kollam (Quilon)
One of the oldest ports of the Malabar coast,
Kollam was once the centre of the international
spice trade. North of Thiruvananthapuram, 30%of
this historic town is covered by the renowned
Ashtamudi lake. The eight hour boat trip between
Kollam and Alappuzha is the longest and most
enchanting experience of Kerala's Backwaters.
Accessibility: 72km (2 hour) from
Thiruvananthapuram.
Major Wild Life Sanctuaries
Thekkady (Periyar), Parambikkulam,
Wayanad, Silent Valley, Aralm, Peechi-Vazhani,
Chimani, Shenduruny, Idukki, Chinnar, Peppara and
Neyyar.
Bird Sanctuaries
Thattekad and Kumarakom
Beaches t
Backwaters t
Major Cities t
Hill Stations
The
Exciting Festival Packages At Kumarakom Lake
Resort
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