Kerala an every-green state tucked away in the south-west corner of India, invites you to discover the meaning of enchantment. A land of vivid, vibrant colours and breath taking surprises-Kerala presents a kaleidoscopic world.
Azure seas. Inviting beaches. Limitless stretches of greenery and mist-shrouded mountains. Kerala is a made-to order vacation land. So come to where he air is cleaner.
Apart from exotic scenery, Kerala unfolds a cultural canvas, fascinating in its variety. An that’s not all. The frenzied temp of snake boat races. The classical dignity of Kathakali. The lyrical beauty of Mohiniattom. The satirical wit of Ottan Thullal. The controlled skill of Kalaripayattu and the exquisite workmanship of Kerala handicrafts. To make your stay here a memorable experience.
TRIVANDRUM:
The Capital of Kerala connected by air, rail and road with all major cities. Main attractions include Sree Padmanbha Swami Temple, the Observatory, Art Gallery, Zoo and Museum, Science and Technology Museum and S.M.S.M. institute (for Handicrafts), Shanghumugham Beach, University Buildings and educational institutions. A beautiful city with many fine hotels here.
VELI:
9 kms away from Trivandrum City, a tourist village with facilities for boating and swimming. Kerala Tourism Development Corporation provides different types of Boats- pedal boats, row boats and motor boat. Dormitory type accommodation is available.
ARUVIKKARA:
Situated 16 kms away has a reservoir for supplying water to the Trivandrum city Pilgrim Centre and Picnic Spot. There is a temple and a stream with big fishes which come near the banks of the steam when fed by the visitors.
PONMUDI:
A fine hill station, 900 meters above sea level and 65kms. away from Trivandrum. Ponmudi is well connected with Trivandrum by regular bus services. The Ponmudi Hill Resort run by the Department of Tourism provided facilities like cottages, rooms, conference hall, restaurant etc.
KOVALAM:
World famous beach resort is just 14 kms. away from Trivandrum. Facilities at the beach include boating, swimming and sun bathing besides oil massage and Youga. All these facilities offered by ITDC’s Kovalam. There are buses leaving for Kovalam every half an hour from Trivandrum East Fort.
NEYYAR DAM:
An excellent picnic spot,32 kms, away from Trivandrum. Easily accessible from Kovalam and Trivandrum. Ideal for hiking and trekking. The Neyyar Dam reservoir has facility for boat cruise in motor boats. There are other attractions like a Crocodile Farm, a lion safari park and a rich bird life also. There is an ashram here established by Swami Vishnu Devanada.
VARKALA:
48 KMS from Trivandrum, Noted for mineral water springs. The Sivagiri Temple is a major attraction. Unusual beach landscape,with the sea lashing against tall cliffs.
QUILON:
A historic town, Centre of Cashew Industry, 71 kms away from Trivandrum, A Railway Junction. Ashtamudi Lake is excellent for boating. Accommodation at Guest Houses is comfortable and economical.
ALLEPPEY:
155 kms. from Trivandrum. Alleppey was a business centre with several canals crisscrossing the town. The place was once known as the “Venice of the east”. The famous Nehru Trophy Boat Race is conducted at Punnamada Lake near Alleppey on the second Saturday of August every year. Alleppey has earned fame as the chief supplier of Coir. A boat ride to Kottayam by motor boat from Alleppey is unforgettable.
ARANMULA:
Situated on the banks of river Pamba. There is a famous Parthasarathy Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. The anniversary of the deity falls on the last day of Onam a colorful snake boat procession is on that day in river Pamba. The world famous metal mirror of Aranula is crafted here.
KOTTAYAM:
154 kms. from Trivandrum, this beautiful town is a prominent Commercial centre, especially of the hill products like rubber, tea, pepper and cardamom, Seat of ecclesiastical heads. Many important news papers and magazines in Malayalam are published from here. There are many good hotels and a Government Gust Houses for comfortable stay.
KUMARAKOM:
Situated 16 kms. west of Kottayam on the bank of Vembanad Lake. KTDC’s Kumarakom Tourist Complex is the main attraction of this place. This is a 108 acre complex with a Bungalow, a lotus pond. A bird Sanctuary, small crisscrossing canals etc. There are regular bus services between Kumarakom and Kottayam.
THEKKADY (Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary):
The Sanctuary now renamed as Periyar Tiger Reserve ahs an area of 777 Sq.kms that lies at an elevation of 900 to 1800 meters above sea level o the hills of Western Ghats. A sanctuary of elephants, bisons, antelopes, sambars, monkies and wild boars. Also tigers A cruise in the lake is exciting with a change to look at the animals in close quarters. Thekkady is connected by regular bus services from Cochin (190 kms). Trivandrum (265 kms) Kottayam (144 kms) and Madurai (145 Kms). There are private hotels also available at Kumily town which is only 3 kms away from Thekkady. Mount Mangaladevi and the temple is only 14 kms away from Thekkady. The nearest Railway Station is Kottayam and the airport at Madurai, Tamilnadu State.
PEERMADE:
Situated 43 kms before. Thekkady on the way to Thekkady from Kottayam. The excellent cold climate and the exciting natural scenery make the stop-over at Peermade unforgettable.
COCHIN:
Famed for its natural harbor, one of the finest in the world. Cochin has earned the sobriquet “Queen of the Arabian Sea”. Major tourist attractions include, Dutch Place at Mattanchery. St.Francis Church, the oldest European Church in India. Where Vasoc Da Gama was buried, the Santa Cruz Cathedral with its beautiful frescoes and the Jewish Synagogue. The Chinese fishing nets at Cochin provide a magnificent spectacle against the setting sun. A town with a hoary past. Cochin is the gateway to Kerala. Just 70 kms from Kottayam. Cochin is connected by air, road and rail with various cities and towns in India.
KODUNGALLUR:
32 kms from Ernakulam. Once it was the capital of Cherman Perumal, the great native king. There are a number of temples and a mosque reputed to be the oldest in India. St.Thomas is believed to have landed here. There are a good number of hotels there.
MUNNAR:
A beautiful hill station at an altitude of 1300 to 1800 meter is 139 Kms from Cochin. The town is situated on the confluence of 3 mountain streams. Some of the largest tea estates are seen around Munnar. Eravikulam wild life sanctuary is only 20 kms from Munnar.
ALWAYE:
21 kms from Cochin, An Industrial town on the bank of Periyar river. The famous Sivarathiri festival is celebrated on the river bed of Periyar at Alwaye. There are private hotels and a government guest house for accommodation.
KALADY:
45 kms from Cochin, famous as the birth place of Sree Sankaracharya, the great Advaitha philosopher of the 8th century.
MALAYATOOR:
53 kms from Cochin, A Christian pilgrim centre associated with St.Thomas, who is believed to have meditated here.
TRICHUR:
74 kms from Cochin, a commercial centre. The Pooram festival at Vadakkunnatha Temple in April-May with rows of caparisoned elephants and fire works is a magnificent spectacle. Other attractions include the Zoo and the Museum. Peechi Dam is nearby.
GURUVAYOOR:
A noted pilgrim centre of Kerala where millions throng for a darshan of Lord Krishna at the famous temple.
CHERUTHURUTHY:
10 kms from Pattamambi and 32 kms form Trichur where Kerala Kalamandalam, the famous dance and Music Academy is situated.
MALAMPUZHA:
14 kms from Palgat a beautiful setting for excursions and picnics. There is a magnificent Garden near the dam with a panoramic. There is a magnificent Garden near the dam with a panoramic view of the Ghats, reservoir, dam and the aquarium. There is boating provided by KTDC.
KOTTAKKAL:
Known for the famous Ayurveda centre. It is situated 168 kms from Cochin.
CALICUT:
219 kms from Cochin, the ancient capital of the Zamorins, who ruled over Malabar in medieval times, A major trade centre. There is a fine beach. There are a number of private Hotels and the Government Guest house or accommodation, Nearby Kappad where Vasco da Gama landed on May 20, 1498.
WYNAD:
The wynad area is noted for the Tea and Coffee plantations and is situated 76 kms north-east of Calicut. The nearest major town is Sultan’s Battery.
CANNANORE:
87 kms from Calicut. A renowned port of ancient times, now an industrial town with a thriving handloom Industry. The land marks include a Portuguese Fort. The beach here is beautiful. There are private hotels and a Government Guest House providing accommodation.
BEKAL:
79 kms from Cannnore, known for an old fort and a fine beach.
