KERALA TOURIST SPOTS, TOURIST DESTINATIONS OF KERALA, PLACES TO VISIT IN KERALA

Kerala Tourist Spots
Cochin 

Cochin, formerly known as Kochi, gained its importance in the world trading routes after the world famous port at Kodugallur (Cranganore) were destroyed by the massive flood, giving the way to the then Kochi, the nearby city, to rise to be one of the busiest ports in the region. This lovely seaside city is flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. Its proximity to the equator, the sea and the mountains provide a rich experience of a moderate equatorial climate. Kochi is the arguably the ideal starting point for exploring the unfathomable diversity and beauty of Kerala, rated in the top three tourist destinations by the World Travel & Tourism Council and featured in National Geographic Traveler's '50 greatest places of a lifetime 
     
Munnar
Munnar is one of the most popular hill-resort towns in Kerala and in southern India. Munnar is located on the Western Ghats, situated in the Idukki district. The name Munnar is believed to be derived from the Malayalam words Munu (three) and aaru (river), referring to the town's strategic location at the confluence of the Muthirappuzha, Nallathanni and Kundaly rivers. A drive from Udumalpet to Munnar gives one unforgettable views of the Western Ghats. Chinnar is 25 km from Udumalpet and is home to the Indra Gandhi wildlife sanctuary which is famous for known for the elephants that inhabit the area       

Ernakulum
Ernakulam refers to the western part of the mainland of Kochi city in Kerala, India. The name 'Ernakulam' is derived from the name of a very famous temple of Lord Shiva called the Ernakulathappan Temple. It is also said that the word Ernakulam was drawn from Malayalam words 'Ere naal Kulam', which mean 'Pond for a long time'. Ernakulam is the commercial capital of the state of Kerala.The Kerala High Court is situated in Ernakulam. Majority of islands in Kerala are in Ernakulam district which was from different parts of old Cochin Travancore Malabar area. The main islands of this district are Willington Island, Valiya Kadamakkudi, Cheriya Kadamakkudi, Ponjikkara, Ramanthuruthu, Chendamangalam, Vallarpadam, Panangad, Kumbalam, Cheppanam, Pizhala, Nettoor, Kankattuthuruthu, Cheranelloor, Korampadam, Chathanadu and World's most populated Vypeen Island. All these islands are populated areas.     

Periyar
Periyar is a protected area, and a nature reserve in the South Indian State of Kerala, set high in the mountains of the Western Ghats along the border with Tamil Nadu. It lies in the districts of Idukki and Pathanamthitta. The protected area covers an area of 925 km, out of which a 350 km part of the core zone was made into the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve, sometimes dubbed the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. The park is often called by the name thekkady also. Thekkady is located four km from Kumily, approximately 100 km east of Kottayam, 110 km west of Madurai and 120 km southeast from Kochi. Periyar is one of the most popular national parks in southern India, but these days this is more for its tranquil feel than sightings of wildlife, which many people complain can be few and far between at times. The park is known for its elephants, and 30 minute elephant rides through the jungle are offered.

Kumarakom
Kumarakom is a popular tourism destination located near the city of Kottayam (16 kilometres (10 mi)), in Kerala, India, famous for its backwater tourism. It is set in the backdrop of the Vembanad Lake which is the largest freshwater lake in the state of Kerala. Kumarakom is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a noted bird sanctuary where many species of migratory birds visit. The Vembanad Lake, the largest backwater in Kerala, is habitat for many marine and freshwater fish species and it teems with Karimeen (Pearl spot), shrimp (chemmeen in the local language) and prawns. The bird sanctuary extends over 14 acres, and came into existence following preservation efforts from the government. It is a major tourist attraction.

Alleppey (Houseboat)
Alleppey or Alappuzha is a pleasant little market town consisting of a number of islands surrounded by a network of lakes, lagoons and water bodies, thus making it one of the most bewitching backwater destinations in Kerala. Housing silvery beaches lined with swaying palm trees, this tiny heaven is packed with umpteen tourist attractions that make it hard to forget even after your dream vacation is over. Alleppey is also home to a varied species of plant and animal life. Alleppey is also known for its spectacular snake - boat races held on the second Saturday of August, every year. This competition - the Nehru boat race takes its name from India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who inaugurated in 1952. It is excitement all around as snake - boats , each manned by over a hundred oarsmen, cut through the waters like wind. The event is a tremendous success with tourists and the local population alike. The boat cruise along the backwaters of Alleppey give one first hand experience of the life style; toddy tapping, fishing for small fry, Coir-making, prawn farming etc., which remains more or less unchanged over the years

Idukki
Idukki is well known for tourism in state of Kerala. There are lots of place to see in Idukki and its Natural Wild Beauty is notable. A mosque in Vagamon. Adimali it is the spice city of kerala It is the land of waterfalls Adimali is known as the gateway of highranges munnar is just 30 km from adimali valara, cheeyappara, adimali water falls are main tourist locations. A Landlocked District, Idukki Is One Of The Most Nature Rich Areas Of Kerala. High Ranges And Wooded Valleys Are Girded By Three Main Rivers - Periyar, Thalayar And Thodupuzhayar And Their Tributaries. The River Pamba Also Has It Origin Here. As A Tourist Destination, Idukki Offers Diverse Attractions Like Wildlife Sanctuaries, Hill Stations, Spice Plantation Tours Mountain Treks, Elephant Rides Etc.     

Trivandrum
Thiruvananthapuram also known as Trivandrum is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland. Referred to by Mahatma Gandhi as the "Evergreen city of India", the city is characterized by its undulating terrain of low coastal hills and busy commercial alleys. Thiruvananthapuram means "City of Lord Anantha" in Sanskrit and Malayalam. The name derives from the deity of the Hindu temple at the centre of the city. Anantha is the serpent Shesha on whom Padmanabhan or Vishnu reclines. The temple of Vishnu reclining on Anantha, the Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple remains the iconic landmark of the city.

Kovalam
Kovalam was among the most prominent tourist spots in India during the hippy era. It still has a high status among tourists, who arrive mostly from Europe and Israel. Kovalam is finding a new significance in the light of several Ayurvedic salons, and recuperation and regeneration resorts which provide a wide variety of Ayurvedic treatments for tourists. There are a large number of beach resorts in and around Kovalam. The sea port of Vizhinjam is about 3 km away and famous for its special varieties of fish, old Hindu temples, big churches and a mosque. The Proposed International Trans shipment Terminal at Vizhinjam is also close to Kovalam.

Kanyakumari
The name of this place has been christened after the virgin goddess  Kanyakumari Amman. Mythological stories depict that Goddess parvati under the disguise of Devi Kanniya did a penance in one of the rocks in this area to reach the hand of Lord Shiva. This place is also a popular pilgrimage. The tourists who visit this southern most tip of India would certainly enjoy the exuberant scenes of the sunsets, the sunrises especially on full moon days. The nature of the sand in the beaches of Kanyakumari is unique as it is multicolored. Lakhs of tourist, round the year are lured by the serene beauty of this place and the spectacles of sunrise and sunset. Though sunrise can be viewed throughout the year, sunset is visible only from October 15 to March 15 from this southernmost tip

KERALA TOURIST SPOTS,TOURIST PLACES IN KERALA, TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN KERALA, TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN KERALA

Kerala Tourist Spots

Kerala Tourist Spots visitors can travel in kerala by coconut creek kumarakom homestays and kumarakom houseboat kerala tour packages. Tourism kerala tourist spots are kumarakom tourism village, cochin tourism, munnar tourism, thekkady wild life sanctuary tourism or periyar wild life sanctuary, kuttikanam tourism, vagamon tourism, kottayam tourism, alleppey tourism, varkala tourism, kovalam tourism, kanyakumari tourism, trivandrum tourism, wayanad tourism etc

Eco Kumarakom Tourism village 

Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake in the area of Kuttanad kerala, the kumarakom tourism village is situated 14 km away from the town of kottayam kerala. Lined by several strings of palm trees, the region is home to luxuriant paddy fields, blue lagoons, deep kerala backwaters, and dense mangroves that are the quarters of several diverse species of vegetation and wildlife. Geographically, it is located at 9.35 North and 76.26 East. The Vembanad Lake or kumarakom lake is one of the largest fresh water lakes in Asia. It flows through the verdant lands of Kerala and offers one of the best backwater cruises in kerala. Most of the flora and fauna in this region flourishes around this supply of fresh water. The kumarakom lake also acts as a balancing tank against floods, and its wooded banks, temptingly invite a visitor to explore more.

The kumarakom eco tourism bird sanctuary lies at the edge of the grounds of an old estate where a profusion of all kinds of birds can be observed. Domestic birds such as cuckoo, wild duck, egrets, darters, herons, teal, and water fowl can be seen in abundance here, as much as can the Siberian storks which migrate to this area each year. The one of the other tourist attractions in kumarakom is bay island drift wood museum kumarakom. Thekkady, a major wildlife center lies 114 km from here, and Sabarimala, a Hindu pilgrim center is 134 km from Kottayam. The charmingly un-kept coastal town of Alappuzha (alleppey) lays close by with its labyrinth of canals, bridges, silver beaches, and cheerful people it makes for a memorable holiday in kumarakom. kumarakom homestay is famous for kerala backwater homestays.

Cochin Tourism Kerala – Kochi Tourism Kerala
Kerala’s most visited tourist destination, Kochi, has one of the finest natural harbors in India around which is based an ancient history of maritime trade. The cosmopolitan cochin city is fascinating in many ways - the beautiful sea front with Chinese fishing nets and stalls selling seafood; the traditional Fort Kochi area with its mix of Dutch, British, Muslim and Portuguese architecture; mattanchery; marine drive cochin; hill palace;blogati palace; and the older city of Ernakulam steeped in kerala culture. Built around a saltwater lagoon, the bustling seaport city on the southwest coast of India is actually a cluster of islands and peninsulas. Once an obscure fishing village, the cochin tourism city became a major trade centre after the port of Kodungallur was destroyed by massive flooding of the Periyar River in 1341. The first European township of India, Kochi still retains. The list of cochin hotels in cochin are ramada resort cochin,le meridian cochin,taj hotel cochin,oberoi hotel cochin, casino hotel cochin, abad hotel cochin, renaissance hotel cochin,nyle plaza hotel cochin etc.

Munnar Tourism Kerala
Munnar tourist destination is located at the Idukki district of Kerala State in South India. Munnar mesmerizing greenery, mountain scenery, calmness and cool refreshing air attracts kerala honeymoon travelers and kerala tourists throughout the year. It is a weekend hideout location for domestic tourists during summer season. Foreign traveler’s likes watching the natural beauty of Kerala while the journey from munnar to thekkady or periyar
 

Munnar tourist spot is at the confluence of three rivers. In Tamil, the word 'munnu' means "three" and 'aar' means "river". Hence "Munnar" is a shortened version of 'Munnu Aar'. The 3 mountain streams joining together here are Madurapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala.

Munnar is a commercial centre with one of the world's best tea estates. There are about 30 tea plantations in and around munnar hill stations. Among these, majority of the plantations are owned by Tata Group's Kannan Devan Tea Estate. A visit to munnar tourism village can witness the nurturing of tea in plantation to the process of manufacturing and packing.

The tea estates in munnar, hills in munnar and lakes and forests in munnar tourism area exposes it's beauty. The tea plants covered munnar hills makes the feeling of seeing a wide green carpet

Thekkady wild life Tourism Kerala or Periyar wild life Tourism Kerala
Thekkady tourism is all about Periyar wild life sanctuary. And visiting periyar tourism wild life sanctuary is like looking at the vast green patches of kerala wildlife tour through a pair of binoculars! Aptly located in the most dramatic of settings - amidst soul-soothing mountain ranges, lush valleys, picture book lakes and shimmering rivers - the tropical rainforests affords one of the world's most ancient and complex environments. The definition is transparent. Say thekkady tourism village and the whole of Kerala will cheer up to playful herds of elephants wandering in the unending chains of hills. However, if you visit thekkady holiday spot (named after 'thekku', or teak trees), you will find that it is not as simple as it seems. For time immemorial, kerala is known for its spices and traders crowd here for commercial gains. So how these slanting hills of Western Ghats cannot encourage, but sit idle to the ambrosial aroma of the Indian spices? It is a country that exudes the spirit and ethos of nature. Plan a kerala holiday tour to the place where you can feel nature at every twists and turns. Stay in one of those raw cottages modeled after the jungle dwellings of the local tribal inhabitants. And a tour to Thekkady will make you articulate enough to describe your experiences in God's own country so vividly, that many people will soon be eager to follow your itinerary in India. The important list of thekkady hotels in thekkady are the elephant court resort thekkady,muthoot cardamom county resort thekkady,tree top hotel thekkady, periyar meadows resort thekkady,michles inn hotel thekkady, mickey homestay thekkady, pepper county thekkady homestay, international hotel thekkady etc.

Kuttikanam Hills Station Tourism Kerala
Kuttikanam tourism hill station, renowned for its misty atmosphere, is situated very close to Peermade hill station in kerala. Kuttikanam hill station stands at an altitude of more than 1000 meters above the sea level. Kuttikanam plantation town is surrounded by lush-green hills, plantations of coffee, tea, coconut, pepper, cardamom, rubber and eucalyptus. The gorgeous green grasslands and the pine forests add to the rich flora of kuttikanam tourism. Clouds gently touch the peaks that flank the verdant slops of kuttikanam hill station. Indeed, the streams silvering down from the top hill peaks will fill your hearts with warm feelings. The place is known as Kerala’s Own Ooty as it is covered with mist all round the year. The climate is always pleasant. The place is very easy to reach; it is beside NH 220 on the way to Thekkady from Cochin. The place is connected by a network of roads from all the places. Around kuttikanam tourism village there are many places worth seeing.

There is a Summer Palace which was the favorite summer residence of Travancore Rajas. This is now a private residence.

The Tomb of the Muslim Saint, Peer Muhammed, to whom Peermedu owes its name, is situated at the footage of Peer hills. A walk through the jungle towards it is quite revitalizing.

Panchalimedu, this is on the way to Kuttikanam tourism hill station village. A hillock covered with gorgeous green grassland, it offers the traveler a mesmerizing bird’s view of the surrounding area. As the legend goes, the 'Pandavas' of Mahabaratha stayed here during their exile.

Kuttikanam thrishanku hills, the rolling hills, the lovely landscape and the gentle breeze make this an ideal spot for long walks. The kuttikanam thrishanku hills offer a breathtaking view of the sunrise and sunset.

Peeru Hills,this hill station which is named after Peer Mohammed, the Sufi saint, is a favorite haunt of trekkers and picnic teams. It is believed that the saint had spent his last days here. The mausoleum of the saint, the summer palace of the royal family, and the residence of the Diwan situated nearby are all worth seeing.

Kuttikanam list of hotels are thrisangu haven resort kuttikanam, mundax homestay kuttikanam, dream land hill resort kuttikanam, Ashley bungalow kuttikanam, wood palace hotel kuttikanam etc.

Vagamon Tourism Kerala
Vagamon tourism hill station village is located on the idukki – kottayam border, Vagamon is a hill station surrounded by tea gardens and lush greenery. About 64 km. from Pala, it is at a height of 1,100 meters above sea level and is surrounded by plantations of vanilla, pepper, coffee and rubber. It is known for its scenic beauty, heritage and historical buildings and many religious shrines. Vagamon hill station is also an emerging international paragliding destination. It also offers many tourism vagamon homestay opportunities. The list of vagamon hotels are summer sand hill resort vagamon,ananya hill resort vagamon,sun view bungalow vagamon,hotel vagamon heights etc.

Kottayam Tourism District
Kottayam is an important commercial and tourist centre of Kerala and is situated in the southern part of India. Kottayam is also known as the rubber hub of Kerala, and is among the state's most mountainous regions, providing some of kerala tourisms finest natural scenes. The word Kottayam is a composition of the words Kotta (meaning fort) and Akkam (meaning inside). Kottayam is one of the exotic kerala backwaters sites attracting tourists throughout the year. Being a hill stations region with scenic landscapes, backwaters, bird sanctuaries, temples and churches make kottayam is a place of tourist attraction. Lying below the sea level, some of its nearby places are also a treat to the eyes. The tourism spots in kottayam are thirunakkara mahadeva temple,St Mary’s church knanaya church,St Mary’s Church Cheriyapally,Thezathangadi Juma Masjid,St Mary Church Mannanam,Chenganassery,vaikom temple,kuttikkanam,ST Alphonsa church bharanaganam, ST Mary’s church manarkad,Saint George church puthuppally.Kottayam has the easy access to sabarimala temple and saint gregarious church parumala.The majority of the kottayam hotels are budget hotels in kottayam.

Alleppey Tourism Kerala or Alappuzha Tourism Kerala
Alleppey tourism (alappuzha tourism) is a district of immense natural beauty in kerala tourism. Today, Alleppey tourism has grown in importance as a backwater tours in kerala, attracting several thousands of foreign tourists each year. It is also famous for kerala boat races, kerala houseboat holidays, kerala beaches, kerala marine products and kerala coir products. Alleppey is known as the Venice of The East. For a total alappuzha tourism experience traverse the canals on small vallams (Boats) or anchor in the middle of the backwater lakes on a kerala kettuvallam (rice boat converted to cozy house boats) - spend the night under the star lit sky, listening to the splash of water on to the boat.

The list of alleppey hotels in alleppey are place resort alleppey, pagoda resort alleppey, arcadia regency hotel alleppey, pristine island resort alleppey, marari beach resort alleppey, abad turtle beach resort marari alleppey, coir village resort alleppey, kayaloram beach resort alleppey, agamam homestay alleppey etc

Varkala Tourism Kerala
Varkala beach tourism, a new destination in kerala tourism, is for those who prefer to do absolutely nothing while in kerala holidays. Due to a spillover resulting from the over saturation of Kovalam beach, foreigners started coming to the town about few years ago. The trend that started as a trickle became a steady flow within two years. Today, there is a constant stream of varkala tourism beach visitors. However, because of the area's comparative inaccessibility, a large influx of 'outsiders' has not happened here. At the Varkala platform, there is no indication that this town is on many a tourist itinerary. The list of varkala hotels in varkala are preeth beach resort varkala,deshadan cliff and beach resort varkala,raja park beach resort and hotel varkala,Hindustan beach resort varkala etc.varkala homestay are famous for kerala beach homestays

Kollam Tourism kerala
To the north of thiruvananthapuram comes the kollam tourism district. Considered as the gateway to the backwaters of Kerala, the kollam tourism district takes the credit for being the hub of the country’s cashew trading and processing industry. It was formerly a renowned trading point for spice. The kollam tourism district is a leading center for fishing in Kerala and is home to the largest fresh water lake in Kerala – Sasthamcotta. A kerala houseboat cruise starting from the Ashtamudi backwaters in Kollam to backwater networks in the adjoining district of alappuzha, kumarakom and further is a delightful experience. The list of hotel in kollam are aquasserenne hotel kollam, Land mark hotel kollam etc.

Trivandrum Tourism Kerala
There are a number of tourist attractions in trivandrum tourism district, kerala India. A must on every tourist itinerary for Trivandrum, the Padmanabhaswami temple with its gopuram (tower) soaring majestically upwards, is believed to be one of the 108 shrines sacred to the piece de resistance is the large section devoted to the paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, an Indian painter of distinction in the history of the country's modern art. Besides him, the Indian section also contains works of Rabindranath Tagore, Jamimi Roy, K. K. Hebar, miniatures from the Rajput and Mughal schools of painting and the famous Tanjore paintings encrusted with semi-precious stones. The gallery's collection also includes paintings from Indonesia, China, and Japan.

Then, of course, a trip to trivandrum tourism in India is incomplete without a boat-ride on its enchanting backwaters. These waterways of Trivandrum in India teem with life. One can be seduced by the panorama of beautiful landscapes, beaches and waterways, coconut palms and, of course, beautiful, friendly people of Trivandrum in IndiaVaishnavites in India.

Besides this magnificent temple, trivandrum tourism offers a great deal more. There is the Observatory to start with, established over a hundred years ago in Trivandrum in India. Several kings have also built their palaces in and around the Trivandrum, India, each more impressive than the other. Despite a few attempts at modernity, Trivandrum retains its discreet, old-world charm.

In Trivandrum one can visit the Museum with its profusion of gables and turrets. A repository of fine works of art, the chief attraction here is the 250-year-old temple car made for Lord Vishnu, artistically designed and ornamented. Besides this, objects carved out of wood, models of temple, antique jewelry, etc., make the museum worth a visit.

Lying within the museum compound of Trivandrum, Sri Chitra Art Gallery proves to be an ideal place for art lovers. The list of hotels in trivandrum are Pankaj hotel trivandrum, Muscat hotel trivandrum, comfort inn trivandrum hotel etc.

Kovalam Tourism Kerala
Kovalam beach, meaning "a groove of coconut trees," is just 10 km from the state capital of Kerala- Thiruvananthapuram or trivandrum. Kovalam tourist place is actually a combination of three small beaches. Among these, the southernmost beach, named Lighthouse Beach, is the most frequented beach in Kovalam tourism place. Earlier this kovalam beaches was an anglers' paradise. It still has some small villages, just a few kilometers away, which belong to the fishing community. Gradually, this beach of kovalam has been transformed to a tourist spot of great interest. Kovalam tourism beach village is an ideal place for a sunbath during the winter. Tourists to Kovalam beach can also experience the typical kerala massage from the parlous available a few kilometers away along the kovalam beaches. The list of kovalam hotels in kovalam are abad harmoniya resort kovalam, trivandrum heritage hotel kovalam,raja hotel kovalam,sagara beach resort kovalam,samudra hotel kovalam,eshturi island kovalam,uday samudra beach resort kovalam, kovalam beach retreat resort etc.

Wayanad Tourism Kerala
A travel tour to Wayanad, located in Kerala, South India, is home to the exquisite variety of tribal and ethnic handicrafts available in this part of Kerala, South India. Tribal and indigenous art and artifacts of the order of Vatakkali and Kooliyattam of the Paniyar tribe, Kolkali of the Kurumars and Nellukuttu belonging to the Kuruchias are some of the ethnic civilization ambassadors, which need to be seen and appreciated in their motherlands to live the true flavor and charm of this less discovered heritage of Kerala, South India.

A visit to Tourism in Kerala leads us to the popular Wayanad Wildlife sanctuary which is contiguous to the Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka and Mudumalai of Tamilnadu and it forms a fulcrum of the Nilgiri system of Biodiversity in Kerala, South India. The Wayanad Wildlife sanctuary is home to animals of the order of bison’s, wild dogs, civet cat, panthers, tigers and elephants which can be a delight of sorts for the tourists who have a fun for kerala adventure tourism.

The list wayanad hotels are glenora homestay wayanad, Mystic Heights Vythiri resort wayanad, Ente veedu Homestay wayanad, Bramagiri hotel wayanad etc.