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Kerala Backwaters Tour.
With the arabian sea on the west, the western ghats
towering 500 - 2700m on the east and networked by forty
four rivers, kerala enjoys unique geographic features
that have made it one of the most sought after tourism
destinations in asia. An equable climate. A long shorline
with serene beaches. Tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters.
Lush hill stations and exotic wildife. Waterfalls, sprawling
plantations and paddy fields. Ayurvedic health holidays,
enchanting art forms. Magical festivals. Historic and
cultural monuments. An exotic cuisine… all of
which offer you a unique experience, and what's more,
every one of these charming destinations is only a two
hours drive from the other. A singular advantage no
other destination offers.
Kerala is a land of rivers and backwaters. Fourty-four
rivers (41 west-flowing and 3 east-flowing) criss-crossing
Kerala along tributaries, but these rivers are comparatively
small and being entirely monsson-fed, and will turn
into rivulets in summer especially in the upper parts
of Kerala.
A hundred percent literate people. Worldclass health
care system. India's lowest infant mortality and highest
life expectancy rate. The highest physical quality of
life in india. Peaceful and pristine, kerala is also
india's cleanest state.
Kerala in General
Climate
Climate is pleasant. No warm clothes are required except
on the highranges during winter. Kerala has three major
seasons, Summer (February - May) Winter (October -January)
and the Monsoon (June - September).
Backwaters of Kerala
The backwaters are an attractive and economically valuable
features of kerala. These include lakes and ocean in
lets which stretch irregularly along the lengthy coastline
of Kerala. 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.
Kerala the land of ayurveda
Kerala’s equable climate, natural abundance of
forests (with a wealth of herbs and medicinal plants)
and the cool monsoon season (June - November) are best
suited for ayurveda’s curative and restorative
packages. In fact, today, kerala is the only state in
India which practice this system of medicine with absolute
dedication.
Arts & crafts of Kerala
Handicrafts made out of Wood, cane, fibre and coconut
shell craft, kathakali models in wood, painted in the
vibrant colors of the art form are popular souvenirs,
as are rosewood elephants, miniature models of snake
boats, baskets, trays and furniture made of cane, coconutshell
cups, vases. The Arnakulam Kannadi, the unique metal
mirror craft of kerala has no parallel in the world.
Plantation Crops and Spices of Kerala
Kerala accounts for 10.60 lakhs tons of rice, 91 % of
the rubber produced in india. Kerala is rich in the
cultivation of cashewnuts, pepper, coconuts, cardamom,
cinnamon, ginger, mace nut meg. Cloves, tamarind, turmeric
etc. Pepper continues to be the king of kerala spices.
Ernakulam (Cochin)
Ernakulam is located on the coast of the Arabian Sea
with Kumarakom and Allapuzha districts on the South,
Idukki on the East and Thrissur on the North. The commercial
capital and the most cosmopolitan city of Kerala, Kochi,
in ernakulam, is also known as the Queen of the Arabian
Sea. With one of the finest natural barbours in the
world, this was once a manor centre of commerce and
trace with the british, arabs, chinese, Portuguese,
dutch etc.
Places of interest
Fort kochi - Chinese fishing nets - St. Francis church
- Mattancherry palace (Dutch Palace) – Synagogue
- Bolghatty island - Willingdon island
Munnar
Munnar is situated at the influence of three mountain
streams - Mudrapuzha, nallathanni and kundala, 1600
m above sea level, this hill station was once the summer
resort of the erstwhile british government in south
india. Sprawling tea plantations, picturebook towns,
winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular
resort town. Among the exotic flora found in the forests
and grasslands here is the neelakurinji. This flower
which bathes the hills in blue every twelve years, will
bloom next in 2006. Munnar also has the highest peak
in south india, anamudi, which towers over 2695m. Anamudi
is an ideal spot for trekking.
Places of interest
Pothamedu – Devikulam – Nyayamakad –
Rajamala - Eravikulam national park.
Thekkady (Periyar)
The very sound of the word thekkady conjures up images
of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice scented
plantations. In the periyar forest of thekkady is one
of the finest wildlife reserves in india, and spread
across the entire district are picturesque plantations
and hill towns that hold great opportunities for treks
and mountain walks.
Places of interest
The periyar wildlife sanctuary – Kumily - Murikkady
- Vandanmedu
Alappuzha (Alleppey)
The town was founded by Raja Keshawadasan, Divan of
Travanacore in 1762.
With the arabian sea on the west and a vast network
of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers crisscrossing
it, alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty.
Referred to as the venice of the east by travellers
from across the world, this backwater country is also
home to diverse animal and bird life. By virtue of its
proximity to the sea, the town has always enjoyed a
unique place in the maritime history of Kerala.
Today, Alappuzha (Alleppey) has grown in importance
as a backwater tourist centre, & also famous for
its boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine
products and coir industry.
Places of Interest
Kuttanad - Alappuzha (Alleppey) beach - Pathira manal
- Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple.
Kottayam & Kumarakom
Bordered by the lofty western ghats on the east and
the vembanad lake and paddy fields of kuttanad on the
west, kottayam is a land of unique characteristics.
Panoramic backwater stretches, lush paddy fields, highlands,
extensive rubber plantations and a totally literate
people have given this district the enviable title :
the land also boasts the first malayalam printing press
which was established by benjamin bailey, a christian
missionary, in 1820 A.D.
Places of Interest
Kumarakom - Kumarakom bird sanctuary.
Kollam (Quilon)
Located 71 kms to the north of thiruvananthapuram,
kollam is the centre of the country's cashew trading
and processing industry. One of the oldest ports on
the malabar coast, kollam was one the port of international
spice trade. Thirty percent of this historic tour is
covered by the renowned asthamudi lake, making it the
gateway to magnificent backwaters of kerala. The eight
hour boat trip between kollam and allappuzha is the
longest and most enchanting experience on the backwaters
of kerala. The district also has some interesting historic
remnants and a number of temples built in the traditional
ornate architectural style.
Places of interest
Thangasseri - Thirumullavaram beach.
Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram)
Thiruvananthapuram (known as Trivandrum) the capital
of Kerala. Located at the South Western tip of India,
is bounded by the Arabian sea on the West and Tamil
Nadu on the East. The wooded highlands on the Western
Ghats in the Eastern and North Eastern borders give
some of the most enchanting picnic spots, a long shoreline,
with internationally renowned beaches, historic monuments,
backwater stretches and a rich cultural heritage make
this district a much sought after tourist destination.
Places of Interest
Kovalam Beach - Padmanabha Swamy Temple - Kuthiramalika
Palace Museum -The Napier Museum
Thrissur
Thrissur, with its rich history, cultural heritage
and archeological wealth is called the cultural capital
of kerala. From ancient times, this district has played
a significant role in the political history of south
india. Many rulers and dynasties beginning with the
zamorins of kozhikode, tipu sultan of mysore and europeans
including the dutch and the british have had a hand
in moulding the destiny of this region. Raja rama varma
popularly known as sakthan thampuran was the architect
of the present thrissur town.
Places of Interest
Vadakkumnathan temple - Town hall – Arattupuzha
– Guruvayoor
Calicut (Kozhikode)
Once the capital of the powerful zamorins and a prominent
trade and commerce centre, Kozhikode (Calicut) was the
most important region of Malabar in the days gone by.
Today, lush green countrysides, serene beaches, historic
sites, wildlife sanctuaries, rivers, hills, a unique
culture and a warm, friendly ambience make Kozhikode
(Calicut) a popular destination.
Places of interest
Pazhassiraja museum and art gallery - Krishna menon
museum - Kozhikode (Calicut) beach
Velliyamkallu - Thikkoti lighthouse - Planetarium
Palakkad
The district of palakkad known as the granary of kerala,
is a land of valleys, hillocks, rivers, forests, mountain
streams, dams and irrigation projects. Situated at the
foot of the western ghats, this is the gateway to kerala
from The north. Palakkad derives its name from the malayalam
words pala (alsteria scholaris) and kadu (forest) which
goes to prove that this place was once a beautiful stretch
of forests covered with the sweet scented flowers of
the pala tree.
Places of Interest
Palakkad fort - Malampuzha garden
Wayanad Travel Information
WAYANAD- Centre for Eco Tourism
Bedecked among the High Ranges of the Western Ghats
Wayanad district that lies between 700 to 2100 metres
mean sea level has a predominant place in the tourist
map of Kerala. A major centre of hill products the district
is noted contributor of foreign exchange to the State.
Apart from archaeological and anthropological uniqueness
Wayanad has genuine claims for an enviable position
in tourism promotion.
Wayanad has the highest concentration of tribals in
Kerala. They form 1/5 of the total population of the
district. It is the seat of Kurichiyas the valiant warriors
of late King Pazhassi Veera Kerala Varma Raja who engaged
the mighty British Army in several battles. Their descendants
are still expert archers. Tribals can be seen in their
natural habitat in Wayanad. Reaping the benefits of
modern education and social welfare schemes many of
them have developed and became part of the main stream.
Enjoying a climate similar to Udhagamandalam alias
Ooty Wayanad has prospects of developing several major
hill stations in the district.
Places of Interest
Mananthavady : Valllyurkavu Bhagavathy
Temple
Kuruvadweep
The Glass Temple of Kottamunda
Begur Wildlie Sanctuary
Kalpetta : Chembra Peak
Banasura Project, Padinjarathara
Varambetta Mosque
Kanthanpara Waterfalls
Sentmal Rock Waterfalls
Jain Temple at Puliyarmala
Sulthan Bathery : Edakkal Caves
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
Jain Temple
Wayanad Heritage Museum, Ambalavayal
Vythiri : Lakkidi
Pookot Lake
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