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COCHIN
Ernakulam (Cochin) 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 Barbour’s in the world, this was once a manor center of commerce and trace with the British, Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, and Dutch etc
Places of Interest:
Bolghatty Palace, Fort Kochi, Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis church, Mattancherry palace (Dutch Palace), Pierce Leslie Bungalow, Jewish Synagogue, Santa Cruz Basilica, Hill Palace, Cherai Beach.
ALLEPPEY (Alappuzha): 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 travelers 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 has grown in importance as a backwater tourist center, attracting several thousands of foreign tourists each year. Alappuzha is also famous for its boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry. A singular characteristic of this land is the region called Kuttanad. A land of lush paddy fields, Kuttanad is called the Rice Bowl of Kerala and is one of the few places in the world where farming is done below sea level.
Places of Interest:
Kuttanad, Vijaya Beach Park, Sea View Park, Karumadikuttan, Pathiramana lIsland, Q S T & R Block Cayal, Alleppey Beach
KOVALAM :
A beautiful, curving, palm-fringed beach of golden sands and safe bathing have made India's major beach resort. It is an internationally known holiday destination. This natural bay is a safe sea-pool free from high waves and surges - ideal for swimming, surfing and skiing. The more adventurous can ride out into the sea on a catamaran. Besides the ITDC's luxury hotel complex, several other hotels have sprung up on the hillsides overlooking the beach, taking advantage of the Kovalam boom. Among the many other attractions here are water sports, a theatre that stages traditional Kathakali dance dramas, a yoga center and facilities for traditional oil bathing and massages according to the ancient Kerala Ayurveda system
Places of Interest:
Kuthiramalika Palace Museum, Napier Museum, Sree Chithra Art Gallery, Chowra Beach, Ponmudi,
Poovar,
KUMARAKOM :
The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and this small water world is part of the Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres is a favorite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian stork that live There in flocks are a fascination for visitors. The best way to watch the birds of the Kumarakom sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands.
An unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with while lillies - this is Kumarakom
Places of Interest:
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Ilaveezhapoonchira, Q S T and R Block Kayal, Pathiramanal Island
MUNNAR :
Magnificent Munnar lies in the calm Kannan Devan Hills, 1524m above the sea level. 136kms from Kochi, Munnar offers you breathtaking sights of low lying clouds and mist filled green valleys. In the vicinity of Munnar, there are several places of interest to the serious researcher, genuine naturalist and the wandering tourist.
Places of Interest:
Anamudi, Rajamala, Marayur, Eravikulam National Park, Chinnar, Mattupetty Dam, Kundale Dam, Top Station, Pallivasal, Devikulam, Echo point.
THEKKDY (Periyar)
Periyar is a veritable paradise of elephants. Herds of playful wild elephants have made Periyar Lake their favorite haunt for frolicking in the water. Scores of them can be witnessed bathing and swimming here. The Indian female elephants do not posses tusks like their African relatives. They are also not as swarthy as their African counterparts. Other inhabitants of Periyar include the leopard, wild dog, barking deer, mouse deer, Nilgiri languor (a primate), bonnet macaque, sambhar, porcupines, squirrels, gaur (Indian bison), wild boar and sloth bear. There are approximately 40 tigers in the area as per the latest reports. However, an early morning visit, with luck on your side, could yield results.
Amidst the rocky hinges along the lake, monitor lizards may be spotted. Trekkers have also sighted pythons, king cobras and flying lizards. Some 260 species of birds are found at Periyar. These include darters, cormorants, ibises, gray herons, mynas, flycatchers, orioles, wood pigeons, kingfishers, kites, ospreys, thrushes, and an appreciable number of blue-winged parakeets.
Places of Interest:
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Murikkady, Pandikuzhi, Mangala Devi Temple, Chellar Kovil Waterfalls, Vandiperiyar, Vandanmedu, Kuttikanam, Nedunkandam, Vagamon, Idukki Arch dam,
WAYANAD :
Wayanad lies at an altitude varying from 700 - 2100 metres above the sea level. The district has the highest number of tribal settlements in Kerala. They form 1/5 of the total population of the district. The hill ranges of Vythiri taluk (taluk is a sub division of a district), through which the road from Kozhikode ascends the Wayanad plateau over the mind boggling bends and ridges, are the highest locations of Wayanad district.
A major centre of hill products the district is noted contributor of foreign exchange to the State. Apart from archaeological and anthropological uniqueness Wayanand has genuine claims for an enviable position in tourism promotion.
Established in 1973, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka on the northeast and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu on the southeast. Rich in bio-diversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which has been established with the specific objective of conserving the biological heritage of the region. The sanctuary is very rich in flora and fauna. The management lays emphasis on scientific conservation with due consideration for the general lifestyle of the tribals and others who live in and around the forest region.
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.
Places of Interest:
Lakkidi, Edakkal Cave, Muthanga Wild Life Sanctuary, Kuruva Island, Thirunelli Temple, Glass Temple, Pookot Lake, Chembra Peak, Pakshipathalam, Bansura Sagar Dam, Soochipara Waterfalls.
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