Kerala
enjoys the most coveted geographical
position in the southwestern tip
of Indian peninsula. It is a 560
km long narrow stretch of green
land, blessed with myriad tropical
features. With the Arabian Sea in
the west, the towering Western Ghats
in the East and a network of serene
rivers , Kerala surely deserves
the best gift of nature and so has
been rightly referred as “God’s
Own Country”. The combination
of beaches, backwaters, plantations,
hills and house boats, great food,
culture, exotic wildlife and rejuvenation
therapies make Kerala
really a world destination that
challenges even the most discerning
nature lover. The tranquil Kerala
backwaters are the epitome of rustic
beauty and elegance, and a boat
trip (Ketuvalum) across the Backwaters
is an experience of a lifetime.
While being the most favored tourist
destination in Asia, Kerala
is also India’s
most advanced society with 100 per
cent literacy rate, highest living
ratio, highest density of since
and technology personnel. It is
also the cleanest and most peaceful
state.
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Attractions
Kochi - Kochi is a busy
port city, famous for the Chinese fishing
nets in its harbor, the Jewish synagogue,
St Francis Church, the Dutch Palace at
Matancherry, Fort Cochin and the Santa
Cruz Basilica. The harbor here forms an
attractive sight with ships, people and
tourists coming together to ensure there's
never a dull moment.
Palakkad - It is the
land of misty monuments with its ever
green tropical forests, dams, wild life
sanctuaries, rivers, rare birds and animals,
historical monuments, places of worship
and traditional Ayurvedic treatment centers.
Periyar
Wildlife Sanctuary - Nestled
on the bank of the Periyar Lake,
this thick green canopy of moist
deciduous forests and Savannah grasslands
is one of the most fascinating wildlife
reserves in the country. Home to
elephants, sambars, tigers, gaurs,
lion-tailed macaques and Nilgiri
langurs. To watch wildlife at close
quarters from the safety of a boat
on the lake is a unique experience
at Periyar.
Kovalam - The
small village of Kovalam is one
of the most popular beach hangouts
in Kerala. The beaches here are
ranked amongst the finest beaches
of the world. Situated 18 km from
the capital Trivandrum, the palm
fringes bays of Kovalam, in secluded
coconut groves are full of holiday
activities like sun bathing, Swimming,
Ayurvedic Rejuvenation, Yoga and
meditation, Herbal body toning massages,
Special Cultural Programmes, Catamaran
cruising and more.
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Backwaters - Your holiday
in Kerala is incomplete
without a boat ride through the tranquil
backwaters. Sailing through the calm palm-fringed
waterways that connect villages along
the coast is an experience of a lifetime.
During the ride you come across through
magnificent Chinese fishing nets, Stops
are made at small settlements where people
live on carefully cultivated narrow spits
of land only a few metres wide, and there's
the chance to see traditional boats with
huge sails, and prows carved into the
shape of dragons.
Get There
By Air : Indian Airlines,
Air India and jet Airways have regular
flights to Trivandrum and Kochi in Kerala
from places like Mumbai, Delhi, Goa, Chennai,
Hyderabad and Bangalore. Kochi being an
International airport, it is also the
hub of an increasing number of international
flights from all over the world, particularly
from the Middle East.
By Train : Thiruvandrum
is directly connected by rail to Calcutta
as well as all the major cities in India.
The other railhead of kerala is Kochi,
reachable direct by train from Goa via
Mangalore. Other connections include Bangalore,
and Mysore.
By Road : Kerala’s
capital Trivandrum is connected by road
to several tourist centers in India as:
Calicut 448 kms, Cochin 223 kms, Kanyakumari
87 kms, Madurai 417 kms, Periyar 272 kms,
Ponmudi 61 kms, Quilon 73 kms, Varkala
55 kms.