Alappuzha (Alleppey)
Situated 63 kms south of Kochi along the coast, Alappuzha is connected to Kochi by rail and road. It is called the ‘Venice of the East’ due to the extensive canal network here. Kalady.48 kms north-east of Kochi, on the banks of river Periyar (Poorna), Kalady is the birthplace of Sri Adi Sankara. The Adi Sankara shrine and the 8-storey painted Adi Sankara Keerthi Sthambam are a must-see for any visitor here.
Munnar
130 kms on NH49, Munnar is a hill resort ideal for a relaxing holiday. The tea gardens and cardamom plantations give Munnar a beautiful look. Aanamudi, the highest peak in South India is in these hills. The Munnar – Kodaikanal (another hill resort) road is believed to be the steepest road in South-East Asia. (Make a Visit)
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Thekkady
Elephants, bisons, antelopes, samburs, monkeys and bears can be found in their natural habitat in this world famous wild life sanctuary, situated 190kms east of Kochi. A boat ride through the man-made lake in the heart of the sanctuary provides a unique opportunity to observe these animals in their natural surroundings. (Make a Visit)
Guruvayoor
The Sree Krishna temple here is very famous attracting close to ten million pilgrims every year. This is regarded as the first Hindu temple to open its gates to all Hindus, irrespective of caste. Only Hindus are permitted to enter the temple. (Make a Visit)
Kumarakom
Kumarakom, a cluster of small islands located on the banks of the Vembanadu Lake in Kerala. Renowned for its natural beauty, Kumarakom is an ideal base to experience the famous Kerala backwaters, replete with meanderings lagoons, coconut trees, endless stretches of paddy fields interspersed by the waterways and canals. Just 16 Km from Kottayam, Kumarakom is also home to the famous Vembanad Bird Sanctuary. (Make a Visit)
Kovalam (235 km from Kochi)
This group of crescent shaped beaches is one of the best in India. With clean sandy stretches, opportunities for water sports abound and with ayurvedic masseurs offering their services to visitors alongside the beach, you are sure to enjoy a relaxing vacation in this idyllic beach paradise. (Make a Visit)
Wayanad (300 km from Kochi)
Wayanad is known for its picturesque misty hill stations, sprawling spice plantations, luxuriant forests and rich cultural traditions. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for tigers and leopards along with the other wildlife. The sanctuary is an extension of the Bandipur National Park in Kerala at its southern border. The etymology of the word Wayanadu is Vayal (Paddy) Nadu (Land); ‘Land of Paddy Fields’. There are many indigenous tribals in this area. (Make a Visit)
Kappad Beach
Kappad, or Kappakadavu locally, is famous as the beach near Calicut, where the Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama landed on May 27, 1498. A small stone monument there commemorates the landing with the inscription, “Vasco da Gama landed here, Kappakadavu, in the year 1498. (Make a Visit)
Bakel Fort
The largest fort in Kasargod, Kerala, India, spreading over 40 acres (160,000 m2). Important features of this fort are the water-tank with its flight of steps, the tunnel opening towards the south, the magazine for keeping ammunition and the broad and wide steps leading to the Observation Tower which is a rarity.
The Fort appears to have been built up from the sea since almost three fourth of its exteriors are always drenched as the waves continually stroke the citadel. (Make a Visit)
Kodungallur
Cheraman Juma Masjid is a mosque in Kodungallur, Kerala. Believed to be built in 629 AD by Malik Bin Deenar, it is considered as the oldest mosque in India, and the second oldest mosque in the world to offer Jumu’ah prayers (Friday prayer). Constructed during the lifetime of Muhammad, the bodies of some of his original followers are said to be buried here. The mosque has an ancient oil lamp which is never put off and is believed to be more than a thousand years old. The mosque is built in the traditional Hindu architectural style employed in construction of Hindu temples. Similar to Hindu tradition, the mosque uses brass oil lamps. (Make a Visit)
Thiruvananthapuram
Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple is a Hindu Temple located in Thiruvananthapuram dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The history of the temple dates back to the 8th Century CE, when Thiruvananthapuram was ruled by the Chera Dynasty. Many are the folklore and history associated with Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple but what have captured the imagination of the entire world are the recent discoveries of a treasure trove within the temple dating back centuries, making the temple the richest in India. What also came to light was the unstinted devotion and selfless service of the family deity by the erstwhile royal family of Travancore that heads the trust that currently manages the temple. (Make a Visit)
