Kerala has a 600 km long shoreline dotted with some of the finest, most charming beaches of the world, coconut groves, natural harbors, lagoons and sheltered coves. All of it is as peaceful as the rest of the land, washed by the pleasant tropical sun and as pristine as ever.

This internationally renowned beach resort of  Kerala  has been a favorite haunt of tourists since the 1930s. Situated just 12 kms from the capital of Kerala (Trivandrum), Kovalam is the most popular in southern India. Kovalam consists of three adjacent crescent beaches. The Lighthouse beach, at the southern end is the most popular. Kovalam offers accommodation and options to suit all kinds of holidayers..

A clean silver sands beach fringed with rows and rows of tall palms and a wide choice of water sports, Kovalam is about the perfect place for a seaside holiday. There are four main stretches of beach, each about 400m long, with steep cliffs offering you an enchanting sight of the big waves hitting against the rocks. If you are an inquisitive vacationer wanting to venture out to discover the beach, we have for you reefs and shoals, leisurely sailing wooden canoes, clear waters at dawn, corals, shells, marine life, and rejuvenating herbal and body toning massages.

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Amidst beautiful palm fringed beaches lies the Bekal Fort of Kerala. An international tourist destination, Bekal comprises the historic and archeologically momentous Bekal Fort and the beach. A tour of Bekal provides a glimpse into the glorious empires of yesteryears.

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KAPPAD is a small beach near Calicut. Vasco-da-Gama's placed his first steps on this land on on the 27th of May 1498,
A.D. . The rock studded, pleasant beach is locally known as Kappakadavu. An interesting feature of the landscape is the sprawling rock that protrudes into the sea. The temple on the rock is believed to be 800 years old.

Calicut, which is one of the major trading centers of Kerala was a leading trading center of spices on the West Coast of India during the medieval period. Ruled by the Zamorin dynasty, Calicut found a place in World History with the discovery of sea route to India in 1498 by the Portuguese navigator Vasco-De-Gama. The landing of Gama at Kappad near Calicut changed the political scenario of India, which ultimately ended with its colonization by the British. It remained under the Madras presidency till the formation of Kerala in 1956 after Independence.

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Vakala, near Thiruvananthapuram is a seaside resort and spa, as well as an important Hindu centre of pilgrimage.  High cliffs with rich mineral springs rise majestically from the coastline.  The 2000 year old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple and the Nature Care Centre are the two main attractions here.

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The backwaters are a unique feature of Kerala. Backwaters are a network of lakes and canals of forty-four rivers that drain into the Arabian Sea. The backwaters of Kerala are a self supporting eco-system full of life. The canals connect the villages together and are still used for local transport. A trip to this enchanting land is never complete without an idyllic cruise through the Backwaters…Here, you have an opportunity to have a firsthand see of the authentic life on the shores. A cruise in a stately houseboat through glaucous waters fanned by majestic coconut palms on either sides, interspersed with lush green carpets of paddy fields offer a stirring delight to those out for an experience sublime. The largest backwater stretch in Kerala is the Vembanad Lake which flows through three districts and opens out into the sea at the Kochi Port. The Astamudi Lake, literally having eight arms, covers a major portion of Kollam district in the south, and is the second largest also being the gateway to the backwaters.

Kochi or Cochin is a vibrant city situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula, in the breathtakingly scenic and prosperous state of Kerala, dubbed 'God's Own Country'. Its strategic importance over the centuries is underlined by the sobriquet Queen of the Arabian Sea. Informally, Cochin is also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala.

From time immemorial, the Arabs, British, Chinese, Dutch, and Portuguese have left indelible marks on the history and development of Cochin. Over the years, Cochin has emerged as the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala and is perhaps the second most important city on the west coast of India (after Mumbai/Bombay). Cochin is proud of its world class port and international airport that link it to many major cities worldwide

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Situated in Kottayam district, this serene place called Kumarakom is catching the attention of every holidyaer in Kerala. With increasing number of lake resorts coming up in this area the place has become a hot favourite of travelers from across the globe. You can stay in cottages or resorts facing the Vembanad lake, facing the waters as far away as your eyes can reach. The resorts here are increasingly aware of the needs of people coming here and provide modern facilities retaining the natural glory and beauty of the place.

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The backwater cruise through the narrow canals that criss-cross a typical Kerala Village,rich with green paddy fields and verdant coconut trees and is a thrilling experience. The boat cruise through the waters of Alleppy will take you into the interiors to give you a glimpse of the village life at the best of its serenity and innocence. Abundant in aquatic life, these backwaters can give you the best catch of the season for those taste buds that crave for sea food. If lucky you, can have a meal of your catch for the day!!

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The hills of Kerala have been blessed in abundance by nature. A trek through the un-trodden hill-tracks of Munnar, Thekkady et. al. or an unwinding weekend in these hills will soothe your frayed nerves, as you will be surrounded by natural beauty at its pristine best. Mountainous terrain with its undulating expanse of tea plantations adds to the beauty of these hill stations.

Munnar, one of the most popular hill stations in India is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Located at 1600 m above sea level, this was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture book towns,
winding lanes, trekking and holiday facilities make Munnar a unique experience. 15 km from Munnar, is the beautiful Rajamala, the natural habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragas hylocres). The Eravikulam - Rajamala region is now home to half the world population – estimated at around 1300 - of this endangered mountain goat. But the Tahr is only one of the reasons to make a visit to Rajamala. The picturesque beauty of this mountain will make you want to tent here forever!

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Thirty two kms from Munnar and 1700m above sea level, this is the highest point on the Munnar-Kodaikanal road. The rare Neelakurunji (Strobilanthus) belongs to this region. Top Station also offers a panoramic view of neighboring state of

Tamil Nadu.

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Peeremede is a lovely hill station, an ideal retreat in the Western Ghats and a choice break for tourists en route to the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Sprawling gardens of tea, coffee, cardamom, rubber and eucalyptus lying side by side with natural grasslands, pine forests and waterfalls make this an ideal summer resort. The summer palace of Rajas of erstwhile Travancore is today an important monument here. Peeremede and its surroundings are suitable for trekking, cycling and horse riding. Kuttikanam a place for adventure tourism and trekking is just 3 km from Peeremede. Another attraction here is Thrissanku Hills four km away. The rolling hills, the lovely landscape and the gentle breeze make this a choice spot for long walks. The hills offer a breathtaking view of the sunrise and sunset.

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Have you visited beautiful, green Vagamon Are you thinking, "In a green country, what's the attraction of yet another verdant spot" Well, the point is Vagamon is not just any other verdant spot. Of course, you can get grassy hills, velvet lawns and cool mountain air in many other places but not the Vagamon kind; not just this exciting blend of religious mysticism and European legacy.

Like a lot of other beautiful things in life, Vagamon too has to be experienced, not read about or its stories merely listened to. What you've got to do is get yourself some means of transport, head straight for Idukki district and then on to Vagamon. Once there, try taking off your shoes, closing your eyes and just listening to Vagamon.

And when you're through with the mystic getting to know session (!), you could take a trek across the chain of three hills - the Thangal hill, the Murugan hill and the Kurisumala, important for Muslims, Hindus and Christians respectively.

And don't miss the nice, little dairy farm of the Kurisumala monks.

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Women are not allowed up the peak. The aborigins here believe that sage Agasthya, a mythological character who lived here was a confirmed bachelor, hence they dislike the presence of strange women. The season from December to April is advocated for trekking for which a forest pass has to be obtained from the Wildlife Warden, Forest Dept., P.T.P.Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram.

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Located within a short driving distance of Thiruvananthapuram, Ponmudi is an enchanting hill resort with narrow winding pathways and cool, green environs. Along with a beautiful array of mountain flowers, exotic butterflies and small rivulets, Ponmudi offers excellent opportunities for trekking. With its tea estates and mist covered valleys Ponmudi is a fast developing hill resort with cottages and dormitory accommodation facilities. There is a deer park just 3 km from the resort. On the way to Ponmudi is Golden Valley - an ideal place for bathing in the cool, crystal clear mountain stream splashing down the rocks. Natural spring, flowering trees and orchids are found in plenty here.

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The forests in Kerala have many wild life species including Indian Elephants, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Bison, Wild Boar and of course, some of the rare species of birds as well. We bring to you the Natural beauty of these hills, packed with the abundant flora and fauna. 

The Periyar Lake in thekkady is artificially created and is known for its perfect blend of human innovation with nature. On the high ranges of the Western Ghats in this area lie the moist deciduous forests and savannah grasslands. Below this thick green canopy roam herds of elephants, sambars, tigers, gaurs, lion tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs.

Elephant and boat rides are the best way of watching the wildlife in Periyar. Always watch by for the wildlife as you never know when you could encounter one of them……..an ideal place for elephant photographers.

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 A sanctuary for the endangered mountain goat of South India, the Nilgiri Tahr ( Hemitragus hylocrious),  the Eravikulam National Park stands out for the stark beauty of its rolling grasslands and sholas, spread over 97 sq km in the Rajamalai hills. Anamudi, the highest peak (2695 m) south of the Himalayas, towers over the sanctuary in majestic pride. The slopes of the hills abound in all kinds of rare flora and fauna. The Atlas moth, the largest of its kind in the world, is a unique inhabitant of the park. Other rare species of fauna found here are the Nilgiri Langur, the lion-tailed macaque, leopards, tigers, etc. An ideal place for trekking, facilities are provided here and tourists are allowed to go on foot up to Anamudi.

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A unique thorny scrub forest with xerophyte species, Chinnar is the habitat for the endangered Giant Grizzled Squirrel of India. The last world count of these squirrels was less than 200. Located in the rain shadow area of the Western Ghats, unlike other sanctuaries in Kerala, Chinnar gets only 48 days of rain every year. Rich in wildlife, the mixed deciduous forests here are ideal for trekking. An extensive Sandalwood forest nearby is an added attraction. This is also an ideal place to watch herds of Bisons march past. Dry deciduous forests, high sholas and wet grasslands add to the diversity of the sanctuary. As one travels from Karimuthi to Chinnar, Elephants, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Hanuman monkey and even Peacocks can be spotted on either sides of the road
 

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Situated about 40 km from Munnar and 130 km from the Ernakulam city, Marayoor is a palce which has a natural vegetation of sandalwood trees. The forest department controls the forest range and also has set up its own sandalwood factory. Set in a forest area there are plenty of caves to be seen with mural paintings and relics from the New Stone Age civilization. Another interesting feature of this location are the "Dolmenoid". Dolmenoids are burial chambers belonging to the Stone age civilization wherein, each burial place is made of four stones placed upright with a fifth one as a top also known as the'cap stone'.

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Thattekkad is made up of dense tropical evergreen and deciduous forest and grassland patches, housing a population of over 500 species of exotic birds. This globally acclaimed bird sanctuary owes much of its fame to Dr. Salim Ali, the internationally renowned ornithologist. It is the exotic microcosm of India's bird population that brought Dr. Salim Ali to this place. His efforts were instrumental in the formation of this sanctuary to a large extent.

Spread across 25 sq. km. the sanctuary lies between the tributaries of the river Periyar like a peninsula. Rare birds like the Crimson-throated Barbet, Bee eater, Sunbird, Shrike, Black Winged Kite, Night Heron, Falcon, Grey Jungle Fowl, White-Breasted Water Hen, Hornbill, Ceylon Frogmoth, Rose-billed Roller and Blue-winged Parakeet live here.

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Parambikkulam is an oasis of tranquil greenery nestled in a valley between the Anamalai ranges of Tamilnadu and the Nelliyampathy ranges of Kerala. The Parambikkulam Wildlife Sanctuary here spreads over an area of 285 sq km on the Western Ghats. The sanctuary offers an exotic experience of the rare fauna of Kerala. Quite a few hill tribes, like the Malayars, the Kadas and the Muthuvans also live in the jungles of Parambikkulam. The fauna here include bonnet macaques, Nilgiri langurs, lion tailed macaques, tigers, spectacled cobras, kraits, vipers, turtles, darters, little cormorants and black eagles. The sanctuary also has a variety of trees mainly teak, neem, sandalwood and rosewood. The oldest teak
tree 'Kannimari' stands tall here.

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Established in 1958, this 125sq km sanctuary is about 20 km east of Thrissur, in the catchments area of the Peechi and Vazhani dams. The sanctuary is part of the Palapilli – Nelliampathy forests and forms the northern boundary of the Chimmini Sanctuary.

Having an abundance of enchanting flora and fauna and a lake where you can go boating, this place is a treat for the nature lover. There are more than 50 different kinds of orchids, innumerable rare medicinal plants, teak, rosewood, and so on. The wildlife population includes over 25 types of mammals including carnivores like the leopard, the tiger and the fox and herbivores like the elk, deer, barking deer, spotted deer, the bison and the elephant. More than 60 types of birds and 10 types of snakes are also found. 

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An ideal destination to watch herds of wild elephants, the Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous with the protected area network of the Nagarhole National Park and the Bandipur Tiger Reserve in the neighbouring State of Karnataka and Mudumalai of Tamilnadu. This sanctuary spread over 345 sq km is rich with fauna and flora, and comes under Project Elephant.

Elephants roam freely here and tigers are sighted frequently. Various species of deer, monkeys, birds etc also live here. The trees and plants in the sanctuary are typical of the south Indian moist deciduous forests and west coast semi evergreen forests. A drive along the road to Muthanga and further, offers chances to watch these roaming beasts. Elephant rides are arranged by the Forest Department.

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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.

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Located on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, the bird sanctuary is spread across 14 acres. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctu-ary, an ornithologist's paradise is a favorite haunt of migratory birds like the siberian stork,  egret, darter, heron and teal. more... A visit to the bird sanctuary, set within the lush acres of wooded land nearby, acquaints you to the variety of  migratory birds that flock in thousands, some from the Himalayas, some even from as far as Siberia. In addition, you can get thrilled of the native kingfishers ablaze in psychedelic colours, experience a walk under rookeries of egrets and night herons or lone golden-backed woodpeckers and even delight in the acrobatics of the paradise fly-catchers.

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