Go through these 4 major tourist destinations in Kerala that you must explore to appreciate the natural charms of this southern state....
Attracting visitors from all around the globe, Kerala is famous for its captivating backwaters, lovely beaches, wildlife reserves and gorgeous hill stations where spices grow. Right from elegant beaches, tea plantations and houseboats to fascinating wildlife, waterfalls and tree houses, there’s a lot of things to take note of in Kerala to create pleasing memories. Link with an eminent tour company in Kolkata to have a memorable vacation in Kerala that’s sure to be full of fun and frolic!
1) Allepey, the Venice of the East
Situated near Cochin, Allepey is one of the most picturesque tourist places in Kerala that’s known for its charming backwaters and houseboats offering accommodation for staying overnight. Also called Alappuzha, Allepey will offer you fantastic sights of magical backwaters bordered with green paddy fields and swaying palm trees. Want to go on a romantic getaway? Then, Allepey with its unique backwaters creates a heavenly setting for couples and honeymooners.
You can arrive at the Alappuzha Beach to see the prominent lighthouse. If you happen to visit Kerala during August, you’ll get the chance to witness the Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race which occurs on Punnamada Lake at this time of the year. Other popular tourist destinations here include Marari Beach, St. Mary’s Forane Church, Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple, Krishnapuram Palace, Arthunkal Church, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, International Coir Museum and others that’ll fulfil the wanderlust in you.
2) Munnar, the Kashmir of South India
This is Kerala’s most popular and mysterious hill station. Located 1600mts above sea level, the hilly paradise of Munnar offers beguiling sights of floating clouds, lofty mountains and green valleys, all wrapped in a tranquil ambience. Besides being famous for its eye-soothing tea plantations and tea museum, Munnar is a favorite spot for wildlife-enthusiasts. Here, you can catch a glimpse of the Niligiri Tahr, rare mountain goat and elephants that are particularly seen at the Elephant Lake. Some of the picture-perfect places that you should see in Munnar are Eravikulam National Park, Kundala Lake, Tate Tea Museum, Anamudi Peak, Blossom Park, Attukal Waterfalls, Pothamedu View Point, Pallivasal, Life of Pi Church, Cheeyapara Waterfalls, etc.
3) Thekkady, the Spice Capital of Kerala
A place that feels like a dream come true for nature lovers, Thekkady, is an enticing tourist spot to traverse through spice gardens and participate in exciting adventure sports. Home to elephants, tigers, bison, deer and Nilgiri Langurs, Thekkady is the ideal place for you to go for cruising across the lake while watching wildlife, birds and reptiles. Keep your binoculars ready and relax among nature as the lush forests and calming waters soothe your mind.
Housing the oh-so famous Periyar National Park, Thekkady is the evergreen place for you to go on jeep safaris in the jungle to catch sight of tigers and elephants. Here, you can go for trekking along the Tiger Trail, indulge in bamboo rafting, opt for camping and go on midnight forest safaris for abundant adventure. Some of the prominent sightseeing spots you should visit in Thekkady are Mangaladevi Temple, Gavi Forest, Elephant Junction, Mullaperiyar Dam, Pandikuzhi Waterfalls, Vandiperiyar Spice Plantations, Vandimedu Cardamom Hills and more.
4) Kochi, the Queen of the Arabian Sea
When it comes to grasping the rich culture of God’s own country, Kochi holds prominence as an enthralling natural harbour in Kerala. Once a significant trade centre in ancient times, Kochi now carefully blends traditional norms and modern trends while retaining the charms of British, Arabian, Portuguese and Chinese cultures. Home to the extremely old Saint Francis Church, Kochi is the ideal place for travellers with a keen interest in food, heritage and beaches. If you arrive at the Fort Kochi, you can’t miss the unusual Chinese fishing nets used by the fishermen there.
When you’re in Kochi, you must explore the conventional spice markets to curate authentic spices and take snaps against those lively shops to create vibrant pictures. Few of the enchanting tourist spots you should visit in Kochi apart from the ones already mentioned include Fort Immanuel, Vasco da Gama Square, Vypeen Beach, Bolgatty Island, Edapally Museum, Mattancherry Palace, Cherai Beach and more.