
Kathakali, KochiKerala, the narrow strip of land at the tip of the southern peninsula - trimmed by evergreen deciduous Western Ghats and the reflective Arabian Sea bejeweled with emerald islands. It is ripe with enchanting customs and festivals that revolve around its lush vegetation comprising of coconut palms, mango and cashew nut trees, rubber, tea and coffee plantations that grow in abundance in the fertile land, amidst the salty air off the elongated coastline.
Sensuous white sand beaches; atolls drifting in the open sea; hill stations and wildlife sanctuaries; canals and houseboats; tree homes and backwaters; oil massages and afternoon slumber add a magical realm to the tour packages for travel to Kerala. Festivals such as Oman and Vishu draw heavily from mythology; the complex customs are a study in itself. Its monsoons with dark thundering clouds and calming incessant rain are unparalleled world over.
Travel to Kerala is as romantic an experience for people in love as it is for the adventurers who seek to explore the untouched beauty of this land where breakfast delicacies such as Puttu, Iddiyappam, Veliyyapam, Kappa and stew out number lunch and dinner cuisine.
Places to visit on the tour to Kerala :
Thiruvanthapuram (Trivandrum) - 'The City of Sacred Serpents', literal meaning of Thiruvanthapuram, is spread over seven rolling hills. It captures the old world charm of Kerala and resembles the East Asian cultures with its narrow winding lanes and pagoda-shaped red tiled roofs. Apart from the regular attractions of temples and museums housing art from Japan and China, the quaint hill resorts of Ponmudi and Cardamom Hill are a stone's throw away.
Alappuzha (Alleppey) - 'The Venice of East' in the God's own country. A market town built on an intricate network of canals fringed by coconut palms that shade the houseboats - laden with cashew nuts, dried coconut flesh and coir - drifting down the famed backwaters of Kerala. Floating with the heartwarming music from the foyers of Mullackal Devi Temple. The Nehru Cup snake boat race is an attraction that is not to be missed on the tour packages for travel to Kerala.
Kochi (Cochin) - The city of Kochi is a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas linked by bridges and ferries that render it a natural harbor buzzing with commercial activity. Places worth seeing here are many. From Willingdon and Vypeen Islands to the old Fort Cochin and Mattancherry. Dolphins and Kathakali performances are activities enjoyed immensely on travel to Kerala.
Munnar - From Anamudi, the highest point in the Southern peninsula, you will get a panoramic view of mountain peaks emerging off sudden from the pruned tea estates; the stone Chirst Church dressed in fine stained glass and dedicated to the memory of the tea planters amidst the biting air of the an area previously known as the 'Hill Range of Travancore.'
Kozhikode (Calicut) - The laid back atmosphere of this sleepy town, the unhurried nature of their businesses, the backwaters far less traversed by tourists bears an imprint of mixed cultures - the few remains of British monarchy, Portuguese imperialistic notions and Tipu Sultan's taste. Its unhurried lifestyle provides the perfect place to ease and end the tour.
Periyar National Park (Thekkady) - Along the banks of
the Periyar River, thrives the National Park where evergreen deciduous
forests provide a home to the wildlife that includes elephants, tigers,
langurs, wild boars etc.