Kuttanad, a stretch of 75 km stands sandwiched between the vast serene sea & the magnificent hills. The bewildering labyrinth of shimmering waterways composed of lakes, canals, rivers & rivulets, is lined with dense tropical greenery and preserves rural Kerala life styles that are completely removed from the buzz of city life. The views change from narrow canals and dense vegetation to open vistas and dazzling green paddy fields.
The sweeping Network of canals honey-combing the town of Alappuzha has earned the sobriquet,"THE VENICE OF THE EAST". Donot miss out on a ride into Kuttanad through shimmering, green paddy fields and tail-waging, head-bobbing groups of ducks. The Coir workers too present an interesting sight. Alleppey becomes the cynosure of all eyes in August-September, every year when the water regatta unfolds itself.
The picture perfect beauty makes Kuttanad the very essence of Kerala's backwater experience. It is a waterlogged stretch of about 110,000 hectares; and 50,000 ha of the region are even 60-220 centimetres below sea level. For the better part of the year, most of the land is submerged in water. It has the distinction of being one of the few areas in the world where farming is carried out below sea level. Four major rivers in the state - Pampa, Meenachil, Achankovil and Manimala - are discharged into the region. For about 1.8 million people of Kuttanad, it is water, water everywhere.
Alappuhza (Alleppey)
Come and revel in the joyous atmosphere of the unusually beautiful Alappuzha with Tourism in Kerala. Alappuzha is one of the most attractive and green backwater destinations in Kerala, South India. Take a houseboat cruise on the Alappuzha backwaters with Tourism in Kerala and marvel at the exotic natural luxury that greets you with the warm sunrays dancing on the ripples created by sailing boats on the otherwise tranquil Alappuzha backwaters. Tourism in Alappuzha in Kerala, South India is a flourishing industry with a number of resorts and hotels all over Alappuzha that cater to the needs of the growing tourism sector.
Indulge yourself with Tourism in Kerala and avail of the luxury tour packages that take you to the fantafabulous tourist destinations located on the Alappuzha backwaters in Alappuzha in Kerala, South India.
Popularly known as the 'Venice of the East' Alappuzha in Kerala, South India has a number of tourist attractions that are worth visiting and the ones that merit a mention are: the Krishnapuram Temple, Punnamada Kayal, St. Andrews Church, Mullackal Temple, Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple, Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple, Devi Temple, Ambalapuzha Temple and Kottamkulangara Mahavishnu Temple.
Tourism in Alappuzha with Tourism in Kerala offers you a unique opportunity to enjoy your stint with nature in perfect seclusion and let the magical spell of Alappuzha in Kerala, South India engulf you so that the beauty and loveliness of the Alappuzha tourist attractions create a positive affect on all your senses. Alappuzha beach festival jointly conducting by district authorities and tourism department is a variety entertainment in the months of December / January.
Pathiramanal
Pathiramanal is a 10 acre island on the backwaters and is home to many rare varieties of migratory birds from different parts of the world.
This little island on the backwaters is a favorite haunt of hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts of the world. The island lies between Thaneermukkom and Kumarakom, and is accessible only by boat.
Champakulam Church
One of the seven churches established by St. Thomas in Kerala. The annual feast at this church falls on the 3rd Sunday of October every year. The feast of St. Joseph is celebrated on March 19th. Champakulam Church is one of the oldest churches in Kerala. Champakulam St. Mary's Church is believed to be one of the seven established by St. Thomas. The annual feast at this church falls on the 3rd Sunday of October every year. The feast of St. Joseph is celebrated on March 19th.Air - Nearest International Airports : Kochi (Nedumbassery - 85 km). Thiruvananthapuram (150 kms).
Rail - Well connected to Major Cities.
Road - An excellent road network links the district to all major towns and cities in india.
Water - Linked by boat service through the back waters to Quilon(8 Hrs), Changanacherry(3 hrs), Kumarakom(3 hr), Cochin(4 hrs), Kumarakom(2 hrs), Chengannor, etc.
Fort Kochi
Fort Kochi Beach, just 12 km away from Kochi city, is the place to spend your new year stunningly. The beach is a natural harbor, which lends to its natural beauty. The beach is best discovered while taking a walk through the bylanes of the Kochi city. The annual carnival held in the beach is an event not to be missed. A feast is organized every year in the last week of December. The carnival's highlight is the grand procession on every new year's day. Led by an stunningly decorated elephant, the procession is accompanied by 'Panchavadyam', music bands, fancy dress, spectacular floats and folk arts forms of Kerala.
The clubs and organizations in and around West Kochi, participitate in the carnival to ensure its smooth running. Former Mayor Mr. K. J. Sohan, the man behind the carnival ever since its conceptualistion in 1984, reveals that the carnival started as a festival and has grown ever since to become a more and more dazzling carnival.
Participation, Peace, Progress, Adventure and Environment - the five captions of the carnival are enforced throughout the carnival. There are competitions to suit every individuals interest, and sends your adrenalin pumping, no matter how old you are.
Fort Kochi, also known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, is the commercial hub of Kerala. An important trading port ever since Roman times, the town is divided into three main parts - Fort Kochi, Willingdon Island and Ernakulam. In the South promontory on the Sea ward side of the Bay lies Fort Kochi. While the Willingdon Island was formed to increase the depth of the entrance to the harbour (by dredging the bay), Ernakulam is situated across the causeway of the Willington Island.
Thekkady
The pride of Kerela and a testimony to nature's splendor and human innovation, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Periyar lake - an artificial lake, at Thekkady. Here the high ranges of the Western Ghats are clothed in dense evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savannah grass lands. Below this thick green canopy roam herds of elephants, sambars, tigers, gaurs, lion tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs.
In addition to elephant rides, cruises on the lake and treks to the ruined Mangala Devi temple - a beautiful old stone temple situated in the heart of the Thekkady forest, this sanctuary offers the unique opportunity to watch and photograph wild elephants at close quarters.
The Periyar Wildlife sanctuary is spread across 777 sq km, of which 360 sq km is thick evergreen forest, the Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. Noted for its geomorphology, diversity of wildlife and scenic beauty, the Reserve attracts visitors all over the world and is one of the world's most fascinating natural wildlife reserves.
The splendid artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River adds to the charm of the park. This is the only sanctuary in India where you can have the unique experience of viewing wildlife at close quarters from the safety of a boat on the lake. The greatest attraction of Periyar, however are the herds of wild elephants that come down to the play in the lake.
Nearest railway station: Kottayam Railway Station & Ernakulam Railway Station
Nearest airports : Cochin International Airport, about 190 km.
Kovalam
Thirty years ago, Kovalam was a hippy idyll: a picture perfect tropical beach; a traditional fishing village providing fresh fish, fruits and toddy (coconut beer). Today this tiny beach is the focus of a multi-million dollar business, drawing thousands of tourists for a week dose of ozone, UV and a refreshing Indian Experience. Kovalam was brought to the public eye by the Maharaja of Travancore. Over the past three decades, the place has been well developed, and now figures prominently on the world tourism map. Kovalam is just 16 kms away from Trivandrum.Today Kovalam beach is known as the "Paradise of the South".
Its scenic beauty and serenity is supplemented by the availability of excellent accommodation . There are a lot of restaurants which provide western style food as well as Indian, which is delicious. The grilled seafood items such as lobster, king prawns and kalamari are got fresh from the sea at Kovalam. Ayurvedic massage parlours, yoga centers and water sport facilities, makes Kovalam a popular haven for tourists from all over the globe.
"Kovalam" means a grove of coconut trees and true to its name the village offers an endless sight of coconut trees. The crescent-shaped beach has three parts. The southern most beach, and the most popular, is light house beach. It offers an amazing sight of Vizhinjam mosque. The northern Samudra is a laidback one and time seems stands still here. The middle, hawah, in the early day, is a beehive of activities with fishermen setting out for sea. With a high rock promontory and a calm bay of blue waters, this beach paradise creates a unique aquarelle on moonlit nights.
It is warm and clean filled with the coconut trees and the white sanded as the sea breeze gently plays with the waves. Swimming and bathing are very refreshing and exhilarating in the waves. One can walk into the sea for about 100 meters without loosing ground. This cove is also the safest place for swimming. At many coastal places there are beautiful patches of coral reefs. The underwater views, which are visible during snorkeling, are really marvelous.
Azure water and favorable climate make Kovalam a favorite year-round spot for swimming. Sea here is pacific and shallow where you can take a dip in the saline waters. The clean white sandy beach will arouse a temptation irresistible: to lie idle on the sands and tan your body. You could get into any of the Ayurvedic massage centre and indulge in a rejuvenating herbal, body-toning massage and holistic therapies.
Highly commercialized and very crowded through most of the year, Kovalam manages, against all odds, to retain much of the charm which made it a popular beach in the first place. Surfing and swimming are among the other water sports possible in Kovalam beach. Many people from different countries and cultures, intermingle with each other and get together in this paradise of the South and spend their leisure time joyfully.
