Tourists places in KERALA

6. Cochin - The Queen of Arabia

Cochin is the main gateway to South India for foreign visitors and it offers many places of interest to tourists.It gives easy access to almost all tourist places in Kerala.It is connected by air, road and rail to all major places.The merging of the backwaters with the sea gives lot of opportunities for boating and rafting.The ride through the lagoons in Kerala style houseboats is an unforgettable experience.The famous Bolgatty Palace and the Jewish Synagogue are situated on the banks of the lagoons.There are also places of pilgrimage like the Santa Cruz Basilica and the St.Thomas Church at Malayattoor.The Thripunithura Palace is one of the biggest of its kind in the whole of Kerala.The Chinese fishing nets in the lagoons are an enchanting sight.Being the only metro in central Kerala, it also gives you great opportunities for shopping.

7.Thrissur- The cultural capital of Kerala

Thrissur or Trichur is famous for the Thrissur Pooram, one of the biggest festivals in the whole of India.The sight of a hundred adorned elephants on either sides of the famous Vadakkunnatha Temple during the festival is a must watch scene for anyone visiting Kerala.The festival takes place around April-May.The city is also famous for many of the traditional art forms of Kerala like Kathakali.The Guruvayur temple located near the city is a famous pilgrimage spot.The two major waterfalls of Kerala, Athirappally and Vazhachal, which have been the locations for many Bollywood films , are only a few hours ride from the city.Anakkayam , 20 Kms from Chalakkudy is on the shore of the famous Chalakkudy river and the place is breathtakingly beautiful with its rushing waters, chiseled rocks and silent streams.

How to reach?

The city is well connected by road and rail.

Nearest Airport - Cochin -60Kms

8.Vagamon - Enchanted Meadows

Vagamon is a pilgrimage spot , a picnic spot and at the same time a place for adventure.Situated near the Kerala-Tamilnadu boundary,in the district of Kottayam, the main attraction of this place is the hillocks stretching over a large area,with only grass and a beautiful lake among the hillocks.This is the ideal family picnic spot.During the winter , the hillocks are covered by thick mist,so thick that you cannot see a person standing 5feet away.Being within that mist, in such beautiful landscape is an inexplicable feeling and it must be experienced.The nearby pine forests are an ideal place for romantic couples.The Kurishumala church atop a hill is a famous pilgrimage place and the trekking to the church is a very adventurous task.

How to reach?

Nearest Railway station - Kottayam - 75Kms

Nearest Airport - Cochin-100Kms

9.Kollam(Quilon)- The land of Cashews

Kollam( The Portuguese called it Quilon) is a mixture of hills,backwaters, religion and culture.The Ashtamudi lake is the largest in Kerala and boating in the lake is a tranquil experience.The Thankasseri lighthouse built by the Portuguese is a famous historical monument.The Thenmala hills on the farside hosts the first ecotourism project in Kerala and the butterfly part is just awesome.Palaruvi falls near Thenmala is believed to have herbal ingredients mixed with the water.The place also has an adventure zone offering rock climbing and mountain biking.For the traveller seeking religious refuge,the Mata Amritanandamayi Ashram in Vallikkavu is world famous.

How to reach?

Kollam town is well connected by road and rail to all major cities.

Nearest Airport-Trivandrum-70Kms

Distance to Cochin-120Kms

10.Agastyakoodam- the abode of biodiversity

Agastyakoodam (Agastya Malai), a towering forested peak of 1868 metres, and adjoining forests in the tail end of Western Ghats form the most diverse and unknown ecosystem in Peninsular India. These forests, falling in the Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts of Kerala and the Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts of Tamil Nadu habours many endemic species of plants that are unique to peninsular India.The undulating hills of these area, especially those at lower elevations, are also known for their abundance of medicinal plants. A sizable proportion of around 2000 medicinal plants used in the traditional systems of medicine are found here.Trekking to the top of the hill, you can observe many rare fauna and flora in their natural habitat.This place never fails to satisfy the adventurous traveller.The place can be accessed from Trivandrum by road.