kerala tourist guide, kerala tourist destinations, kerala attractions, tourist destinations in kerala

Alappuzha
Alappuzha is also known worldwide as a center of the coir industry. Coir is made from the rough outer husk of the coconut. The fibers of the husk are processed and woven to make useful items including packaging material, boards, mats and brushes. Alappuzha is famous for the Snake Boat Races held here every year around the time of the Onam festival. The giant snake boats called Chundanvalloms, race against each other for the prestigious Nehru Trophy. Prime Minster Jawaharlal Nehru donated the trophy after he received an unforgettable reception along the waterways of Alappuzha. Teams of rowers seated on the long Snake Boats with their curving prows battle it out for the honor of winning the Nehru Trophy. Crowds throng the edge of the waterways where the race is held. Many tourists come to Alappuzha to see this exciting event. Alappuzha wears a carnival atmosphere during the boat races held at the Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha. You can see the exhilarating snake boat races of Alappuzha on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.
Cochin	Top^
Kochi is one of the most visited Kerala Backwater destinations. Cochin port is famous for its spices, exported to the west from ancient times to the present day. The Jewish Synagogue, Fort Cochin, The Matancherry Palace built by the Dutch and St Francis Church are popular tourist attractions in Cochin, visited by tourists on Kerala Backwater tours. Kochi also called the "Queen of the Arabian Sea," receives many visitors round the year who travel to Kerala to see its tourist attractions and because Cochin is Kerala's industrial and commercial capital. Many backwater cruises begin or end in Cochin. You're sure to find a Kerala backwater tour that will enchant and refresh you when you stay in Cochin. Enjoy the Kerala backwater tourist attractions of Cochin while staying at hotels in Cochin.
Kasargod Backwaters	Top^
Kasargod in North Kerala is a beautiful Kerala backwater destination. Known for rice cultivation, coir processing and lovely landscape, with the sea to the West and the Western Ghats to the North and East, Kasargod is worth visiting on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater. Kasargod in North Kerala offers several opportunities for backwater cruises. Two of these Kerala backwater cruise options are Chandragiri and Valiyaparamba. You can enjoy these scenic Kerala backwater cruises on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater. Chandragiri is situated 4 Km to the Southeast of Kasargod town. Backwater cruises in and around Chandragiri are a pleasant experience. As you arrive at Chandragiri you will see the historic Chandragiri Fort, which was built in the 17th century. The fort offers excellent viewpoints from where you can see spectacular sunsets over the sea near Kasargod, Kerala, India. The backwater cruises from Chandragiri start from the Chandragiri Bridge. Enjoy Kerala Backwater cruises at Chandragiri near Kasargod on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.
Kollam Backwaters	Top^
Kollam previously known as Quilon in Kerala, India is an ancient port located on the edge of the Ashthamudi Lake. Traders visited Kollam in ancient times from lands as far away as Phoenicia, Arabia, Greece, Rome and China. In more recent times the Portuguese established a trading post at Kollam, after which the Dutch and British set up their factories to export spices, sandalwood, ivory and coir. Kollam is also a beautiful destination and a gateway to the Kerala backwaters. You can see the tourist attractions of Kollam on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater. Situated 71 Km north of Thiruvananathapuram, the capital of Kerala, Kollam is an important center of the cashew nut processing and trading industry. There are also some important historical buildings and temples that tourists can see on tours of Kollam with Kerala Backwater. The most noticeable feature in Kollam is the Ashthamudi Lake, which covers around 30 % of Kollam town. The backwaters around Kollam, which extend from the Ashthamudi Lake, are exceedingly beautiful.
Kottayam Backwaters	Top^
Kottayam is a beautiful Kerala backwater destination. This historic town is also famous for many churches and temples and for its role in the history of Kerala. The beautiful Vembanand Lake and its associated backwaters border Kottayam district on the West. There are hill ranges to the East and the Ernakulam district to the North. Kottayam is located in an area of great natural beauty and you're sure to be enchanted by the scenery around Kottayam on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater. The name Kottayam is derived from Kotta and Akam and means the inside of a fort. Kottayam has a long history. The local rulers of Munjanad and Thekkumkur used Kottayam as their headquarters. Maharaja Marthanda Varma of Travancore defeated the local rulers and annexed Kottayam. With its fertile fields and transport links through the backwaters, Kottayam was a lucrative prize. You can see the ruins of the old palace and fort of the local rulers of Kottayam on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.
Kozhikode Backwaters	Top^
Kozhikode, previously known as Calicut, is an important and scenic town in North Kerala. The name Kozhikode is derived from the Malayalam word for the crowing of a cock. The area around Kozhikode was ruled by local rulers called Zamorins who traded with merchants from Arabia. In 1498 the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama landed at Kappad Beach, near Kozhikode. After the British grew to become the dominant trading power, Kozhikode, renamed Calicut, became an important British trading outpost. A locally made variety of checked cloth called Calico (from Calicut) was a popular item of export. You can tour the attractions of Kozhikode on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater. Kozhikode is known for its historic buildings, beautiful green countryside, beautiful beach, hospitality and cosmopolitan culture. Kozhikode has several institutions of higher learning including a National Institute of Technology and an Indian Institute of Management. You can see the sights of Kozhikode on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.
Kumarakom Backwaters	Top^
Kumarakom in Kerala is a beautiful backwater destination. Located on the picturesque Vembanad Lake Kumarakom has to be seen to be believed. Kumarakom consists of a cluster of islands which have been converted into a number of tourist resorts. Popular with the discerning luxury tourist, Kumarakom is a must visit on your Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater. Kumarakom is enthrallingly beautiful. The blue backwaters and the surface of Vembanad Lake reflect the azure sky. The amazing shades of green of the vegetation that include mangroves, coconut palms, and paddy fields cover the verdant countryside. Channels and waterways wind their way through this green paradise. Water lilies and lotuses bloom in the water and birds from the bird sanctuary on Vembanad Lake call as they fly across the clear tropical sky. Kumarakom is an idyllic holiday destination that you must visit on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.
Kuttanad Backwaters	Top^
Kuttanad is a backwater paradise and an ideal destination for a backwater cruise in Kerala. Its innumerable streams, channels, waterways and lakes make it possible to drift along in a houseboat and enjoy the scenic view of the Kerala countryside. Have a memorable holiday while on Kerala tours in Kuttanad with Kerala Backwater. Your Kerala Backwater tours of Kuttanad are sure to leave you with unforgettable memories. Your houseboat will be trailed by flocks of ducks, coir workers processing coir look up from their tasks and wave as you pass by, otters and water birds can be seen on the edges of the waterways, and the sound of rippling water is a soothing lullaby as you sail along on a houseboat through the backwaters of Kuttanad. Gather a host of unforgettable memories while on Kerala tours in Kuttanad with Kerala Backwater.
Thiruvananthapuram	Top^
Thiruvananthapuram means the abode of Anantha the Snake God. In Hindu mythology Anantha is the serpent on which Vishnu, the Preserver in the Hindu pantheon, rests. Thiruvananthapuram city is built on seven hills. Its notable landmarks include the Sree Padmananbhaswamy Temple, which is believed to be 2000 years old. The museum attached to the temple has a number of paintings by the renowned painter from Kerala, Raja Ravi Verma. Thiruvananthapuram was previously the capital of the founder of Travancore state Raja Marthanda Varma. The modern capital of Kerala retains its historic heritage in the form of temples, old monuments and palaces of the kings of Travancore. You can tour the historic and modern attractions of Thriruvananthapuram on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.
Backwaters Boating	Top^
The ‘kettuvallams’ or the traditional houseboats offer the best possible accommodation. The slow yet steady sail along shallow, palm-fringed lakes and narrow canals is mesmerizing. As it is the strong yet smooth sailing houseboats form one of the most abiding images of Kerala. The stitched boats of Kerala are the moving masterpieces of the majestic country crafts that may measure up to 80 feet in length. Usually the traditional houseboats are 60 to 70 feet high and 13 feet wide in the middle. These ‘kettuvallams’ are made up of eco-friendly materials like the bamboo poles, coconut fiber, ropes, bamboo mats, carpets etc. The entire structure is strong enough to carry a truckload of material and withstand the enormous waves in the sea. In case the houseboats are maintained well, they last for generations.
Backwaters Ayurveda	Top^
Ayurveda philosophy all living organisms are made up of five elements. These are called Panchamahabhutas and are earth, water, fire, air and vacuum. When these five elements are in harmony, a body is in a state of good health. When the harmony of these elements is disturbed the body is in a state of negative health and requires the intervention of Ayurvedic therapy. Massage is the most common form of Ayurvedic therapy. Essential oils and extracts of healing herbs are used in the formulation of various oils. The application of these oils to the body by the trained hands of a Kerala Ayurveda masseur can provide relief to the patient from stress and various physical ailments such as sprains, spondylitis, back injuries and joint and muscle injuries. Experience the healing powers of Ayurveda on Kerala Tours with Kerala Backwater. Some of the various Ayurveda therapies are Abhyanga, Dhara, Elakizhi, Nasyam, Pizhichil, Njavarakizhi, and Udhwardhanam. These are various ways of applying ayurvedic medications and remedies to the body of the patient. Ayurveda is gaining popularity worldwide as a holistic and natural form o treatment and as an effective alternate form of healing. Ayurveda can also be used to effectively treat lifestyle condtions such as stress and chronic fatigue syndrome. You can try the time-tested methods of Ayurveda on Kerala Tours with Kerala Backwater.
Backwater Cruises	Top^
Backwater cruises in Kerala are carried out on large converted traditional boats. These boats called "Kettuvalloms" were traditionally used as grain barges, to transport the rice harvested in the fertile fields alongside the Kerala Backwaters. Converted to accommodate tourists, the houseboats have a sleeping area, with toilets, as a dining area and a sit out on the deck. You can rest at ease on a houseboat at night and observe the beautiful countryside while sitting on the deck during the day. Food is cooked on board the houseboat by the accompanying staff. On Backwater cruises in Kerala with Kerala Backwater, you can have a relaxing time seeing the birds and aquatic life along the banks of the Kerala backwaters. See the local people in villages along the banks of Kerala backwaters carry out their daily routine of farming and fishing as you pass by on Backwater cruises in Kerala. Smile at friendly local children as they wave to you as you float along on your houseboat on Backwater cruises in Kerala. Some of the best destinations for backwater cruises in Kerala are between the Kerala backwater destinations of Cochin now called Kochi, Alappuzha, Kasargod, Kollam, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Kumarakom, Kuttanad, Thiruvallam, Thiruvananathapuram. You can stop at each destination and explore its attractions, before returning to your houseboat for a ride back into the serene ambience of the backwaters of Kerala, while on backwater cruises in Kerala, with Kerala Backwater.
Honeymoon Backwaters	Top^
Honeymoon in Kerala Backwaters build a lifetime of memories of your journey together, through a Garden of Eden in God's Own Country. Let Kerala Backwater take you on Kerala tours and offer you an unforgettable honeymoon in Kerala backwaters. Be amazed by the natural beauty of the landscape around you in Kerala backwaters. Verdant paddy fields shine with an emerald glow in the early morning sunshine. Bright new banana leaves and palm fronds sway in the breeze, children laugh and wave as you pass by on your houseboat, and the lives of the local people, in the villages along the Kerala backwaters, continue in a timeless flow of the river of life.
Munnar	Top^
Munnar is nestled in the undulating mountain ranges of the southern Western Ghats and is unrivalled among the tourist destinations of Kerala. Its inescapable natural beauty lures scores of tourists each and every year from not only India but also from abroad. The major highlights of Munnar are its remarkable ambiance, lush green tea gardens, mesmerizing lakes, dense forests and a cool salubrious climate. Munnar is located at the confluence of three mountain streams, Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Once, Munnar was the summer resort of the British government in South India. There is much more about Munnar that simply cannot be put in words. Be totally informed about this magnificent hill retreat before embarking on a tour.
Periyar	Top^
Periyar National Park is situated in the hills of the Western Ghats in the state of Kerala in SW India. The centre piece of Periyar National park is the 5,500-hectare Periyar lake formed by the construction of a dam on the Periyar river in 1895.The dam submerged low-lying forest whose dead tree trunks still jut out of the waters. Along the fringes of the lake are marshy areas with tall grasslands. This is one of the richest habitats of large mammals, as it provides both excellent cover and nourishment in the form of succulent shoots and grasses. Here it is possible to see large herds of Indian Elephant with relative ease as well as Nilgiri Langur near Aranya Niwas and the Liontail Macaque in higher areas. The forests are tropical, a mixture of deciduous, semi-evergreen, and evergreen 'sholas', the last occurring in the moist valleys and characterised by tall trees and a closed canopy. The forests alternate with extensive patches of grasslands. Periyar's rich bird life includes the Giant Hornbill, Cormorant, Darter, Osprey and Racket-tailed Drongo. The Indian Python and King Cobra are among the reptilian fauna. Periyar has a few Nilgiri Tahr, good numbers of which may also be seen on a day excursion to nearby Eravikulam National Park near Munnar.
Thekkady	Top^
Thekkady is home to the Periyar Tiger Reserve, one of the best among the 27 tiger reserves in India. The very name of this romantic land conjures up exotic visions of wildlife, plantations, spice scented air, crystal clear lakes and mist covered endless rolling hills. Thekkady epitomizes Kerala’s sublime beauty in all its pristine glory. Come and be overwhelmed with a vacation of your lifetime in this dazzling land of impeccable beauty. Each day in this exotic land is a celebration of life and nature; epitomizing “La Dolce Vita”. This wildlife sanctuary sprawls over an area of 777 sq. km. The man-made Thekkady Lake shimmers in a green hue, reflecting the surrounding evergreen forests. This stunning artificial lake is created by the Mullapperiyar Dam constructed across the scenic Periyar River. The sanctuary, declared a tiger reserve in 1978, is an ideal spot to catch a glimpse of this magnificent animal. It is also home to the endangered lion-tailed macaques, Nilgiri langurs, elephants, Indian bisons, boars, bears, a wide variety of deer and exotic birds. Boating is the ideal way to explore the sanctuary and to catch a glimpse of the abundant wildlife in close quarters. The park is also famous as an adventure tourism destination. This sanctuary is a perfect example of how human intervention could positively enhance the ecology. Thekkady is located at a distance of 60 km from Idukky.