Kerala offers unique opportunity to experience breathtakingly beautiful backwaters which consist of a complex network of brackish lagoons, lovely lakes and canals. The most predominant way to experience the Kerala backwaters is Kerala houseboats (also known as Kettuvalloms). Take a leisurely journey along Kerala backwater on luxurious Kerala houseboats. Have opportunity to reside at Kerala houseboat floating over beautiful backwaters. Kerala houseboats are also very popular among honeymooner as they provide sheer verdant green surrounding and exceptional natural beauty.

• Capital : Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
• Famous For : Backwaters, Beaches, Ayurveda
• Temperature : Summer - Max.36.2, Min.20.6, and Winter - Max.35, Min.18
• Rainfall : 170 cm (May to November)
• Ideal Time to Visit : September- April
• Language : Malayalam, English

Kerala is on the southernmost tip of India. It stretches along the coast of the Arabian Sea and is separated from the rest of the sub continent by the steep Western Ghats. The state lies between 80 18 ' and 120 48 ' north latitude and 740 52' and 770 22' east longitude. The breadth of the state varies from 32 kms in the extreme north and south to over 120 kms in the middle. The backwaters of Kerala are unique attraction to tourists. The biggest among these backwaters is the Vembanad lake, with an area of 200 sq km, which opens out into the Arabian Sea at Cochin port. Backwaters, historical structures, culture, wildlife, and natural beauty, the state has all these and more.

Major Cities in Kerala

• Kannur
  Part of the famous Malabar region, Kannur has historically always been in the thick of action. Kollathiri Rajas, Pazhassi Rajas, Ali Rajas, The Portuguese, The Dutch, The French, The British, then the freedom struggle etc are all part of its history. Forts, Temples, Beaches and the temple festivals make Kannur worth visiting.
  
  
• Munnar
  Munnar, a misty, lush green hill station up in the Annamalai range of Kerala, is a tea plantation centre. Tea gardens, some of the highest in the world stretch up the sides of the hills and are interspersed with pockets of forest rich in wildlife.
  
  
• Malappuram
  Malappuram (literally, a land atop hills) is situated 50 km south east of Kozhikode. Bounded by the Nilgiri hills on the east, the Arabian sea on the west and Thrissur and Palakkad districts on the south, Malappuram is enriched by three great rivers flowing through it - the Chaliyar, the Kadalundi and the Bharathapuzha. It was a famous centre for Hindu-Vedic learning and Islamic philosophy.
  
  
• Idukki
  The unspoiled natural queen of Kerala, a tourist paradise, "Idukki". This is the most gifted district of Kerala. About 1500 Sq.Km. of its area is reserved forest, much of which is home to a variety of flora and fauna. This forest area house wild life like, tigers, deer, Indian bisons and monkeys. Streams, valleys and hills combine to make Idukki an ideal year-round holiday destination.
  
  
• Thekkady (Periyar)
  Thekkady, 115 km from Kottayam, is the one of best known wild life centres in India. The Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary here, offers a fairly good chance of seeing the great Indian tiger in its natural habitat.
  
  
• Trivandrum
  At the southern end of the state, Thiruvananthapuram is a district surrounded by the Arabian sea and the Western Ghats. The district headquarters, also of the same name, is the Capital of the state. During the British period and till a few years ago, it was known as Trivandrum, a name that suited the English to pronounce. A quiet, neat and clean city, it has a rich cultural heritage too.
  
  
• Alleppey
  Alleppey is well known for its boat races, houseboats, coir products, fish and lakes. Alleppey is a lovely backwater destination, offering visitors many other leisure options like - boating and fishing, very popular with the tourists. With calm backwaters, beautiful houseboats, Cormorants, Chinese fishing nets and swaying palms - Alleppey is a perfect relaxation your senses.
  
  
• Cochin
  Cochin is the commercial capital of Kerala, and is sometimes referred to as the 'Queen of the Arabian Sea'. Cochin proudly boasts a rich cultural heritage, but is one of the most fast paced and modern cities in India. It is also one of the finest natural harbours of the world and a major Indian port.
  
  
• Calicut Vythiry (Wyanad)
  
  
• Parambikulam
  
  
• Meesapulimala
  
  
• Chinnar
  
  
• Eravikulam

Beaches in Kerala

• Kovalam Beach
• Chowara Beach
• Shanghumugham Beach
• Varkala Papanasam Beach
• Bekal Beach
• Alleppey Beach
• Quilon Beach
• Cherayi Beach (Kochi)

Wildlife in Kerala

• Shenduruni Wildlife Sanctuary
  (66 km from town on the Kollam-Shencotta road) : Main attractions: Elephatns, tigers, leopards, bears, lion tailed macques.
  
  
• Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary
  (50 km from Thiruvananthapuram) Main attractions: Elephants, sambar deer, leopards and lion tailed macques.
  
  
• Neyyar wildlife Sanctuary
  (30 km from Thiruvananthapuram) Main attractions: Elephants , gaurs, sloth, bears, Nilgiri tahrs, lion safari park.
  
  
• Trekking Trails
  Agasthyarkoodam (Thiruvananthapuram), the second highest peak in Kerala, at a height of 1890 m above sea level. (Rcommended season for trekking: December to April)
  
  
• Silent Valley National Park
  (40 km from Mannarghat): Main attractions: Elephants, tigers, wild boars, flying squirrels, lion tailed macaques and king cobras.
  
  
• Periyar Tiger Reserve
  One of the world's most fascinating natural wildlife sanctuaries, Thekaddy is noted for its geomorphology, wildlife and beautiful landscape. This sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978, Entry to the Periyar Wildlfie Sanctuary: 0600-1800 hrs
  
  
• Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
  Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, situated on the banks of the Vembanand Lake is known for its varied avian population. Local varieties such as waterfowls, cuckoos and owls, as well as the migratory Siberian Cranes can be viewed here.
  
  
• Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
  One of the well known wildlife sanctuaries in the south, Periyar sanctuary attracts a large number of nature lovers every year. Also called the Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary, this place is ideal for watching the animals in their natural habitat.
  
  

Fair & Festivals in Kerala

• Thrichenganoor Mahadeva Temple
• Thaipooya Mahptsavam
• Danaha Perunal
• Gramam
• Mamangam
• Athachamayam
• Onam
• Soorya Dance Festival
• Kothamangalam Marthoman Church
• Sabarimala
• Nishagandhi Dance Festival
• Attukal Pongala Utsavam
• Malabar Mahotsavam
• Sivaratri
• Kalavayal (Cattle Fair)
• Trissur Pooram
• Ochirakali
• Mannarasala Aayilyam
• Parumala Perunal
• St. Mary's Forane Church, Bharananganam
• Sree Krishna Temple

Hill Stations in Kerala

• Munnar
  Munnar is a hill station, located at an altitude of 1,600m, was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British government in South India.
  
  
• Mattupetti
  Situated at a height of 1,700m, Mattupetti is famous for its highly specialised dairy farm, the Indo-Swiss live stock project. Over 100 varieties of high yielding cattle are reared here. Visitors are allowed into three of the eleven cattle sheds at the farm.
  
  
• Ponmudi
  The enchanting bounty of nature can be witnessed in the quiet surroundings of Ponmudi. Perched at an altitude of over 100m above sea level on the Western Ghats, the shimmering green waters of the winding streams and verdant woods of Ponmudi do not spare anybody.

Temples in Kerala

• Sabarimala Temple
• Guruvayoor Temple
• Sri Padmanabh Swamy Temple
• Vadukkumnathan Temple

How to Reach

• By Air
  Two international airports one at Thiruvananthapuram and the other at Kochi connect Kerala to all the important cities. The nearest airport is at Thiruvananthapuram. Air-India and Indian Airlines flights connect the city to all the other major cities in India. Private Airlines: Continental Airways operate flight to Thiruvananthapuram from Mumbai and Goa.
  
  
• By Rail
  Thiruvananthapuram is directly connected by rail to all the major cities in India.
  
  
• By Road
  Thiruvananthapuram is connected by regular bus services to several parts of India. Important distances are: Cochin 223 kms, Kanyakumari 87 kms, Periyar 272 kms.