Kerala

Trip to Kerala

Kerala is one of those places on earth which is blessed with the adornment and nourishment of Mother Nature’s benevolent hands and has truly grew up as a green paradise on the lap of India. This coastal state is rich in unique cultures, distinctive traditions and chaste tropical beauty. It is a place where a traveler can find real pleasure of spending leisurely vacation with family and friends, discover the uniqueness of romantic honeymoon trips, new adventurous spot, make health trips or devotional journeys. So, in one word” the Venice of east” is a destination to provide you all heavenly conjunctions of nature and mankind at a single journey.
Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
How to reach Kerala:
1. Air Transport: Three major airports with both international and domestic flight facility are situated in Kerala. Those are
• Thiruvananthapuram
• Kochi/Cochin,
• Kozhikode.
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport
Domestic Flight International Flight
Delhi Colombo
Mumbai Maldives
Bangalore Dubai
Chennai Sharjah
Bahrain
Doha
Ras-al-Khaimah
Kuwait
Riyadh
Fujairah
Singapore

Cochin International Airport, Nedumbassery
Domestic Flight International Flight
Goa Sharjah
Mumbai Abu Dhabi
Bangalore Dubai
Chennai Riyadh
Agathi Bahrain
Muscat

Karipur Airport, Kozhikode
Domestic Flight International Flight
Delhi Bahrain
Mumbai Dubai
Coimbatore Sharjah
Chennai Doha
Ras-al-Khaimah
Kuwait
Riyadh
Fujairah
Singapore

Those international flights ply back and forth from the same places that are provided by the flights serving the airport in Thiruvananthapuram.
1. Road Transport: By bus
Tamil Nadu State Bus like SETC also operates regularly from Kerala. Kerala’s State bus- KRSTC-Kerala do have regular Ordinary bus to most of nearby places in Tamil However Private bus players to operate more buses than Govt options. Most of them are well maintained. Kallada, Shama, KPN are the major Bus players, though recently Raj National and few others have entered with Pan India operations. Kallada, KPN, Shama etc have regular buses to Bangalore, Chennai and many other places in Tamil Nadu as well as Karnataka on various times
It is recommended that you consider booking long distance bus tickets on “Air Conditioned Volvo buses” operated by all operators as the quality of the other buses vary significantly.
2. Road Transport:
Kerala is well connected by National Highways:
 NH 17 -Connects Mumbai to Cochin via Western coastal side of Goa, Karnataka and almost all towns of Malabar like Kannur, Kozhikode etc),
 NH47-Connects Salem with Kanyakumari via Coimbatore, Palakkad, Thrissur,Kochi, Alapuzha, Kollam, Trivandrum
 NH 212 Connects Kozhikode to Mysore via Wayanad),
 NH 49 (Connecting Kochi to Ramaeswaram via Munnar, Madurai),
NH 220 (Connecting Kollam to Theni in Tamil Nadu via Kottayam, Kanjirapally, Kumily and enters into Tamil Nadu at Kambam),
NH 208 (Connecting Kollam with Madurai via Punalur, Shenkottai, Tenkasi) and
NH 213 (Connecting Palakkad with Kozhikode)
Most of the NH roads are dual carriageways.
3. Bus Transport: There are two kinds of bus transport services in this state – Inter-state private and government bus that works between neighboring states and generally performs the journey in the night to escape the hand of great temperature of daytime.

Inter-state bus service:
• Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC-Karnataka) with daily bus services
Fro- Major cities of Kerala
To- Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore.

• Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC-Karnataka) with
Volvo AC bus services
To- Bangalore, Coimbatore.

• Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC-Karnataka) with regular ordinary bus
To- Most of nearby places in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

4. Rail Transport: Indian Railways provides several trains to, from and within Kerala. There are around 200 railway stations in Kerala connecting most of the places in the state to places in the other parts of India and within the state. Such as
• Long distance express trains(direct)
Kerala to and fro-
States-Karnataka, Tamilnadu
Cities- Delhi , Mumbai ,Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata.
Most trains in Kerala originate or terminate in Thiruvananthapuram or Ernakulam. Usually those trains often stay heavily booked.
• The Golden Chariot- Recently, this luxury tourist train has brought out an amazing South Indian Rail Tour for the tourists, which includes many parts of Kerala. By following its fixed time schedule a tourist can experience a new kind of rail tour which is an easy way to travel through this new state without knowing it thoroughly.
The schedule of Golden Chariot:
Starts from- Bangalore
Covers -Chennai, Pondicherry, Trichy, Madurai, Trivandrum, Alapuzha, Kochi and back to Bangalore.
Package tour- 7 night/8 day,
Cost-US$3,000-7,000 depending upon the class taken.
5. Water Transport: There are several types of ferry services in Kerala that on one hand carries the huge means of water transportation and on the other hand maintains the traditional charisma of this state.
• Regular ships Venturing :
From –Kochi
To- Lakshadweep Islands.

• Public ferry services, speed-boats, houseboats or ketuvallams ‘.
Within the state, the backwaters of Kerala are popular means of transportation, but tourist attractions as well.
Know Kerala:
Geographical Position:
• Kerala is situated on the Malabar Coast, in the southwest of India.
• Total area of Kerala is about 38,863 square kilometers.
• Tamil Nadu is located to the east and Karnataka is situated to the northeast border of Kerala. There is the Arabian Sea to the west and the Indian Ocean to its south along with the boundary of the Western Ghats in the east.
• Kerala’s coast is about 580km in length.
• The state comprises of 14 districts.
Kerala is truly qualified to achieve the coronet of being “God’s own country”. The zigzag rocky territory of the Western Ghats, golden seashores, rich greenery of coconut trees, the beautiful streams and cascades, indolent backwaters along with sprawling plantations and paddy fields Kerala has nearly become a paradise that is mended by nature herself.
Weather: Kerala is divided by three climatically distinct regions. That are-
• The eastern highlands with cool and rocky mountainous terrain,
• The western lowlands with coastal plains and a tropical weather,
• The central midlands, situated within the humid equatorial tropics and consisting of rolling hills.
Kerala also has three seasonal diversity.
Summer: April-June (24 – 33 degree Celsius)
Monsoon: July/July-September (22 – 27 degree Celsius)
Winter: October/November-March (22 – 32 degree Celsius)
The best seasons to visit: December-May
Places to visit:
Cities
• Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)-The capital and the largest city in Kerala.

Famous for- Museums, Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Beaches (especially nearness to the beautiful Kovalam Beach), parks, historical monuments and also being a major IT hub, as well as domicile of several educational institutions and research centers.

• Alapuzha (Alleppey)- The heartland of Kerala Backwaters and an important place in the maritime history of Kerala.

Famous for- Natural maze of zigzag waterways and canals across the city which is popularly known as the Venice of the East. In every month of August the biggest boat race in India for the Nehru Trophy takes place here. It is also a famous spot to visit for its backwater’ houseboat cruises’, popular picnic spots such as Vijaya Beach Park, beaches, an old lighthouse, marine products and coir industry.

• Kochi (Cochin) – The commercial capital of Kerala and the gateway of Kerala is located in the district of Ernakulam, about 220 km north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. It is a beautiful and modern city, ideal for both business trip and leisure tour. It is the largest city of Kerala.

Famous for-It is popularly known as “Queen of the Arabian Sea”. Being a cosmopolitan city, it is the largest urban agglomeration and the second largest city of Kerala and has countless shopping options. It is a natural harbour and the primary seaport of India and also the centre of Indian spice trade. Old Kochi loosely refers to a group of islands which comprise Willingdon Island, Fort Kochi, Mattancherry, etc includeing Ernakulam city, old parts of Kochi, Kumbalangi, and outlying islands- which are the most visited tourist attractions.

• Kannur-The historical town of Kerala.

Famous for- Historical forts, strong heritage, political movements and also beaches etc.

• Kollam (Quilon) – The industrial town.

Famous for- Kollam is a centre of Cashew trade and coir industries. It is famous for its beautiful backwaters, lakes. It is also popularly known as the Swapnadesham by many of her faithful admirer. a houseboat ride on the backwaters will be the greatest achievement of visiting here.

• Kottayam – The commercial town.

Famous for- It is famous for its latex, literacy and letters along with being a renowned and most important educational centre.

• Kozhikode (Calicut) – Most well-known city of Malabar area,where Vasco da Gamma landed for the first time in India, and one of the world’s oldest thriving trade centers.

Famous for- A very neat city known for its friendly inhabitants. It is located on the northern part of Kerala and its unexplored destination of backwater regions are perfect place for the leisure cruise travels.

• Munnar – Situated at the confluence of three mountain streams – Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala, and perched about 1600 m above sea level, the hill station of Munnar is a virgin hill station with misty mountains, streams, waterfalls ,vast expanses of tea plantations, colonial bungalows and chilly weather. It is also an ideal destination for trekking and mountain biking.

Famous for-Eravikulam National Park which is famous for its endangered inhabitant – the Nilgiri Tahr and also home to several animals ,birds and species of rare butterflies. A great place for trekking, the park offers a magnificent view of beautiful hilly regions, tea plantations and rare flowery landscapes.Except that
Anamudi Peak which is the highest peak in south India , Mattupetty is known for its storage masonry dam, offers pleasurable boat rides,and the beautiful lake, which enabling one to enjoy the surrounding hills and landscape,Pallivasal, favourable picnic spot,Chinnakanal and the waterfalls here, popularly known as Power House Waterfalls and is enriched with the scenic view of the Western Ghat ranges. Anayirangal has a lush green carpet of tea plants and evergreen forests.
Top Station is the highest point on the Munnar-Kodaikanal road and a point to visit Top Station to enjoy the panoramic view of the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu along with the rare Neelakurunji flowers blooming over a vast area. The Tea Museum houses curios, photographs and machineries; all of which have a story to tell on the origins and growth of tea plantation in Munnar.

• Thrissur (Trichur) – The cultural capital of Kerala.

Famous for-It is mostly famous for jewellery shops and silk sarees.

Other destinations

• Athirapilly Waterfalls — Is a first grade Grama Panchayath with 489.00 km² area in Mukundapuram Taluk, Thrissur district in Kerala, India. It is located 60 km from Thrissur city.

Famous for-Milky waterfalls and virgin rain forests

• Kasaragod /Bekal Fort — Kasaragod, the Northern most district of Kerala is about a kilometre from Bekal Fort.It is about 16 km South of Kasaragod on the national highway
Famous for-Is the land of cultures, gods, Portuguese forts, rivers, hills and beautiful beaches. The magnificent fort at Bekal is one of the largest and best historical preserved forts in Kerala which a shallow beach near the Bekal fort known as Bekal Fort Beach has been.

• Varkala- Is a calm and quiet destination ,situated on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram district.

Famous for- It has several places of tourist interests like a beautiful beach, mineral water springs ,a 2000-year-old Vishnu Temple and theashramam – Sivagiri Mutt a little distance from the beach.

• Kovalam Beach — The most beautiful and world famous beach,situated near Trivandrum.

Famous for-It has three different beaches of which the Lighthouse beach is the most famous beach. It is also famous for Ayurvedic treatment especially during monsoon. It is perfect place of leisurely relaxation.

• Kumarakom —A small backwater town, 16 kms away from Kottyam and situated on the banks of the Vembanad Lake.
Famous for- Fishing, Boating across the Vembanad Lake , visiting to the countryside and the beautiful bird sanctuary has made it an attractive tourist destination.
• Thekkady/Periyar National Park- One of the best national park that stays open all year round, even during the monsoon season.

Famous for- Known for its elephants, and 30 minute elephant rides through the jungle. Safaris are carried out by boat cruise, with the lake being extremely fascinating at sunset along with the facilities of taking part in eco-tourism programs. There is a 26 Sq. Km. artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar river.
Wild animals like the Elephant, Gaur, Sambar Deer and wild boar, Mammals like the Nilgiri Thar, the lion tailed macaque, the bonnet macaque, theMalabar giant Squirrel, the flying Squirrel, the Tiger, the jungle cat and the sloth bear are seen only once in a while. Around 265 different species of birds like the Hornbill, stork, woodpecker, kingfisher, raptor, cormorant, grackle, darter etc. can also be seen.

• Palakkad —Located near a wide low gap or pass in the Western Ghats mountain ranges that separates Kerala from Tamil Nadu. It is a major conduit for travel between the two states.

Famous for- Is the land of Palmyras and Paddy fields, the chief granary of Kerala and is known as the Gateway of Kerala. This city is surrounded by large rice farms mountains, forests and fertile valleys, rivers and mountains streams are rich in flora and fauna.It is also known for its rural lifestyle, historical background and the remnants of Tippu Sulthan’s Fort are still maintained.

• Silent Valley National Park — The core of the Niligiri Biosphere Reserve above an altitude of 2000 meters with an area of 90 Sq. Km.

Famous for- Is a unique reserve of tropical rain forest with several endangered, protected species, beautiful flora and fauna with an
endless ecological history.

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• Wayanad – Is an intense green mountainous region that stretches along the Western Ghats.

Famous for- It is known for mist-clad hill stations, extensive spice plantations, luxuriant forests and rich cultural traditions. Caves, waterfalls and untouched forests along with the hidden oldest tribals, are really very pristine and near to nature.

• Ponmudi —is a part of the Western Ghats mountain range that runs parallel to the Arabian Sea. This hill station is situated in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala and is known as the The Golden Peak. Its located 61 km north-east of Trivandrum city at an altitude of 1100 m.
Famous for- Its enchanting picturesque scenery is a must view for a complete Kerala trip.

The most beautiful and extraordinary trip in the venice of east:
Kerala Backwaters —Across central Kerala, experiencing a cruise at leisure in the Kerala backwaters on traditional houseboat or ‘Kettuvallom’, through the narrow waterways and villages into Kumarakom ,Alappuzha, Vembanad Lake,Alamkadavu and the magnificent Kerala backwaters is surely a memorable thing for your entire India travel.

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport