Conveniently located 16 kilometres from the city of Thiruvananthapuram, Kovalam is a small but well-developed tourist village on the coast of the southern Indian state of Kerala. It is renowned for its exquisite palm-lined surf beaches, and the well-known Lighthouse Beach, which is lined with an array of excellent hotels, restaurants, and shops, and a striped lighthouse at its southern end, is a must-see. The village attracts surfers with its surf culture, excellent waves, and popular surf club. Enjoy a wonderfully relaxing Ayurvedic massage, sample delicious local seafood, and try your hand at a range of exhilarating water sports.
The southern state of Tamil Nadu is a land of many charms, renowned for its age-old Hindu temples, elaborate Dravidian architecture, delicious Southern Indian cuisine and breathtaking scenery, among other assets. The capital, Chennai, is one of the most visited destinations in India, and the gateway to South India; the 4000-year-old city of Madurai is the location of the country’s most venerated temples (including the ancient Meenakshi temple), and the union territory of Pondicherry is distinctly French in atmosphere and culture – a legacy of its colonial past. The state’s natural attractions include the cascading waterfall of Courtallam; the Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary; the Pichavaram mangrove jungle (the second largest of its kind in the world), and the Mundanthurai-Kalakad wildlife sanctuary, stretching over more than 800 square kilometres and home to several endangered species, among others.
Located in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, Madurai is the oldest existing city on the Indian peninsula, and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with a recorded history spanning more than 2500 years. It is known as ‘the city of temples’ due to its countless ancient Hindu shrines, including the great Meenakshi-Sundareswar Temple, spread over 6 hectares and featuring a series of 50-metre-high gateway towers that can be seen from afar. The best time to visit Madurai is between October and March, when temperatures are between 20-35 degrees.
A tourist attraction in Kerala, Thekkady is a district located at the Periyar National Park. Thekkady comprises evergreen forests and savanna grasslands and is known for its natural spices such as black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and clove. Elephants, tigers, sambar and many other species inhabit the park. Top attractions include the exquisite ancient Mangla Devi Temple, the aromatic Abraham’s spice garden, and the massive waterfall at the sleepy, picturesque village of Chellarkovil. Take in panoramic views of the extraordinary landscape from the Chellarkovil viewpoint, and picnic on the rolling, lush green lawns at Pandikuzhi. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Kadathanadan Kalari Centre, to see demonstrations of the best traditional martial arts. Thekaddy also has a rich living tribal culture.
Situated only 40 km from the city of Cochin, in the Alappuzha district of Kerala, Mararikulam is a charming little coastal village known for its pristine sand beaches, swinging coconut palms, and quiet, laidback atmosphere. The village has managed to avoid the mass development associated with many of the other beach towns in the area resulting in an untouched natural environment dotted with only a handful of small resorts. The main attraction here is the exquisite Marari beach where you will find fishermen heading out daily to explore the Malabar coast, much as their ancestors have done for generations.
Also known as Cochin, Kochi is a city in southwest India's coastal Kerala state. This attractive city has served as a popular port for over 600 years and is known for its eclectic architecture and its array of religious monuments, museums, galleries, cafes and antique shops. The city stretches across a number of peninsulas and islands, which can be reached by a network of water taxis and bridges. The majority of Kochi’s visitor highlights can be found on the peninsula of Fort Kochi. These highlights include the St Francis Church, the oldest European-built church in India; and Mattancherry Palace, which dates back to 1557 and contains some exceptional Kerala murals and temple art. Other must-see attractions include the Kerala Folklore Museum, displaying more than 4,000 cultural and ethnic artifacts; and the 16th-century Jewish Synagogue; and the vibrant local market.
