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.
Idyllically set at the confluence of three mountain streams, Munnar is a beautiful hill station in the Western Ghats mountain range in India’s Kerala state. The village once served as a popular vacation resort for the British Raj elite who flocked to here to enjoy the pleasant cool climate and the scenic natural surroundings characterised by rolling hills dotted with colonial bungalows, streams, waterfalls and 19th-century tea plantations. The main attraction in the area is the extraordinary Eravikulam National Park, which is famous for its diverse array of wildlife including the endangered mountain goat known as Nilgiri tahr. The park is also home to the exquisite Lakkam Waterfalls, some excellent hiking trails, and the impressive 2,695 metre-highl Anamudi Peak.
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.
Located in the Indian state of Kerala, the bustling city of Alappuzha, also known as Alleppey, is set along the coast of the beautiful Laccadive Sea. Dubbed the ‘Venice of the East’, it is renowned for its sublime houseboat cruises which float along the tranquil canals of Kerala. Alappuzha is also said to be one of the most beloved tourist centres in the state. While cruising the palm-shaded canals is the most popular thing to do, visitors can also enjoy visiting Alappuzha’s beautiful beaches, exploring the little riverside villages dotting the lush countryside and discovering an array of resplendent temples. Don’t miss the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race held at Punnamada Lake.
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.
