“The lost seem to find their way into these woods”
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is another one of the 12 wildlife sanctuaries that has found its place amidst the Western Ghats. Lying in the Munnar district of Kerala, this sanctuary seems to suffer from the “rain shadow effect”. That is to say, this area receives relatively less rainfall due to the nasty winds here. Nevertheless, this place has many feathers in the hat, ones that you would never want to miss!
Often abbreviated as PNP, the Periyar National Park and wildlife sanctuary is located in the Indian state of Kerala. The national park covers an area of 925 sq kilometers with a core zone of around 325 sq kilometers. It is also known to some as Thekkady, and is known for its tiger and elephant population. Thekkady is located on the state border of Tamil Nadu and located high in the Cardamom and Pandalam Hills. The areas were first protected by the Maharaja of Travancore in 1934 and were later declared as a wildlife reserve post Indian Independence. Periyar National Park comprises of varying altitude which ranges from 1,700 meters to 100 meters above sea level. The highest point in Periyar is the Kottamalai which is 2,019 meters above sea level. The scenic beauty and the wildlife of Periyar make it one of the best places to visit if you want to experience nature at its best.
[Also Visit: Best National Parks in India]
Munnar is one of the most popular hill stations, located in the southern Indian state of Kerala. Munnar lies at an average elevation of 1,700 meters above sea level in the Western Ghats mountain range in India. The town’s popularity as a summer resort grew during the British Rule, who introduced the region with tea plantations. Today, Munnar is one of the largest tea producing regions in India, known for its distinctive and flavorsome tea. The town is located at the confluence of three rivers and is famous for its vast tea plantations, lush green mountains and picturesque town.
Located by the cliffs adjacent to the Arabian Sea, Varkala is known for its several ayurvedic treatment centers and spas. The city enjoys a favorable climate throughout the year and due to its religious importance, is often referred to as the ‘Kashi of the South’. Varkala’s beaches are less crowded and cleaner than the bustling ones at Kovalam, and are thus a favorite spot for the people who like to relax in a serene environment. Here’s the list of the best places to visit in Varkala.
Located in the heart of the slithering backwaters of Kerala, Alleppey or Alappuzha is often termed the “Venice of the East”. The town is among the oldest planned towns in India and is famous for its several backwater canals, beaches, paddy fields and lagoons. Alleppey is iconic for its houseboats cruises in the backwaters and attracts thousands of visitors each year. With the Laccadive Sea on its west Alleppey is blessed with an abundance of natural flora and fauna and the backwaters and the wetlands make it rich in marine life and resident and migratory avi fauna. Alleppey is also a cultural hub in Kerala since the early Sangam Era (3rd Century BC – 4th Century AD) and was a stronghold of the Chera Kingdom and had trade relations with the Greek and Romans. Alleppey was also one of the spots where St. Thomas the Apostle built the Churches. Here’s the list of the best places to visit in Alleppey.
Located at the Western Ghats with an average elevation of 1700 meters above sea level, Munnar is a famous hill station in Kerala. The hill station enjoys a favorable and pleasant climate all year round and is famous for its lush green hills and tea plantations. Being located in the Western Ghats, Munnar is also home to several protected areas which house some of the most rare and endangered species of flora and fauna. Listed below are the best places you can visit in Munnar.
Located at the Laccadive Sea coast, Kollam is an ancient port town and is also known by its anglicized name Quilion. The region came under the reign of the Chera Dynasty until the formation of the Venad Kingdom in the 9th century. The city had trade relations with China, Egypt and Malaysia and has been deeply influenced by the plethora of cultural exchanges that occurred during the Sangam period. The city is another tourist hub, a trait common with most major towns in Kerala and is known for its spices and cashew industry. Below is a list of the best places you can visit in Kollam.
Known to most by its anglicized name Trichur, Thrissur is also called the “Cultural Capital of Kerala“. Built around a 65-acre hillock, Thrissur is home to several temples, learning centers, cultural centers, churches and several colorful cultural festivals. The city was one of the oldest sites of human settlements with megaliths and dolmens belonging to the Neolithic period. Thrissur also came under the rule of the Chera dynasty of the Sangam era and later under the Kingdom of Cochin and eventually the British. The climate of Thrissur stays pleasant all year round with the city receiving rains between May and October. Here’s the list of the best places you can visit in Thrissur.
Kovalam, which is Malayalam for ‘Grove of coconut trees’ is located by the Arabian Sea in the Indian state of Kerala, and is known for its amazing beaches. As the name suggests, the city is characterized by its endless rows of coconut trees and is often called the ‘Paradise of the South’. The town became one of the major tourist hotspots in India, after the hippy culture explosion during the 1970’s and it became an essential part of the Hippy Trail. The town’s iconic Halcyon Castle was built during the time of the Travancore Queen Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi in the 1930’s. As a result, her European guests discovered the town’s unique beauty and it soon saw the arrival of countless hordes of tourists. Today, Kovalam is one of the major tourist spots in Kerala. Here’s the list of the best places one can visit in Kovalam.
If you are looking for a place that is beauty personified, if you are after a place that offers serene atmosphere and spectacular views and if you are aiming for some rejuvenation for your body and soul through natural treatment, you cannot think of a place other than Kerala. Kerala, the land, which enjoys the partiality of Mother Nature, has a lot to offer to tourists. Awe-inspiring beaches, majestic hill tops and picturesque landscape spellbound you on your visit to Kerala. It is very difficult to shortlist the tourist places in Kerala to narrow it down to 10 top places. However, an attempt is made here and you could include as many in your itinerary. The only suggestion while you visit Kerala is to take a long leave so that you could maximize your stay in the place.