Vagamon , Kerala

               Vagamon is a hill station located in Kottayam-Idukki border of Kottayam district of Kerala, India. It has a cool climate with the temperature between 10 and 23 °C during a summer midday. It is situated 1,100 metres above sea level. Vagamon was discovered by the British who found the place ideal for tea plantations and they were followed by Christian missionaries who built their abode of service at Kurisumala in Vagamon. National Geographic Traveler has listed Vagamon on their directory of the '50 most attractive places to visit in India.

               Vagamon hill station is comprised of a beautiful series of hillocks, valleys and cascading waterfalls that make it the ideal getaway for tourists. Take a walk along the narrow, mist covered zigzag roads that wind up the hills and experience true bliss. For adventure seekers, there is an option of trekking, para gliding or rock climbing.

               The hill station has a chain of 3 beautiful hills called Thangal hill, Murugan hill and Kurismala that give an enchanting feel to this beautiful hill station. So visit Vagamon hill station to experience eternal bliss and peace of mind.

Kurisumala

Kurisumala  is a Christian pilgrim centre and one of the main attractions at vagamon. The main day of attraction is on Good Friday. This is where hundreds of devotees from far and near converge during the holy week and after to climb the hill carrying wooden crosses.

Pine Forest

Green Meadows

Athirapally Waterfalls, Kerala

           

                Athirappilly Falls is situated in Athirappilly panchayath in Thrissur district of Kerala, on the southwest coast of India. Located on the west-flowing Chalakudy River near the Vazhachal Forest Division and the Sholayar ranges, this 24-metre (80 ft) waterfall and the nearby Vazhachal Falls are popular tourist destinations. It is the largest waterfall in Kerala and is nicknamed "The Niagara of India. The waterfalls are located on the edge of the Sholayar forest ranges are just 5 km apart. This is the only place in the Western Ghats where four endangered Hornbill species are seen. Athirappalli is about 63 km from Thrissur and Vazhachal about 68 km.

Houseboat in kerala

   

                   Houseboats are huge, slow moving exotic barges used for leisure trips, and are in fact reworked version of kettuvallams of olden times. The original kettuvallams were used to carry tons of rice and spices. A standard kettuvallam can hold up to 30 tons from Kuttanad to the Kochi port.

              The kettuvallam is held together with coir knots. Not even a single nail is used during the construction of the boat.. The boat is made of planks of jack-wood joined together with coir. This is then coated with a caustic black resin made from boiled cashew kernels. With careful maintenance, a kettuvallam can last for generations.A portion of the kettuvallam was covered with bamboo and coir to serve as a restroom and kitchen for the crew. Meals would be cooked onboard and supplemented with freshly cooked fish from the backwaters.

             Alappuzha is the citadel of house boats.There are some 120 of them, well maintained and perfected as luxury liners there. The house boats have all the creature comforts of a good hotel: well-furnished bedrooms, modern hygienic toilets, cosy living rooms, a beautiful kitchen and in some cases even a balcony for angling. The crew of a kettuvallam comprises two oarsmen and a cook. Fresh food, cooked in inimitable Kuttanadan style is the rage of the international tourists.Tourists can opt for a day cruise or an overnight stay in a houseboat. Most tourists prefer to stay overnight in a houseboat as it offers a holistic backwater experience.

Wayanad, Kerala

                   Wayanad District is a district in the north-east of Kerala state, India with headquarters at the town of Kalpetta. Wayanad district stands in the southern tip of the Deccan Plateau and its chief glory is the majestic Western Ghats with lofty ridges interspersed with dense forest, tangled jungles and deep valleys. In the centre of the district hills are lower in height while the northern area has high hills and they give a wild and mountainous appearance. The eastern area is flat and open.

Kuruva Island

The Kuruva island, 950 acres of ever green forest on the tributaries of east flowing river Kabani, is an ideal picnic spot, far away from the disturbances of city life. The island is uninhabited. Rare species of birds, orchids and herbs are the sovereigns of this supernal kingdom. It is 17 Kms. east of Mananthavady and 40 kms. north west of Sulthan Bathery.

Edakkal Cave

This location of breathtaking beauty is three kilometres from Ambalavayal which is 25 kilometres from Kalpetta. The Edakkal cave in the Ambukuthy mountain.

Chembra Peak

                   Chembra Peak is the highest peak in Wayanad, at 2,100 metres (6,900 ft) above sea level. Chembra is located near the town of Meppady and is 8 km south of Kalpetta. It is part of the Wayanad hill ranges in Western Ghats, adjoining the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu and Vellarimala in Kozhikode district in Kerala. The hills, rocks and valleys which contribute to the very unique character of Wayanad provide a lot for adventure tourism. Trekking to the Chembra peak is a risky mountaineering endeavour. Trekking to the top of this peak takes almost a day. Tourists can also stay one or two days at the top of the peak in temporary camps. District Tourism Promotion Council provides guides, sleeping bags, canvases, huts and trekking implements on hire. The scenic beauty of Wayanad, which is visible from the top of Chambra, is very exhilerating.

Soochippara Waterfalls

       Soochipara Falls also known as Sentinel Rock Waterfalls is a three-tiered waterfall in Vellarimala, Wayanad, surrounded by Deciduous, Evergreen and Montane forests. Locally referred to as Soochipara ("Soochi" meaning "Needle" and "Para" meaning "Rock"), the 15-20 minute drive from Meppadi to Sentinel Rock Waterfalls offers scenic views of some of the best tea estates in Wayanad.[1] The Sentinel Rock Waterfalls is 200 metres (656 feet) and offers a cliff face that is ideal for rock climbing.[2] The water from Soochipara Falls later joins Chulika River or popularly known as Chaliyar River after Velarimala Hills near Cherambadi (Tamil Nadu) in Kerala.

Banasura sagar Dam

              This is the largest earth dam in India. The topography here is such that many islands will be formed in the upstream of the dam when the dam is full. These islands with the background of the Banasura hill will provide a hypnotising sight to tourists.

Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary

                  Muthanga Wildlife sanctuary is contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka on the northeast and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu on the southeast. Rich in bio-diversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The management lays emphasis on scientific conservation with due consideration for the general lifestyle of the tribals and others who live in and around the forest region.The Sanctuary has a large population of pachyderms and has been declared a Project Elephant site.

Kerala Tourist Place [ Alappuzha or Alleppey ]

                     Alleppey is an important backwater destination. Alappuzha has always enjoyed an important place in the maritime history of Kerala. Today, it is famous for its boat races, backwater holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry. Alappuzha beach is a popular picnic spot. Alleppey is Known as the Venice of the East. Alappuzha is also home to Kuttanad – the Rice Bowl of Kerala, which is one of the few places in the world where farming is done below sea level.

Place to visit in Alleppey

Kuttanad

Alappuzha Backwaters

Alappuzha Beach

Pathiramanal Island

Kerala Beaches

Kovalam Beach

                    Kovalam Beach is the most well-known beach in India. The bay created by the jutting promontory is calm and ideal for bathing. The place has everything you need, comfy cottages, high-end hotels, pools, yoga center, places where you can have soothing medicinal oil baths. It is only 12 km from Trivandrum City.

Bekal Beach

         Bekal Beach in the northern most part of Kerala Kasargod is a long lovely one. The Bekal Fort in the middle makes it enchanting. View the sea from the ramparts of the fort, or walk, swim, or picnic. The place is a declared tourism spot, so all amenities are provided such as accommodation for all pockets, good roads, clean beach etc. It lies at a distance of 16 km from the town of Kasargod.

Varkala Beach

          Varkala Beach also known as Papanasam (washing away sins) Beach is unique for the presence of cliffs a strange sight on the flat coast. As the waves dash against them, water spouts and spas are formed.  One can bathe and swim also at the beach. There are many shops around to have snacks. The town of Varkala is about 32 miles north-west of Trivandrum.

Cherai Beach

           Cherai Beach is on the western coast of  Vypin Island ,25 km from Kochi. Goshree bridges connect the island to the mainland. There are regular ferry services also connecting  the two areas . Cherai beach is the longest compared to two other beaches in the island.

Shankumugham Beach

Shankumugham Beach is located very close to Trivandrum City. It is one of the evening hideouts for the city dwellers to unwind and relax.

Calicut Beach

Calicut Beach is another beach that is located close to the city center.  I have never seen any other beach where these many ice creams shops operate close-by. I am not talking about the ice cream carts but actual shops.

Kappad Beach

Kappad Beach is a historically important beach in Kerala. It is the place where Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese explorer landed in 1498. It is 12 kms away from Calicut city and has beautiful sandy beach stretches.

Munnar Tourist Places

Eravikulam National Park

                       Eravikulam National Park is a 97 km² national park located along the Western Ghats in the Idukki district of Kerala in India, between 10º05'N – 10º20'N latitude and 77º0'E – 77º10'E longitude.

Anamudi

             Anamudi is located in the Indian state Kerala. It is the highest peak in the Western Ghats and South India, at an elevation of 2,695 metres (8,842 ft), and a topographic prominence of 2,479 metres (8,133 ft). The name Anamudi literally translates to "elephant's forehead," a reference to the resemblance of the mountain to an elephant's head.

Attukal Waterfalls

         Attukal Waterfalls is located between Munnar and Pallivasal. It is a panoramic view but assumes a cascading and roaring beauty during the monsoons. It is one of the most attractive scenes that you can look at during your stay at Munnar. Attukal, 9 km away from Munnar, must be visited for its charming sceneries, glittering waterfalls and rolling hills is a feast for the eyes. The place is also ideal for long trekking and hiking but assumes a cascading and roaring beauty during the monsoons.

Echo Point

            Echo Point is 15 km from Munnar. This scenic place gets its name from the natural echo phenomenon here. Echo point is on the way to Top Station from Munnar. Echo point is a scenic lakeside surrounded by hills which echoes back whatever you say, which is unusual near a water body. Trekking through the surrounding hill tops gives an amazing view of the beautiful hill station .Climate is pleasant, cool and misty though heavy showers are common between June-september which gives it a very fresh feel.