
Short URL: http://tnot.es/Kerala
More than just one of the nicest bathing spots in India, especially around Kasaragod, there is plenty of history and
culture in Kerala too.
Kerala has 14 districts or administrative divisions with the major
cities being Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Kochi and Kozhikode.

The best time to visit Kerala is during the months of October to
April.
There are three airports
in the state of Kerala which provide international and domestic connections:
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV),
Cochin International Airport (COK), and
Calicut International Airport (CCJ).
The Government of Kerala state
is headquartered in Thiruvananthapuram.
Kerala Tourism:
Official website of the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala, India.
Around Kerala
Popular destinations in Kerala: Alappuzha, Bekal, Fort Kochi,
Kovalam, Kumarakom, Munnar, Muzhapilangad, Thekkady, Varkala, Wayanad.
Kerala
Backwaters:
Stretching down half the length of Kerala state, the Kerala backwaters includes five large
lakes linked by canals and fed by 38 rivers.
Referred to as the 'Venice of the East', Alappuzha (Alleppey) has a vast
network of lakes, lagoons and freshwater rivers.
District Tourism Promotion
Council of Alappuzha:
With an overwhelming presence of water in the form of canals and backwaters, the district
of Alappuzha has a distinct lifestyle.
Visiting
Alappuzha.
Hotels in
Alleppey.
Located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, Ernakulam is a booming business
metropolis; a fascinating mixture of the old and the new.
District Tourism Promotion
Council of Ernakulam:
The centrally located district of Ernakulam is considered something of a gateway for
travellers and tourists wishing to visit Kerala.
Visiting
Ernakulam.
Travel to Kochi (Cochin)
Kochi is a clean, green port city in Kerala,
which stands dotted with a number of sites and monuments of historical significance.
The air gateway to Kochi is the Cochin International Airport (COK) located at Nedumbassery, about 17 miles
north of Kochi city.
Keeping in mind the sound infrastructure this region provides
tourists, you can plan a visit to Kochi absolutely anytime of the year. However, the peak
season to travel to Kochi is between October and April, when a hot and dry climate
prevails.
The daytime temperature would average around 32 degrees Celsius,
whereas, the night's would be around 20 degrees Celsius.
As Cochin is situated 10 degrees to the north of Equator, its climate
is hot and humid throughout the year.
The period between June and September invariably experiences heavy
showers because of the southwest monsoon; while the northwest monsoon causes drizzle
during October to December.
If you want to avoid the rains, it might be best to visit Kochi
between December and March.
Hotels in Kochi.
Idukki is
Keralas largest district; a landlocked region with numerous trekking trails and
spectacular landscape that make it a dream destination for nature enthusiasts.
District Tourism Promotion Council
of Idukki:
Idukki's hilly terrain, including the highest point in South India, offers active visitors
plenty of scope for trekking and other adventure sports.
Visiting
Idukki.
Hotels in
Idukki.
Kannur
(Cannanore) is said to be the ancient port of Naura, from whose shores King Solomons
ships collected timber to build the great temple of Jerusalem.
District Tourism Promotion Council
of Kannur:
Kannur offers visitors a mix of beautiful beaches, historic sites, interesting folk arts
and folk music, rituals, religious practices and festivities.
Visiting
Kannur.
Hotels in
Kannur.
Kasaragod,
the northernmost district of Kerala has a 293 kilometre long coastline.
District Tourism Promotion
Council of Kasaragod:
The 300-year-old Bekal Fort is one of the main attractions of Kasaragod.
Visiting
Kasaragod.
Hotels in
Kasaragod.
Kollam (Quilon),
once a famous port serving the international spice trade, was mentioned by Marco Polo and Ibn Batuta in glowing terms.
District Tourism Promotion Council
of Kollam:
Home to Sasthamcotta, the largest fresh water lake in Kerala, Kollam is considered an
ideal launch point to cruising on the Kerala backwaters.
Visiting
Kollam.
Hotels in Kollam.
Kottayam is a
picturesque state attracting tourists to its panoramic backwaters of Kumarakom, lush paddy
fields, highlands and extensive rubber plantations.
District Tourism Promotion
Council of Kottayam:
The district of Kottayam is the place to head for if you wish to visit the high ranges in
Central Kerala.
Visiting
Kottayam.
Hotels in
Kottayam.
A mighty seaport where Arab, Chinese and East African traders once
converged, Kozhikode (Calicut)
was previously the most important region of the Malabar Coast.
District Tourism Promotion
Council of Kozhikode:
It was in Kozhikode that Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese navigator, first came ashore; back
in 1498.
Visiting
Kozhikode.
Hotels in
Kozhikode.
Malappuram,
literally a land atop hills, has contributed much to the cultural heritage of Kerala.
District Tourism Promotion
Council of Malappuram:
The hilly district of Malappuram has the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats to its east.
Visiting
Malappuram.
Hotels in
Malappuram.
Palakkad
(Palghat) is a vast expanse of verdant plains interspersed with hills, rivers, mountain
streams and forests.
District Tourism Promotion
Council of Palakkad:
Palakkad is one of the larger Kerala districts; a blend of forest, rivers, valleys, and
hills.
Visiting
Palakkad.
Hotels in
Palakkad.
The hilly territory of Pathanamthitta is dotted with
temples, rivers, mountain ranges and coconut groves; making it a popular place of pilgrim
worship in Kerala.
District Tourism Promotion
Council of Pathanamthitta:
Although the smallest Kerala district, Pathanamthitta attracts millions of pilgrims to the
shrine of Lord Ayappa in the Sabari Hills.
Visiting
Pathanamthitta.
Hotels
in Pathanamthitta.
Named after Lord Vishnu, Thiruvananthapuram
(Trivandrum) is home to many ancient temples; the Sree Padmanabha
Swamy Temple among them.
District Tourism
Promotion Council of Thiruvananthapuram:
Thiruvananthapuram is the capital city of Kerala. There are direct trains from
Thiruvananthapuram to all the main towns in Kerala as well as the major cities in India.
Visiting
Thiruvananthapuram.
Hotels in
Trivandrum.
Thrissur
(Trichur) is the cultural capital of Kerala and synonymous with the spectacular Pooram
Festival.
District Tourism Promotion
Council of Thrissur:
Some of the exquisite performing arts of Kerala can be learnt in Thrissur, as well as
ancient Indian knowledge systems like Ayurveda.
Visiting
Thrissur.
Hotels in
Thrissur.
Wayanad is one
of the few districts in Kerala that has been able to retain its pristine nature.
District Tourism Promotion
Council of Wayanad:
The northern district of Wayanad is the abode of Keralas tribal population.
Visiting
Wayanad.
Hotels in
Wayanad.
Situated on the bank of the Lake Vembanad, Kumarakom is a fast
developing backwater tourism hub in Kerala.
Kumarakom is home to the Vembanad Bird Sanctuary; formerly known as
Bakers' Estate.
Before the explosion of vehicles on Kerala's roads most of the local
goods were transported by boats on the waterways.
Visitors to the backwaters of Kerala can travel down from Kochi to
Kumarakom, through the lake and narrow canals; under the shadow of tall, graceful coconut
palms.
As far as Kerala Houseboat Cruise Rates go, you might find March to
October slightly cheaper than November to February.
Eco Friendly Kerala Houseboats
Many Kerala
houseboats operated by local tour comapnies have eco-friendly features with
comfortable sleeping quarters, shower cabinets and toilet.
The typical Kerala houseboat is made from wood and natural coconut
fiber; by local craftsman, using conventional and traditional methods.
Kerala houseboat crew members (navigator, cook and service personnel)
are trained local people who provide simplistic services to visiting tourists.
Many Kerala houseboat companies feed tourists on their cruises with
home-grown vegetables, fruits, and serve the hungry visitors fresh fish caught in the
lake.
Kerala Houseboat journeys include overnight trips and hourly cruises.
Kerala Backwater Tours and Accommodation
Eco Trails
Kerala:
Offers houseboat cruises along the scenic backwater villages at Vembanad lake.
Golden Waters:
An intricate lacework of canals intersects this 17 acre waterfront property with 28 quaint
cottages; some on stilts in the water. The resort consists of 13 separate islands
completely intersected by canals and interconnected by rustic bridges which provide the
ideal setting for a romantic getaway.
Kerala Houseboats:
Kerala Houseboat tours: Alleppey Round, which covers the Alleppey area; Kumarakom Round
which covers the Kumarakom area; and Alleppey - Kumarakom, which covers both areas.
Houseboats cruises are also available from Thottapally, further south of Alleppey.
10% discount to Travel
Notes Members.
Kumarakom Lake Resort:
Acclaimed as the finest luxury heritage resort in India, the Kumarakom Lake Resort nestles
on the serene banks of Lake Vembanad.
The Romance of a
Kerala Backwater Cruise:
The most popular cruises are from Cochin, Alleppey and Kumarakom.
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