God's Own Country
Destinations - Kerala
Nature and its magic awaits you
Introducing Kochi (Cochin)
While there are plenty of sites to see on a trip to Kochi, it's all about the 'experience' of this eclectic location. Kerala is known as an important centre for ancient and influential Ayurvedic medicine techniques, and there are plenty of spas offering treatments for relaxation and wellness. During your time in the city, also check out performances of Kathakali, an unusual and ancient form of dance-drama that is unique to Kerala. In Kathakali, stories are told with amazing demonstrations of eye movements. Kerala is also renowned for its cuisine, so why not get a more in-depth introduction to the finer points of traditional Kerala cooking with a culinary course? Courses start with a visit to a local market to collect ingredients, and are then followed by step-by-step instruction on how to create authentic dishes.
In Kerala you'll discover a culinary extravaganza that has been influenced by 600 years of trade, spices and colonial influences. The result is that this region's cuisine is legendary for its variety and quality. Because it's a coastal city, fish and shellfish play an important role in local dishes, for both street food and luxury restaurants. Thattukadas are the city's street-side food vendors, selling stuffed or plain thattu dosas, hot Kerala porottas and kanzhi (rice porridge).
Kumarakom
Kumarakom is the first destination in India to implement responsible tourism practices. The destination has become synonymous with backwater cruises across the world. A scenic bunch of islands clustered around the Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is about 70 km from Kochi (Cochin). Kumarakom is part of the Kuttanad region, the rice bowl of Kerala. It abounds with lush paddy fields crisscrossed by water canals and the freshwater lake. The Vembanad Lake has its maximum length and breadth near Kumarakom, a home to migratory birds. The Bird Sanctuary which can be visited using canoes arranged by local fishermen at the entrance to the sanctuary. The best time to visit sanctuary is morning and evening. An enchanting backwater destination, Kumarakom offers visitors many other leisure options. Boating and fishing facilities are available.
Munnar
South India's largest tea-growing region, the rolling hills around Munnar are carpeted in emerald-green tea plantations, contoured, clipped and sculpted like ornamental hedges. The low mountain scenery is magnificent - you're often up above the clouds watching veils of mist clinging to the mountaintops. Munnar itself is a scruffy administration centre, not unlike a North Indian hill station, but wander just a few kilometres out of town and you'll be engulfed in a sea of a thousand shades of green. Once known as the High Range of Travancore, today Munnar is the commercial centre of some of the world's highest tea-growing estates.
Munnar, the mist-clad hills, tea plantations that look like green carpets covering one hill after another, fresh air, picturesque picnic spots. waterfalls, and dazzling streams are some of the scenes that will greet you. Munnar is situated at a height of 1,600 meters above the sea level. The lush green verdant regions in Munnar, offer you unthinkably beautiful natural sights. Munnar, with its acres of tea plantations, winding lanes, evergreen trees, soothing eye-catching flora and fauna, and a comfortably cool climate is a favorite with travellers.
The most sought after destination in Munnar is the Eravikulam National Park, the first of its kind in Kerala, where the endangered Nilgiri Thar is protected.
Thekkady
Thekkady is where you can experience wilderness, first-hand. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Periyar lake - an artificial lake, at Thekkady, in Kerala, South India. Here the high ranges of the Western Ghats are clothed in dense evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savannah grass lands. Below this thick green canopy roam herds of elephants, gaurs, tigers, sambar deers, Nilgiri langurs and lion tailed macaques. Thekkady gives you unique opportunity to watch and photograph wild elephants at close quarters.
