Spread over 38,863 sq. km (15,005 sq mi), Kerala is the twenty-first largest Indian state by area. It is bordered by Karnataka to the north and northeast, Tamil Nadu to the east and south, and the Lakshadweep Sea to the west. With 33,406,061 inhabitants as per the 2011 Census, Kerala is the thirteenth-largest Indian state by population. It is divided into 14 districts with the capital being Thiruvananthapuram. Malayalam is the most widely spoken language and is also the official language of the state.
Kerala’s culture and traditions, coupled with its varied demographics, have made the state one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. In 2012, National Geographic’s Traveller magazine named Kerala as one of the “ten paradises of the world” and “50 must see destinations of a lifetime”. Travel and Leisure also described Kerala as “One of the 100 great trips for the 21st century”. In 2012, it overtook the Taj Mahal to be the number one travel destination in Google’s search trends for India. CNN Travel listed Kerala amongst its ’19 best places to visit in 2019′.
Kerala’s beaches, backwaters, lakes, mountain ranges, waterfalls, ancient ports, palaces, religious institutions and wildlife sanctuaries are major attractions for both domestic and international tourists. The city of Kochi ranks first in the total number of international and domestic tourists in Kerala.
Many advertisements branded Kerala with the tagline Kerala, God’s Own Country. Kerala tourism is a global brand and regarded as one of the destinations with highest recall.
Ayurvedic tourism has become very popular since the 1990s, and private agencies have played a notable role in tandem with the initiatives of the Tourism Department. Kerala is known for its ecotourism initiatives which include mountaineering, trekking and bird-watching programmes in the Western Ghats as the major activities.
The major beaches are at Kovalam, Varkala, Kozhikode, Fort Kochi, Cherai, Alappuzha, Ponnani, Kadalundi, Tanur, Chaliyam, Payyambalam, Kappad, Muzhappilangad and Bekal. Popular hill stations are at Ponmudi, Wayanad, Wagamon, Munnar, Peermade, Ramakkalmedu, Arimbra, Paithalmala of Kannur district, Kodikuthimala, and Nelliampathi.[656] Munnar is 4,500 feet above sea level and is known for tea plantations, and a variety of flora and fauna.[657] Kerala’s ecotourism destinations include 12 wildlife sanctuaries and two national parks: Periyar Tiger Reserve, Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary, Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary, Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary, Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, Eravikulam National Park, and Silent Valley National Park are the most popular among them.[658] The Kerala backwaters are an extensive network of interlocking rivers (41 west-flowing rivers), lakes, and canals that centre around Alleppey, Kumarakom, Ponnani, Nileshwaram, and Punnamada (where the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race is held in August), Pathiramanal a small island in Muhamma. Padmanabhapuram Palace and the Mattancherry Palace are two nearby heritage sites. Padmanabhaswamy Temple in the state capital of Thiruvananthapuram holds the record as the wealthiest place of worship in the world, with assets of at least ₹1.2 trillion (equivalent to ₹2.0 trillion or US$28 billion in 2019).
Pick up from Cochin Airport / Railway station. Check-in hotel. Afternoon visit some major tourists’ attractions includes St. Francis Church, Vasco House, Chinese fishing nets, beach walkway in Fort Kochi and Jewish Synagogue, Palace and Jew town of Mattancherry. Overnight stay at Cochin hotel/resort
Breakfast at hotel and check-out. Proceed to Munnar. On arrival check-in hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight stay at Munnar.
After breakfast at hotel proceed to sightseeing of Munnar. Visit Rajamalai where you can visit the rarest species known as Nilgiri Tars. Afternoon visit Mattupetty Dam and Kundale Lake. After your tour enjoy the evening at leisure.
Overnight stay at Munnar.
Breakfast will be at hotel and get ready to check-out from hotel.
Drive to Thekkady, one of the most popular wildlife sanctuaries of India.
Arrive and check-in at Hotel in Thekkady.
Optional / Own Arrangements:
Later, visit Kumily, the famous spice market, a must see in Kerala.
Overnight stay at Thekkady.
After breakfast check-out and proceed to Alleppy. On arrival check-in Houseboat. Else day is at leisure. Overnight at Alleppy.
After breakfast check-out from hotel and drive to Kovalam. On arrival check-in hotel. Later proceed to local sightseeing of Shree Padmanabha Swamy Temple, KuthiraMaligai palace, Art gallery (all places closed on Monday, except Padmanabha Swamy Temple).
Evening free and overnight at Kovalam.
After breakfast, proceed to day excursion of Kanyakumari. Visit Vivekananda rock, Thiruvalluvar statue and Kanyakumari devi temple.
Evening free after return from Kanyakumari. Overnight at Kovalam.
After breakfast check-out from hotel and drop to Trivandrum airport / rly stn.
Pick up from Cochin Airport / Railway station and proceed to Munnar. On arrival check-in hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight stay at Munnar.
After breakfast at hotel proceed to sightseeing of Munnar. Visit Rajamalai where you can visit the rarest species known as Nilgiri Tars. Afternoon visit Mattupetty Dam and Kundale Lake. After your tour enjoy the evening at leisure.
Overnight stay at Munnar.
Breakfast will be at hotel and get ready to check-out from hotel.
Drive to Thekkady, one of the most popular wildlife sanctuaries of India.
Arrive and check-in at Hotel in Thekkady.
Optional / Own Arrangements:
Later, visit Kumily, the famous spice market, a must see in Kerala.
Overnight stay at Thekkady.
After breakfast check-out and proceed to Alleppy. On arrival check-in Houseboat. Else day is at leisure. Overnight at Alleppy.
After breakfast check-out from hotel and drive to Kochi airport for your onwards connection.
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