Viewing Kerala on innumerable websites is a different experience from that of being present there in person. The aura of the place can only be felt by the senses when one is standing before the emerald backwaters. The whole place is enshrouded by lush green vegetation cover. There is abundance of nature’s gift to the land in the form of wildlife, innumerable rivers, exotic landscapes and wondrous waterfalls.

How to reach Kerala?

All modes of transportation are available to those who wish to visit the place. People who are coming via Arabian Sea, they will find themselves getting down from the ship at Cochin Port. Kerala is well connected to the rest of the country and the countries of the world through its three major airports at Thiruvnanthapuram, Kozhikode and Kochi. Domestic airlines normally use the Karipur Airport at Kozhikode. Nedumbasherry is open both to domestic flights and flights from abroad. Metalled roads connect the state to other states in the country. Super fast trains are available at all times for the desiring passengers.

Accommodation for travelers

On reaching Kerala one can stay at any place that fits one’s pocket. Kaiya House at Varkala is considered to be number one in providing all amenities to its guests. Guests feel at home in the spacious and airy house which is run by a caring owner. For those who are not constricted by fixed amount towards a wonderful holiday, Old Harbour Hotel, the Sajhome, La Dame Rouge, Kannur Beach House and Vivanta are recommended places for staying. Among reasonable stay offers, one can stay at the Jungle Palace in Thekkady, Akshay Beach Resort in Varkala or the WoodHouse Beach Resort in Varkala.

Moving around Kerala

Travelling around the place is made easy by the availability of car rental services. Renting out a vehicle for sightseeing etc. is more convenient than making use of buses and other local transportation.

What to see around the tourist spot

Southern tip of Indian Sub-Continent is proud of Munnar. Coffee plantations offer a wonderful sight to the newcomers. Mountains form a perfect background to the scenic beauty. Trekking is a wonderful way to spend your holidays out here.

There is wildlife in abundance at Wayanad. The untouched nature out here beckons one to lose oneself in the beauty of it all. Wythiri offers boarding to those who are there to visit the famous Edakkal caves.

Kumarakom is a serene place where one can forget all tensions of mundane life.

Delicacies for satisfying your appetite

Delicious and spicy Kerala food is enjoyed by all who visit the place. Both vegetarian and non vegetarian food is available in vast variety. Steamed cakes made out of rice are served along with pickles. Dosa with Sambar is a treat for the south Indian food lovers. Dry fish preparations, and fish curry is superbly prepared.

Kerala has something for everybody. Whether you are there to spend your holidays or are there on a business trip, you are definitely in for an enchanting experience.

Kerala is a well sought after vitalizing natural paradise love by almost all the travelers from different parts of the globe. It is a beautiful tourist place decorated by the waving palm fringes all around the state. This picturesque paradise of  India is well known for its backwater, mountains, coconut, spices amazing scenery.

The destination is famous for its jolly tourist atmosphere with appealing climate and picturesque awesome view where peace and tranquility ranges are some of the striking important features of Kerala. It has earned huge travel attention with its benchmarked charms and quality services which is relevant for its popularity. The destination by nature it is simply attractive gifted land meant for tourist.

Backwater Cruise In Kerala

The clear glister of the scintillating ripples of backwater is one of the main attentions that are drawing the minds of millions of tourist today. This spectacular magic spelled backwater is said to be the wealth of the state. It offers immense of adventure experiences to relish the amazing beauty of nature. As the backwaters of Kerala connects every nook and corners of the state with its cruise tourist get elite to experience the overall attractions of the state.

Houseboats Adventure in Kerala

Houseboats also called ‘Kettuvalla’ in Kerala. Houseboats excitements and adventure tour cruise are some of the vibrant tourist activities pulsating in it. It is one of the unique unforgettable experience which should be tasted by every if you are seeking for the real exciting specialty of Kerala.

Backwater’s Destinations of Kerala

Some of the targeted backwater destinations offer by such tour packages is meanly Kumarakom, Alleppey and Kochi which are some of the listed hot spots where houseboat services are animated in it.

Keynotes:

• Famous Destinations: Alleppey, Alappuzha
• The Lake where Houseboat Cruising happen: Punamada Lake
• Famous Occasion: At Onam (Vallamkali Boat Race)
• Best Time to Travel: November to April
• Houseboat Tour Packages: Short Trip (4-6 hr) and Full Day Night Tour

Sunset & Nightlife View At Cruise: You can experience the tribal charm of Kerala and pampering solitude in evening of houseboat cruising. The Houseboat halted nearby villager’s area, where you can enjoy fishing, Nature photography of Sunset View of Kerala Lakes. In Night you delighted with luscious culinary of traditional Kerala food recipes.

The Climate of Kerala always seems uniform, so don’t go with calendar, anytime any month you can experience the Epic pleasurable journey of Kerala Houseboats.

Grand Kerala Shopping Festival starts this December 01^st is globally appreciated as Asia’ s biggest shopping festival that exemplify the culture, history, and ethnic charms of shopping to cherish. It’s the fifth edition of the vibrant & full of color sprinkle Kerala Shopping Festival organized by Department of Tourism Kerala to welcome shopaholics, globetrotters, and pleasure travelers from across the world.

God’s own country the captivating land of hill stations, backwaters, houseboat cruise, Ayurveda therapies, adventure trips, beach extravaganza, and vivacious culture’s will turn from December 01 to January 15 for 45 days to the biggest shopping paradise of world to experience the fun filled shopping spheres of diverse India at one stop.

The signature Shopping festival of Kerala 2011 is an exceptional chance to capture, shop, witness, and enjoy its rich art, crafts, sculptures, culture, customs and architecture. It’s not only the first state in India but across Asia to celebrate a shopping festival on a mammoth scale, claimed organizers.

Major brands like South Indian Bank, Malabar Gold, World Gold Council, JOSCO, and Bhima Jewellers have entered into strategic alliance with GKSF 5 to organize the shopping fiesta to cherish for back to back 5^th year on run. The shopping festival aims at promoting the Kerala tour packages of heritage tour, backwaters holiday, backwater with hill safari, Ayurveda and Rejuvenation tour, and adventure tour along with art, culture, customs and architecture of Kerala.

The Grand Kerala Shopping Festival is an innovation to promote and raise the tourism profile of Kerala beyond boundaries to national and international markets.

The boats are often looked as a unique way to see the world; we constantly have a limited time to get from A to Z, so we often fly, missing B to Y. In lot of cases, though boats are the best and the frequented the only way, to properly see the destinations. Here we bring forth the best of the boat journeys the world has to offer.

1. Fjords, Norway
For more than a century, Norway’s fabled ferry route has linked the many coastal villages and towns. Opt for the 11 day round trips that pull in to the 34 ports and offer versatile opportunities for side trips or just cruise a stretch. You can easily see the midnight sun, medieval monasteries, and Art Nouveau towns.

2. Amazon River, South America
Measuring more than 6,200 km, the Amazon River in South America flows 12 times that of the Mississippi and it carries one-fifth of the world’s fresh water. String up a hillock on a slow boat between Manaus and Belém in Brazil or Trinidad and Guayaramerín in Bolivia. Its edges are crowded with jungle or settlements, and your slow boat can take any place from four to six days.

3. Kerala Backwaters, India
The networks of lagoons, lakes, rivers, and canals that fringe the coast of Kerala make for some greatest expeditions. The basic little wooden boats cross shallow palm fringed lakes studded with cantilevered fishing nets, and travel along the shady canals. The popular Backwaters tours in Kerala can be enjoyed from Alappuzha and Kollam.

4. Milford Sound, New Zealand
You don’t have to go deep to see why Milford Sound is the most visited fiord on New Zealand‘s South Island. Sheer, weathered walls command the serenity here that’s often drenched with rains.
Cruises run for an hour or two, and depart from a vast wharf. Choose to sail or motor among the striking valleys looking for quick view of the area’s endemic wildlife, such as hoiho or yellow-eyed penguin.
Overnight cruises are also worth undertaking, with boats sailing the full 22km (14mi) length of the Sound and offering kayaking trips to shoreline.

5. Island-hopping, Greece
With more than 1,400 islands, Greece has more coastline than any other counterpart in Europe. So it makes sense to skip between at least a few, as the vicinity varies dramatically. Almost all islands has a ferry service of some sort ranging from the large ‘super ferries’ that work the major itineraries, to the small, ageing open ferries that chug around the backwaters.

6. Franklin River, Australia
Not for the faint-hearted, rubber-rafting down the wild Franklin River is a tough expedition and, at times, treacherous undertaking. Take the boat between December and March, and  it requires eight to 14 days – only experienced rafters are eligible.
Rafters usually access the unpredictable river – given to fits of flooding – at Collingwood River (49km or 31mi west of Derwent Bridge) and terminates at Gordon River, having prearranged a pick-up.

So get on board and get an experience of a lifetime by cruising along the beauty of these countryside

Nisha Khan

Who doesn’t love to see the giant elephant? If you love them and would you like to spot some on your tour to Kerala, here are some of the places to spot them easily.

If you like to sot them on Kerala Wildlife, you’ll need to visit some one of the national parks.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
This is one of the renowned wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala with a good population of elephants. A boat trip is the highlight feature but it is recommended to go on a guided trek with a good chance to spot them. The longer the trek the better the chances.

Wayanad
The Wayanad in the north of Kerala is much less frequented by the travelers as compare to Periyar. This particular place has two wildlife sanctuaries with great chances of spotting elephants.

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
This is another place less known than Periyar, the Watch Tower, is the best place to look out for elephants. If you don’t have fancy of venturing into one of the parks, or if you were not lucky enough finding the gentle beasts, don’t despair, there are plenty of great options for guaranteed close up interaction with elephants. You can easily reach from Munnar.

Kodanad Elephant Training Centre
Kodanad is an elephant rescue and training centre, where you can come face-to-face with these giants. You’ll have the opportunity to help wash the elephants, and you can also enjoy the elephant ride.

Guruvayur
Guruvayur is an interesting off the beaten track sight to visit in God’s own country. It’s a bustling pilgrim town 25km from Thrissur that is far famed for its unique temple, one of the richest and most significant in Kerala.
The biggest festival is Ulsavam held during February or March is the best time to see elephant race and procession as well as enjoy variety of music and dance performances.

Even if you miss out during the festival you can still spot them at the Punnathur Kotta Elephant Sanctuary 3kms away. Elephants are trained there for various temple activities, and visitors are always welcome.

Thrissur
The highly decorated are an essential part of temple festivals of Kerala and Thrissur is not a familiar place to visit in Kerala that has a plenty of temples and festivals, so it is but obvious to see elephants easily. The annually held festival Puram, the biggest of all festival in Kerala, takes place here in May and features elephant processions, drum orchestras and hoards of traditional arts.

Festivals happen in Kerala temples all year the round so keep your eyes wide open, ask around and you’re bound to encounter some elephants.

Nisha Khan