Explore Kerala, 'God's Own Country'

In 1989, the Tourism Department of Kerala asked an ad agency to come up with a fitting slogan to promote their state. The Creative Director of the ad agency created the phrase ‘God’s own country’. The rest, as they say, is history. Bounded by the stunning Western Ghats in the east and the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean in the west, the enchanting coastal state is truly God’s own country. The National Geographic Traveller lists Kerala as one of the ‘10 paradises of the world’ and ‘50 must-see destinations of a lifetime’.

Kerala is a geographical gem. Its lovely, unspoilt landscapes are diverse – holding nearly 600 km of the beautiful Arabian Sea coast and its beaches, stunning groves of coconut and palm, salty lagoons, tranquil backwaters, fragrant spice, coffee, and tea plantations sitting on lush hill slopes, deep tropical rain forests, roaring waterfalls, and several sanctuaries and wildlife parks that are amongst the richest bio-spheres in India.

Kerala is home of the ancient medical science of Ayurveda, that is curing so many ailments that are beyond realms of modern medicine. There are many Ayurveda retreats here that offer wellness solutions for travellers across the world. Ancient Kerala, famed for its spices, was a major hub of maritime trade. Even today Kerala continues to be major producer of spices Cardamom, Pepper, Vanilla, Nutmeg alongwith Coconut, Pineapple, Tea and Coffee.

Houseboats, heritage homes, wild elephants, temple festivals, old synagogues, churches, and mosques, colonial European architecture, snake-boat races, mural art, music, kathakali, kalaripayattu, coastal cuisines, Ayurveda, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (the Western Ghats) and so much more – that’s glorious Kerala for you.

Alleppey (Alappuzha)

The southern Indian state of Kerala is home to the stunning backwaters of Alappuzha. Lying in the Kuttanad region, the rice bowl of Kerala, Alappuzha’s great allure is not only its backwaters but also its endless stretches of paddy growing on water-filled fields reclaimed from the sea, a silvery beach, tranquil lagoons, and emerald coconut palms.

The lifeline of Alappuzha are its navigable canals – at least six of them – connecting it to the intricate weave of backwater trails (Punnamada Kayal) that come alive with revamped kettuvalloms (ancient rice barges) and earning it the sobriquet ‘Venice of the East’. Alappuzha’s location between the Arabian Sea and the magnificent Vembanad Lake affords it a unique blend of fresh and saltwater eco-systems.

In Alappuzha, rediscover the rare joys of life lived at a languid pace with a luxurious backwater cruise aboard a kettuvallom – it is undoubtedly the finest way to experience the region’s outstanding natural beauty and observe daily life unfold in the quaint lake-side villages. The Punnamada Kayal here is also the starting point of Kerala’s famous snake-boat races – not to be missed if you happen to visit during the season. (Traditionally old barges used to ferry rice and spices, the kettuvalloms today serve as houseboats equipped with every facility; allowing guests to explore the gorgeous backwaters in comfort).

Kochi

Situated on India’s beautiful Malabar Coast, Kochi over the centuries has been of a major port and strategic maritime centre of trade in the Indian Ocean. Today, Kochi is a commercial capital of Kerala and The Cochin International Airport is literally the gateway to destinations of Kerala.

The allure of Kochi’s unique geography – islands, backwaters, peninsulas, and a harbour – is hard to resist. Flanked by the Western Ghats mountain range on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west, its proximity to the equator, sea, and mountains, make it a unique destination. Kochi today comprises 5 Islands and some backwater areas flanking the mainland Ernakulam. Islands and backwater villages are connected by inter-island ferries and Ro-Ro boats. Kochi seamlessly blends the modern city with the rural outskirts, offering an international traveller with a prospect of getting glimpse of Kerala right near the commercial capital of Kerala.

Chinese Fishing Nets, backwater lifestyle, harbour views, heritage homes, 15th and 16th Century Churches and some very charming heritage hotels / homestays, makes Kochi a compelling option. Walk or cycle through Fort Kochi to experience its heritage: Manuel Kotta or Fort Kochi, St. Francis Church, Dutch Palace (Mattancherry Palace), Jewish Synagogue (Paradesi Synagogue), Santa Cruz Basilica, Vasco House, and elegant colonial bungalows. Browse through Jew Town’s colourful old lanes famed for their spice markets and, antique and curio shops. Visit old museums and splendid art galleries. Eat delicious coastal food.

Kerala is one for traditional Art forms and there are cultural centres in Kochi that offer travellers that experience. A Kathakali performance, a traditional art form of Kerala is definitely an experience for every traveller. There are martial art performances, coir craft and culinary demonstrations, all offering a complete cultural experience.

Kovalam

Hugging the Arabian Sea coast, Kovalam lies around 12 km from Kerala’s capital Thiruvananthapuram, and is Kerala’s most popular beachside destination. Three crescent sandscapes separated by rocky headlands are the biggest draws here. Kovalam’s most famous and most sought-after beach is the southernmost Lighthouse Beach – named after the beautiful old Vizhinjam Lighthouse here. It stands on a rocky promontory and its distinctive intermittent beams at night only add to the charm of the beach. Hawa Beach and Ashok Beach are also popular with tourists.

Go adventuring on a catamaran or surfboard, return to shore for a fabulous seafood snack at one of the many restaurants that line the beach; or simply sunbathe on the sands, then return to the hotel for a 27-course sadhya (traditional Kerala course meal served on banana leaves) for lunch!

No less enticing are the many Ayurveda centres and beach resorts in and around Kovalam. This is an ideal destination if you want to enjoy a sun-kissed beach getaway and experience the rejuvenating and healing therapies of Ayurveda. The highland areas near Kovalam offer an option for travellers to visit rubber plantations, a crocodile breeding centre, superb vantage points etc.

If you’re holidaying in Kovalam, be sure to drive down to lovely Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. This is the southern edge of India where the Bay of Bengal, Arabian sea, and Indian Ocean converge.

Kumarakom

Called ‘one of the ten paradises on earth’ by National Geographic Traveller, Kumarakom is a stunningly beautiful cluster of backwaters fishing villages on the Vembanad Lake in Kerala. Part of the Kuttanad region, Kumarakom is about 13 km from Kottayam and is a lake-front home to several stunning marquee resorts.

A kettuvallom cruise is an excellent way to explore Kumarakom’s gorgeous backwaters. See lush paddy fields, palms, coconut groves, and narrow canals; enjoy panoramic views of villages along the Lake, as villagers go about traditional occupations such as fishing and agriculture.

Protected by a dense cluster of mangroves, the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary here, spread across 14 acres, is a birder’s paradise and home to over 180 species of birds. The Sanctuary is best explored on foot – on the walking track inside, you’re likely to spot egrets, darters, heron, storks, and teals. Or take a boat ride to see waterfowl, wild ducks, parrots, larks, and flycatchers. Migratory birds like the Siberian Crane fly down here in flocks in the winter. A sunset boat ride or fishing in the backwaters are the other popular leisure activities you might enjoy.

Kumarakom also holds the distinction of being the first destination in India to use Responsible Tourism practices. Its green, immaculate local villages are home to mostly fisher folk and farmers, who work with the hospitality industry to sustain eco-friendly tourism. Responsible Tourism makes these villages an integral part of the growing tourism industry, and inspires pride in their land and culture.

Kumarakom can be a base point to explore rubber plantation highland areas and Temples of Kottayam district and where one can arrive to spend a few days by the lakeside and some Ayurveda massages / treatments (Traditional Science of Medicine from Kerala).

Thekkady

Also known as Thekkady, the Periyar Tiger Reserve, set high in the Western Ghats mountain ranges in Kerala, is one of the oldest protected regions in the country. Right in the middle lies the beautiful Periyar Lake, the permanent watering hole of the Reserve. The Reserve is the entry point for travellers coming into Kerala from Madurai after a Tamil Nadu heritage itinerary. Sprawled over 925 sq. km, the Reserve has rich bio-diversity, and rare flora and fauna. What make it truly stand out are its deep commitment to eco-tourism along with intense conservation practices. The best way to see the Reserve is to take a boat ride on the Periyar Lake. While you can easily spot wild elephants, wild boar, gaur, sambar etc., tigers are rare. Inside, a nature walk covering 4 to 5 km on different routes offers opportunities to spot birds, butterflies, and if you’re lucky, the Malabar Giant Squirrel and the Nilgiri Langur.

Enjoy the majestic beauty of Kerala’s wild elephants with a full-day elephant experience programme – a truly unforgettable pleasure. The Tribal Heritage Programme here will take you to see a tribal hamlet, introduce you to tribal communities, and to also visit the Tribal Heritage Museum. There are full day programmes offered by forest that involves a bit of trekking, boating, bamboo rafting, taking travellers deep inside core area of the forest. Wild Elephant and Gaur (Indian Bison) sightings are common on this trek.

Periyar is renowned for its spice plantations (cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, clove, nutmeg etc.); you can visit one of the spice gardens to find out how the world came to Kerala nearly 3,000 years ago. Periyar has lovely homestays, luxury resorts, plantation retreats/bungalows etc. which are great for experiential or offbeat travellers as well as holiday-makers.