Trivandrum, "City of Lord Anantha"

Trivandrum 

Thiruvananthapuram (or Trivandrum) is the capital of the southern Indian state of Kerala. It's distinguished by its British colonial architecture and many art galleries. Thiruvananthapuram is built on hills by the sea shore and sandwiched between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, Thiruvananthapuram is ranked first in the number of foreign tourists visiting Kerala and is a fascinating destination for holidaymakers.

Things to do

  Neyyar Dam & Wildlife Sanctuary

Neyyar Dam is undoubtedly a paradise for nature lovers. Since it is adjoining Wildlife Sanctuary you can witness different species of animals moving around like wild boars and elephants. This picturesque dam amidst the greenery of Western Ghats is surrounded with serenity and isolation; hence it makes a perfect tourist place to escape from the crowded city life. You can also find a vast range of medicinal herbs around the dam. Besides, an interesting fact, Neyyar Dam stretches from Thiruvananthapuram district 'Neyyatinkara Taluk' to 'Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve' in Tamil Nadu. Neyyar is truly a nature lover’s paradise and if you are in this south destination, this place is a must visit.

Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple

 

Located inside the East Fort in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of the State of Kerala in India is the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This temple is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian styles of architecture. It is believed to be the world’s richest temple.

The history of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple dates back to 8th century. It is one of the 108 sacred Vishnu temples or Divya Desams in India. Divya Desams are the holiest abodes of Lord Vishnu that are mentioned in the works of the Tamil Azhvars (saints). The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Vishnu, reclining on Anantha, the hooded Serpent.

Shanghumukham beach

Shanghumukham beach has long been amongst the favorite place for travelers. Not just because of its close proximity with the airport but also because of its beautiful mermaid structure called Sagarakanyaka by the locally renowned artist Kanai Kunjiraman. It is a perfect place to spend a calm day amidst the charming Take-A-Break restaurant and classic Old Coffee House.

   Kovalam beach

Perhaps the one of the top beach holiday places in India, Kovalam is a surprise setting for people who are looking for a quality time with their loved ones. Along with scenic beauty, the beach town has something or the other to keep people of every age busy. Expect, snorkelling, kayaking, boat excursions and coastal walks to keep things buzzing here.

Poovar

Hugged by a lovely beach and the backwaters on the other, Poovar is famed for its picturesque beauty and calm atmosphere. It is placed at the southern part of Trivandrum and it is the merely village that tracks the end of Kerala.

 

Ponmudi

Ponmudi is a beautiful and calm hill destination and it is surrounded by fresh and green environs making it an ideal holiday getaway. You are bound to get allured by its lush flora and fresh atmosphere. This hill station is at a driving distance from the capital of Kerala and the journey is filled with thick tropical forests and steep climb and mist covered hill ranges.

Ponmudi is divided into the upper and the lower retreat putting more focus on the upper area for ecotourism project. And it is here you will find an assortment of mountain wildflowers, unique butterflies and small rivers, all this makes Ponmudi an attractive and small hill paradise to venture when in Kerala. And those with trekking interest, this halting ground will leave them impressed.

Trivandrum Zoo

Thiruvananthapuram Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in India. It is said to have been established in the year 1857 by Maharaja of Travancore. In a modernization project of 1995, this zoo got a makeover and its old enclosures were replaced with spacious naturalistic enclosures. The zoo is home to about 82 species of animals that include lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, Indian rhinoceros, Asiatic lion, royal Bengal tiger, white tiger, leopard, Asian elephants, giraffes, hippos, zebras, and Cape buffalos. There is a snake farm and reptile house, which exhibits both poisonous and non-poisonous snakes along with 7 anacondas.

Getting there:

By Air

The city has its own international airport which is well-connected with different cities across the globe. The airport has direct flights to major Indian cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Cochin and Bangalore as well as has direct flights from Singapore, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Middle East cities. Some of the popular air carriers are Emirates, Jet Airways, IndiGo, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Oman Air, Air Arabia and many others. Once you reach at the aiport, you can hire a taxi/cab which will drive you to your destination point in the city.

By Bus

Trivandrum’s bus station is situated right next to the railway station. There are regular buses to nearby cities like Cochin, Bangalore, Madurai, Coimbatore and Chennai. KSRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) provides excellent bus services including premium luxury Garuda services, sleeper, air-conditioned, executive, deluxe and many others to choose from. Other bus operators are Tamil Nadu’s SETC, Raj National Express and GTC.

By Train

The Trivandrum Central railway station is situated within the city and is well-linked with major Indian cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Guwahati, Indore, Bangalore and many others. Some of the popular trains that ply from this station are Trivandrum Mail, Kerala Express, Anantapuri Express, RaptiSagar Express, Swaranjayanti Express and Ahilyanagari Express. Another railway station (called Kochuveli Railway Station) has been constructed to shift the regular rail traffic from central station to another station.

Road/Self Drive

Trivandrum has an excellent road network and connects nearby cities like Kochi, Madurai, Chennai, Alleppey, Bangalore and Kumarakom.

Travel tips

Thiruvananthapuram Warnings and Dangers

It is dangerous to walk in isolated parts of the city, especially at night. Protect your safety by confining your adventures to daylight hours.

Dress Appropriately When Visiting Sacred Sites

If you plan to visit some of the sacred temples, wear pants, jeans or a skirt with a top that has sleeves. Shop in nearby Kovalam for loose fitting cotton clothes that make you feel more comfortable during humid, hot weather.

Wear Insect Repellant

Make sure you carry an excellent insect or mosquito repellant with you at all times.

Timings and season

·         The best time to visit Trivandrum is between October and February, the perfect time for beach vacations. February to May is summer, which is very hot and humid while June to September is the monsoon season. The second rainy season, the North-East monsoon, is equally strong and occurs during the months of October and November.

·         The festival of Onam which occurs towards the end of August or early September is a good time to soak up the carnival atmosphere. There are usually many cultural programs during the official Onam celebrations lasting 10 days.

·         The Monsoon season starts from June every year and is a time of heavy rains in the area. Recently, as a result of the campaigning by State Tourism Board, tourists have started coming in to enjoy the Monsoon

Cochin gateway to Kerala

Cochin, gateway to Kerala

Kochi is an enchanting city that's had an eclectic influence. Arabs, British, Dutch, Chinese, and Portuguese have all left their mark there. The architecture and historical sites in Fort Kochi draw most of the visitors to the area. Fort Kochi is an excellent place to explore on foot or bicycle. Don't miss these top Kochi attractions and places to visit.

Must visit places in Kochi

Fortkochi

The Chinese fishing nets which symbolises Kochi can be seen only in Fort Kochi which may be the only place in the world where the Chinese fishing nets are unique outside China for which the credit goes to the traders from the court of Chinese emperor Kubla Khan. Presently, there are 11 Chinese fishing nets dotting the Fort Kochi shoreline while it was 20 about ten years ago.St Francis Church which is one of the oldest built by Europeans in India and another landmark in this area is Vasco House where Vasco Da Gama is believed to have lived.

Mattancherry Palace

Mattancherry is another fascinating area in Kochi. The name mattancherry originated from the house name “Ancherry Mattam”, a Brahmin house which was pronounced by foreign traders as Matt-Ancherry. Mattancherry is tourist spot in Kochi where Portuguese influence can be seen and in particular the Dutch Palace. Jew Town is another tourist attraction of Mattancherry with the synagogue dating from 1568 which is India’s oldest functioning synagogue along with other tourist spots like Mattancherry Palace Museum which hosts different weapons such as swords, spears etc , Mattacherry Pazhayannur Royal temple and Palliarakkavvu temple, Ram Mandir, Gowd Saraswat Brahmin temples etc.

Bolgatty palace            

Bolghatty Island is a short boat ride away from mainland Kochi and has Bolghatty Palace which is one of the oldest existing Dutch palaces outside Holland .Bolghatty Palace is now converted into a hotel and there is even a small golf course , a swimming pool, 9-hole golf course, ayurvedic centre and daily Kathakali performances and is a popular resort to stay for Indian and overseas tourists.

Lulu mall

Kochi also has India’s largest shopping mall in Edappally – Lulu Shopping Mall owned and operated by EMKE Group. For a shopping experience in Kochi there are lots of markets but a visit to Lulu Mall is a treat with air conditioning and 300+ food outlets, stores and restaurants. There are both international brands as well as local specialties to see in this modern complex and there is also a premium five-star, 20-storey, 300 room hotel managed by JW Marriott Hotels is located adjacent to it, within the mall compound.

Cherai and vypeen beach

Vypeen Island is another island that is really popular among visitors to Kochi & Kerala . Vypeen is also the location of Pallipuram Fort which is the oldest surviving fort in India built by European settlers and was constructed in 1503. Just off the Coast of Vypeen Island is Cherai beach which is among the famous beaches is Kerala and which is a beach that is shallow, calm and is ideal for swimming & sunbathing and is also known as Princess of Arabian Sea.

Kodanad village

The Kodanad Elephant Training Centre, which was moved to Abhayaranyam near Kaprikkad, is one of the largest elephant training centres in Kerala. It is flanked by the high ranges and is set near the southern banks of the Periyar River. Since the ban on capturing elephants was enforced, this place now serves as one of the premier elephant training centres in Kerala. Muthanga of Wayanad and Konni of Pathanamthitta are two other elephant training centres.

Hill palace museum

Located about 10 kms from Kochi, the Hill Palace Museum was the official residence of the erstwhile rulers of Kochi. Built in 1865, it is now famous for being a full-fledged Ethno-Archaeological Museum and Kerala's first ever Heritage Museum. The palace complex itself comprises 49 buildings and is built in the traditional Kerala style of architecture. It has over 52 acres of terraced land around it.

One can see oil-paintings, murals, sculptures, manuscripts and belongings of the Kochi royal family. Antique ceramics from the Far East, Kudakkallu  (tombstone), Thoppikkallu (hood stone), laterite memorials and wooden memorials from ancient civilisations like the Indus Valley and Harappa can also be found here. It even has a gallery housing contemporary art. It is our pride to have relics of such value and significance placed here. 

Marine drive

Marine is a beautiful and picturesque promenade in Kochi which faces towards the backwaters of Kochi. It's one of the famous must-visit places for tourists and local populace. It's 140 m walkway that stretches from the Jankar Jetty (north) to the Emakulam Boat Jetty (South). It is situated along the edge of backwaters that begins behind the Children's Park ending at the Shanmugham Road. It is surfaced with black-dotted, red-carpet ultra tiles. Wooden benches, cast-ironed, weather-proof seating on ash grey tiles offers utmost relaxation.

There are various shopping malls and fast food joints which attracts many tourists from all across the world. It's a major centre of economic activities in Kochi and visitors throng this place to view the glance of rising sun over the sea jaws.

Getting there :

By Air

The Cochin International Airport is well connected to major cities all across India and the world. From the airport, the main city centre is about 29 kilometres away. Buses, taxis, cabs, and trains can be used for the purpose of reaching the requisite destination from the airport.

By Bus

Cochin has a strong network of Kerala State Run Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus services that connects it to all the major cities in Kerala and with some of the major cities in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Air-conditioned deluxe Volvo bus services are available from Cochin to cities such as Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Trivandrum.

By Train

Cochin is well connected to all the major railway stations in India. Most of the Kerala bound trains have a stop at either of the two railway stations in Cochin – Ernakulam Town Station and Ernakulam Junction Station. From the railway station, one can board a bus, a taxi or a cab to reach the required destination in Cochin.

Road/Self Drive

Hopping into a cab or a taxi and driving to Cochin from nearby cities is another feasible and fun way to reach Cochin. Driving through the beautiful countryside of Kerala is a beautiful experience in itself. An extensive network of national highways and local roads link Cochin to major cities across India.

By Water

One can reach Cochin by water from destinations like Goa, Mumbai, Lakshadweep, Colombo and Male. There are regular yachts and cruise ship services on these routes and make for a scenic journey. The interconnecting scenic backwaters provide regular boat services from places like Kottayam, Kumarakom, and Allepey to Cochin.

Travel tips :

·        While doing flight reservations, you can book to Cochin (Kochi), Trivandrum or Calicut depends on your travel plan and with the consultation of your travel agent

·        While booking train tickets if you are trying for Cochin, search Ernakulam which is same as Cochin. There is no railway station by name Cochin and code for Ernakulam is ERN or ERS

·        Foreign passengers are required to obtain a VISA from the nearest Indian Consulate and remember to apply for the VISA at least 14 days before date of arrival and buy adequate travel insurance

·        For your safety, try to carry minimal gold ornaments

·        There are lots of ATMs at most of the places there by avoiding carrying more cash with you

·        Always try to carry mineral water with you and avoid unsafe water from taps for drinking

·        Smoking and consumption of alcohol is prohibited at public places and will be fined if caught

·        Do carry your medicines and few tablets for fever, cold, head ache, vomiting etc

·        India’s time zone is GMT/UTC +5.30 and can expect jet lag for International passengers.

Timings and season

Cochin has a different charm in different seasons and though it can be visited all around the year, here is a month wise break-up of the weather of the city:

October to February: Winters are by far the best time to visit Cochin as the weather is very pleasant. Temperatures range between 17 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius. This is a great time of the year for honeymooners, beach bums and adventure seekers.

March to June: March marks the beginning of the summer in Cochin and temperatures begin to rise. The average temperature during this time of the year is between 20 degrees Celsius to 37 degrees Celsius. This is a great time to visit Cochin as the city is not crowded and you can secure great deals on hotel tariffs. Do make sure you carry light cotton clothes and sunscreen along.

July to September: The monsoon season is another great time to visit Cochin and admire the city in its rain-washed splendour. Covered in a carpet of green, Cochin comes alive during the rains. Since this is not peak tourist season, it is possible to get good deals on hotels. Do make sure you carry an umbrella or raincoat along as you enjoy your monsoon holiday in Cochin.

Alleppey Venice of the east

Referred to as the ‘Venice of the East’, Alleppey (now Alappuzha) is what you call, a true paradise. Adorned with a picture perfect landscape, sparkling rivers, lush greenery, and beautiful freshwater lakes, Alleppey is home to immense natural beauty.

A popular backwater destination, Alleppey in Kerala is visited by thousands of travelers every year. It is a destination for every kind of traveler, be it a nature lover, wildlife enthusiast, photo bug or a wanderer. Alleppey is immensely popular for its scenic beauty and tranquility, which is why, tourists from all across the country and the world visit this place. It is the perfect destination for those wish to spend some time away from their long and hectic schedules.

For a long and peaceful holiday, what could be better than cruising along those palm-fringed waterways of Alleppey? The experience of passing through those paddy fields, coconut groves, Chinese fishing nets, villages, and temples is truly enchanting. The cool wind keeps caressing your face that further adds to the charm.

You glide through the serene backwaters of Alleppey in a beautiful ‘’Kettuvallam’’ (houseboat) and enjoy the sight of the unexplored regions of Kerala. The entire backwater cruising experience is something you can’t forget that easily.

While the clear blue skies cover you with a fresh and soothing layer, flocks of ducks swim around the banks and beautiful birds add chirpiness to the experience.

one night cruise makes you enjoy a magical night under the starry sky. As you pass through, you get to see men and women fishing, coconut trees swaying with the wind, water birds passing by the canals.

Things to do

Stay at houseboat

Backwaters and houseboat are like soul sisters. One cannot miss the beauty of staying in the giant, which is an experience in itself. Staying on the backwaters of Alleppey will make your vacation complete. The beautifully crafted houseboats come in ranges and you will get many things to do on these houseboats. You can stay, cook, enjoy your evening in the balcony of the boat and enjoy an unimaginable time. This has got to be in your Alleppey check list for sure!

Go for a night walk and campfire in Alleppey

Night walk on the roads of Alleppey is just mind blowing. The peace and the sound of backwaters will make your night mesmerizing. You can go on a night walk with friends and family and have tremendous fun. You can even have chit chat at the peaceful place and have campfire to enjoy the night. Alleppey is considered as one of the most amazing places to visit in Kerala without which your trip to South India is just incomplete.      

Ayurvedic massage and Spa in Alleppey

Ayurvedic massage is apt for tired urban people and souls. Ayurveda in Alleppey requires no introduction as well as the resorts that offers spa. There are many resorts, which promise Ayurvedic therapies for rare and chronic illnesses. Massages and spas will help in rejuvenating your life and skin overall they also guarantee you the ultimate rejuvenation and relaxation, which is intermediate divine. The spa massage starts from 1000 rupees onwards and go up to 5000 rupees and more. You can pamper yourself with quality spa and Ayurvedic massage in Alleppey that uses their aromatic essential oils made in Kerala itself.

Delight your senses with the wonderful food in Alleppey

If you are a big time foodie then you must dig into the traditional food in any of the local places. The place offers variety of options from vegetarian to non-vegetarian dishes. One interesting thing that you would find is that the food would be served on banana leaves as how it customarily goes. The cuisines would enrich your taste buds with not too much spice as the word goes. One can chose from traditional fish curry cooked with coconut, Vada, chickpea curry, add on would be the fried banana chips, which are amongst the favourites. There are many good restaurants in Alleppey that will satisfy your taste buds. 

 

                       View gorgeous sunset from Kakkathurthu

Kakkathuruthu was veiled so far from most people on the globe for a long time now. This magnificent beauty is now a new travel goal for all the globe trotters.

It has being listed as one of the most stunning destinations across the world by National Geographic Magazine. NatGeo’s ‘Around the World in 24 Hours’ is an extremely prestigious photographic world tour.According to this magazine, 6:30 pm in Kakkathuruthu is the time when this place looks extraordinarily astonishing and breathtakingly phenomenal.

Grab your DSLR and go bird watching or go for Adventure

          

This activity is best for bird lovers or photography enthusiasts. You simply need to grab your DSLR and go for bird watching in the backwaters of alleppey, which is a house to the most exquisite and rarest migratory birds in India. White Throated Kingfishers and Stork Billed, Black Drongo, White Breasted Waterhen, Jungle Myna and Asian Palm Swift would be apt and are ready to give pose for the camera, anytime. You can also go for Canoe in the beautiful backwaters along with the photography passion you can also explore your adventurous side. There are many bird watching and Canoe tours, which can be combined with adventurous sports packages as well.

Experience village life in Kuttanad

                           

This place is just wow for nature lovers and people who love photography. You can stay and capture the village life of South India in Kuttanad. This place is all about waterways, duck farming, spice cultivation, fishing, coconut lines and paddy fields. It’s popularly known as rice bowl of the country. It’s the lowest point in the country and for your surprise you’ll be able to explore farming 4-10 feet below sea level. This place is declared as globally significant agricultural heritage system, rural and rustic life will take you into different world altogether from the dimensions of contemporary developing India. You can experience and enjoy beautiful canals and waterways, coconut farmlasnds and heritage agricultural system. You can interact with local people, explore and try local cuisines.

 

Go for shopping at Alleppey’s popular markets!

                 

This is indeed the best place for shopaholics. Don’t even think of leaving Alleppey without shelling out some time at buying unusual south Indian jewelries, little trinkets, artifacts and typical handicrafts of Allappey. You will find amazing spices on the small stores in Alleppey at the cheapest price. The maritime items are one of the most likeable items in this region. You can purchase these items at Alappuzha Zakariya Market.

 

Stay in homestay

                                       

It’s a best place for bag packers and people who like to explore. Enough of hotels and resorts, it is the time to stay in a homestay. When you are in Alleppey, its better you try spending nights in homestay in Kerala. These homestays comes first when you want to stay in a personalized room and cherish the splendid, serene and quaint vacation. These homestays are acquainted with some of the best amenities. You can experience one of the best times of your life..

 Alleppey Boat Cruise

                                   

Alleppey Boat Cruise is one of the most wanted activities when it comes to Kerala. Travelers should try this incredible relaxing activity, which offers you with the best sights of back waters. An ideal weekend getaway for all type of travelers will surely delight in this tranquil place with one of the supreme Kerala experience.

Take pleasure in the charming beauty of Kerala, with perfect background sustaining apparent blue sky and coconut trees. Stunning blend of greenery and blue water will make your dreamy vacation a perfect vacation. Sail through narrow canals, which assure you with rewards of natural exquisiteness by indulging in this exhilarating Alleppey boat cruise.

While enjoying the cruise you can also witnesses the several daily portions of life of the local people. Take pleasure in the picturesque views of the coconut lagoons, scenic landscapes and paddy fields accompanying you all through your cruise. Mesmerize in this pleasurable Alleppey boat cruise with your friend and family.

Getting there

By Air

The Cochin International Airport, located at a distance of 75 kiolmetres is the nearest airport to Allepey. The airport is well connected to major cities in India as well as abroad. From the Cochin International Airport, one can book a taxi or a cab to get to Alleppey.

By Bus

Kerala State Run Transport Corporation buses connect Alleppey to most major cities in Kerala. Luxury air-conditioned buses also operate from cities such as Bangalore, Chennai, Mysore and Coimbatore to Alleppey.

By Train

The Alleppey Railway Station lies within the city limits and is well connected by rail to Cochin and Trivandrum. From the railway station, one can board a bus, hire a taxi or get in an auto-rickshaw to reach the main city.

Road/Self Drive

Alleppey is accessible by National Highway-47, which goes through Ambalapuzha and Cherthala cities. Alleppey is well connected to other cities such as Kochi, Kottayam, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Chennai, Bangalore and Coimbatore by road.

Travel tips :

When visiting Alleppey, don’t go with preconceived notions of it being just another backwaters destination. It is much more than that; all you need to do is to explore it extensively. Make sure to take along an Alleppey tourist map, if you can find one with distance and directions to the most popular attractions of the place, and you will be all set to enjoy a great trip.

Food in Alleppey: One of the best-known fact about Alleppey is that it offers some of the best seafood in the state. Starting from fishes of several varieties to crabs, octopuses, mussels and a lot more, you name it, and Kerala has it. Alleppey is a great place for seafood aficionados. However, good food in Alleppey is not limited to just seafood, since it is a great destination for vegetarians to have their fill of delicious food as well. Alleppey traditional food includes the staple dishes of the state, including dosas, idlis, appams, and other rice based dishes. Toddy, a strong local alcoholic liquor, is a must-have drink when here.

Shopping in Alleppey: Alleppey is famous for its coir products, made from the fibers of coconut husks. Carpets are also pretty well-known, and if you have can transport one home then make sure to buy one. You can also shop for the freshest spices at the local markets. The spices bought from here are comparatively of better quality than what you will find at Kochi and would be homegrown and organic. Make sure to buy some organic coconut oil and fish pickles also. These keep well, and you can take them home when you return. Junk jewelry, made of bronze, are also available here. You can also get all shopping related information of Alleppey from your houseboat or hotel management, and they can point you in the right direction.

Timings and season:

Even though Allepey is an all-weather destination, here is a month wise break-up of the weather in Allepey to help you plan your vacation better:

November to February: Winters are the best time to visit Allepey as the weather is mild and pleasant. The average temperature during this time is between 17 degrees to 32 degrees Celsius. This is the perfect time to go on a houseboat ride and explore the backwaters of Allepey.

March to May: Summers in Munnar are usually hot and dry with the maximum temperature going up to 37 degrees Celsius. Since many tourists don’t visit Allepey during summer, this is a great time to enjoy Allepey minus the crowds and also get great deals on hotel rooms. Do remember to carry light cotton clothes and sunscreen along to avoid sun burn.

June to September: June marks the beginning of the monsoon season in Allepey and is a great time to enjoy this little town in its rain-washed glory. Even though houseboat rides are not available in the monsoon, this is a great time to sit back, relax and enjoy the natural beauty of Allepey. Make sure you carry an umbrella or raincoat along as rain showers are frequent and heavy