God's own country

Kerala is a narrow, fertile strip of land wedged between the verdant hills and rain forests of the Western Ghats and the wide beaches of the Arabian Sea. In between is a labyrinth of backwaters lined with coconut palms and lush paddy fields.

The infinite shades of tropical green that one can see in Kerala, is the reason that Kerala has come to be known as `God's own country.'

 

The major cities of Kerala are Kozhikode in the north, Kochi in the centre, and Thiruvananthapuram in the south. They are smaller and more relaxing in comparison to most other Indian cities.

The beaches are never far away. Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, is a convenient gateway to the palm-fringed beaches of Kovalam and Varkala. South of Kochi is a beautiful white stretch of beach at Mararikulam. Kozhikode has lovely beaches to the north such as at Neeleshwar.

For visitors, the most popular city is undoubtedly the great port of Kochi. Traders from all over the world have left their mark on the architecture here, making Kochi one of the most unique and fascinating towns in India. Walking around the old atmospheric quarters of Matancherry and Fort Cochin is a great delight.

The greatest joy of travelling in Kerala is exploring the backwaters south of Kochi, a network of waterways which weave through villages set amidst lush vegetation. There are lots of interesting home-stays and small atmospheric hotels in and around Allapuzha and Kumarakom. Alternatively, you can cruise through the backwaters in a converted rice barge (the so-called "houseboats").

Roads leading further inland pass through spice, tea, coffee and rubber plantations, and natural forests, en route to wildlife reserves such as the Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary near Kothamangalam, the Eravikulam National Park near Munnar, and the Periyar National Park near Thekkady. The beauty of these green hills is unique to Kerala.

One of the most beautiful landscapes in Kerala is in Wayanad district, in the north of the state. Here you find an unbelievably beautiful combination of paddy fields, spice plantations and rain forests, creating a rich verdant atmosphere. There are some wonderful accommodation options in small places like Sultan Battery, Vythiri and Meppadi.

There are special home-stays all over Kerala but some highlights are Ayisha Manzil in Tellicherry, a beautiful bungalow overlooking the sea, Kandath Tharavad, a 100-year old traditional Kerala house in Pallakad, and Vanilla Country in Teekoy, a wonderful home right at the heart of a working plantation of vanilla, coffee and rubber.

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Spices & Sandalwood
From 557

Spices & SandalwoodWayanad, Mudumalai & Mysore

The Western Ghats are a magnificent range of hills, rising up from India's Malabar Coast. It is an area that is hidden away in the southern reaches of Karnataka and in northern Kerala. You travel from Kozhikode to Wayanad, known for its evergreen rain forest and coffee, tea, cardamom and pepper plantations. From here you continue to the sandalwood city of Mysore with its beautiful palace. Your t

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Kochi
From 228

KochiA port city full of historical landmarks

Kochi (or Cochin) is set on a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas and has one of the best natural harbours in the world. The famed `Malabar Spices' were exported from this very port, bringing to Kochi visitors as varied as the Arabs, the Dutch, the Portuguese and, finally, the British. All of them have left their mark on the architecture, making Kochi one of the most unique and fascinating

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Jungles & Backwaters
From 603

Jungles & BackwatersGod's Own Country

Strewn with rivers, lagoons and meandering backwaters, covered in coconut groves and flanked by sunny, palm fringed beaches, Kerala truly is a small slice of paradise. Explore Periyar Wildlife Reserve by boat or on foot, unwind aboard your private traditional kettuvallam houseboat (a converted rice barge) as you sail through quiet backwaters, and laze on the beach of Marari.

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Wildlife of Kerala
From 785

Wildlife of KeralaKothamangalam, Munnar, Thekkady & Kumarakom

There is plenty on offer for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts in the bio diverse, natural wonders that are the Western Ghats of Kerala. This safari takes you through the lowland forests at Thattekkad to the high altitude cloud forests of Munnar and the rain forests of Periyar. You round off your journey with a visit to Kerala's backwaters, an ornithologist's paradise.

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Kerala Homestays
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Kerala HomestaysAllapuzha, Teekoy & Mararikulam

This captivating tour gives you an authentic experience of Kerala. By staying with local Keralan families in their traditional homes you can sample local fare, customs, and social activities all at the leisurely pace of pastoral Keralan life. Set in picturesque surroundings on the coast, the midlands and on tea and rubber estates, these homes offer a true understanding of Kerala and its people.

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Coral Hideaway in the Arabian Sea
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Coral Hideaway in the Arabian Sea

The Lakshadweep Administration has stopped issuing entry permit to visit the Lakshadweep Islands from 01 November 2011 onwards. Bangaram Island Resort is no more operational due to a legal tussle with the Lakshadweep Administration over the ownership of the resort, and the case is currently in the Supreme Court of India. As a result, travel to the Lakshadweep Islands is NOT possible for

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An Introduction to Kerala
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An Introduction to KeralaTravel in Style though God's Own Country

Strewn with rivers, lagoons and meandering backwaters, covered in coconut groves and flanked by sunny, palm fringed beaches, Kerala truly is a small slice of paradise. Exploring fishing villages where colourful boats stand in the harbour against a backdrop of Chinese fishing nets, unwind aboard your private traditional kettuvallam houseboat (a converted rice barge) as you sail through the uniqu

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South Indian Highlights
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South Indian HighlightsTamil Nadu and Kerala

This leisurely journey through Tamil Nadu and Kerala encompasses all the highlights of South India. The beach side retreat of Mamallapuram is your initial base and from here you explore the historic `French' town of Pondicherry and the temple cities of Tamil Nadu. Next is the lush tropical land of Kerala with wildlife and palm-fringed backwaters and the harbour city of Cochin, with its diverse a

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South Indian Adventure
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South Indian AdventureJourney along India's west coast

Starting by the beach at Kovalam, in the wonderful state of Kerala, your journey takes you through palm-lined backwaters, hiking in the mountains, exploring the most exotic temple city in South India, the magnificent Maharajah's Palace in Mysore, and the fascinating ruins at Hampi. You finish with a few days in the former Portuguese colony of Goa lying on the exotic west coast of India. A tropi

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Hills & backwaters of Southern India
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Hills & backwaters of Southern IndiaAdventures in the Western Ghats

Kerala is separated from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu by the magnificent forested hills of the Western Ghats, a bright green mountainous region with a great deal of scenic appeal. This meandering journey is designed for those with a love of nature and a thirst for discovery as it leads you to some of the more unexplored areas of southern India. During the trip you will enjoy homestays and tradition

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