With foreign influences as disparate as Chinese and Portuguese, Arab and Dutch, Kerala is the spice coast of India. Edged by a thread of unbroken beachline, the state’s heart is composed of intensely green paddy fields and a unique network of rivers and lagoons. Upland Kerala, relatively little visited, is composed of hills thickly wooded with teak and rubber. It is here that Kerala’s most precious spices are grown in carefully nurtured plantations: cardamom, pepper and nutmeg.

Thiruvanantapuram, the state capital, with an international airport, has an exceptionally fine museum set in an amusement park. 16 km away is Kovalam, one of the most popular beaches in the country. Many visitors stay at Kovalam, driving into Thiruvanantapuram for sightseeing trips, rather than the other way round. Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvanantapuram, and Padmanabhapuram Palace, a short drive away, are important monuments. Cochin, with a fine natural harbour, has been Kerala’s center of maritime trade for innumerable centuries. Along the harbour, rows of antediluvian Chinese fishing nets indicate Kerala’s trade with China, just as buildings along the water’s edge testify to the erstwhile presence of Dutch and Portuguese colonisers. Jewtown, complete with an immaculately preserved synagogue, has a flavour all its own, while Tripunathura, at the other end of the city, has many traditional houses with central courtyards. Kerala’s multitude of faiths – Islam, Judaism, and a host of sects of Christianity and Hinduism – all coexist harmoniously in a state that is known for its Marxist inclinations! Kerala’s traditions of dance forms, which originated from temple worship, can be witnessed at regularly held performances. Lecture-demonstrations of the most spectacular of these – Kathakali – are held daily at many centres in Cochin. Teyyam, at once an act of worship and visual feast; temple festivals complete with caparisoned elephants; Kalaripayata, the indigenous art of self defence; all are a part of Kerala’s remarkable heritage of performing arts, and can be witnessed at various centres in Cochin and Thiruvanantapuram. A five hour drive from Cochin leads into thickly forested hills, past rubber and spice plantations, and into southern India’s tea growing district headquartered at the charmingly old world Munnar. From Kottayam to Alleppey is a world of palm fringed waterways, a route which is covered by motor launch. Elderly sailboats, long bar ges transporting tons of coconuts and tin skiffs used to transport children to school are common sights on these backwaters

THIRUVANANTAPURAM

Thiruvanantapuram, the capital of the state of Kerala, is a beautiful seaside city built on seven hills. The city gets its name from the word, Thiru Ananthapuram meaning the city of Ananth or the abode of the sacred serpent Anantha, on which Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the Hindu trinity, reclines.

PLACES OF INTEREST
Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Zoological Park,Napier Museum, Sri Chitra Art Gallery, Science & Technology Museum, Veli Lagoon, Shanmugham Beach, Aruvikkara Dam and Neyyar Dam, SMSM Institute.

EXCURSIONS
Kovalam 16 km, Kanniyakumari 87 km, Padmanabhapuram Palace 54 km, Ponmudi 61 km Quilon 72 km, Suchindram Temple 99 km, Thekkady (Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary) 272 km, Varkala 55 km.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Temperature (deg C): Summer - Max.36.2, Min.20.6; Winter - Max.35, Min.18.
Rainfall : 170 cms (May to November).
Best Season : October to March.

KOVALAM

16 kms away from Thiruvanantapuram, a sheltered bay endowed with unusual beauty. This natural bay is a safe sea-pool free from high waves and surge. And the beach resort here is of international standard

ALLEPPY

Alleppey situated in south of Cochin, is the centre for backwater cruises in Kerala. It has a large network of canals which passes through the town, provices its lifeline & has a long sandy beach. It is also the centre of the famous coir products of Kerala. Nehru Trophy Boat Race - the most colourful snake-boat race in Kerala - is held here on the second Saturday of August every year.

PLACES OF INTEREST
Backwater Cruise :
Alleppey is the gateway to the inland water ways of Kerala. Cruise through small canals pasing paddy fields, villages and small water lodged town-ships to enjoy the scenic beauty and to get a glimpse of the unspoiled rural life of Kerala.

EXCURSIONS
Ambalapuzha (14 kms), Haripad (33 kms).

GENERAL INFORMATION
Temperature (deg C): Summer- Max 35, Min 22.5; Winter- Max 32, Min 22.
Rainfall : 254 cms.
Best Season : October to May.

QUILLON (KOLLAM)

The present day Quilon is famous for its varied modern industries, Cashewnut Processing & Research, fisheries etc. For the tourists coming from Thiruvanantapuram, Quilon is the beginning of the magnificient backwaters of Kerala.

PLACES OF INTEREST
Thangassery Light House:
Massive light house. Visitors are allowed to go to the top of the light House.
Visiting Hours : 1530 hrs to 1730 hrs. every day.

Backwaters :Quilon like Alleppey is also surrounded by beautiful coconut palms presenting a panoramic view, cruising on this lake is very interesting. Motor boats, pedal Boats & rowing boats can be hired from Ashtamudi Boat club Quilon

EXCURSIONS
Chavara 16 km, Kundara 13 km, Courtallam (Health Resort) (104 km), Alleppey (85 km).

GENERAL INFORMATION
Temperature (deg C): Summer- Max 35, Min 25; Winter- Max 33.5, Min 24.
Rainfall : 279 cms.
Best Season : October to March.

KOTTAYAM

Kottayam situated in South of Cochin is a cultural Centre with beautiful Old churches. Though a busy commercial city, on its west, it has beautiful backwaters & on its eastern parts it is full of greenary.

PLACES OF INTEREST
Valiya Pally, Thazhathangadi Mosque. Kumarakam : 10 km away from Kottayam, here is a lovely Vembanad Lake Where tourists can enjoy the beautiful backwater trips

EXCURSIONS
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Thekkady) (114 km.), Ettumanoor (13 km.), Vaikkom (48 km).

GENERAL INFORMATION
Temparature : Max Min Summer : 35 Deg 22.5 Deg Winter : 32 Deg 22 Deg
Rainfall : 176 cms
Season : October to March

PERIYAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY (THEKKADY)

The Periyar wildlife Sanctuary at Thekkady is an important tourist attraction. It is situated on the Periyar lake in the hills of Western ghats and is the finest sanctuary for viewing & photographing Indian wild elephants.

PLACES OF INTEREST
Indian Wild Elephants, Sambar, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Tigers, Panthers, Wild Gogs, Bison, Spotted deer, Leopard, Musk deer.
Sightseeing in the sanctuary :Wildlife can be seen in its natural habitat by cruising on the lake in motorboats. Elephant rides & motorboats can be availed

The following picnic spots are approachable by motor launch or bridge path in the forest Arubi creek 16 kms, Crusoe Island 19 kms, Manakkavala 10 kms, Mullakudy 29 km Pavarasu 19 kms, Periyar Dam 12 kms, Thannikudy 38 kms, Peermade 40 kms. Permission from the Superintendent P.W.D., Periyar Dam, Thekkady is necessary to see the Periyar Dam. No entrance fee.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Temperature (deg C): Summer- Max 29, Min 18; Winter- Max 21, Min 15.5.
Rainfall : 203 cms (June to October)
Best Season : September to May

COCHIN (KOCHI)

Cochin,the commercial hub of Kerala, is a town of great historical importance. It has a fine natural harbour around which the city has grown. The Fort Cochin area, where the Portuguese settled in the 16th century, has been declared as Heritage Zone.

PLACES OF INTEREST
At Nagarjunasagar
Left Canal (Lal Bahadur Canal) (9.5 km.), Model Dam (8 km.), Pylon, Right Bank Tunnel (Jawahar Tunnel) (13 km.), View Point (4 km.)

At Nargarjunakonda :
Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, St.Francis Church, Bolghatty, Gunda and Willingdon Islands, Kerala History Museum, Hill Palace Museum, Parishath Taamburan Museum, Chinese Fishing Nets, Santacruz Cathedral (Basilica).

EXCURSIONS
Alwaye 21 km, Kalady 45 km, Alleppey 64 km, Trichur 80 km, Kottayam 76 km, Guruvayur 109 km, Munnar 136 km, Idikki 138 km, Palghat 163 km, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Thekkady) 190 km, Sabarimala 209 km, Calicut (Kozhikode) 218 km.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Temparature (deg C): Summer Max 35 deg Min 22 deg Winter Max 32 deg Min 20 deg Rainfall : 254 cm (June to October)
Season : Octomber to March

TRICHUR (THRISSUR)

Trichur, 78 kms north of Cochin on National Highway 47 lies at the base of a hillock, crowned by the famous Vadkkumnathan (Shiva) temple. This former capital of Cochin state was captured by Zamorin and later by Tipu Sultan in the second half of the 18th Century. The famous pooram festival is celebrated at the Vadakkumnathan Temple every year during April-May. The Kerala Sahitya Academy and Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy are located in Trichur.

PLACES OF INTEREST
Vadakkumnathan Temple
This temple is a classic example of the Kerala Style of architecture. The temple contains the sacred shrines of Paramashiva, Parvathy, Sankaranayana, Ganapathi, Sri Rama and Sri Krishna. The central shrines and Koothambalam exhibit exquisite vigettes carved in wood. Legend goes that this temple was founded by Parasurama. Trichur Pooram, the grandest temple pageantry in Kerala is celebrated here in April every year. Non Hindus are not allowed inside the temple.
Timings: 0400 to 1030 hrs and 1700 hrs to 2030 hrs.

Town Hall
An imposing building with a Chitralayam or a picture gallery where mural paintings from all parts of Kerala are exhibited.

Zoo
Near Art Museum. Timing : Daily 1500 hrs to 1715 hrs.Closed on Mondays and holidays(State).

Aquarium
Near Nehru Park. Timings: Daily 1500 hrs to 2000 hrs.

State Museum
Closed on Mondays. Entry free

Art Museum
Zoo compound. Good collection of wood carvings, metal sculptures and ancient jewellery. Timing: Daily 1000 hrs to 1700 hrs. Closed on Mondays.

EXCURSIONS
Guruvayoor (32 km), Cheruthuruthy (29 km), Peechi Dam (23 km), Tiruvilwamala Temple (29 km), Cranganore (Kodungallor) (36 km), Triprayar (25 km),Irinjalakuda (21 km).

GENERAL INFORMATION
Temperature (deg C): Summer- Max 35, Min 22.5; Winter- Max 32.3, Min 20.
Rainfall : 254 cms.
Best Season : October to March.

GURUVAYOOR

Guruvayur is one of the most sacred and important pilgrim contres of Kerala, attracting thousands of pilgrims from all parts of the Countury. Its chief attraction is a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna who is known as 'Guruvayurappan'.

PLACES OF INTEREST
Guruvayur Shree Krishna Temple:
Guruvayur, with its temple dedicated to Shree Krishna, is one of the most popular pilgrim centres of India. It is at this temple that Melpattur Narayana Bhattathiri composed his renowned Sanskrit devotional poem Narayaneeyam. Timings: 0300 to 1230 hours and 1700 to 2100 hours. Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple.

Punnathur Kotta:
4 kms. 44 Elephants that belong to the Guruvayur Krishna Temple are fenced and fed in the Punnathur Kotta. Visitors can watch.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Temperature (deg C): Summer- Max 35, Min 22.5; Winter- Max 32.3, Min 20.
Rainfall : 254 cm
Season : October to March