Fondly nicknamed as God’s own country, Kerala, located at the southernmost tip of the country is a tourist’s delight. The state has such a plethora of exciting opportunities to offer, in terms of tourist exploration that it is difficult to make a choice between what to see and what not to see. In order to ease your process of choosing where to visit, we have compiled a list of some of the destinations which you should definitely try and visit, when planning a vacation to Kerala:
- Munnar: Perched at an altitude of 1600 feet above sea level, Munnar was formerly a summer resort of the British administration. Located at a distance of 60 km from Idukki, Munnar has fondly been nicknamed as the ‘ Kashmir of South India’. With its winding lanes and misty hills, it is the perfect hill station to relax with your loved ones. The main attraction of Munnar is its sprawling tea gardens. You can see tea being picked and processed in front of your eyes. There is also a Tata Tea Museum located at the Nallathanni Estate which is worth a visit.
- Varkala Beach: The Varkala Beach, also known as Papanasam Beach, word Papanasam means to wash away sins. It is an excellent beach in Kerala, especially if you want to avoid the high prices and crowds of Kovalam Beach. Located along the Arabian Sea it is believed that a dip in the waters of Papanasam Beach washes away all the sins in one’s life. The famous SreeJanardhana Swami Temple is situated near this beach. This also happens to be only place in Kerala where cliffs are found adjacent to the Arabian Sea. Also known as Varkala Formation, it has been declared a geological monument by the Geological Survey of India. The best time to go is when the beach extends out all around the cliff face for 500 meters.
- Periyar National Park: A brilliant testimony to nature’s splendour is the Periyar National Park, located in Thekkady, around 4 kilometers from Kumili in the Idukki district. Situated on the banks of the Periyar Lake, it happens to be one of the most popular national parks in southern India. The park is surrounded by the high ranges of the Western Ghats, which are enveloped in dense evergreen forests and savannah grasslands. The park stays open all year round and is well-known for its elephants.
- Wayanad: Stretching with altitudes ranging from 700 to 2100 m on the Western Ghats is Wayanad. Its earliest records reveal that it was initially known as Mayakshetra. Etymologically, Wayanad is composed of two words,Vayal (paddy field) and Naad (land), making it ‘The Land of Paddy Fields’. Thus, you shouldn’t be surprised if you spot abundant paddy fields in the region. Due to its terrain, the place is a haven for adventure enthusiasts. Popular attractions include trekking to Chembra Peak and Meenmutty Falls, and wildlife spotting at Muthanga and Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Naturally, there are many more locations in Kerala which need to be explored and discovered. Plan a vacation to Kerala soon to unravel those mysteries!
