Close your eyes and imagine that you’re in a place full of lush greenery with the cold breeze caressing your face and the sounds of nature rejuvenating your soul. Now open your eyes, Welcome to Kerala, yes the above description suits perfectly well with Kerala. Often renowned as ‘God’s Own Country’ because of the divinity that this state dispenses. Well not just divinity, Kerala is home to a plethora of elements starting from tranquil nature, unparalleled experiences, delicious food and much more that this place offers. With so much that this location offers it usually becomes a task to cherish the best of everything, therefore to make your task easier here’s a list of destinations that you must visit in Kerala to get the best of this place.
1. Alleppey Backwaters
Alleppey; the destination renowned for its amalgamation of lakes, lagoons, canals,rivers and various other water bodies tops this list. With coconut palm trees surrounding the backwaters, a house boat ride usually becomes a quintessential activity to do in Alleppey. Besides the houseboat rides, Ayurvedic treatments too are a people’s favourite to rejuvenate your mind and soul. Other things that this destination is famous for are food tours, village tours and water activities like parasailing, motorboat rides and much more that should be experienced at least once in a lifetime. The best time to visit this place is between the months of October and March.
2. Munnar
A hill station in South India sounds like an absolute dream but Munnar is a dream come true. Abode of the mountains in the south, lush greenery, tea plantations and misty skies. The destination is best known for its authentic tea and coffee plantations that travellers usually take back to relish. Munnar is famous among those who are looking to take a break from the coastal humidity and to cherish some winter feels. Neelakurinji, one of the rarest flowers in the world, can be found in this southern hill station. All these qualities get this destination its nickname ‘ Kashmir of The South’, with December to February being the best time to visit this destination.
3. Kovalam
Did you even go to Kerala if you didn’t go to its beaches? Well Kovalam is the best answer to this question. With over three beaches spread across 17 Kms of the coastline separated by rocky terrains, Kovalam is an absolute paradise for all beach lovers and is a favourite among travellers ever since its inception in the 1930s. The beach has a plethora of leisure options like sunbathing, herbal options, swimming and much more to take your kerala escapade to the next level. Accommodation at Kovalam too is diverse like its beaches with hotels varying from budget hotels to lavish 5 star hotels. South Indian delicacies like Masala Dosas, Uttapams, Idlis and more are a must have when in this beach paradise.
4. Thrissur
After a dose of adventure and relaxation it's time to dive deep into the culture of Kerala at the culture capital Thrissur. The culture capital is best known for its temples, churches and mosques, besides the divine landmarks the destination is also known for its cultural festivals with Thrissur Pooram being the most famous and most colourful temple festival of the city. Punnathur Kotta, Vilangan Kunnu, Athirappilly Waterfalls and Chavakkad Beach are the most visited destinations in the culture capital. Well, not just culture capital, Thrissur is also known as the gold capital of India as it earns over 700 crores in gold business. Winter is the best time to visit this destination.
5. Wayanad
Last but definitely not the least in this list is Wayanad, a heaven for those seeking to get closer to nature. Wayanad is famous among wildlife lovers and photographers because of the panoramic views that this destination offers. Just like Munnar, Wayanad too is a getaway for those looking to escape from the coastal heat. Besides the cool climate, Wayanad is famous for being home to some of the most rare flora and fauna, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is a delight for all wildlife enthusiasts. The green paradise is an essential part of every Kerala itinerary and just cannot be missed.
With this we come to the end of this list, with so much to offer and so many must visit places, Kerala is a destination that should be on every traveller’s bucket list.
God’s Own Country invites you all.