Kerala

While in Kerala, you definitely will have several experiences & memories to cherish for a long time. Ayurvedic treatments, pristine backwaters, gentle waterfalls, heavenly climate, and more.

A houseboat tour can combine all these elements above. That is, a combination of Ayurvedic treatment, a journey through the placid water, cooking fresh catch from the lake, and the gentle rocking you experience while you lie down on a bed in the houseboat – it is like a lullaby.

Almost all of the backwater resorts (there are dozens), have a houseboat or two, fully equipped with bedrooms, kitchens, veranda, etc. A chair or two on the roof makes for a wonderful addition to receive the gentle breezes on your face.

Houseboat can replace your road travel in Kerala, giving you even better options to fully enjoy your trip from one place to the next. Remember, houseboats were the most important form of transportation before the roads and rail lines were developed and for centuries.

Pakshi pathalam, which literally means a hell of birds is in the forests of Wayanad. If you visit other places like Muthanga wildlife sanctuary, Soochipara waterfalls, Edakkal caves, etc, you dare not miss this place.

This place offers you the ultimate in adventure trekking and at the end, you reach the valley of birds. Birds of innumerable species – big and small, beautifully colored and sweet singing birds tell you this is not hell of birds, but paradise of birds.

Almost the whole of Wayanad district of Kerala is forest covered and the inhabitants here are mostly tribals. They are also the guides here and they will take you through the several dozens of trekking stretches, each one uncovering several dozens of wonders you have otherwise miss in your life.

A trip into any forest is not complete until you see a waterfall. The beautiful waterfall of Soojippara is inside the dense forests of Wayanad district of Kerala. Sooji means needle and para means rock – thus Soojippara is needle-like rock.

It is not just the beauty of the waterfall, but also the wilderness of the nature that surrounds the area. You trek through dense forest, stepping on sharp rocks till you reach the falls, although you can get a glimpse from more than two km away.

There are three falls – the shortest is 100 ft and the tallest 300ft. It is relatively safer to swim at the bottom of the falls – however, watch out for the rocks.

Edakkal Caves in Wayanad is the place that visitors to this land cannot afford to miss. The two massive caves have some secrets from the Stone Age and beyond inscribed. The caves are actually massive clefts or rifts, which looks like a massive rock has split away several thousands of years and with another piece of rock forming the roof. The petroglyphs inside are of three types, signifying habitation during different periods of human evolution. They date back to more than 8000 years.

Reach Edakkal caves is no simple task, as it is a big labor of three to four hours to reach the top of the hill, although Tourism Department’s jeeps are available up to the foot. A delight for adventurers, archeologists and historians, this place is of special importance.

If you have come to Wayanad, don’t miss Soojippara waterfalls and Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary.

Asthamudi Lake in Kollam district is the largest lake of Kerala. Part of Kerala backwaters, this lake offers a calm, serene atmosphere, which has few parallels.

Coconut palms line the whole coast of this lake. Speedboats and houseboats are available to cruise along the waters. I specially like the houseboat tour off Asthamudi Lake Resort.

This lake was one the mainline of local commerce, as houseboats (then country boats) loaded with coconut, paddy, and other farm produce from the villages frequented these waters.

You got to see local fishermen in action, special delicacies on board and the king-like experience of enjoying the magnificent views of the lake while sitting on a chair placed on the roof of the boat.

One thing to notice about this lake is the absence of mosquitoes. You surely will miss mosquito injection, which is common in almost all water-rich areas.

Palaruvi is beautiful waterfall in Kollam district of Kerala. Palaruvi literally means a stream of milk.

Falling from a height of 300ft, this surf gives the fall a milky white appearance and hence the name.

A popular picnic spot for local tourists from Kerala and Tamil Nadu, this waterfall also attracts people from all parts of India and abroad.

The forest around the Palaruvi water falls spreads through Thenmala Eco Tourism Project.

The waterfall is cool, chilling and inviting, you feel like taking a dip in the stream. It is safe to take a bath below the fall, but not so from above.

From a distance, the fall appears to be a stream of milk and when sun shines, you will see rainbow forming over the falling stream.

Silent Valley National Park is protected area of Western Ghats at Nilgiri Hills, rich in variety of flora and fauna. The area was first explored by Robert Wight, a botanist.

Silent Valley attracted international attention in 1970s, when activists lined against a proposed hydroelectric project, which would affect the biodiversity of this region.

The park was created in 1980 and visitors now enjoy a glimpse of several rare species of orchids, lion-tailed macaque, etc.

There are as much as 16 bird species classified as threatened – Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Malabar Parakeet, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Wynad Laughing Thrush, Nilgiri Laughing Thrush, and a few other birds are almost exclusive to this area.

Several butterflies found here are also protected species.