Kerala

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.

Thattekad Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

Thattekad bird sanctuary named after the most eminent bird watcher of India on the banks of River Periyar is the paradise of birdwatchers. In a small strip of land, you can find more variety of birds than in any place in India or in the world for that part – apart from a zoo or aviary. Salim Ali described Thattekad as the richest bird habitat in Peninsular India, with the only parallel in Eastern Himalayas. Salim Ali bird sanctuary was notified so in 1983, several years after Salim Ali’s original recommendation.

The climate is cool and enjoyable. The area is just more than 25 sq km. September to March is the good time to visit this sanctuary.

How to reach there?

Thattekad is in Ernakulam district of Kerala. Nearest town is Kothamangalam, which is 13 Km away.

Airport: Nearest airport is Kochi, 71 Km. Other airports are Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai and Bangalore, respectively in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Train: Nearest railway station is Aluva (48Km).

Thenmala is one among the most famous eco-tourism destinations of Asia. Located at Kollam District of Kerala, Thenmala is about 70Km from Thiruvananthapuram. Asia’s largest butterfly safari park is located at Thenmala. This is also one place where you can go hiking and mountain biking, making it the paradise of adventure lovers.

Thenmala Dam, Shenthuruni Wildlife Sanctuary, deer rehabilitation center, children’s eco park, tree-houses, etc are other attractions you can’t miss. A battery powered road vehicle and use of solar electricity are other things to notice about this place.

The Shenthuruni forest, one among the main attractions of Thenmala eco tourism is part of the Western Ghats forest range.

How to reach Thenmala:

Thenmala is connected roadways to Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Shenkottai (in Tamil Nadu). It is 70 Km from Thiruvananthapuram.

Nearest railway station: Kollam
Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport

Your general thoughts about a hill station include snow, mist and coolness. You miss them at Ponmudi, the only hill station in Thiruvananthapuram District. However, there is some mist covering the hills in the months November to February.

The word ponmudi has two translations – Pon or ponnu is gold, mudi can be either hair or crown. And thus Ponmudi is either golden hair or golden hair, I like to call it Golden Crown.

Ponmudi is the Southern most peak of Western Ghats, the famous mountain range of South India. Kerala is bounded on the east by Western Ghats and on the west by Arabian Sea.

Ponmudi is perched at a height of 600m above sea level and offers trekking and hiking opportunities. Enjoy being with the tiny fish in the crystal clear waters of the rivulet that flows through Golden Valley or take a trek to Meenmutti Water Falls.

The winding road to the peak has 22 hairpin curves, making the trip a wonderful experience.

Akkulam tourist village in Thiruvananthapuram city is a pleasant hangout for locals and tourists from all parts of Kerala. Tourists can enjoy boating in Akkulam Lake. The children’s park always has the pleasant sound of children celebrating their freedom.

Wait till sunset to see the lake and the coconut palm tops taking a golden hue. A unique mix of pleasant weather, beautiful sculptures and a calm lake make this tourist village a special attraction.

A swimming pool is another feature a few tourists make use of. Akkulam Lake is an extension of Veli lake, the southern most point to enjoy the backwaters of kerala.

How to reach there:

By road: 10Km from Thiruvananthapuram city, frequent bus services are available
Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, 7Km
Nearest railway station: Thiruvananthapuram Central, 10Km

Kuthiramalika (means a palace of horses) is a palace-converted museum, built on Kerala architecture style. It houses some beautiful historic artifacts, which are from China, Europe, and Middle East. Guns, swords, thrones, crystal chandeliers, mirrors, paintings, musical instruments, cots, etc take you on a journey through the history.

The palace got its name from the wooden horses that support the external roofs around the palace. It took 5000 workers and four years to complete the mansion.

The building of the palace is also special that somebody standing in the courtyard can’t see anybody in the upper floor, while those standing in the upper floor can easily see outside, without any difficulty. This is achieved by special arrangement of finely sawed wooden panels. This was important that outsiders were not allowed to see the women in the palace, but the women could enjoy the art festivals taking place in the courtyard.

The slanting roof is typical of Kerala style architecture prevailed 200 to 400 years ago.

It is in the courtyard of Kuthiramalika Palace, that yearly Swathi Music Festival takes place.

Entry ticket: Adults – Rs.20, Children Rs.10
Opening Hours: 8.30am to 1pm, 3.30pm to 5.30pm
Monday Closed

How to reach there:

Kuthiramalika Palace Museum is right there in Thiruvananthapuram city, inside East Fort, next to Padmanabhaswamy Temple.

Nearest Railway Station: Thiruvananthapuram Central, less than 1Km away, well connected to all parts of India

Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, 6Km away

Kanyakumari (a.k.a. Cape Comerin) is the southernmost point of peninsular India. It is the meeting point of three oceans – Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean and you can enjoy beautiful sunrises and sunsets over sea at the same point.

Vivekananda Rock that you see off the coast in the sea is now a pilgrim and tourist center, where people experience the kind of peace and stillness that Swami Vivekananda had experienced while he meditated on the rock.

Another rock has 133ft statue of Thiruvalluvar, a Tamil poet, which stands so majestically that no one can miss its sight.

Other attractions include Gandhi memorial (where the ash-urn of Mahatma Gandhi was kept) and the temple of Devi Kanyakumari (Virgin Goddess).

More information on Kanyakumari (external link)

How to reach Kanyakumari

Via road: About 90 Km from Trivandrum, Kerala
80 Km from Thirunelveli, Tamil Nadu
Kanyakumari is well connected by roadways

By rail: Nearest railway station is Nagercoil, 20Km away

Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (90Km)