Kerala or ‘God’s own country’ offers surreal visiting spots to tourists to consummate their touring spirits. Winters is ideally suited for visiting varied hill destinations across Kerala and enjoy the balmy climate along with natural extravaganza. Top 7 amazing places to visit During this winter in Kerala have been shortlisted to ease you itinerary preparation.
The ‘Kashmir of South India’ is a tourist’s paradise. Located about 1600m above mean sea level, Munnar piques itself on the bountiful natural extravaganza it offers to tourists. Tea plantations sprawling across the rolling hillsides, plantation workers at work picking and processing tea leaves, visit to the tea museum, hills mantled with mist, and forests teeming with exotic flora and fauna are some of the irresistible offerings of Munnar that would make you go crazy with pleasure. Anamudi peak, the highest in South India, can be trekked up to by adventure lovers. Explore the Eravikulam National Park or enjoy para-gliding and rock climbing. The picturesque expanses are any photographer’s delight.
Spread across the Western Ghats, the verdant mountainous stretch of Wayanad beckons the tourists with open arms. Wayanad fondly called ‘The Land of Paddy Fields’ is not restricted to mere paddy fields but holds a bounty of natural beauty to impress visitors. The aesthetic appeal of the area combines itself with coconut palm plantations, dense forests, paddy fields and peaks soaring up to the sky to create a perfect visiting spot for tourists. You can trek to Meenmutty Falls or Chembra Peak, awe at the ornamentation and architectural superiority of Jain temples, bushwalk to Edakkal Caves or enjoy closeness to the exotic fauna at the Tholpetty and Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Silent Valley National Park is your gateway to the Kerala’s famed natural rainforests. Sprawling across 237.52 sq.kms, Silent Valley is the home to a striking diversity of natural habitats. The Valley resonates with the quaint noises of the endemic wildlife and exudes a mysterious appeal that is hard to resist. It beckons adventure lovers to explore itself and the exuberance of life present herein. The trees in the rainforest have been carbon dated to some 50 million years. You can commune with the nature in its pristine grandeur and trace the time before the advent of mankind.
Idduki district’s hill station Kuttikanam is 3000 feet above Mean Sea Level and is the home to a diverse variety of flora and fauna sheltered in its sylvan expanses. You can spot wild animals such as bisons, monkeys and tigers in the reserved forests. The natural beauty is emphasized with the array of meandering streams, mystical valleys and rolling hills. The balmy climate is another attraction that draws tourists. Within 1 Km are the Peeru Hills and the rock sculpture of Parunthupara perched atop. From here, you can enjoy panoramic views of the entire area. Thottapura, the storehouse of weapons for the royal Travancore family is nearby. Panchalimedu, the legendary hiding place of Pandavas is also close. From Panchalikkulam pond, you can sight the Makarajyothi during Sabarimala’s pilgrimage season.
Thekkady, Periyar’s Tiger Reserve, boasts of unparalleled natural beauty and vibrant bio-diversity. One of 27 tiger reserves across India, the reserve sprawls over 925 sq.km. Along the watershed region of Pamba and Periyar rivers, you can sight endemic flora and fauna that are on the brink of extinction. Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary spans across Pathanamthitta and Idukki districts. The place is nestled in the laps of southern Western Ghats’ Cardamom Hills and Pandalam Hills.
Idukki district’s Kottayam is famed for Vagamon hill station with unmatched natural beauty. The balmy weather sees the temperature fluctuating between 10-23 degree Celsius. Height from mean sea level is 1100 metres. Due to its captivating beauty, the place has been nicknamed ‘Scotland of Asia’. Adventure Sports and Sustainable Tourism Academy organizes Vagamon’s paragliding festival spanning four days where you can enjoy this nail-biting adventure thrill. The place is ideally suited for bushwalking.
Alleppey is famous worldwide for its backwater and draws thousands of local as well as offshore visitors through the year. Annual Nehru trophy boat race of well-ornamented snake boats is the chief attraction. Houseboat stays are perfect to explore the scenic beauty of backwater and the areas that fringe it. You can catch glimpses of the lifestyle and livelihood of the natives. Speedboat and rafting allows you to enjoy adrenalin rushing adventure on the water. The marine delicacies prepared by local chefs and the cultural shows organized by resorts and houseboat owners offers glimpses into the rich and vivacious cultural heritage of Kerala.
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