Famous Kerala Wildlife Destinations

Kerala is a land of sheer fascination where tourists come from across the globe. Endowed with rich flora and gorgeous greenery, Kerala is not only known for its beaches and backwaters but also for its enchanting wildlife. The wonderful tropical forests of this state are home to a wide variety of wildlife. Kerala wildlife sanctuaries are among the major attractions of Kerala tourism.

Some of the famous wildlife destinations of Kerala are:

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

It is a Tiger Reserve and a National Park located in Thekkady in the beautiful Idukki district. Sprawling over an area of 778 km sq, the Park boasts of a variety of wildlife species such as 62 species of mammals, 320 bird species, 45 reptile species, 27 amphibian species and 160 insect species. You can enjoy a boat ride on Periyar lake inside the Park. The best time to visit this park is from September to March.

Idukki Wildlife sanctuary

This wonderful sanctuary is marked with thick forests, springs, rivulets and rich flora and fauna. Covering an area of 77 sq km, located at an altitude of 750 m above sea level, the sanctuary is famous among wildlife enthusiasts. Wildlife species like tigers, elephants, jungle cats, cobras, woodpeckers, kingfishers, cobras and deer are found here. This destination is famous for its elephant population. The best time to visit this place is from December to April.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

It is a bird paradise where bird lovers come from across the globe. It is ideally located on the banks of Vembanad Lake in the Kottayam district in Kerala. Its exotic collection of birds and picturesque environment make it a must-visit destination of Kerala. Some of the other inhabitants of this sanctuary are leopards, tigers, Nilgiri Tahr and wild pigs. The best time to visit this sanctuary is from November to February.

Eravikulam National Park
This popular park is known for being the home of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. It boasts of the highest population of Nilgiri Tahr in the world. The landscape of this park is very beautiful. It is also the home to the Atlas moth which is the largest moth in the world. Anamudi peak, the highest peak of South India, is also located inside this Park. It is also a perfect place for trekking. The perfect time to visit this park is from September to February.

There are several other wildlife destinations in Kerala such as Wayanad, Silent Valley National park, Chimmony and Chinnar. Kerala wildlife attracts tourists from far and wide. Kerala wildlife sanctuaries are home to a wide variety of wildlife. Kerala wildlife Tour will take you to the enchanting wildlife destinations.

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Moving with the Wildlife at the Silent Valley in Kerala

The dense rainforests of the Silent Valley is one of the few preserves that have been left practically untouched by man and modernization. Surrounded by hills, the inaccessible nature of the Silent valley has proved to be its blessing.

The brooding forests of the Silent Valley are located in the Nilgiri Hills in Kerala and are said to date back to 50 million years. The 236.74 square kilometer national park is a part of the Palakkad district in Kerala. The diverse ecosystem of the Silent Valley includes montane grasslands, deciduous, semi evergreen as well as evergreen forests. The Valley is an important part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and lies adjacent to the Mukkurthi national park and the Attappady forests.

Legends of the Silent Valley

The Silent Valley has an interesting role to play vis-à-vis Hindu mythology. The locals call the Valley Sairandhrivanam. Sairandhri refers to Draupadi, the wife of the five Pandavas. According to local legend, the Pandavas along with Draupadi stumbled upon the beautiful, isolated valley in the course of their travels during a period of exile. So enamored were they by the green, rolling forests bursting with life that they stayed here for some time.

Exploring the wildlife at Silent Valley

The Silent Valley is home to an amazing number of mammals, birds and reptiles. Isolated due to the ring of hills around it, the forest has been able to retain the Indo-Malaysian nature of the flora and fauna that has characterized the area over the ages.

A trip to Silent Valley will give you some stunning glimpses of wildcats like tiger, panther, jungle cats, civets and fishing cat. The graceful sambar and spotted deer, the large gaur and smaller animals like mongooses, otters, flying squirrel and the scaly anteater are other wildlife that makes the Silent Valley an absolute delight for wildlife enthusiasts.

Among the more significant inhabitants of the forests are the lion tailed macaque and the Nilgiri langur; both of these are on list of endangered animals and the Silent Valley is one of their habitats on earth. The forests also have a large number of endangered birds. These include the Wayanad Laughing Thrush, Broad tailed Grassbird, the Malabar parakeet and the Great Indian Hornbill.

A survey conducted in 2006 reported that there were 138 species of birds in the Silent Valley. The forests also have 35 species of reptiles and 19 species of amphibians. In fact, there are two species of frogs that have been discovered in the Silent Valley. There are also several rare plants and herbs in the valley.

Reaching the Silent Valley

Given the heavy rainfall the area experiences, travelling here during the monsoon months might not be practical. The summers are warm while winters are pleasant. There are plenty of buses running from Palakkad to Mukkali. Palakkad is at a distance of 80 km, while Mukkali is 23 kilometers away.

The distance between Mukkali and Silent Valley will have to be covered either by hiring a jeep or van. You could also trek part of the distance. As far as accommodation is concerned, there are a few guest houses within the national park. You could also stay at one of the many hotels in Palakkad town.

The Silent Valley is quite simply an unforgettable experience. It takes us back to an age when nature reigned supreme. The preserve with its pristine and untouched character is truly a unique spot in a world where else where man has left his rather heavy imprint.

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Colorful Facades of Kerala Tourism

An enigmatic strip of land, Kerala is a tropical paradise in one of the sought after tourist destinations. A visit to Kerala is more like reading a book with a new story each and every time turn on the page. It is incredibly striking and is blessed with astonishing charm of nature, blissful ambiance and more of all pleasing climatic conditions which makes holiday really an experience of lifetime. This small state lets you enjoy the complete magic of the nature in different form which consists of the exquisite backwater destinations, captivating beaches and exotic wildlife parks and sanctuaries, nature blessed hill stations and much more. It is the pure attractiveness of the nature and its tantalizing charm that Kerala is today globally known and is visited by a number of tourists from every nook and corner of the world. 

Kerala being the most popular destinations in India, Kerala tour is ready to offer them more than what they expect to let them enjoy holiday in an enjoyable and unforgettable way amidst the Lap of Mother Nature. Kerala tour package also offers to experience the complete magic of the backwaters, a unique product of the state truly unmatched by any other tourism destinations in the world. It is blessed with astonishing charm and present amazing opportunity to sail over the scenic water-world over a houseboat gradually floating with the pace of time. Houseboats are the only medium offering an unbelievable experience to relish forever. Some of the popular backwater destinations in Kerala are Kumarakom, Kuttanad, Kollam, Kasargod, Alleppey and Cochin which are visited by tourists from all over the world. 

Beside Kerala backwaters tours, Kerala tour packages also offer tourists to enjoy the stimulating exquisiteness of the nature in different forms. Hill stations of Kerala like Munnar, Idduki, Wayanad and Devikulam are blessed with stupendous beauty of nature with cascading waterfalls, well organized tea gardens, spice plantations, musical streams, lush green flora and fauna and much more. 

Kerala is one of the most leading honeymoon destinations in India as celebrating honeymoon would be like staying in green paradise. The most predominant attractions of Kerala honeymoon tours will be Kerala's striking beaches dotted with palm coconut trees. Exploring the sun-kissed exquisite beaches of Kerala add an unusual charm in your Kerala honeymoon tours. Some of famous beaches of Kerala are Kovalam beach, Chowara beach, Bekal beach, Alleppey beach, Cherai beach, Quilon beach, Shanghumugham beach, Varkala Papanasam beach, etc which you should not forget to explore during your Kerala honeymoon tour. 

Visit Kerala packages tours website to book your Kerala honeymoon tour package and Kerala houseboat tours

Munnar

Munnar is an haven of peace and harmony. Munnar is an incredibly beautiful hill town Positioned at a height of 6000ft in the Idukki district, Munnar is the most privileged summer resort. This was a significant resort even during the British monarchs in those colonial days. 

Munnar is opulent with unique species of flora as well as fauna. With an extensive stretch of tea plantations amidst the high mountains and unspoiled valleys, Munnar gives a very pleasant feeling. The scented cool air is filled with the aroma of spices. The rising and falling terrain of Munnar is covered with forests and grasslands.

The undulated topography offers a breathtaking vision of craggy rocks and adds to the picturesque scenery and captivates the tourists with its beauty. Some of the trees found in the region are teak, red sandalwood, rose wood, jungle jack, etc. Munnar is a paradise for bird watchers as rare species of birds are found in abundance. 

Cocooned in the State of Kerala, Munnar poses a breathtaking scenery amidst the thriving green tea plantations with the combination of valleys, streams, cliffs, bubbling brooks, exotic wildlife and clear trout streams that make Munnar an irresistible place. 

You can book Munnar tour package or a honeymoon package for Kerala via Kerala Packages Tours

10 Reasons to Visit Kerala

Kerala, God's Own Country, offers countless ways to allure the tourists to its land. Presenting 10 best reasons why you should not miss a holiday in Kerala.

Kerala, one of the most popular tourist destination in the World is visited by tourists all the year round. Located in the southwest India, this green patch of exoticism and beauty is also referred to be ‘God’s Own Country’. Blessed with the best of natural attractions like beaches, waterfalls, wildlife parks and the ubiquitous backwaters, Kerala is one of the best places to enjoy a perfect holiday. Some of the most popular attractions that drive people to this wonderful land are -

1. Backwaters - This is the most eloquent facet of Kerala that draws large number of tourists to the state. Cruising on houseboats on these backwaters is a delightful experience, especially for newly married couples. The peaceful ambiance and dream like ride on slow waters is sure to give you the most relaxing experience on the earth. Alleppey and Kumarakom are the two hot spots wherein tourists can book a houseboat or a canoe and enjoy a cruise on the backwaters of Kerala. travellers can also enjoy the fresh coconut water that can be had when the houseboats halts at various spots.

2. Houseboats - A houseboat ride in Kerala is one of the most unique experience. Perfect place for a honeymoon couple, these houseboats are equipped with most modern facilities and living on them is like floating on a five star hotel. These houseboats can cost from anywhere between Rs 3000 to Rs 9000 for a couple for a single night depending upon the facilities availed. Though might be tagged as a bit expensive, but a stay in these houseboats is an experience one cannot miss.

3. Ayurveda - Kerala is also very popular for its rejuvenation therapies through the traditional Ayurveda method. There are many ashrams dedicated to this purpose and thousands and tourists come here from all over the world to get bereaved from their diseases and indulge in some discerning relaxation. Some of the most popular Ayurveda ashrams are in Kalari Kovilakam in Plakkad District and Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Shala in Malappuram District. Enjoy some of the most relaxing therapies that are given here with the use of organically grown herbs and oil.

4. Beaches - The beaches of Kerala are very beautiful and not crowded, thus giving one an opportunity to enjoy the sun and sand more profoundly. Kovalam beach is perhaps the most famous one as it offers host of water sports. Another important beach is the Fort Kochi beach  as it is only here in the country that one can sight the traditional Chinese nets. Some other popular beaches in Kerala are Alappuzha beach known for its beautiful lagoons. 

5. Tree House Stay in Vythiri - Kerala offers some of the most unique holiday experiences. One of then is the Vythiri tree house stay. Located around 62 kms form Kozhikode, staying in these one-of-a-kind wood houses located on trees, one can enjoy lip smacking Kerala wood besides the relaxing Ayurvedic spa. Vythiri is a small hamlet known for its ocuntless natural attractions and various adventure options. 

6. Snake Boat Race - The state of Kerala is also famous for being the host of some of the most anomalous festivities in the country. Visit during the months of June and July when the famous snake boat race is held on the backwaters of Alappuzha and Kottayam. Another popular festival is the Elephant March at Thrissur held during the months of April to May. 

7. Spice and Tea Tours - Another nonpareil experience in the beautiful land of Kerala is the trip to the exotic tea gardens and spice plantations in various parts of the state. Located amidst the woods and jungles, visiting these natural paradise is truly a delightful experience. Besides Wayand, Attappadi, Siruvani, Vagamon, Vandiperiyar, Erumeli are place where spices are grown. Munnar, Grampi, Vilangakunnu and  Ponumudi District are popular for their tea cultivation.

8. Wildlife - Kerala, the God's Own Country has been bestowed with beautiful jungles that make it a perfect haven for animals and birds. It is these facet that makes the state a popular destination for wildlife seekers. Visit the Silent Valley National Park, sight rare species of birds in the Kumarakom Bird sanctuary or enjoy a safari in the world famous Periyar National Park, Kerala is rich with flora and fauna of all kinds. Watching combing of honey in these jungles is a cherish able experience.

9. Waterfalls - The land of Kerala has been bestowed with the best of all the natural attraction. Besides the backwaters, the waterfalls of Kerala are also famous. A waterfall tour to the Athirappally and Vazhachal waterfalls are sure to rehydrate your mind and body. Visit during the monsoon months (June to September) when these gurgling cascades are in full vigor.

10. Homestays - A real pleasure in Kerala is to enjoy the home stays that are offered by the local people. This is is certainly the best way to enjoy the local culture of the state and interact with the people. The people of Kerala are very hospitable and friendly and savouring their home cooked food is a must indulgence.

Kerala is one of the most visited destinations in the world and after being tagged as ‘One of the 1000 must places to visit in the World’, Kerala is flooded with tourists all the year round. Be it natural beauty or man made monumental marvel. Be it colorful festival or lip smacking food, Kerala is ‘the’ place to be. Come and enjoy the best of culture and enjoy a wonderful holiday in the beautiful state.

You can book Kerala tours via Www.KeralaPackagesTours.Com

Interesting Places to Visit on Kerala Honeymoon

India is the romantic gateway for honeymoon. It has some of the scintillating and picturesque places that are ideal for honeymoon break, where newly wed couples can enjoy to their fullest to make their honeymoon the most cherished event of lifetime.

Well if you are planning for visit India for honeymoon holidays, visit to Kerala the state in the South of India lying parallel to the Arabian Sea. Gifted with scintillating beauty of the nature, sightseeing spots, inspiring temples, rich art forms, picturesque backwaters, scintillating hill stations, fascinating wildlife parks and sanctuaries and the warm hospitality make it the ideal place for honeymoon. So come to Kerala, the God’s Own Country and enjoy the most cherished moments of lifetime, the honeymoon in a romantic and memorable way.

Honeymoon in Kerala is made more enjoyable, luxurious and hassle free by the tour operators and honeymoon planner who arrange each and every thing as per your demand and preferences. More of all they also provide tailor made as well as customized Kerala honeymoon packages to suit the need of the honeymooners to let them enjoy the moments of fantasy in this picturesque and nature blessed Kerala.

Apart from the nature endowments, Kerala has several scintillating and charming tourism destinations that are the ideal gateway for honeymoon. So choose from the below mentioned destination and include in your honeymoon package.

Munnar

Draped in the evergreen beauty, well organised tea gardens, cascading waterfalls, rich flora and fauna and pleasant cool climatic conditions, Munnar is truly the most romantic place for honeymoon in Kerala. Enjoy the sheer magical moments of immense joy and share the moments to know each other in a better way.

Alleppey

Alleppey is lovingly called Venice of the East and truly it is as this picturesque town is bounded by pristine water and sea, making it outstanding from the entire destinations. Cruise over the scintillating backwater or laze around the sunny beaches, Alleppey is the perfect place to go for honeymoon. The most amazing experince of honeymoon is cruise over the traditional houseboat as couples can enjoy the most and share the moments in the solitude ambiance of the houseboat enjoying the panoramic view of the scintillating natural beauty.

Kovalam Beach

Considered to the finest beach resort in the world, Kovalam beach is the perfect gateway to enjoy beach honeymoon. Magnificently adorned by the silver sands, swaying coconut trees and the exotic beach resorts, couples here can enjoy the most cherished moments with true joy and happiness. Indulge in the fun-filled water sports or soak in the sun enjoying the panoramic view sharing the moments of joy and happiness.

More of all to make the Kerala honeymoon more heavenly, couples can enjoy the various art-forms, enjoy the rejuvenating ayurveda therapy, enjoy the local delicacies as well as take part in the colorful festivals with the locals. Truly Kerala is one such state where couples can enjoy various theme attractions which they can enjoy and take home cherished memories to keep the honeymoon holidays on top of joy and happiness.

Source: http://www.apsense.com/article/interesting-places-to-visit-on-kerala-honeymoon.html

Kathakali

I first came to India by coincidence. In 2004, a volunteer workcamp in ecotourism I had subscribed to for the Andaman Islands had just been cancelled. I therefore visited Tamil Nadu and one week was left when I suddenly felt like getting a glimpse of Kerala. I didn’t have much information nor much idea about it, but I took a night train to Kochi. I felt so good there as the atmosphere was so pleasant and quiet, people friendly and sights attractive.

In the evening I saw a poster about daily Kathakali programs and I thought that it was a good idea to get busy in the evening as the evenings are usually boring for an individual traveler in India.

The Kathakali program left me thunderstruck. It was an extract of Duryodhana Vadham (1), from Mahabharatha (2). The steps seemed so familiar to me though so away from all our western art forms. The make-up left me esthetically overwhelmed, the facial expressions were mesmerizing. The arrival of Dussasana (1) on stage with his red rotating eyes was so scary that I nearly thought about leaving the place, but the presence of Krishna (2) comforting Draupadi (1) gave me the experience of a glimpse of Divine Love, ever compassionate and full of Bliss and Peace. The day after I looked into Kathakali books and took the resolution to find classes back to France.

Back to Paris, I was lucky enough to find Karuna, a teacher from the famous art school of Kerala Kalamandalam (3). I learnt fast as if Kathakali was in my blood. I went back to Kerala the same year and took followed some training in Trivandrum and Kerala Kalamandalam for 3 weeks.

In 2007, I decided to get more intensive course and learn proper stories. I was warmly welcomed at Samskrithy School (4), a small school which provides private classes with great artists like Fact Mohanan, who can teach exactly what one needs and looks for. The training was physically hard, I followed daily Kalaripayat (5) classes, as the body training of Kathakali comes from Kalaripayat, and the body needs so much preparation in order to bear the heavy costumes and vigorous steps on stage. Kathakali classes were also daily of course. To learn a padam (role of a character in a piece of play) I had to learn the poem in a mix of Malayalam and Sanskrit, the mudras (6), the rythms and steps. This is for the technical part. But then comes the artistic interpretation of the actor, feeling all emotions of the character, the story, the situation with a deep understanding of the local culture and the historical and mythological context. Those emotions have to be conveyed through facial expressions and through the eyes, each muscles of the face has to be trained daily with specific exercises. The last level of the art is the spiritual part. When it is daily present in our life, it leads us to find the right movement, expression and emotion. And the art, when we search how to find the right movement, also opens a new space for spiritual development.

During my stay in the school I was going several times per week to Kathakali programs in temples. So I often had the opportunity to see beautiful temple festivals with elephant processions, cultural programs, and every time I had the feeling that I was in the heart of Kerala. I could also perform on stage for the first time in my life, and then several times, living deeply what is the long process of make-up and dress-up, the time we need to get into a character, and the challenge of bearing the heavy and hot costume for a long time. I had that strange feeling of, as a non-Hindu, playing Hindu stories and characters on stage in front of local temple devotees. But though Kathakali is complex and codified, its essence is made of a universal language that one can understand beyond one’s culture and references. More than a total art, it is a formidable tool for self-development and devotion. Let’s hope that this precious knowledge will not run away from India. 

1. Duryodhana Vadham, a famous Kathakali play which depicts the revenge of Bhima, one of the Pandava princes, who kills Dussasana and Duryodhana, the Kaurava brothers, Bhima’s enemies, because they had humiliated his wife Draupadi.
2. Mahabharatha, the great Indian epics, which relates mostly the story of the Pandava and Kaurava, and contains the Bhagavad Gita, when Krishna, incarnation of Vishnu, reveals his divine nature to Arjuna.
3. Kerala Kalamandalam, the most famous institution for performing arts in Kerala, located near Trichur.
4. Samskrithy School, a private school for performing arts where foreign students can get art classes and stay with local family, located at Puthencavu village, near Chengannur.
5. Kalaripayat, the martial art of Kerala, the body training and massages are also used in Kathakali.
6. Mudras, stylized hand gestures used for each word. There are 24 basic mudras in Kathakali with numerous combinations to form over 400 mudras.

To watch this spectacular dance form of Kerala  book your Kerala packages tours now and have a wonderful tour of God's Own Country with backwater travel and houseboat cruises.