At a distance of 120 km from Kochi, 284 km from Trivandrum, 142 km from Coimbatore, 134 km from Kottayam, 153 km from Thrissur, 100 km from Athirapally Falls and 150 km from Madurai, Munnar is a fascinating hill resort located in Idukki district of Kerala. It is one of the best Tourist places in kerala and among the most popular hill stations in India. This is also one of the famous weekend getaways from Kochi, Coimbatore & Madurai cities.

Munnar town is situated at an altitude ranging from 5000 to 8000 feet on the Kannan Devan Hills in Devikulam taluk and is the largest town in the Idukki district covering an area of nearly 557 sq. km. It is also called as the Swiss of South India. It was once the summer resort of the British Governors of South .....

At a distance of 54 km from Idukki, 143 km from Kochi, 211 km from Trivandrum, 111 km from Kottayam, 136 km from Madurai and 82 km from Munnar, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in India, is located in Thekkady in Idukki district of Kerala. It is located at a distance of 4 km from Kumily on Kerala - Tamilnadu boarder. It is one of the most famous Tourist places in kerala and also a well know summer getaway in Kerala state. Thekkady is also known as one of the scenic Kerala Backwater trips in Periyar lake.

In 1899, the Maharaja of Travancore, Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma has declared the forests around Periyar Lake as a private game reserve to stop the invasion of tea plantations. Further, in 1934, the lake reserve was converted into a game sanctuary, the Nellikkampatty Game .....

At a distance of 47 km from Dharmapuri, 88 km from Hosur, 85 km from Salem, 146 km from Bangalore, 345 km from Chennai, 180 km from Mysore, 114 km from Yercaud and 217 km from Coimbatore, Hogenakkal Falls is a waterfall in on the Kaveri (or Cauvery) River located in Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu. It is a major Places to visit in Tamilnadu and also one of the best waterfalls in India, sometimes referred to as the 'Niagara of India'.

Hogenakkal is also one of the best waterfalls and one of the wonderful tourist places to visit near Bangalore & Chennai. When the River Kaveri enters the Tamil Nadu border after winding its way through the state of Karnataka, it descends down the lofty landscape forming the Hogenakkal Waterfalls. The Carbonatite rocks found near the waterfall are one of the .....

At a distance of 95 km from Dindigul, 117 km from Madurai, 169 km from Coimbatore, 469 km from Bangalore,272 km from Kochi, 162 km from Munnar, 253 km from Ooty & 528 km from Chennai, Kodaikanal, also referred to as Kodai is one of the best hill stations in South India and also one of the top places to experince the Tourism in Tamilnadu.

Kodaikanal, often referred to as the 'Princess of Hill stations' is located in Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu. Kodai is a beautiful hill station at an altitude of about 7000 feet (2133 m) on the southern tip of upper Palani hills. It has several scenic natural attractions which are enjoyed by its visitors and make it a popular romantic destination.

The earliest residents of Kodaikanal were the Palaiyar tribal people. Modern Kodaikanal was established by American Christian missionaries and British bureaucrats in 1845, as a refuge from the high temperatures .....

At a distance of 464 km from Chennai, 136 km from Trichy, 169 km from Thanjavur, 170 km from Rameswaram, 114 km from Kodaikanal & 209 km from Coimbatore, Madurai is the third largest city in Tamilnadu and one of the most famous centers of pilgrimage in India and also the prime site of heritage in Tamil Nadu. The city is very well known for Madurai Meenakshi Temple and is one of the top Places to visit in Tamilnadu.

Situated on the banks of the River Vaigai, Madurai is also referred to as Athens of the East and Temple Town. Madhurai is the oldest continually inhabited city in the Indian peninsula, with a history dating all the way back to the Sangam period of the pre-Christian era. It has been inhabited since at least the 3rd century BCE. It is considered as the cultural capital of Tamilnadu.

Madurai .....

At a distance of 89 km from Coimbatore, 128 km from Mysore, 265 km from Bangalore,158 km from Kozhikode, 244 km from Munnar, 254 km from Kodaikanal, 18 km from Coonoor & 556 km from Chennai, Ooty is one of the best hill stations in India and also one of the top places to experince Tamilnadu Tourism.

Also known as Udhagamandalam, Ooty is often referred to as 'Queen of hill stations'. It is the capital of Nilgiris district in the state of Tamilnadu. Nilgiris means 'Blue Mountains'. A land of picturesque picnic spots & lakes, it was a popular summer and weekend getaway for the British during colonial days. It is situated at an altitude of 7,440 feet (2,240 meters) above sea level.

Ooty was originally a tribal land occupied by the Todas along with other tribes. The Nilgiri territory came into possession .....

At a distance of 31 km from Salem, 193 km from Coimbatore, 114 km from Hogenakkal, 349 km from Chennai and 249 km from Bangalore, Yercaud is a beautiful hill station in Salem district of Tamil Nadu and also one of the popular Tourist places in Tamilnadu. It is located in the Shevaroy range of hills in the Eastern Ghats at an altitude of 1515 m (4920 ft).

Yercaud town got its name from the Yercaud Lake located at its center. In Tamil, Yeri means lake and Kaadu means forest. Stone-age implements have been found from the ancient shrine located near Shevaroy Hills, which is about 5 km from the Yercaud Lake. Sir Thomas Munroe, erstwhile governor of Madras Presidency in 1842 developed this place. David Cockburn, the Scottish collector of Salem district, between 1820 and 1829, was called the 'Father of Yercaud' because he helped in the development .....

At a distance of 25 km from Chikmagalur, 40 km from Hassan, 165 km from Mangalore, 154 km from Mysore and 217 km from Bangalore, Belur is very famous temple town situated in Hassan District of Karnataka State. It is renowned for the grand Hoysala Temple dedicated to Lord Chennakesava, an incarnation of Vishnu. It is the best of three Hoysala temples nominated for UNESCO World Heritage Sites (other two being the temples at Halebid & Somnathpur). The Hoysala temples are known for minute & intricate carvings and sculptures with metal like polishing. It is one of the best heritage sites in Karnataka, situated on Bangalore to Chikmagalur route. Belur is one of the well known Karnataka tourist places.

Belur was the early capital of the powerful Hoysala Empire on the banks of River Yagachi. .....

At a distance of 248 km from Bangalore, 110 km from Mysore, 75 km from Madikeri, 48 km from Virajpet, 32 km from Gonikoppal, 20 km from Nagarhole National Park, 10 km from Kutta & 10 km from Srimangala, Iruppu Falls is a magnificent waterfalls situated in Brahmagiri Hills between Srimangala & Kutta in Coorg district of Karnataka State, bordering the Wayanad district of Kerala. It is one of the best waterfalls in Karnataka and also one of the well known Karnataka tourist places.

The Irupu Falls or Iruppu Falls are also known as Lakshmana Tirtha Falls locally. It is formed by Lakshmana Teertha, a stream originated in Brahmagiri Peaks and joins Kaveri River. According to the legend, Lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana passed along .....

At a distance of 140 Kms from Bangalore, 50 Kms from Hassan & 83 Kms from Mysore, Shravanabelagola is one of the most popular Jain pilgrimage center in South India. This place is named after the pond in middle of the town (Bela-Kola means White Pond). This is one of the popular one day trip from Bangalore and a major heritage / historical site in Karnataka.

Shravanabelagola is famous for the Bahubali Statue which is supposed to be the tallest monolithic stone statue in the world with a height of 58 feet carved out of a single block of granite. The Gomateswara temple is built on top of a hill at an altitude of 3347 feet, called as Vindhyagiri hill (also known as Doddabetta or Indragiri). About 620 steps provide access to this temple from bottom of the hill. The nude statue of Bahubali is carved carefully with much perfection.

Lord Gomateshwara (Lord Bahubali) .....

At a distance of 18 km from Mysore, 26 km from Mandya and 124 km from Bangalore, Srirangapatna or Srirangapattana is a historical town in Mandya district of Karnataka. Located near the city of Mysore, Srirangapatna is among the popular tourist places in Karnataka owing to its cultural, religious and historic importance. The entire town is surrounded by the river Kaveri to form a river island.

According to history, Srirangapatna was founded by the rulers of Ganga dynasty in 9th century. However, the destination came into the limelight during the reign of the Vijayanagara Empire. The rise of the Wodeyar kings marked the downfall of the Vijayanagara Empire. During the reign of the Wodeyar kings, Raja Wodeyar conquered Rangaraya in 1610, who was then the viceroy of Srirangapatna. From 1610, the town of Srirangapattana was the capital of Mysore state. Hyder Ali defeated the Wodeyar King .....

At a distance of 130 km from Bangalore & 81 km from Mysore, Shivanasamudra is a famous waterfall situated in Mandya District of Karnataka State. This is one of the best waterfalls near Bangalore and also among popular one day trip from Bangalore. These waterfalls are also known as Siva Samudram, literally meaning Shiva's Sea. Shivanasamudra is a segmented waterfall with several parallel stream formed adjacent to each other.

Situated on River Kaveri, Shivanasamudra is among the popular Tourist places in Karnataka. The island of Shivanasamudra divides Kaveri River into two parts that form two waterfalls, one is Gaganachukki and the other is Bharachukki. Gaganachukki and Barachukki Falls are collectively called as Shivanasamudra Falls though Gaganachukki is most commonly represented as Shivanasamudra Falls. This .....

At a distance of 65 km from Mangalore, 102 km from Murudeshwar, 147 km from Shimoga, 309 km from Mysore and 403 km from Bangalore, Udupi is a famous temple town and headquarters of the Udupi District. It is also the source of Udupi cuisine which is famous across the world. It is also one of the most famous tourist places to visit in Karnataka, mainly for it's pilgrimage importance and beautiful beaches.

The name of this city was originated from Odipu. According to local legend, the 27 stars of the Hindu astrology were married to the Moon and soon after, the Moon lost its luster. As Lord Shiva is the last resort for everyone, the Moon and the stars created a Lingam and offered puja. Udu means Lord and Pa means Stars in Sanskrit.

Udupi is the land of breathtaking beauty, located between the verdant mountains of the Western Ghats and .....

At a distance of 18 km from Ooty, 71 km from Coimbatore and 32 km from Mettupalayam, Coonoor is a taluk and a municipality in the Nilgiris district in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is a beautiful hill station and known for its production of Nilgiri tea. Coonoor is one of the popular Places to visit in Tamilnadu.

At an altitude of 6,000 feet above sea level, Coonoor is famous for its verdant environs and for a variety of wildflowers and birds. It is the second largest hill station in the Nilgiri hills after Ooty. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway (Toy Train) is one of the oldest mountain railways in India. The train ride in the midst of the Nilgiris, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an unforgettable travel experience.

Coonoor provides the travellers with the panoramic view of the lush green Nilgiri hills, with its ravines, valleys and waterfalls. .....

At a distance of 56 km from Trichy, 112 km from Chidambaram, 86 km from Nagapattinam, 170 km from Madurai, 326 km from Chennai, Thanjavur, also known as Tanjore, is a city and district headquarters in the state of Tamil Nadu. Thanjavur is famous for the Brihadeeswarar Temple built by Rajaraja Chola in the year 1010 AD. Also known as the Big Temple, it is one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India and also one of the popular places to experince Tamilnadu Tourism.

Situated on the banks of River Cauvery, Thanjavur has a rich historical heritage and is a prism of ancient as well as the modern south Indian civilizations. The city was once the stronghold of the historic Cholas and at one time was also the capital of the Cholas, Mutharayars and Marathas when they were at the peak of their power. Since then, Thanjavur has been one of the chief political, cultural and religious centers of South India.

Thanjavur became the most important city .....

At a distance of 334 km from Chennai, 133 km from Madurai, 57 km from Thanjavur and 212 km from Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli, also called Tiruchi or Trichy is the 4th largest city and administrative headquarters of Tiruchirappalli District in Tamilnadu. Situated on the banks of the Cauvery River, Trichy is one of the famous Tourist places in Tamilnadu.

The history of Tiruchirappalli begins in the 3rd century BC, when it was under the rule of the Cholas. It was a stronghold of the early Cholas which later fell to the Pallavas. But the Pallavas never really managed to retain control of this strategic city and lost it to the Pandyas several times. Trichy continued to be in the possession of Cholas until the decline of the empire after which it became a Vijayanagara stronghold. Trichy came under the rule of Nayaks of Madurai after the collapse of Vijayanagara, later to the Marathas of Tanjore, the Nawabs of Carnatic, the French and finally .....

At a distance of 491 Kms from Chennai, 209 km from Madurai, 383 km from Bangalore, 85 km from Ooty, 189 km from Kochi and 207 km from Mysore, Coimbatore (also known as Kovai) is the second largest city in the state of Tamil Nadu with metro population of over 2 million.Coimbatore is also the administrative headquarters of Coimbatore district and also one of the top Tamilnadu tourist places.

Situated on the banks of the Noyyal River, Coimbatore is known as Manchester of southern India due to large number of textile industries located in the city. Coimbatore is also famous for its engineering firms, automobile parts manufacturers & educational institutions.

Coimbatore was ruled by several dynasties including Gangas, Cholas, Delhi Sultanates, Vijayanagara Kings & Madurai Nayaks when it was a small town of less than 3000 residents. It was the .....

At a distance of 35 km from Mayiladuthurai, 43 km from Thanjavur, 54 km from Karaikal, 65 km from Nagapattinam, 72 km from Chidambaram, 105 km from Trichy, 129 km from Pondicherry, 235 km from Madurai and 282 km from Chennai, Kumbakonam is one of the ancient temple town located amidst the two rivers Cauvery and Arasalar in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu.

The name Kumbakonam in English means the Pot's Corner. In olden days it was called Thirukudamookku and it is also popularly called as Kudanthai now. According to history, Kumbakonam dates back to the Sangam period and was ruled by the Early Cholas, Pallavas, Medieval Cholas, Later Cholas, Pandyas, the Vijayanagar Kings, Madurai Nayaks, Thanjavur Nayaks and the Thanjavur Marathas. It rose to be a prominent city between the 7th and 9th centuries AD, when it served as a capital of the Medieval Cholas. The town reached the zenith of its prosperity during the British Raj when it was a prominent center of European education and Hindu .....

At a distance of 17 km from Belur, 34 km from Chikmagalur, 32 km from Hassan, 148 km from Mysore & 211 km from Bangalore, Halebidu is located in Hassan District of Karnataka State. Halebidu (or Halebid) is famous for the beautiful Hoysala Temples of Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara built in 1121 AD. It is one of the three Hoysala temples nominated for UNESCO World Heritage Sites, other two being the Belur temple & Somnathpur temple). The Hoysala temples are known for minute & intricate carvings and sculptures with metal like polishing. Halebidu is among the most popular tourist places in Karnataka.

Halebidu was the glorified royal capital of the Hoysala kingdom in 12th Century. Halebidu, which was previously called Dorasamudra or Dwarasamudra, .....

At a distance of 345 km from Bangalore, 275 km from Karwar, 251 km from Mysore, 132 km from Coorg, 372 km from Goa, 413 km from Coimbatore, 420 km from Kochi and 682 km from Chennai, Mangalore (or Mangaluru) is an important port city on the west coast and the headquarters of Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka State. It is among the popular Tourist places in Karnataka, located in the confluence of Nethravathi and Gurupura Rivers.

Lying between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, Mangalore is one of the major ports of India. The city derives its name from the local Hindu goddess Mangaladevi. The sultans of Mangalore built the city as a strategic ship building base. Today, the city is one of the major ports involved in coffee and cashew export.

Mangalore was occupied by a number of rulers such as the Rashtrakutas, Kadambas, Chalukyas, Hoysalas and Vijayanagar dynasties as well as .....

At a distance of 137 km from Bangalore, 35 km from Mysore & 50 km from Shivanasamudra Falls, Somnathpur is well known for the breathtaking Prasanna Chennakesava Temple, one of the three famous & finest representations of Hoysala architecture (other two being temples at Belur & Halebid). This is one of the three Hoysala temples nominated for UNESCO World Heritage Site status. This is one of the popular tourist places to visit near Bangalore & Mysore and one of the wonderful weekend getaways from both the cities. The Hoysala temples are known for minute & intricate carvings and sculptures with metal like polishing. It is one of the well known Karnataka tourist places.

Located on the banks of Cauvery River, Chennakesava Temple was built in 1268 by Somnatha, a general of King Narasimha III. The temple stands on a raised platform like .....

At a distance of 47 km from Munnar, 105 km from Kochi, 239 km from Trivandrum, 101 km from Kottayam and 171 km from Madurai, Idukki is one of the beautiful hill stations in Kerala and among the most beautiful Kerala places to visit. It is the second largest district in Kerala state (Painavu as headquarters). Idukki district is also home to South India's highest peak, Anamudi (2695 meters), along with 13 other peaks with a height of over 2000 meters. It is a popular for Idukki Dam which also offers beautiful rides in backwaters of the lake.

Idukki offers diverse attractions like wildlife sanctuaries, hill stations, spice plantation centers and mountain treks. The district was formed on January 26, 1972 carving out Devikulam, Peerumedu and Udumbanchola taluks from Kottayam district and Thodupuzha taluk from Ernakulum district. High ranges and wooded .....

At a distance of 135 km from Kochi, 69 km from Trivandrum, 83 km from Alleppey, 94 km from Kottayam and 156 km from Kanyakumari, Kollam (also known as Quilon) is an old sea port city in Kerala and headquarters of the Kollam District. The town of Kollam lies between the Ashtamudi Lake and Lakshadweep Sea. Kollam is one of the Kerala backwaters destinations.

Kollam lies on the shores of Ashtamudi Lake. It is the southern gateway to Backwaters of Kerala and is a prominent tourist destination. Thirty percent of this district is covered by Ashtamudi Lake. The eight hour boat trip between Kollam and Alappuzha is the best way to explore the Kerala backwaters. It is also very famous for cashew processing and coir manufacturing.

Kollam .....

At a distance of 63 km from Kochi, 48 km from Alleppey, 155 km from Trivandrum, 142 km from Munnar and 240 km from Coimbatore, Kottayam is a city located in central Kerala and is also the administrative capital of Kottayam district. It is one of the well known Kerala places to visit. The city is an important trading center of spices and commercial crops, especially rubber.

Kottayam is bounded by Western Ghats on the east and the Vembanad Lake on the west. Kottayam is well known as a beautiful Kerala backwaters destination with stunning landscape and beauty. Kumarakom, the most famous backwater destination of Kerala is situated very close to Kottayam (13 km). It is also a gateway to the pilgrim centers of Sabarimala, Mannanam, Vaikom, .....

At a distance of 179 km from Kochi, 124 km from Palakkad, 176 km from Coimbatore, 113 km from Thrissur, 158 km from Ooty, 241 km from Mangalore, 352 from Bangalore, 376 km from Trivandrum and 213 km from Mysore, Kozhikode (also known as Calicut) is a city in the state of Kerala. It is the 3rd largest city in Kerala and the headquarters of Kozhikode District.

The name Kozhikode is said to be derived from Koyil (palace) Kotta (fort). This is known by various names, for the Arabs it was Kalikat, for the Chinese it was Kalifo. Tipu Sultan, during the conquest of Malabar, unsuccessfully attempted to change the name of the city to Firozabad. Malayalis have always preferred to call it Kozhikode. With the Arabian Sea on the west and Wayanad Hills on the east, Kozhikode is a popular places to visit in Kerala.

According to history, Kozhikode was under .....

At a distance of 52 km from Coimbatore, 140 km from Kochi, 65 km from Thrissur and 336 km from Trivandrum, Palakkad, also known as Palghat, is a town and headquarters of Palakkad district in the state of Kerala. Palakkad, the Granary of Kerala, is situated at the foot of the Gigantic Western Ghats on the border of Kerala and Tamilnadu.

Palakkad derives its name from the Malayalam words Pala (a tree Alsteria scholaris) and Kadu (forest), which goes to prove that this place was once a beautiful stretch of forests covered with the sweet-scented flowers of the Pala tree. Palakkad is a land of valleys, hillocks, rivers, forests, mountain streams, dams and irrigation projects. Palakkad is considered as the gateway to Kerala from the north.

The history of Palakkad dates back to the Paleolithic period; several megalithic relics have been found in the region. During the second and third centuries, the Pallavas of Kanchi probably invaded the present region of Palakkad. The Perumals .....

At a distance of 119 km from Kochi, 67 km from Alleppey, 62 km from Kottayam, 96 km from Tenkasi, 109 km from Trivandrum, 162 km from Tirunelveli, 197 km from Kanyakumari and 238 km from Madurai, Pathanamthitta is a beautiful town and the administrative capital of Pathanamthitta District in Kerala. Also known as the pilgrim capital of Kerala, Pathanamthitta is the main transport hub to the famous pilgrim center - Sabarimala.

It is situated in Central Travancore region of Kerala, close to the Western Ghats. Pathanamthitta town is located on the banks of Achankovil and three major rivers of Kerala - Achankovil, Pamba & Manimala flow through the district. Pathanamthitta is a combination of two words Pathanam and Thitta which means an array of houses on the river side.

Pathanamthitta was formerly under the rule of a Pandalam .....

Sabarimala is the most famous Hindu pilgrimage centre in Kerala and India. At a distance of 70 km from Pathanamthitta, this temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. It is one of the most visited pilgrim centers in the world with an estimated 45 - 50 million devotees every year. It is the most popular center of pilgrimage in Kerala state.

At a distance of 158 km from Kochi and 178 km from Trivandrum, this temple is one of the oldest temples in India, with history of more than 5000 years old. The temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappan here is situated in the midst of 18 hills, at an altitude of about 3000 feet. It is believed that Lord Parasurama installed the idol of Ayyappa at Sabarimala.

The pilgrimage season begins in the month of November and ends in January (the temple remains closed during rest of the year except for the first five days of each Malayalam month). The devotees following Ayyappa Vratam (Ayyappa Maala - a 41 days Vratam .....

At a distance of 85 km from Kanyakumari, 385 km from Coimbatore, 204 km from Kochi, 400 km from Trichy, 266 km from Madurai, 770 km from Chennai, 622 km from Mangalore and 746 km from Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, also known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the state of Kerala and the headquarters of Thiruvananthapuram district. It is also one of the popular Kerala places to visit. The city and the suburbs cover an area of about 250 sq. km, situated between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.

Thiruvananthapuram means City of Lord Anantha in Sanskrit and Malayalam. The name derives from the deity of Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple situated in the city. Trivandrum is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland.

The city once formed a part of the kingdom of Travancore, which had its capital at Padmanabhapuram. .....

At a distance of 81 km from Kochi, 55 km from Athirapally, 69 km from Palakkad, 113 km from Kozhikode, 114 km from Coimbatore, 279 km from Trivandrum and 280 km from Madurai, Thrissur (also known as Trichur) is a city situated in central Kerala. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Kerala and also a famous pilgrimage site in Kerala state. This is one of the ideal weekend getaways around Kochi & Coimbatore.

The name Thrissur was derived from Tiru-Shiva-Peru which literally means the big town of Lord Shiva. The name owes itself to the most prominent feature of the city that is the Vadakkunathan Temple, Shiva as its presiding deity. Thrissur is also known as the Cultural Capital of Kerala because of its cultural, spiritual and religious leanings throughout history.

Thrissur had witnessed the rise and fall of various dynasties that include the Chera and Kulasekharas in the 12th .....

At a distance of 707 km from Chennai, 85 km from Trivandrum, 22 km from Nagercoil, 242 km from Madurai, 375 km from Trichy, 82 km from Tirunelveli and 130 km from Tuticorin, Kanyakumari is a coastal town in Tamil Nadu. Located at the southernmost tip of the Indian Peninsula, it is also called Cape Comorin. Kanyakumari is a famous pilgrimage site and also one of the best Places to visit in Tamilnadu.

Kanyakumari has been a great centre for art and religion for centuries. It was also an area of great trade and commerce. It was ruled by Cholas, Pandyas and Nayaks. Later on, Kanyakumari came under the rule of the Venad dynasty and its capital was located at Padmanabhapuram. In spite of the troubles encountered in the southern border of Venad, Marthanda Varma expanded the kingdom northwards to Aluva and established the kingdom of Travancore. In 1745, the capital was shifted from Padmanabhapuram .....

At a distance of 562 km from Chennai, 227 km from Tirunelveli, 311 km Kanyakumari, 387 km from Pondicherry, 230 km from Trichy, 171 km from Madurai, 371 km from Trivandrum and 607 km from Bangalore, Rameshwaram is one of the most famous Pilgrimage centers in South India & also a Jyotirlinga, situated in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu. Rameshwaram is also one of the best Tourist places in Tamilnadu.

Rameshwaram Temple is one of the most famous Shiva shrines in India. It is significant for Hindus as a pilgrimage to Banaras is incomplete without a Pilgrimage to Rameswaram. According to the legend, Rameswaram is the place from where Lord Rama, built a bridge across the sea to rescue his consort Sita from Ravana. This is also the place where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to cleanse away the sin of killing Ravana. Both the Vaishnavites and Shaivites visit this pilgrimage which is known .....

At a distance of 56 km from Tirunelveli, 109 km from Trivandrum, 160 km from Madurai, 100 km from Kollam, 132 km from Kanyakumari & 625 km from Chennai, Tenkasi is a popular tourist destination situated on Madurai - Kollam highway and also one of the top Tamilnadu places to visit. Tenkasi is famous for numerous waterfalls spread around the region including the famous Courtallam Falls.

It is the second largest town in Tirunelveli district surrounded by the Western Ghats on three sides. A river called Chittar flows through the town. Tenkasi was founded by Pandyan kings who ruled Southern Tamil Nadu for long time. The Word Tenkasi means Kasi of the South referring to Kasiviswanathar temple situated in the town. The temple was built by Parakrama Pandyan, but was shattered by lightning. In the 1990s, the temple was restored and it was given .....

At a distance of 23 Kms from Ooty & 569 Kms from Chennai (situated on Ooty - Mysore road near Pykara Dam), Pykara Falls is a majestic falls formed by Pykara River on downstream of the reservoir. This is one of the best waterfalls in Ooty and also one of the most popular Ooty tourist places.

The falls cascade down through multiple layers on the rocky bed providing a unique beauty to the stream. The lower part of the falls (that falls from a height of above 60 feet) is mostly closed in the monsoon season to avoid accidents. The falls offer best views in monsoons and post monsoons / early winter.

Swimming is possible at upper cascades, but not recommended as the path is filled with sharp rocks and depth of the water is very less. Swimming at bottom of Pykara falls is dangerous.

The falls can be reached by little moderate walk (5-10 mins) on well laid path from the entrance and parking location.

Timings: 8 AM to 5:30 .....

At a distance of 29 km from Ooty, 20 km from Coonoor, 72 km from Coimbatore & 544 km from Chennai, Kotagiri is a Hill Station in Nilgiris district of Tamilnadu. It is situated at an altitude of 1793 m. This the oldest and the third largest hill stations in the Nilgiris after Ooty and Coonoor. The name Kotagiri literally means mountains of the Kotas and refers to the Kota tribe who lived here in the past.

Kotagiri was the first British settlement in the Nilgiris and preferred summer retreat, till a road was built from Mettupalayam to Coonoor. The region was discovered by two civil servants of the Madras government in pursuit of outlaws. They called the region Kotacherry. John Sullivan, the then collector of Coimbatore, visited Kotagiri and was so drawn to the place that he built a home here making him the first European to reside in Kotagiri.

Kotagiri .....

At a distance of 42 km Chidambaram, 76 km from Thanjavur, 110 km from Trichy & 268 km from Chennai, Sri Brihadeeswara Temple is situated at Gangaikonda Cholapuram. Gangaikonda Cholapuram was the capital of Cholas. It was built by Rajendra Chola I, the son and successor of Rajaraja Chola, who conquered a large area in South India at the beginning of the 11th century. It occupies an important place in the history of India as the capital of the Cholas from about 1025 CE for about 250 years. This temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Great Living Chola Temples'.

Rajendra Chola I has established this temple after his great victories in Northern India. He was originally called Madurantakan and assumed the title of Rajendra during his coronation and continued to rule along with his father Rajaraja-I for a while. Gangai Konda Cholapuram is regarded as the reproduction of Brihadisvara Temple that was built by Rajaraja Chola, father of Rajendra Chola. The temple is renowned for .....

At a distance of 23 km from Bangalore City Railway Station, Bannerghatta National Park is the most famous wildlife park and also one of the top tourist places in Bangalore. This park is spread in reserve forests of Anekal Range with an elevation of 1245 - 1634 m under the Bangalore Forest Division. This park is part of a wildlife corridor for elephants which connects the BR Hills and the Sathyamangalam forest.

Bannerghatta National Park was founded in 1971 and declared as a national park in 1974. Spread over an area of 25,000 acre and a portion of the park became a biological reserve called the Bannerghatta Biological Park in 2002. The park consists of the main Nature Reserve, a zoo, a children's park, an aquarium, a crocodile park, a museum, a butterfly park, a snake park and a safari park. The forest consists of deciduous trees and thorny scrubs.

This is a very prominent destination that attracts people from different parts .....

At a distance of 54 km from Udupi, 95 km from Shimoga, 100 km from Mangalore and 345 km from Bangalore, Agumbe is a cute hill station located in Shimoga district in the Malnad region of Karnataka, India. It is situated at an altitude of over 2100 feet. Agumbe hill is one of the four peaks in the Western Ghats that borders the mainland and divides it from the coast.

Agumbe is also known as the Cherrapunji of South India. It receives the highest amount of rainfall in Southern India and the second highest in the country. It is also called Hasiru Honnu means green gold as it is home to several rare species of medicinal plants like Garcinia, Myristica, Listsaea, Diospyrous, Hoiligarna, Eugenia and Ficus.

It is surrounded by a rich biodiversity, and adjacent to one of the last surviving lowland rain forests. It is also the place where RK Narayan has filmed his novel Malgudi Days. It is also famous for 14th century Gopala Krishna temple with Hoysala-style sculptures and a beautiful .....

At a distance of 65 km from Pollachi, 105 km from Coimbatore, 60 kms from Athirapally Falls and 600 km from Chennai, Valparai is a cute Hill Station and a municipality located in Coimbatore district of Tamilnadu. It lies at an altitude of about 3,500 feet on the Annamalai Hill Range of the Western Ghats and is also one of the top Tamilnadu tourist places.

This place has number of tea and coffee estates surrounded by thick forest. The climate of Valparai is most suitable for tea, coffee, cardamom and cincona trees. According to the earlier records, in 1846, Mr. Ramaswamy Mudaliyar started cultivating coffee in his private estate. Afterwards, in 1864, the Karnatic Coffee Company began their coffee plantation here but they could not make it profitable, hence they sold part of their land. In 1890, W. Wintil and Nordan bought a huge .....

At a distance of 16 km from Kalpetta & 4 km from Pookote Lake, Lakkidi is a Hill Station often called as the gateway of Wayanad. Situated at an altitude of about 700 m, Lakkidi is one of the places with highest rainfall in the India. Lakkidi View Point is one of the prime Wayanad tourist places to visit.

Lakkidi is located at the crest of the serpentine Thamarassery ghat pass. The journey from Adivaram to Lakkidi through 12 km long ghat road passing through thick forest leaves a wonderful experience. There are nine hairpin curves from Adivaram (Downhill) to Lakkidi. The lush green hills, gorges and streams seen on both sides of the passage up the hill are breathtaking sights to the visitors. Lakkidi Viewpoint offers beautiful views of the cliffs and valleys surrounding the region. Lakkidi is also famous for the Chain Tree, which is a large chain bound ficus tree situated here.

Apart from Lakkidi Viewpoint, Pookote Lake is another .....

At a distance of 25 km from Kalpetta, 5 km from Bansura Dam & 48 km from Sulthan Bathery, Meenmutty Waterfalls are magnificent falls located near Bansura Sagar Dam. The upper level of the waterfall can be reached by 1.5 km trek from the entry point. It is one of the best waterfalls in South India and among the best Wayanad tourist places to visit.

Cascading down through multiple tiers from a height of over 800 feet, it is a spectacular fall situated inside thick forest flowing through rocky platform. The falls has major tiers with varying height. The first tier can be reached by walking for about half km from the parking area / main entrance of the falls. The lower tier is smaller one with water collecting into a pool. The pool is safe for swimming with low depth.

The second tier can be reached by trekking up through steps built over boulders. The half km path runs along with downstream of the river and offers wonderful views of the stream and thick vegetation. The third tier .....

At a distance of 24 km from Kalpetta & 46 km from Sulthan Bathery, Soochipara Waterfalls (also known as Sentinel Rock Waterfalls) is located inside thick forest at a distance of 13 km from Meppadi town. It is one of the best waterfalls in South India and also among the most visited Wayanad tourist places.

Soochipara Waterfalls is a 3 tiered waterfall, dropping from a height of about 200 meter. The waterfall cascades down into a large pool, which is a good place for swimming. This place is also an exciting trekking destination. Visitors have to trek down for about 2 km to reach the falls from the road point through slippery and rocky path. The trekking is of easy level, which takes about 30 minutes one way. There are high chances that visitors may get a glimpse of wildlife like Deer.

The Sentinel Rock, a huge rock which is about 200 meters in height, is ideal place for rock climbing. There are few tree-top accommodation facilities provided by the forest department. One can have .....

At a distance of 32 Kms from Kalpetta, 48 Kms from Kozhikode & 6 Kms from Kodencheri, Thusharagiri waterfall is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Malabar region. Thusharagiri literally means 'snow capped mountains'. This is among the well known Wayanad tourist places, especially visited in monsoon season.

Two streams originating from the Western Ghats meet here to form the Chalippuzha River. The river diverges into three waterfalls creating a snowy spray, which gives the name - Thusharagiri'. The highest of the three falls is the Thenpara Fall dropping from a height of 75 meter. The first waterfall can be reached easily while the remaining two falls can be reached from the first one by trekking through thick forest. A 5 km trek upstream will take one to the origin of the stream. The place offers challenging trekking and rock-climbing through river path and numerous waterfalls.

The best time of the waterfalls can be enjoyed from September to November. Kodencheri is connected .....

At a distance of 37 Kms from Kalpetta, 51 Kms from Kozhikode & 11 Kms from Kodencheri, Arippara Waterfalls on Eruvanhippuzha River is located near Nellipoyil (1 Km) and Pathankayam Waterfalls (3 Kms), in Thiruvambadi panchayat of Kozhikode district.

This place is surrounded by great natural beauty, with water flowing through huge flat rocks and dropping at different places (usually 10-20 feet high). Thick green forest on both shores of the river enhances the beauty of the place. A pool is formed at bottom layer of this long cascading falls which is a good place for swimming. Visitors can have lot of fun playing in the water and watching the serene nature of the surroundings.

This waterfall is about 1 Km from Nellipoyil and should be trekked down from the road. The falls can be reached via Kodencheri or Nellipoyil. This place has little public transportation and it is recommended to hire private vehicle at Kodencheri.

At a distance of about 10 kms from Trivandrum Central Railway Station, Shanghumugham Beach is a famous beach around Trivandrum. The huge sculpture of a Nymph (Jalakanyaka) made by the famous sculptor Sri Kanai Kunjuraman and a restaurant shaped like a star fish are added attractions here.

The beach is more crowded during the weekends and local holidays. Sunset at this beach is worth watching. The Chacha Nehru Traffic Training Park here attracts children and helps them to learn the traffic rules. During temple festivals the beach witnesses ritual washing of temple idols.

At a distance of about 32 kms from Trivandrum Central Railway Station & 12 km from Varkala, Anjengo Fort (also called as Anchuthengu Fort) is a 16th Century fort constructed by the English East India Company

It was the first settlement of East India Company in Kerala. Attingal Queen allowed the British to build a fort and trading settlements here. The remains of the old English Fort, which had withstood many a siege, can be seen here even today. Anchuthengu fort was one of the most important bastions of the British East India Company. An ancient church is located nearby

The Fort is located on the shores of clean Anchuthengu beach. Nearest Bus Station & Railway Station is Kadakkavur, which is connected by frequent buses Trivandrum city.

At a distance of 5 km from Lakkidi, 12 km from Kalpetta and 64 km from Kozhikode, Vythiri is a small Hill Station situated in Wayanad district of Kerala. It lies at an altitude ranging between 3750 to 4500 feet and is a beautiful summer resort in Kerala state. Vythiri is one of the top tourist attractions in Wayanad and among the best places to visit near Kalpetta.

Vythiri is a classic blend of old world charm, peaceful environs & modern amenities. Vythiri is famous for its evergreen rain forests and plantations of coffee, tea, rubber, cardamom and pepper. The forests of Vythiri are home to a wide variety of wildlife. The bird watchers can enjoy exploring this place and get a chance to look at a wide variety of migratory birds from close quarters. This is an ideal place for tourists to soak in the dense green covers and explore the breathtaking surroundings.

There are many places to visit in and around the region, including Pookote .....

At a distance of about 15 kms from Trivandrum Central Railway Station, Aruvikkara Dam is a beautiful dam constructed over Karamana River.

The dam is the main source of water to the city of Trivandrum. There is a small park laid out with an artificial waterfall. It is dangerous to take a bath in the dam because of the innumerable rocks that have huge curve-ins.

There is an ancient Bhagavathi Temple dedicated to Goddess Durga on the banks of Karamana River built on a rock.

At a distance of about 29 Kms from Trivandrum Central Railway Station, Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over an area of 128 sq. kms at the foot of Western Ghats. The Neyyar Dam built over Neyyar River is located within the Wildlife Sanctuary.

The Sanctuary is the home of unique species of flora and fauna. From wild boars and elephants to the vast range of medicinal herbs, Neyyar is truly a nature lover's paradise. The crocodile farm, the lion safari park and the deer park are some of the main attraction of the Neyyar Sanctuary. Boating facility is available in the reservoir of the Neyyar Dam.

The best time visit Neyyar Dam and Wildlife Sanctuary is October to March.

At a distance of 56 km from Trivandrum, Ponmudi is a cute picturesque hill station in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala. It lies at an altitude of around 1000 m and is a popular destination for trekking in Kerala and one of the best weekend getaways from Trivandrum city. It is also among the popular Kerala tourist places, especially in summer season.

Ponmudi, meaning Golden Crown, is part of the Western Ghats mountain range that runs parallel to the Arabian Sea. Ponmudi is surrounded by scenic hills, spice plantations, tea estates, natural springs and winding streams. Ponmudi was founded by Rishi Parshuram, a prominent Indian mythological figure.

Ponmudi is blessed with scenic splendor and natural beauty. It has a carpet of thick tropical forest that rolls down to the foot of the hill range. A variety of wildlife inhabits the hills. The valley offers vistas of the hills and access to the Kallar River. Sightseeing in and around .....

At a distance of about 26 km from Kollam & 48 km from Trivandrum, Papanasam Beach is located in Varkala, which is a coastal town on the banks of Arabian Sea. Varkala is the second best beach resort in Kerala after Kovalam. It is a good weekend getaway destination from Trivandrum city.

Papanasan Beach is a quite and clean beach. It is believed that a dip in the water destroys all kind of sin. Hence, people prefer this shore for their offering of VAVUBALI in honour of ancestors and relatives whose souls are in rest. After the offering of VAVUBALI, people visit Janardhana Swamy Temple and perform Thilakahoma pooja performed for the sublimation of the departed souls.

This beach is less commercialized and less crowded. This long sandy beach is getting popularized in recent days. It is very much safe to swim & play in the waters of the beach here. Dolphins are also spotted at this place.

At a distance of 18 Kms from Kollam and 6 Kms from Varkala, Kappil Beach is a famous weekend gateway from Tivandrum.

Sprawls across 25 acres of land, the thin line of sand beach separates Edava-Nadayara Lake from the Arabian Sea. Swimming, water sports and Sun-bathing are famous activities at this spot. Boating is available in the backwaters of the lake at Priyadarshini Boat Club and Lake Sagar Boat Club near Beach. Dolphins are an added attraction on the Kappil Beach.

Kappil Beach is connected by bus service from Kollam, Varkala & Trivandrum.

At a distance of 62 Kms from Trivandrum, Agasthyakoodam is a hill range in Western Ghats at an altitude of 6201 feet above sea. It is the second highest peak in Kerala after Anamudi near Munnar (8842 feet).

The mountain is revered by both Buddhists and Hindus, as it is believed to be the abode of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara as well as of the sage Agastya, a disciple of Shiva. The hill range is now declared as Agasthya Vanam Biological Park covering an area of 23 sq. kms. Also, it is the source of River Kallar.

There are two routes to trek the peak of Agasthyakoodam, one from Kotoor near Neyyar Dam and other one is Bonacaud. The trek distance is about 28 Kms and takes 2 days. Prior forest pass from the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary is required to enter the forest (Ph: 0471-2272182). Guided treks are arranged with overnight stay at camp inside the forest.

Both Kotoor and Bonacaud are accessible by Bus from Trivandrum.

At a distance of 59 Kms from Trivandrum, Aruvi Waterfalls is located near Bonacaud Estate in Trivandrum district.

The falls are located in thick forest of Peppara Forest Range. The nearest road point to the waterfalls is Bonecaud Estate. The falls can be reached by 7 km trek from Bonacaud. The local tribes are available as guides to help tourist find the correct path to the falls in the forest. Good physical fitness is required to finish this trek. Prior forest pass from the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary is required to enter the forest (Ph: 0471-2272182). They can also arrange guided tours with overnight stay at camp inside the forest.

Bonacaud is accessible by few buses from Trivandrum. Best way to reach Bonacaud is by own vehicle or hiring cab from Trivandrum.

At a distance of 39 Kms from Trivandrum Central Railway Station, The Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over 53 sq. kms. The Peppara Dam located inside the Wildlife Sanctuary is constructed across Karamana River and spread in an area of 5.82 sq. kms. The reservoir provides drinking water to the city of Trivandrum.

It is accessible from Vithurai on Trivandrum - Ponmudi road. Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is merged partially with the Palode reserve and the Kottoor reserve, all the three together forming the whole of the area covered by the Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary.

The wildlife species found in the sanctuary are tiger, panther, wild dog, lion tailed macaque, elephant, gaur, sambhar etc. The bird species especially the water birds like darter, little cormorant, pied kingfisher are seen here.

At a distance of 10 km from Chikmagalur & 50 km from Kemmanagundi, Hirekolale Lake is a beautiful manmade lake amidst beauty and surrounded by high mountains. The famous hills of Mullayanagiri can be viewed from here. This lake was built to supply water to Chikmagalur town and irrigation of lands in surrounding villages. Hirekolale Lake is one of the top places to visit in Chikmagalur.

This place can be easily accessed from the town of Chikmagalur. It can be visited throughout the year.

At a distance of 8 km from Ooty, 12.5 km from Coonoor & 557 km from Chennai, Ketti is a large valley in the Nilgirs and a town as well. It is one the most beautiful sightseeing places in Ooty. Ketti is situated on the Ooty - Coonoor road.

Ketti Valley is home to several tribes, such as Todas and Badagas. These tribal people are experts in cultivating fresh vegetables and fruits in the valley. There are over 14 villages in this valley that belong to the tribes of Badagas.

Ketti valley is a heaven for nature lovers and photographers. It is one of the most visited tourist sites of Ooty. It offers one of the best views of the valley. Nature lovers, adventurists, experience seekers and even casual travellers will love the view from the Ketti valley viewpoint. There is also a telescope room to get a closer view of the valley and surroundings.

It is also referred to as 'Switzerland .....

At a distance of 5 kms from Kumarakom Bus Station, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is one of the famous bird sanctuaries in Kerala, situated on the banks of Vembanad Lake. The sanctuary is an amazing paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves. This is one of the best places to visit in Kumarakom.

Spread across 14 acres, it is a favorite haunt for many migratory birds. The main attractions are local birds like the waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, heron, cormorant, moorhen, darter, Brahminy kite and the duck, as well as the migratory Siberian crane. Parrot, teal, lark, flycatcher, and other birds are seen here during their respective migratory seasons.

The sanctuary is accessible by road & boat from Kumarakom village. It has well laid out paths for moving around within the sanctuary (1-2 hours by foot). The best way to watch the birds is to take a 2 hour boat trip .....

At a distance of 9 kms from Ooty Bus Station, Kamraj Sagar Dam is also known as the Sandynalla Reservoir and it is a favorite picnic spot & shooting location in Ooty. It is situated at a distance of 8 km from Ooty Lake.

Situated on the way to Wenlock Downs & Pykara, the Kamraj Sagar Dam and the serene location make it a heavenly place. This is one of the top tourist places to visit in Ooty and a favorite haunt for the nature lovers. The surroundings of the Reservoir is home for variety of birds.

There is a pine forest adjacent to the main road through which the reservoir is accessed. Pine trees spread across several acres is a nice place to take snaps & famous shooting spot as well. You need to walk down through the slopes (around 200 meters) of pine trees to reach the banks of the reservoir. The path is very steep and slippery in monsoons. There are horses on hire for those who find it difficult to trek the slopes.

At a distance of 14 Kms from Ooty & 552 Kms from Chennai, Kalhatty Falls (also known as the Kalahasti Falls) is located in Kalhatty slopes on Masinagundi Road. The water at Kalhatty Falls descends from a height of 120+ feet.

The Kalhatty-Masinagudi slope is rich in wildlife such as Panthers, Bisons, Wild Buffaloes, Wild Dogs, Spotted Deers, Sambars and different types of hill birds. The falls are accessible from main road through a private tea estate. There is a viewpoint that offers a far view of the falls. One can walk down through a narrow path for 15 minutes (one way) from viewpoint to take a closer view & reach bottom of the falls. The path is usually isolated and not suggested to take after 5 PM.

The falls offer best views during the monsoon season. The falls is mostly dried up in winter & summer seasons.

At a distance of 17 Kms from Ooty, 27 Kms from Coonoor & 544 Kms from Chennai, Emerald Lake is a wonderful place in Nilgirs amidst dense forests. It is one of the most scenic places in Ooty and a popular sightseeing attraction. It is part of the Silent Valley National Park situated on the way to Avalanche village.

This is a great place to enjoy the day with breathtaking views of the slopes of Nilgirs. Avalanche Dam is just 5 Kms away from Emerald Lake and both the places offer feast to nature lovers.

The journey to Emerald Lake (from Ooty / Coonoor) offer unique views.

At a distance of 37 Kms from Ooty, 12 kms from Bandipur National Park, 92 Kms from Mysore & 570 Kms from Chennai, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is the first Sanctuary in South India set up in 1940. At an altitude of 1140 meters, the sanctuary is spread over 321 sq. kms on Ooty - Mysore road. It is one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in Tamilnadu.

The sanctuary is situated on Karnataka-Kerala border adjacent to Bandipur National Park of Karnataka and Wayanad (Muthanga) Wildlife Sanctuary of Kerala. It is rich in wildlife, like Elephants, Gaur, Tiger, Panthere, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, wild boar, Porcupine etc., and many birds and reptiles.

Theppakadu is the entry point to the Sanctuary which has an Information Centre. There is an Elephant camp at Theppakadu which also offers short Elephant rides into the sanctuary. Trekking .....

At a distance of 49 Kms from Alappuzha, Krishnapuram Palace situated on NH47 between Alappuzha and Kollam is a wonderful palace built by Kayamkulam Kings.

The palace was occupied by Marthanda Varma, the Maharaja of Travancore from Kayamkulam kings in 18th century. The origin and age of the palace are unknown. The Palace is a rare specimen of the Kerala style of architecture, with gabled roofs, narrow corridors and dormer windows.

Currently the palace houses an archaeological museum, with many wonderful exhibits of the region. The most fascinating exhibit being the 49 Sq. Meter Gajendra Moksham, the largest mural painting discovered in Kerala. The mural was placed at the entrance of this palace near the pond to help the kings to worship the deity after their bath. Other attractions of the palace include the garden with a variety of flora, Buddha mandapam, rare antique bronze sculptures and paintings.

Timings: .....

At a distance of 22 Kms from Ooty & 568 Kms from Chennai (situated on Ooty - Mysore road), Pykara Dam built on Pykara river amidst dense forest is a beautiful destination offering breathtaking scenery. This is one of the best among Ooty places to visit and an ideal place to experience beautiful boat ride.

Pykara is the largest river in Nilgiri District. A boat house is developed & maintained by Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation. Boating in Pykara lake is a memorable experience. If you are lucky, you can catch a glimpse of wildlife like Elephants roaming on banks of the lake. The lake is surrounded by thick forest of Mukurthi National Park.

Boat house is usually crowded on weekends and holidays and may have to wait for more than 30 minutes some times.

Boat House Timings: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
Pedal Boat (30 mins): 2 seater - Rs 60, 4 seater - Rs 100, Deposit - Rs 100
Motor Boat (20 mins): 6 seater - Rs 325, 8 .....

Kuttanad is a region in Alappuzha district that is known as 'Rice Bowl of Kerala' for the vast paddy fields. With seven rivers flowing through it (Pampa, Manimala, Achencoil, Meenachil, Moovattupuzha, Chalackudy & Periyar), Kuttanad is breathtakingly beautiful. Kuttanad is also popular as an ideal place for Kerala backwaters trip in a houseboat. It is one of the popular tourist places to visit near Kochi & Alappuzha. Kuttanad is one of the very few places in the world where farming is done below the sea level.

The most popular route taken to explore Kuttanad is the Alappuzha - Changanassery route. This road takes you through the heart of Kuttanad region demonstrating the daily life of people in the region. The possible activities for the tourists in this region are to visit villages and enjoy the daily life of villagers, walk along .....

At a distance of 16 Kms from Alappuzha Railway Station, Mararikulam Beach is a cute little known beach situated in Mararikulam village. It is one of the most scenic beaches in Kerala. This white sand beach is filled with several coconut trees providing unique appearance to the beach. This is one of the popular tourist places to visit near Alappuzha & Kochi.

The beach is about 3 Kms from NH47 junction (called Mararikulam-Kalithattu Junction) before Kanjikkunzhi, between Alappuzha and kochi. The NH47 Junction is connected by frequent buses travelling between Alappuzha and Kochi.

There are several home stay options just on the shores of the beach. This beach is safe for swimming.

At a distance of 20 Kms from Coonoor, 8 Kms from Kotagiri, 30 Kms from Ooty & 527 Kms from Chennai, Catherine Falls is the second largest waterfalls in Nilgiris at a height of 250 feet. This is also a good trekking destination.

These cascading falls are surrounded by beautiful views of forest, tea plantations and the Mettupalayam plains. The falls are clearly visible from the top of Dolphin's Nose and this is the only place where you can get to full view of the Falls.

Though it's not possible to reach the foot of this waterfall, one can go to top of the falls for a truly spectacular view. From a small town called Aravenu on the Kotagiri/Mettupalayam Road, one has to go via Moon Road to reach the falls. About 2-3 Kms trek is required from the nearest road to reach the falls.

Many trekking lovers trek to this place from Kotagiri & Aravenu as well. Kotagiri is connected by buses with Ooty & Coonoor. Nearest .....

At a distance of 38 km from Kochi & 36 Kms from Thrissur, Kodungallur, also known as Cranganore is a historical town located in Thrissur district on NH17 between Kochi and Kozhikode. This is one of the popular tourist places to visit near Kochi and also an ideal getaway from Kochi for a short trip.

Kodungallur was the capital of Cheraman Perumal, the last Chera Ruler in the 7th century AD. Kodungallur is home for several important historical monuments:

- Bhagawati Temple is one of the oldest temples in Kerala with history of above 2000 years and was mentioned in the epics Ramayana and Mahabharatha
- Thomas the Apostle of Jesus is believed to have landed in Kodungallur with his followers in the year 52 AD. This place has become the earliest Syrian Christian centre of Malabar. Monuments built in the memory of Thomas still exist here, including St. Thomas Church.
- Cheraman Juma Masjid is the first mosque built in India in .....

At a distance of 26 Kms from Pathanamthitta, Perunthenaruvi Waterfalls is a wonderful waterfall formed on Pampa River. It is one of the best waterfalls in Kerala and a famous tourist attraction in Pathanamthitta district.

The Perunthnaruvi means 'The Honey Stream'. This water flows down a rocky bed and falls into a pool through multiple streams from a height ranging from 60 to 100 feet. The stream here spreads over a wide area and makes it a natural treasure. This is a wonderful place to spend few hours swimming and playing in the water and enjoying the spectacular views.

Perunthenaruvi waterfalls can be accessed via Vadasserikkara & Perunad. It is connected by bus service with Pathanamthitta. It is close to the main road and demands little trekking down to reach the place.

At a distance of 15 Km from Pathanamthitta, 53 Km from Alappuzha & 57 Km from Kumarakom, Aranmula Snake Boat Race, also known as Aranmula Vallamkali is a popular boat race in Kerala. This is an annual boat race held in Aranmula district of Kerala during the Onam festival in the month of August-September. It is also known as Uthrittathi Boat Race.

Aranmula Vallamkali owes its origin to the Sri Parthasarathy Temple situated on the banks of the Pamba River. The Vallamkali, associated with the annual festival of Sri Parthasarathy, is usually held on the last two days of the festival. The event that attracts tourists from all over the world is conducted not to win any trophy or prize but to celebrate the anniversary of the Sri Krishna idol installation, the main deity at the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. It is conducted in the Pamba River in front of the temple to commemorate the crossing of the river by Lord Krishna.

The snake boats .....

At a distance of 70 Kms from Pathanamthitta, Kakki Reservoir is a scenic dam built across Pamba River. The reservoir is surrounded by valleys and forest of great natural beauty.

The forest surrounded by the reservoir has rich wildlife population, like Tigers, Elephants, Deers etc. January to May is the best time to visit this place.

There is very limited public transportation available to reach this place. It's advisable to hire private vehicle from Pathanamthitta.

At a distance of 29 Kms from Pathanamthitta & 6 Kms from Thiruvalla, Trikkukkudi Rock-Cut Temple located near Kaviyoor is an 8th century Rock-Cut temple built in Pallava style of architecture and a place of great archeological importance

Dedicated to Lord Siva, this temple is one of the three rock-cut temples in Kerala and one of the rare specimens of rock-cut temples in Kerala. It is preserved as a monument by the Archaeological Department. Lord Siva represented in the form of 3 feet high Siva Linga and is enshrined in a square cave. The shrine also contains idols of Ganapathy, Maharshi and Dwarapalakas.

This temple is situated on the banks of the River Manimala. The architecture & sculptures of the temple are unique and famous. This place is connected by Bus with Thiruvalla town, but hiring a private vehicle from Thiruvalla is the most convenient way to visit this place.

At a distance of 29 Kms from Pathanamthitta, Orakkampara Waterfalls is a cute waterfall located near Kottangal (about 2 Kms) in Mallappally Taluk.

This is an unexplored waterfall located in thick forest. This little waterfall is a nice place to spend few hours.

This waterfall is little close to the road from Kottangal towards SH8 (Kozhencherry - Erattupetta). It demands little trekking from the road. Kottangal is connected by few buses from Mallappally (which is 32 Kms from Pathanamthitta via Kozhencheery and Eraviperoor). However, hiring a private vehicle from Pathanamthitta or Ranni (20 Kms) is a good option.

At a distance of 62 Kms from Kochi and 13 Kms from Kothamangalam, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary located in Thattekkad is one of the best bird sanctuaries in India. Spread across 25 Sq. Kms at the foothills of Western Ghats in Ernakulam District, the sanctuary lies across the Periyar River. This sanctuary owes much of its fame to Dr. Salim Ali, the famous ornithologist. This is one of the popular tourist places to visit near Kochi.

The entrance to the sanctuary lies across the bridge at Thattekkad. The guides can be hired at Assistant Wildlife Office near the entrance gate. The sanctuary is home for about 300 species of birds including Peninsular Bay Owl, Ceylon Fragmouth, Malabar Gray Hornbill, Crested Serpaent Eagle, Rose-Billed Roller, etc. There is a deer park inside the sanctuary. Adjacent to the deer park, the Taxidermic Museum showcases the denizens of the region.

Vehicles are not allowed inside sanctuary. Thattekkad is connected by private/public vehicles from Kothamangalam .....

At a distance of 40 km from Athirapally & 76 km from Kochi, Edamalayar Dam, also known as Idamalayar Dam located near Vadattupara is a picturesque location and one of the major reservoirs of Kerala.

The Dam is built across Edamalayar River which is merged into Periyar River. The forests around reservoir provide shelter for variety of wildlife. Edamalayar is a heaven for people interested in birding and trekking activities. You can find different species of birds in the forest around the reservoir.

Boating in the reservoir will leave a memorable experience.

At a distance of 14 Kms from Pathanamthitta, Maramon Convention is held on the banks of River Pamba in Kozhenchery town (near Kozhenchery Bridge). With participation of more than 200,000 devotees, this is the biggest Christian gathering in Asia.

The Maramon Convention is being conducted annually since 1896, in the month of February. This event is organized by the Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association, the missionary wing of the Mar Thoma Church. The scholars of Christianity from India and abroad participate in this event. Maramon is also famous as the birthplace of Palakkunneth Abraham Malpan, a 19th century leader of the Syrian Church of Malabar.

Kozhenchery is connected by frequent buses with Pathanamthitta.

At a distance of 13 km from Pathanamthitta and 16 km from Sabarimala, Ranni is a beautiful hill station in Pathanamthitta district and a fast growing tourist destination. It is the largest rubber producing region in Kerala.

Ranni is derived from similar word in Malayalam which means Queen or Rani. Ranni alias the queen of hill lands is one of the most serene villages blessed with beautiful nature, rivers, hills, forests, good climate and atmosphere. The Pampa River flows through the middle of Ranni town and adds to its natural beauty.

Ranni is also famous for St. Thomas Orthodox Church, also known as Thottamon Church. Established in 1905, this church belongs to the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Dedicated to St. Thomas, this church is known for its architectural beauty which was renovated in 2007. The annual festival of this church is celebrated for 5 days from December 17th to 21st.

Perumthenaruvi is a beautiful natural .....

At a distance of 7 Kms from Pathanamthitta, Malayalappuzha Devi Temple dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali (another form of Goddess Parvati) is located in Malayalappuzha town near Pathanamthitta.

This temple is believed to be more than 3000 years old, constructed in Kerala style of architecture. The idol of Goddess Bhadrakali is about 5.5 feet tall. More than 100,000 devotees visit this temple every week, with Tuesday and Friday being the most popular days for darshan. The temple is under the administration of Travancore Devaswom Board. The temple has beautiful wall paintings and attractive sculpture work.

It is the only temple in Kerala where the 'Satha Kodi Archana' is performed which is attended by large number of devotees. Malayalappuzha is connected by bus service with Pathanamthitta.

At a distance of 39 Kms from Pathanamthitta & 10 kms from Thiruvalla, St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Church located in Niranam (popularly known as Niranam Valiyapally) is a parish under the Niranam Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Founded by St. Thomas in 54 AD, this is one of the most ancient churches in the world. It also contains the mortal remains of St. Thomas.

The present structure was constructed in 1912, and later strengthened in the year 2000. Huge granite Cross, relics of St. Thomas, remains of the old church and the golden cross are the special attractions of the church. The feast of Assumption of St. Mary celebrated on Aug 15th and the Feast of Nativity of St. Mary celebrated on September 8th are important festival of the church. The Feast of St. Thomas on Dec 21st, the Feast of St. Behanan on Dec 27th and the Feasts of Marthoma II and Marthoma V on May10th are also celebrated in a grand manner here.

This place is connected by bus from Thiruvalla.

At a distance of 93 Kms from Bangalore (via Kanakapura), 107 Kms from Mysore, Sangama and Mekedatu are two lovely places situated nearby. This is one of the famous weekend getaways from Bangalore. Sangama is the place where Arakavathi river merges with River Kaveri. From this point, about 3.5 kilometers downstream, Mekedatu is a place where river Kaveri flows through a deep and narrow gorge.

Mekedatu means goat's leap in Kannada. River Kaveri flows into a deep and narrow gorge, so narrow that a goat could leap over it and that is how it got its name. It is said that a goat being chased by a tiger saved its life by jumping over the gorge whereas the tiger did not attempt to take the risk and abandoned the chase. When reaching the gorge the river flows ferociously onto the rocks sculpting them into some amazing shapes. The river Kaveri flows through a deep ravine of just 5-10 meter wide. The water flow is very fierce at this place during monsoons making it very dangerous to swim here. .....

At a distance of 43 Kms from Bangalore (towards Hosur on NH7, diversion at Chandapura after Electronic City via Anekal), Muthyala Maduvu is a small & cute waterfall. Also known as Pearl Valley, this is one of the popular Bangalore tourist places to visit for halfday.

Muthyalu means Pearls and Maduvu means Pond or Pool in Kannada. Situated in the midst of hills, nestled deep down in a valley, this secluded place makes a fascinating picnic spot. It is known for its verdant surroundings with water falling from a height of over 100 ft. Take a dive in this crystal clear water and feel one with nature. There are a couple of waterfalls in a small narrow valley. Overlooking these falls is a small shrine dedicated to Shiva, adding a religious touch to the place.

Monsoons (Aug to Nov) is the best time to visit this place. A little walk over around 100 well laid steps from the parking place takes you to the falls. There is a restaurant and restrooms are available near parking place.

At a distance of 31 km from Ernakulam Junction (South) Railway Station, Cherai Beach is a beautiful beach located in Cherai village. This is one of the popular tourist places to visit near Kochi and also one of the top beaches in Kerala.

The 15 km of long golden beach is very clean, shallow, and famous attraction for swimming and sunbathing. This is one of the few places where we can see the lagoon and ocean separated only by a few hundreds of metres. The newly beautified 400 meters of the main beach has a walkway and high mask lamps which make the beach enjoyable even at night. The Beach is very safe and tourists of all age groups can enjoy the Beach alike.

The beautiful beach is studded with seashells of various hues and shapes. There is a park for children on the beach. Water Scooter and Speed Boats are also available. Dolphins are also spotted at this beach. The far end of the beach lined with Chinese fishing nets is a beautiful sight.

A tourism festival is celebrated .....

At a distance of 35 Kms from Kanyakumari, 53 Kms from Trivandrum & 700 Kms from Chennai (situated on Trivandrum - Kanyakumari road), Padmanabhapuram is an ancient historical town surrounded by a fort with an area of 187 acres. The ancient capital of Travancore might be constructed before AD 1601. The palace with an area of seven acres, is situated in the very centre on the Padmanabhapuram Fort, amidst hills, dales and rivers.

The fort which was built with mud originally was dismantled and reconstructed with granite by Maharaja Marthanda Varma. The height of the walls varies from 15 ft to 24 ft according to the inclination of the ground.

Entry Fee Rs 25 for Adult & Rs 10 for Children. Closed on Mondays.
Fees for Foreigners : Adult Rs 200 & Children Rs 50
Video and Camera Fee are Rs 1500 & Rs 25 Respectively
Separate fee for Car parking

At a distance of 50 Kms from Kanyakumari, 51 Kms from Trivandrum & 704 Kms from Chennai (about 12 kms from Trivandrum - Kanyakumari highway, 13 kms from Pechiparai Dam), the Kodayar makes its descend at Thiruparappu and forms this wonderful waterfall.

The river bed is rocky and about 300 feet in length. The water falls from a height of nearly 50 feet and the water flows for about seven months in a year. The whole bed above the falls is one rocky mass which extends up to a distance of about quarter of a kilometer upstream where the famous Thirparappu weir has been constructed for supplying water to the paddy fields. A swimming pool has been constructed for children over here. This is a safe place for swimming.

Mahadeva Temple dedicated to Siva enclosed by strong fortification is very close to the waterfalls and it's one of the important Siva temples in Kanyakumari district.

This .....

At a distance of 59 km from Tirunelveli, 35 km from Tuticorin and 92 km from Kanyakumari, Thiruchendur is a small coastal town in the Toothukudi district of Tamil Nadu and is a popular pilgrimage destination situated in the Gulf of Mannar.

Thiruchendur Murugan Kovil is the prime attraction of the town. This temple is considered to be one of the six Padai Veedu (Battle Camps) of Lord Murugan, the others being Thiruparamkundram, Palani, Swamimalai, Thiruthani and Pazhamudhircholai. This temple is known as the second Padai Veedu of Lord Muruga. Lord Muruga won the battle with the demon Surapadma and worshipped Lord Shiva at this sacred place. It is believed that the temple existed since the Vedic period, as it is mentioned in many ancient scripts.

The main entrance to the temple faces south although the sanctum faces east. The 133 feet Rajagopura, built close to the shores of Bay of Bengal, is an outstanding example of Dravidian .....

At a distance of 11 Kms from Kottayam Railway Station, Mahadeva Temple located in Ettumanoor is one of the most celebrated Siva temples in Kerala. This is one of the popular tourist & pilgrimage sites to visit near Kottayam & Kochi.

This temple is known for its exceptional murals and woodcarvings made in 16th century. The themes of these murals are stills from the Hindu epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata and the and Puranas.The oil lamp at the entrance of the temple is believed to have been lighted for more than 450 years and it is fed with oil by the devotees everyday. There are 14 decorative gopuras in the temple built in 16th century.

Another attraction of the temple is Ezhara Punnana (golden elephants) donated to the temple by Maharaja of Travancore. The golden elephants are kept on display during the temple annual festival celebrated in the month of February / March. Only Hindus are allowed into this temple.

Ezharaponnaana Ezhunallathu is the main festival celebrated .....

At a distance of 7 Kms from Athirapally & 75 Kms from Kochi, Vazhachal Waterfalls is a breathtakingly beautiful waterfall situated very close to Athirapally - Valparai road. It is one of the best places to visit near Athirapally Falls.

Near the entrance of the Sholayar forest range, the waterfall is formed on Chalakkudy River at lower stream of Athirapally Waterfalls. The surroundings of the waterfalls offer rich natual views. Unlike Athirapally Waterfalls, Vazhachal flows through an inclined slope of more than 300 feet to descend into huge pool. It is very difficult and dangerous to step into the flow or to reach the bottom of the flow. It is advised to limit your Vazhachal trip to enjoying the natural beauty of the falls.

There is another seasonal waterfall called Chapra Falls on the way to Vazhachal Falls towards left side of the road. In peak season, the falls can be seen falling from 63 meters height.

Several .....

At a distance of 31 Kms from Athirapally & 45 Kms from Valparai, Sholayar Dam is a beautiful dam situated on Athirapally - Valparai road. It is one of the top tourist places to visit near Athirapally Waterfalls.

The Solaiyar Dam is the second largest rock dam in Asia and measures about 20 Km in length. The dam is an important reservoir under the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project. The surroundings of the dam are full of great natural beauty.

Permission to enter the dam can be obtained at the office near dam entrance.

At a distance of 20 Kms from Kottayam, St.Mary's Forane Church (also known as Martha Mariam Church) is located in Kuravilangad, on the way to Muvattupuzha.

Constructed in the year of 105 AD, this Church belongs to the diocese of Palai. It is believed that Mother Mary appeared to a few children in this area and asked them to build a church at the place from where a miraculous spring emerged, which exists even today. The church was built and a statue of the Virgin Mary carved from granite is installed here. A 48 feet single block granite cross is located in front of the church, which was erected around 1597. Three majestic bells of Kuravilangad were brought from Germany in 1911.

The main festival of the church called 'Moonnu Nompu', celebrated for 3 days in the month of xx. Thousands of devotees from all parts of Kerala participate in the festival.

At a distance of 68 km from Kollam, 39 km from Tenkasi & 73 km from Trivandrum, Thenmala Dam also known as Kallada Dam or Parappara Dam located in Thenmala village is built across Kalla River. It is situated very close to Kollam - Tenkasi road. The dam is located amidst picturesque location with beautiful surroundings at the foothills of the Western Ghats.

The surroundings of Thenmala Dam are developed under eco-tourism development activities. It is also selected by World Tourism Organisation as one of the best eco-friendly projects in the world. Thenmala means honey hill. Due to the peculiar floristic composition of the forest, the honey collected from Thenmala forest is famous for its medicinal values.

This place has facilities like winding pathways, sway bridge, amphitheatre and a musical fountain. You can also visit the traditional tree houses of the tribal of this area. There are also boating facilities in the reservoir. .....

At a distance of 78 Kms from Kollam, Shendurny Wildlife Sanctuary is located at the edge of Thenmala Dam's catchment area. It is located at a distance of 20 Kms from Thenmala Dam along the reservoir boundaries.

The sanctuary is spread over 100 sq. kms area and home for wide variety of flora and fauna. This place was declared as wildlife sanctuary in 1984. Te sanctuary is home for fauna like Elephant, Tiger, Leopard, Bear and the Lion-tailed Macaque.

The sanctuary is spread across 26 sq. kms artificial lake formed by Thenmala Dam. According to recent archaeological findings, this place has witnessed one of the oldest river valley civilisations in India, even older than Indus valley. Remains of Stone Age culture dating back 5210-4420 BC have been excavated from a large cave near the river. The cave also contains ancient paintings.

Oct to Mar is the best season to visit.

At a distance of 61 Kms from Kottayam, Valanjaganam Waterfalls (also known as Kesari Waterfalls) is located very close to NH220 towards Thekkady/Periyar, before Kuttikkanam.

Regular buses are available between Kottayam and Thekkady/Periyar. September to January is the best time to visit the falls. The falls are located just adjacent to the highway and no trekking is required to reach the falls.

At a distance of 81 km from Kollam, 29 kms from Tenkasi & 86 km from Trivandrum, Palaruvi Waterfalls are wonderful waterfalls located on Kollam - Tenkasi road, at a distance of 11 Kms from Thenmala Dam on Kerala -Tamil Nadu border.

The word Palaruvi means stream of milk in Malayalam. Falling from a height of 300 feet, it is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Kerala. It is a favourite picnic spot for visitors from all over south India. The water falls into a small pool and this place is ideal for swimming. There are seperate locations for kids and ladies to bath here.

The falls are close to the main road needs little walk from the road. Best time to visit the place is Jun-Jan.

At a distance of 16 Kms from Mysore & 3 Kms from Srirangapatna, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is a small sanctuary spread across 67 sq.kms.

The sanctuary comprises of six islets on the banks of the Kaveri River. It was declared in 1940 as a result of many requests from Dr Salim Ali who surveyed the birds in this area. Since then, the sanctuary has become a paradise for bird watchers. The sanctuary is a breeding ground for many migratory birds from all over the world. It is home to a wide species of birds including cormorants, darters, white ibis, spoon billed storks, open billed storks, painted storks, white necked storks, egrets, herons, terns, swallows, kingfishers, sandpiper etc.

A boat ride takes you to the six islets crowded with a number of species of birds. The best time to visit the sanctuary is between June & October.

Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM.

At a distance of 41 Kms from Kottayam and 2 Kms from Erattupetta, Poonjar Palace is 600 years old Palace built by Poonjar Rajas.

The Poonjar Palace is entirely made out of wood, reflecting the traditional Kerala architecture. The Place has a museum that exhibits royal collection of exquisite furniture, a boat carved out of a single piece of wood, huge chandeliers, palm leaf engravings, jewel boxes, lamps, sculptures, etc.

The replica of the Madurai Meenakshi Temple nearby the Palace is another attraction. The Sastha Temple close to the Palace is also an interesting place to visit.

At a distance of 29 Kms from Kottayam, 35 Kms from Alappuzha & 33 kms from Pathanamthitta, Sri Vallabha Temple is located near Thiruvalla town (4 Kms) in Pathanamthitta district.

This ancient temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is one among the 108 Diva Kshetrams in India. This temple is built in typical Kerala style of temple architecture with fine carvings and murals. The inner sanctum of the temple houses a 6 feet tall idol of Maha Vishnu. The flag staff of the temple is made out of granite and it is about 50 feet tall. A 3 feet idol of Garuda (the eagle vehicle of Lord Vishnu) is installed on top of the flagstaff.

This temple is famous for the traditional Kathakali performances almost every night and it is perhaps the only temple in Kerala where Kathakali is regularly performed as a ritual offering to a deity, after the evening Pooja

The annual festival of the temple is celebrated in Feb / Mar and the Utharaseeveli festival is celebrated for one day on Mar / Apr.

At a distance of 16 Kms from Kollam Railway Station, Paravur is a beautiful place with the combination of Sea, Lakes, Rivers, Backwaters and vast green fields. This is one of the most beautiful places in Kerala and also a popular place for houseboat trip in Kerala backwaters.

Paravur has the largest natural Backwater lakes in South Asia. Boating, Fishing (with prior permission), Swimming & Surfing are the important activities at Paravur. Paravoor is also famous for handloom weaving.

There are many other attractions in and around Paravur including Puttingal Temple & Puthenkulam Elephant Village (5 kms from Paravur, where around 50 Eelephants are given shelter).

At a distance of 10 Kms from Munnar Bus Station, Mattupetty Dam is one of the most scenic places in Munnar situated on Top Station Road. This is one of the best places to visit in munnar and also a great place to experience the beauty of Munnar along with boating. It is one of the places most commonly represented for Munnar Tourism.

Constructed in 1953, the lake and dam surrounded by wooden hills and tea plantations, makes a great view. Boating in the Mattupetty Lake is a memorable experience. If possible, hire an exclusive speed boat. Often, elephants from surrounded forest take bath in the waters of the lake and watching them (while boating) is a pleasant experience. This place is also famous for Eucalyptus Oil, which is sold near the dam. The tea plantations enroute the Dam might be crowded with visitors rushing to take snaps.

Mattupetty .....

At a distance of 20 Kms from Munnar, Kundala Lake is a picturesque lake situated on the way to Top Station from Munnar. The tea estates spread across Kundala are a real feast to the eyes.

The lake is formed by Kundala artificial dam, which is a small dam in cured shape. The lake offer boating facility. The unique experience of boating in Kashmiri boats in this lake is a special attraction. These boats are also known as Shikara Boats. Kundala Lake is one of the best places for sightseeing in Munnar.

There is also a golf course which belongs to Tata Tea Ltd in Kundala village.

Boating Timings: 9 AM to 5:30 PM

Boating Fee (30 minutes): Shikara Boat - Rs 200 for 2 persons, Row Boats - Rs 150 for 4 persons, Pedal Boat - Rs 100 for 2 persons

At a distance of 18 Kms from Munnar Bus Station & 45 kms from Idukki, Devikulam is a cute hill station at an altitude of 1800 meters. This is one of the top tourist attractions in Munnar and also among the most visited Kerala hill resorts.

The name Devikulam is a combination of two words Devi from the goddess Devi and kulam meaning pond. According to legend, the goddess Sita Devi bathed in Devikulam Lake now named as Sita Devi Lake. The lake draws tourists not only because of its sacredness but also for the curative powers of its mineral waters. The lake is also idle for trout fishing. The scenic beauty, adventure sports, beliefs and religion come together to make the Sita Devi Lake a major tourist attraction in Devikulam.

The lush green open spaces and the high cliffs of Devikulam provide scope for hiking and mountaineering. There are several tea plantations in and around Devikulam that .....

At a distance of 10 Kms from Munnar, Nyayamakad Waterfalls is one of the highest cascading falls in Kerala. It is located on Munnar - Udamalpet road close to the entrance of Eravikulam National Park. It is one of the best waterfalls around Kerala.

The water here drops from a height of more than 1500 meters cascading through rocks over several steps. The water is collected into a big pool at the bottom which is great place to spend some time. This waterfall Is close to the Rajamalai entrance and can be visited along with Rajamalai / Eravikulam Park. It needs about 10 minutes walk from the main road.

Trekking is a popular activity here. One can enjoy the marvelous views of surrounding valleys of Western Ghats including Anamudi and other peaks. Trekking to some of the upper levels of the falls is possible through rock climbing though it's little risky in Monsoons.

Best time to visit Nyayamakad Waterfalls is post monsoon season .....

At a distance of 16 Kms from Munnar, Rajamalai is a tiny hill station located inside Eravikulam National Park on Munnar - Udumalpet Road. The Eravikulam National Park was established to protect the Nilgiri Tahr. The park is extended into Tamil Nadu and known as Annamalai Wildlife Sanctuary. Trip to Rajamalai is one of the top things to do in Munnar and also a popular place for trekking in Munnar.

This region is famous as the natural habitat of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. Nearly half the world's population of this rare species is found in area. Other faunal species found in the park are elephant Gaur, Giant Squirrel, Leopard, Lion-Tailed Macaque, Tiger, and Sambar.

The national park is spread across an area of 97sq km and is a protected area. The park is divided into 3 regions - the core area, the buffer area and the tourism area. Visitors are allowed only to the tourism area, which is in the Rajamalai region. Tourists can take safari .....

At a distance of 20 Kms from Munnar, Anamudi Peak in Western Ghats is the highest point in South India and also the highest point in India outside the Himalaya-Karakoram, at an altitude of 8842 feet. Anamudi is also famous for Kurunji flowers that blossom once in 12 years. It is one of the places most commonly represented for Munnar Tourism.

Located inside the Eravikulam National Park, it is a famous trekking destination in Kerala which offers breathtaking views of Western Ghats and a lifetime experience with wonderful nature views. This is also one of the top tourist places to visit in munnar. Anamudi, together with the Eravikulam Park, is home to one of the largest surviving populations of Asian elephants, Gaurs and Nilgiri Tahrs. Anamunid is one of the top trekking destinations in Munnar.

The 2-3 days trekking programming starts at foothill of Eravikulam with night halts at tribal hamlets .....

At a distance of 85 km from Mysore, 40 km from Chamarajanagar and 170 km from Bangalore, the Biligiri Ranga Hills popularly known as the BR Hills is a lofty hill range in Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka. It is considered to be the wildlife corridor that connects Eastern Ghats to Western Ghats. This is one of the popular tourist places to visit near Mysore & Bangalore.

BR Hills is famous for BRT Wildlife Sanctuary (Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary). The sanctuary is situated at an altitude of 5091 feet and is spread across an area of 540 km. It was declared a tiger reserve in 2010 by the Karnataka State Government. The highest peak within the sanctuary is the Kattari Betta. The wildlife sanctuary is inhabited by a number of animals including elephants, sloth bears, bison, deer, porcupines and a number of other wild animals. It is said that the sanctuary has more than 250 species of birds like the Paradise Flycatcher, .....

At a distance of 16 Kms from Munnar, Power House Waterfalls (also called as Chinnakanal Waterfalls) is located near Chinnakanal village after Devikulam about 1 Km from NH49 (towards Thekkady - Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary).

Falling through a steep rock from a height of about xx feet, this cascading waterfall is a wonderful place to spend few hours. The stream is said to be originated from scenic & sacred Devikulam Hills. It is one of the best waterfalls in Munnar. There is a natural pool at bottom of the falls.

Best time to visit the falls is during post monsoon season. It is possible to reach the bottom of the falls by trekking down the hills. Swimming in the pool at bottom of the falls is a memorable experience.

At a distance of 38 Kms from Munnar, the famous Cheeyappara Waterfalls is located between Adimali and Neriamangalam on Munnar to Kochi highway (NH49).

Cascading down in 7 steps, Cheeyappara Waterfalls is one of the most magnificent waterfalls in Kerala. This is also a great place for trekking. It is noted for 2 acres of evergreen forests upon a huge rock. The rock is more than 500 acres in area and an ideal spot for mountaineering.

The waterfalls are just adjacent to the highway. The falls offer spectacular views with full glory during summer and it's not possible to reach the bottom of the falls or enjoy in the waters of the falls in monsoon.

This place is connected by buses running between Munnar and Kochi.

At a distance of 39 Kms from Munnar, the magnificent Valara Waterfalls is located between Adimali and Neriamangalam on Munnar to Kochi highway (NH49), near Cheeyappara Waterfalls.

Valara features a chain of waterfalls falling from a height of about 1000 feet and provide a magnificent view. These waterfalls are surrounded by lush, dense forests that are home to a variety of animals and birds. It is one of the top waterfalls near Munnar.

Though the falls are visible from highway, it demands good amount of trekking to reach the bottom of the falls. The surrounding places of the Valara Falls are good for trekking. The falls offer spectacular views in monsoon and post-monsoon seasons.

This place is connected by buses running between Munnar and Kochi.

At a distance of 40 Kms from Munnar, Marayoor is a scenic place located between Munnar and Udumalpet and it is a pre-historic site on Kerala-Tamil Nadu boarder. It is one of the best sightseeing places in Munnar. Marayoor is the only place in Kerala that has natural sandal wood forests. The rare neelakurunji flowers that blooms once in every 12 years is native to this place.

The ruins of Stone Age civilization, which are older than 10,000 BC have been discovered here. The Stone Age structured of Megalithic Dolmens (chambers made of four stones placed on edges and covered with the cap stone) are located in Muniyara near Kovilkadavu (5 kms). Dozens of Dolmens at Kovilkadavu on both sides of the banks of the River Pambar, and rock paintings on the south-western slope of the plateau overlooking the river have attracted visitors. Apart from the dolmens of Stone Age, several dolmens of Iron Age exist .....

At a distance of 50 Kms from Munnar and 10 Kms from Marayoor, Thoovanam waterfalls are one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Kerala. It is located inside Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary near Kerala - Tamil Nadu boarder. This is one of the best among Munnar places to visit and also a popular trekking trail in Munnar. The falls are formed by Pambar River.

At a distance of 4 Kms from Alampetty Junction Checkpost on Munnar - Udamalpet Road, Thoovanam waterfalls is also a popular trekking route in Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. This cascading falls is a wonderful place to enjoy the nature, dip & swim in the crystal clear water of Pambar River.

The waterfall has to be reached by 4 Kms trek from Alampetty Checkpost, which is situated on Munnar - Udalampet highway and connected by buses from Munnar. The Thoovanam waterfalls trip is a guided trek (forest guides must be accompanied) and usually takes 2-3 .....

At a distance of 19 Kms from Mangalore Railway Station, Surathkal Beach on the shores of Arabian Sea is a clean beach with tremendous scenic beauty. The beach offers wonderful views of the sunset and it's usually crowded during evenings. It is one of the popular beaches near Mangalore.

The historical Sadashiva Temple near the beach is an added attraction. According to mythology, when Lord Ganesha kept Ravana's shivalinga on the ground, Ravana tried to pick it up with force and some pieces are scattered. One such piece from the linga is said to have fallen in Suratkal.

There is a light house near the Sadashiva Temple, located on a small hillock. Suratkal houses the famed National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK).

Suratkal is connected by frequent bus service with Mangaluru.

At a distance of 58 Kms from Munnar & 17 km from Marayoor, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is a rain shadow area of the Western Ghats which gets only 48 days of rain per year. It is under consideration by UNESCO for selection as a World Heritage Site. It is one of the prime attractions and top trekking sites in Munnar.

Situated on Kerala-Tamil Nadu boarder, it is bordered with Eravikulam National Park, Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary is home for 34 species of Mammals, including Panthers, Spotted deer, Indian Elephants, Gaur, Tigers, Sambar Deer, Common langur, Bonnet Macaque, Hanuman monkey, Nilgiri Tahr, etc.

There are multiple entry points to the safari - at Kerala boarder checkpost, at Chinnar checkpost and Alampetty checkpost. There are no organized safaris in Chinnar Sanctuary. The sanctuary can be explore by taking different trekking .....

At a distance of 11 Kms from Mangalore Railway Station, Panambur Beach located near the Mangalore Port is one of the most frequently visited Mangalore beach and also one of the famous Mangalore tourist places.

The beach offers very good views of the sunset. The beach attracts good number of visitors due to its close proximity to the city. The ships anchored out in the sea waiting for berth in the harbor can be seen from the Beach which presents an attractive picture. Camel ride is an added attraction at this beach. This beach is a safe place for swimming.

The beach offers boating and water sports facilities to the visitors. Panambur beach is famous for International Kite Festival conducted during the last week of April.

At a distance of 32 Kms from Munnar, Top Station is a breathtakingly beautiful place on Kerala - Tamilnadu boarder. From here, one can get 360 degrees view of the Western Ghats. This is one of the best Munnar tourist places and also a popular trail for trekking in Munnar.

At an altitude of 2200 meters, this place is also known for the Neelakurunji Plant, which flowers only once every 12 years (next flowering year is 2018). The view point is at a distance of 2 kms from the road point and has to be trekked down. The trek path is very steep with deep valleys one side. One should be very careful while trekking to the view point, which offers lifetime memories. Top Station is the highest approachable road in South India.

The viewpoint at Top Station offers breathtakingly beautiful views of Kannan Devan Hills. The valleys all around, the misty mountains and distant waterfalls all make this place a must visit spot in Munnar.

Top .....

At a distance of 12 Kms from Mangalore Railway Station, Tannirbavi Beach is located towards the southern end of Mangalore Port. The beach is the property of Mangalore port trust. This is one of the best beaches of Mangalore and among the top Mangalore tourist places.

The soft sands of the beach and breezy winds of Arabian Sea offer memorable experience. It is also a favorite spot to watch the sunset. You can see the remains of a ship which sank 15 years ago near the beach. This beach is comparatively deserted and is a great spot for safe swimming.

Due to the poor connectivity, it's important to have your own vehicle to visit this beach in Mangaluru.

At a distance of 135 km from Mysore, 89 km from Hogenakkal, 72 km from Kollegal & 209 km from Bangalore, Male Mahadeshwara Betta, also known as MM Hills is a sacred place situated in the eastern parts of Kollegal taluk in Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka. It is situated at an altitude of 3000 feet.

Male Mahadeshwara Hills is surrounded by dense forest and is famous for Malai Mahadeshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Mahadeshwara. The ancient and sacred temple of Sri Male Mahadeshwara is a very popular Shaiva pilgrim center and one of the most powerful Shiva temples in the region. The temple is surrounded by 77 hills of the Eastern Ghats. The temple draws large number of pilgrims from the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

The Mahadeshwara Temple was built by Junje Gowda Rich Kuruba Gowda Landlord. The Lord Sri Mahadeshwara is believed to be the incarnation of Lord Shiva. Historical evidences suggest that the Saint Mahadeshwara .....

At a distance of 10 Kms from Mangalore Railway Station, Someshwar Beach located near Ullal Railway Station is a well known beach near Mangalore. This beach is famous for clean & white sands. It is one of the popular Mangalore places to visit. It is also known for the large rocks called 'Rudra Shile' situated near the beach. Someshwara Beach is a natural, safe and clean beach. The beach offers breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea and is an ideal spot for nature lovers and swimmers.

The other attraction of Someshwar beach is the historical Somanath Temple constructed during the rule of the famous Queen Abbakka Devi (16th century) is situated towards north. Presiding deity here is Lord Shiva and the temple is adorned with beautiful sculptures. In the temple premises there is the statue of great sage Parusharama. As per mythology, the coastal region of Karnataka (along with Kerala) was the creation of Parusharama.

At a distance of 24 Kms from Munnar, Anayirankal Dam is a lovely place located on NH49 (towards Palani, after Devikulam).

The surroundings of the falls are full of tea plantations & forests and appear like a green carpet. It is one of the earliest Dams built in India using concrete. Elephants are also spotted in the vicinity of reservoir.

This place is connected by frequent buses from Munnar. All buses towards Palani stop here.

At a distance of 23 Kms from Mangalore Railway Station, Sasihitlu Beach situated towards Udupi is a clean beach & stretches about 2 km in length.

This place is also famous for a beautiful island called Munda surrounded by Shambhave and Nandini Rivers on one side and Arabian Sea on the other side.

At a distance of 55 Kms from Mysore, Chunchanakatte Falls is a famous waterfall formed by Cauvery River. The river flows into Chunchanakatte forming a 60 feet tall and about 350 feet wide waterfall.

Legend describes that Lord Rama during his tenure in the forests stayed in this place on the behest of the tribal couple Chuncha and Chunchi. There is a belief that Goddess Sita took holy bath in this place and till now the water colour in that area looks like mixed with turmeric and other holy powders used for pooja. The place is very scenic surrounded by waterfalls and greenery. Lord Kodanda Rama temple is situated just beside the waterfalls.

There is a hydraulic power generating station installed.

At a distance of 24 Kms from Munnar and 36 Kms from Idukki, Kuthumkal Waterfalls is charming waterfall located in Kuthumkal near Rajakkad (4 Kms) in Idukki District.

This cascading waterfall is a good picnic spot to enjoy the nature and play with the waters of the falls. The falls are very close to the main road and accessible by easy trek. It is possible to get into the waters at bottom of these falls.

Rajakkad is connected by bus with Munnar & Adimali (24 Kms). The falls are 4 Kms from Rajakkad and can be reached by Auto/Bus.Kuthumkal water falls is located 21 kms from Munnar.

The picturesque Ponmudi Dam (7 Kms from Kuthumkal Falls and 17 Kms from Adimali) built across Panniar River is another popular attraction near the Waterfalls. It is connected by bus with Adimali-Rajakkad service.

At a distance of 10 Kms from Mangalore Railway Station, Ullal Beach is a beautiful beach located to the south of the Nethravati River on the shores of Arabian Sea. This is one of the best & developed beaches of Karnataka and among the top tourist places in Mangalore.

Ullal Beach is also the most serene and calm beach in Karnataka. This silver sands beach also offers breathtaking views of the sunset, especially when viewed through the casuarina groves. Sunbathing and swimming are the two common activities on the beach. There are several water sports available at the Ullal Beach. The Summer Sands Beach Resort near Ullal is also a popular picnic spot.

The beach is very close to Ullal Bus Station, which can be reached from Thokkottu on Kerala Road.

At a distance of 71 Kms from Mysore, 85 Kms from Bangalore City Junction, Kokkare Bellur Bird Sanctuary is located in Mandya District of Karnataka and is about 20 km from Mandya. The name of the village is derived from Kokkare meaning stork and Bellur meaning village of jaggery. This is one of the popular tourist places to visit near Bangalore & Mysore.

The Mandya district is famous for sugarcane fields and this village is famous for having large colonies of Painted Storks and Spot-billed Pelicans nesting in trees within the village. It is home to cranes, painted storks and pelicans.

The best season to visit the migratory birds is October to March.

Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM

At a distance of 2 km from Thiruvarur Junction, 40 km from Kumbakonam, 39 km from Karaikal and 62 km from Thanjavur, Thiruvarur is a famous temple town known for Sri Thyagaraja Temple is a Hindu temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. This is the fore most form of the Saptha Vidanga Sthalams.

Thyagaraja Swamy temple was first constructed by Aditya Chola I in 9th century. The temple was upgraded and rebuilt with stone by Rajendra Chola I in 11th century. The later expansions are attributed to Vijayanagar rulers. This temple is one of the biggest in the country and has the biggest temple chariot in Tamil Nadu.

Sri Vanmikanathar (Lord Shiva) is the presiding deity of the temple. According to the legend, Vishnu worshipped Shiva in the form of Somaskanda, associated with Ajapa dance. Shiva is said to have appeared in an anthill to Vishnu. So, no abishekam is performed for Vanmikanathar. Daily poojas are offered to a small idol referred .....

At a distance of 9 Kms from Palakkad Railway Station, Malampuzha Dam is a large irrigation dam built on Malampuzha River, a tributary of Bharathapuzha River at the base of the hills of the Western Ghats. The reservoir provides drinking water to Palakkad town.

There is a beautiful well laid garden near the Dam. There are lush green lawns, innumerable flower beds, glittering pools, fountains and avenues. There is a fresh water aquarium, Snake Park and a Children's park with a toy train. The Garden house has a unit of Water sports also. The imposing concrete sculpture of YAKSHI, the passenger ropeway, first of its kind in South India, offers adventurous and delightful air journey of 20 minutes across the garden are added attractions of the park. A telescopic tower, the first rock garden and the first amusement park of Kerala Fantasy Park are also located at Malampuzha. The reservoir has boating and fishing facilities.

Timings: 9 AM to 8 PM. Ropeway Timings: 10 AM - 1 PM & 2:30-8 .....

At a distance of 70 Kms from Mangalore, Dharmasthala is one of the famous pilgrimage centers in Karnataka and it is situated on the banks of Nethravathi River. The main attraction of Dharmasthala is famous Manjunatha Temple. This place is also known as Sri Kshetra.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Manjunatha or Lokeshwara, this temple dates back to 16th Century. It is said that the Shiva Linga worshipped at this temple was procured from Kadri Temple in Mangalore. This place was known as Kuduma and later renamed to Dharmasthala in 16th century by Vadiraja Swami of Udupi.

The shrines of four Dharma Daivas (Kalarahu, Kalarkaayi, Kanyakumari and Kumaraswamy) are built well before Manjunatha Temple in Dharmasthala. Lakshadeepotsava celebrated in Kartheekamasa (Nov/Dec) is the main attraction of the temple.

This temple is involved in several social activities, especially, educational institutes for poor.

Timings: .....

At a distance of 53 km from Palakkad, 40 km from Mannarkad & 102 km from Coimbatore, Silent Valley National Park is an evergreen rain forest located in the Kundali Hills of the Western Ghats.

Spread across 90 sq. kms, it is one of the smallest national parks in India and the only rain forest in India. This altitude of the park varies between 658 to 2383 meters. The park provides shelter for variety of species including elephants, tigers, leopards, wild boar, sambhar, gaur and the endangered lion-tailed macaque. The park is also heaven for bird watchers and trekkers.

The park is divided into 4 parts, Nilikkal, Sairandhri, Poochipara & Walakkad and only Sairandhri is open for tourists. Mukkali (on Mannarkad-Anaikatti-Coimbatore road) is the entry point to the park where private Jeeps are found to get into the park (guides are also available here). Vehicles are allowed till Sairandhri watchtower (23 Kms from Mukkali). Visitors can trek to Kunthi River from watchtower (1.5 Kms).

Timings: .....

At a distance of 41 Kms from Palakkad, Mangalam Dam is constructed on the river Cherukunnapuzha, a tributary of the river Mangalam. It is a popular picnic site from Palakkad.

The construction of the scenic dam was completed in the year 1956. The entire area is quite fascinating with beautiful parks and lawns.

Located on the Alathur - Vadakkanchery Highway, the reservoir is bounded with forest area which is home for wildlife like deer, elephants and a variety of birds.

At a distance of 12 km from Palakkad & 60 km from Coimbatore, Dhoni Hills is a reserve forest and a scenic place with several natural treasures. The Hills are adjacent to the Malampuzha Reservoir.

Dhoni Hills is a wonderful destination for trekking. At a distance of 3 Kms from Dhoni Hills, Azhakampara waterfall is a splendid place amidst scenic beauty. The water drops from a steep rock mountain from a height of xx feet. The falls can be reached by 4 Kms trek from bottom of the hills through steep mountain path.

Dhoni provides trekkers the opportunity to explore its hilly terrains. Its lush green surroundings are a pleasure to watch. Dhoni is also famous for its farmhouse, harboring hundreds of cattle of Swiss variety.

At a distance of 34 Kms from Palakkad, Kanjirapuzha Dam is a fascinating dam surrounded by hills with rich natural beauty.

The reservoir is surrounded by an evergreen forest named Vettilachola. Three islands at all sides of the reservoir gain a special attraction. These islands are abundant with marine life including commercial varieties grown by the fisheries department.

There is a wonderful garden at bottom of the dam with several facilities. Boating facilities is also available in the reservoir.

At a distance of 39 Kms from Palakkad, Meenkara Dam is a lovely picnic spot amidst great scenic beauty.

This dam is built across the Gayathri River which flows into the Bharathapuzha River. This is a fascinating place with full of paddy & coconut fields and full of greenery.

Meenkara Dam can be access through Puthunagaram, Pallassana & Kollengode.

At a distance of 167 Kms from Kozhikode, 72 Kms from Mangalore & 27 Kms from Kasaragod, Bekal Fort is the biggest and best preserved fort in Kerala. The fort is built on 35 acre headland on the shores of Arabian Sea, rising to a height 130 feet. Bekal Fort is among the top visited Kerala tourist places.

This fort is more than 300 years old and is believed to have been built by Sivappa Naik of the Ikkeri dynasty in1650. There is also another belief that it was originally built by Kolathiri Rajas and later captured by Sivappa Naik. The fort was occupied by Hyder Ali in 1763 AD and later by British.

The important features of this fort are the Tank with its flight of steps, the tunnel opening towards the south, the Observation Tower. There is also a mosque built by Tipu Sultan just outside the Bekal Fort. The Bekal Fort Beach adjacent to the Fort is added attraction.

Bekal Fort is about 6 Kms from NH47 between Kasaragod & Kozhikode .....

At a distance of 167 Kms from Kozhikode, 73 Kms from Mangalore & 28 Kms from Kasaragod, Bekal Fort Beach is situated near Bekal Fort (about 1 Km). It is one of the best Kerala Beaches situated in Kasaragod district.

It is one of the best maintained beaches in this region. The beach is a vast expanse of white sands dotted with palm trees. Two huge sculptures with beautiful murals have been set up in the beach. The beach is illuminated with electric bulbs during night so that people can enjoy the beach even after dusk.

There is a water park for children on the premises which is an added attraction. The beautiful walkway allows the visiting tourists to explore the beauty of the Arabian Sea and panoramic view of the surroundings including Bekal Fort.

At a distance of 100 Kms from Mangalore, Kukke Subrahmanya Temple located in Subrahmanya (or Kukke Subramanya) is one of the most famous temples in Karnataka and one of the important temples of Lord Subrahmanya (Lord Murugan).

This temple is famous for Sarpa Dosha. Lord Subrahmanya is worshipped as the protector of all serpents. The epics mention that the divine serpent Vasuki and other serpents found refugee under Lord Subrahmanya when attacked by Garuda.

Pilgrims visiting the Temple have to cross the Kumaradhara River and take a holy dip in it before entering the temple. According to Mythology, Lord Kumaraswamy killed the demon rulers Taraka, Shoorapadmasura in a war; and washed his Shakti Ayudha in this river (hence the river is named Kumaradhara).

Sarpa Samskara/Sarpa Dosha is one of the poojas performed at this temple by devotees to get rid of the sarpa dosha. Kukke subramanya can be reached by road from Mangalore and Bangalore.

Timings: 6:30 AM - 1:30 PM .....

At a distance of 15 km from Kukke Subramanya, 30 km from Somwarpet, 65 km from Madikeri, 115 km from Mangalore, 260 km from Bangalore, Kumara Parvatha, also known as Pushpagiri, is a beautiful mountain peak located in Pushpagiri reserve forest near Kukke Subramanya town in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka. Situated at an elevation of 1712 m above sea level, Kumara Parvatha trek is one of the toughest treks and most popular trekking destinations in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. The trek distance is around 25 km (with return) and usually done in 2 days.

Kumara Parvatha is the third tallest peak in Karnataka, Mullayanagiri in Chikmagalur being the tallest and Thadiyandamol in Coorg being the second tallest. Kumara Parvatha trek is one among the most popular trekking trails in Karnataka. This peak has numerous white stones that are known as 'Saligramams'. The Shivalingas with six faces, also known as the 'Kumaralingas', can also be seen here.

There are two routes to trek .....

At a distance of 100 Kms from Mangalore, 30 Kms from Kukke Subramanya, 65 Kms from Hassan & 80 Kms from Chikmagalur, Yedakumeri is a beautiful place in the Western Ghats & a wonderful trekking destination.

A trekking along the abandoned meter gauge railway line between Donigal and Yedukumeri (17 Kms - 8 Hrs) is a unique experience and is popularly referred to as 'Yedakumeri Railway Trek' or 'Green Route Trek'. This route is nature lovers & photographers paradise.

The trek route has several curves, tunnels and bridges. The mountains stretch with more than 25 waterfalls and several small streams. Trekking usually starts from the Dhonigal (on Bangalore - Mangalore route) and run along the tracks to Yedakumeri. Camping can be done at Dhonigal & Yedakumeri stations. Trek can be extended till Kukke Subramanya (16 Kms extra).

Donigal can be reached by Bus/Cab from Sakleshpura (which is connected by Bus with Bangalore via .....

At a distance of 85 kms from Madurai, 78 Kms from Thekkady, 8 Kms from Periyakulam in Theni district & 490 Kms from Chennai, the scenic Kumbakkarai Waterfalls is situated close to Madurai - Kodaikanal road.

It also serves as the base camp for trekkers venturing into the hills of Kodai. The pristine beauty of the Kumbakkarai hills is highlighted by its charming waterfall falling from a height of 87ft. These falls offer a breath taking view of the surrounding nature. A 500 year old temple dedicated to Goddess Thadagai Nachiamman, is located near this spot. Around 7kms from the falls is the amusement park Sirumalai.

Vehicles can go up to the surroundings of the falls. Kodaikanal buses stop at the crossroads around 2 Kms before the falls.

The falls are filled with dangerous holes, be careful while going closer to the falls.

At a distance of 123 kms from Madurai, 22 Kms from Thekkady (via Gudalur & Karuna Muthevan Patti), 10 Kms from Kambam (via Suruli Patti) & 548 Kms from Chennai, Suruli Falls are situated amidst rich flora fauna and serve as a perfect picnic spot.

The falls originate from the Megamalai hills and descend from a height of 150 feet. They are surrounded by the astounding beauty of the dense forest. The best feature of Suruli Falls is that they are round-the-year Falls, best time is June to October.

The falls serve as the venue of Summer Festival, organized every year by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Department. The Kailasanathar Temple Cave is also an added attraction of the place. There are also other 18 caves in and around the Suruli Falls. The Kailasanatha temple and Suruli Velappar temple are also nearby the falls.

The falls are reachable by road from Kambam and Gudalur towns. About 1-2 Kms trek through dense forest is required to reach the falls from nearest road.

At a distance of 34 km from Madikeri, 4.5 km from Kushalnagar, 7 km from Cauvery Nisargadhama & 87 km from Mysore, the Golden Temple or Namdroling Monastery is a beautiful Buddhist Monastery situated at Bylakuppe. It is one of the most popular tourist places to visit in Coorg. Bylakuppe is the second largest Tibetans settlement in India after Dharamshala.

Bylakuppe is a Tibetan refugee settlement area established by Lugsum Samdupling in 1961 and Dickyi Larsoe in 1969 and is situated to the west of Mysore district close to Bangalore - Coorg route. The main tourist attraction here is the magnificent Buddhist Golden Temple. Namdroling Monastery is the largest teaching center of Nyingmapa (a lineage of Tibetan Buddhism) in the world and houses over 5000 monks and nuns. Bylakuppe is one of the prime attractions of Coorg.

The Namdroling .....

At a distance of 15 Kms from Udupi Railway Station, 65 Kms from Mangalore & 100 Kms from Murudeshwar, St. Mary's Island is a group of small beautiful islands to the north of Malpe Beach near Udupi. It is said that Vasco da Gama first reached this Island before reaching the Kappad Beach (near Calicut) while finding sea route to India.

The island has two beautiful beaches and crystallized basalt rock formations. The unique rock formations scattered through out the island giving a special landscape to the place. The rock formations are one of rarely found in the world. Eastern beach boasts of virgin sands, western beach is entirely made of sea shells. This unspoiled island is a very beautiful place with white sands, coconut trees, blue waters & pleasant atmosphere.

St. Mary's Island can be reached by 30 minutes boat ride from Malpe Beach which is about 10 Kms from Udupi. This .....

At a distance of 29 km from Madikeri and 15 km from Kushalnagar, Dubare Elephant Camp is an elephant training center situated on the banks of the river Cauvery in the district of Kodagu, Karnataka. It is an important base for the Karnataka Forest Department's elephants. Dubare elephant camp is a project undertaken by forest department and jungle lodges & resorts. It also offers river rafting facilities in River Cauvery. Dubare is one of the most famous places to visit in Coorg. Rafting at Dubare is one of the top things to do in Coorg. Also, Dubare is one of the places most commonly represented for Coorg Tourism.

This camp has plenty of elephants which are trained under naturalists. The Elephants used for Mysore Dussehra are trained at this camp. Dubare Forest is a natural island formed by Cauvery River. The trainers explain the various aspects of Elephant history, ecology and biology. The .....

At a distance of 10 Kms from Udupi Railway Station, Malpe Beach spread between Swarna Nandi River and Malpe Port is one of the finest beaches in Karnataka.

Malpe is one of the most important ports of Karnataka. The endless stretch of golden sand, graciously swaying palm trees, the clear blue sky and the clean waters of Arabian Sea all set a perfect mood for an unforgettable holiday. Malpe Beach is characterized by silver white sand beach and rocky islands, which is still quite secluded and not visited by a lot of tourists. It is a great place for boating and swimming.

October to January is the best time to visit Malpe. St. Mary's Island can be reached from here.

At a distance of 29 Kms from Madikeri, 3 Kms from Kushalnagar, 7 km from Bylakuppe & 12 km from Dubare Elephant Camp (close to the main road between Madikeri - Kushalnagar), Cauvery Nisargadhama is an island formed by the River Cauvery. This man-made island was built in 1988 and is spread over a sprawling 35-acre land. It is one of the most scenic places in Coorg and famous picnic spot for families.

The island is filled with thick bamboo groves, sandalwood and teak trees and surrounded by the Kaveri River. The island is accessible through a hanging rope bridge. There are deer, rabbits, peacocks, and a children's playground and orchidarium.

Machans (tree top shelters) and pargola (wall less shelters), pedal boating, elephant riding and a deer park are the major attractions here. Accommodation facilies are provided by the forest department.

October to April is the best time to visit this island.

At a distance of 3 kms from Kodaikanal Bus Station & 512 Kms from Chennai, Bear Shola Falls is a tall waterfall in a Reserve forest. It is said that bears used to drink water at top of the falls, and the falls are called so. This is one of the top places for sightseeing in Kodaikanal and one of the best waterfalls in kodaikanal.

The approach road to the falls is bumpy and hilly. The falls offer best views just after monsoon during the months of September & October. You don't find any water in summer season. The pathway from the main road follows through dense forest amidst serene location. Apart from the majestic waterfall, the walk through the forest itself is a wonderful experience.

Height of the falls is about 40 feet and the water drops into a small pool. Swimming here is safe if the water flow is not fierce. This place demands a 10 minute walk from the road point. The waterfall attracts large number of visitors during .....

At a distance of 16 Kms from Udupi Railway Station, Kaup Beach is a beautiful beach situated close to NH17 between Udupi & Mangalore. The light house situated on a hillock at the northern end of the beach is a beautiful sight to watch.

The beach is a serene place with nature's beauty in abundance. The 100 feet high light house was built by the British and it's a photographer's paradise. Kaup beach is covered by palm groves all the sides. Kaup is also known for the temple of Goddess Mariamma. There is also an ancient fort located in Kaup which is seen in ruins now. Kaup was once a famous Jain Kshetra and home for several Jain temples.

At a distance of 34 Kms from Madikeri & 10 Kms from Kushalnagar, Harangi Dam is built against a small stream, a tributary of river Cauvery at Hadgur village. The dam is 846 meters long with a height of 47 meters. The dam attracts large crowd during the monsoon season when the gates are opened and the water is released. It is one of the popular sightseeing places in Coorg. The backwaters are spread across several acres with small islands in the middle and thick forest on the banks.

There is a small garden near the dam and a stone statue of Goddess Cauvery. Just around the reservoir there is Chamundeshwari Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva & Goddess Parvathi.

August to October is the best time to visit the dam. Timings: 8 AM to 6 PM.

At a distance of 2.5 km from Srirangam Temple and 11 km from Trichy Railway Junction, Sri Thiruvanaikoil or Thiruvanaikaval, is famous for Jambukeswarar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple was built by Kochengon, one of the Early Cholas around 1800 years ago on Srirangam Island.

Thiruvanaikoil Temple is one of the five major Shiva Temples known as Panchabhoota Sthala representing element of water. The sanctum has Shiva Lingam in the form of Appu lingam (water lingam). The sanctum of Lord Jambukeshwara has an underground water stream and one can see water coming out of that stream all the time. The presiding goddess is Devi Akilandeswari Amman.

According to legend, Parvathi performed penance in the form of Akilandeswari in the Jambu forest. She made the lingam out of the water of river Kaveri, installed it under the Venn Naaval tree evolved out of Saint Jambu and commenced her worship. Lord Siva at last gave darshan to Devi Akhilandeswari and taught her Siva Gnana.

According .....

At a distance of 43 Kms from Madikeri, Tadiyandamol Peak (about 8 Kms trek from Nalknad Palace Estates) near Kakkabe is the tallest peak in Kodagu. Tadiyandamol peak lies at an altitude of 5730 feets and it is the second highest peak in Karnataka after Mullayangiri in the Baba Budan Range. Tadiyandamol is one of the top places for trekking in Coorg and also a well known destination for trekking in Karnataka.

Derived from Malayalam, Tadiyandamol means 'I am the tallest'. The trek from Nalknad Palace is moderate and takes around 2.5 hours one way. There is another trek route from Honey Valley which takes around 3.5 hours (one way) and passes through thick rainforest & more scenic terrain. Trekking the Tadiyandamol Peak usually starts in the morning and can come back by evening.

September to May is the best time to trek Tadiyandamol. It is advisable to hire a guide to trek the peak. Several home stay options are available near Nalknad .....

At a distance of 23 Kms from Thrissur, Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary is located near Peechi village. The sanctuary is spread between Peechi Dam and Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary.

Spread across 125 Sq. Kms, the sanctuary was established in 1958. There are more than 50 species of orchids and medicinal plants in this sanctuary. There are 60 types of birds, 25 types of mammals and 10 types of snakes in the sanctuary. The sanctuary provides shelter for Leopards, Tigers, Sambhar Deer, Elks, Barking Deer, Spotted Deer, Wild Dogs, Fox, Langurs, etc.

Peechi village is the entry point to the sanctuary. Forest department arranges trekking into the sanctuary. The trekking is recommended only for the experienced trekkers. October to March is the best time to visit. Bookings can be made at Wildlife Warden at Peechi (Ph: 0487-2699017). Forest department does not arrange Jeep Safaris at this sanctuary.

At a distance of 43 Kms from Madikeri, 23 Kms from Virajpet & 13 Kms from Kakkabe, Chelavara Falls is a beautiful waterfall dropping from a height of about 150 feet. The waterfall is about 3 kms from Cheyyandane on Virajpet - Talacauvery road.

The waterfall is close to the motorable road (autos can be hired at Cheyyandane) and needs little walk downhill to reach the falls. This waterfall is seasonal and is quite famous with tourists and nature lovers. The waterfall is locally known as Emepaare, which means tortoise in local Kodava language. The rock over which the water cascades is shaped like a tortoise and hence the name Emepaare. The water drops into a big pool and it is the best place to play in the waters. The falls offer wonderful views in rainy season.

Monsoon is the best season to visit the falls.

At a distance of 8 kms from Kodaikanal Bus Station & 500 Kms from Chennai, Silver Cascade is a 55 meters (180 ft) waterfall formed from the outflow of kodaikanal Lake. This is one of the most popular among Kodaikanal tourist places to visit and also the best waterfall in Kodai.

Situated on Laws Ghat Road, Silver Cascade's water quality is reportedly poor and not good enough for bathing. This impressive waterfall is a popular stop for a nice view of the falls and surroundings. There are a few souvenir and fruit vendors and many monkeys here. There is also a smaller but more serene waterfall below the bridge which crosses the stream here.

This waterfall is close to the main road and does not demand much walking/trekking.

Timings: 6 AM - 6 PM

At a distance of 22 Kms from Thrissur Railway Station, Peechi Dam is a picturesque dam built across Manali River near Peechi village.

The dam has a large catchment area of about 3200 acres. There is a nice botanical garden with cascading fountains near the dam which is an added attraction to the visitors. The dam was constructed to fulfill the drinking water needs of the population of Thrissur town. It also serves as an irrigation dam to villages around Thrissur.

Boating facility is available in the reservoir. The park is bounded with The Peechi-Vazhani Sanctuary.

At a distance of 85 Kms from Madikeri and 10 Kms from Irupu Falls, Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary on the border of Kerala and Karnataka is one of the famous sites for trekking in Karnataka and also one of the treks in Coorg. At an altitude of 5357 feet, the sanctuary is spread across 181 sq kms in the hills of Western Ghats with breathtaking views of the valleys.

It is surrounded by evergreen forests as well as shola grasslands. The 10 Kms trek strats from Irupu Falls. Capming is allowed only at Narimala Forest Camp which is on the mid way to Brahmagiri Peak (about 5 Kms from Irupu falls & 1.5 to 2 hours one way). Brahmagiri Peak is about 5 Kms from Narimala Camp (2 hours one way). The first part of the trek from Irupu to Narimala runs through thick forest & some grasslands and relatively moderate. The later part from Narimala to Brahmagiri Peak is mostly through grasslands & steep mountains .....

At a distance of 34 Kms from Thrissur, Chimmony WLS is located in Echippara village, near Varandarappilly town. The sanctuary is spread around Chimmony Dam. This is one of the popular weekend getaways from Kochi.

Established in 1958, the sanctuary is spread over 100 Sq. Kms on the Nelliyampathy slopes of Western Ghats. It is bordered with Peechi-Vazhahi Wildlife Sanctuary. The entry point into the sanctuary is at Echipara checkpost (guides can be hired at checkpost). Forest department organizes trekking programs - short (3 Hrs - Rs. 250), half-day (Rs. 400) & full-day (Rs. 800). Bamboo rafting is also offered from Inspection Bungalow (2 Hrs - 100 per person). Elephants, Sambar are most common fauna. There are 200 species of birds and 100 species of butterflies in the sanctuary.

Sanctuary timings are 6 AM to 6 PM. Overnight stay is allowed with prior permission. Basic accommodation is available at Inspection Bungalow. For all bookings, contact Wildlife Warden at Peechi (Ph: .....

At a distance of 70 Kms from Madikeri, 33 Kms from Somvarpet and 7 Kms from forest checkpost at Heggadamane village (near Bidahalli), Pushpagiri Hills / Wildlife Sanctuary (also known as Subramanya Hills) lies at an altitude of 5626 feet and it's the second highest peak in Coorg. The Harangi River originates from the top of this hill. Pushpagiri is a popular destination for trekking in Karnataka. Covered by lush green forests, valleys, and hills, the area is perfect for hiking expeditions and it is one of the best places for trekking in Coorg and among top treks in Karnataka. Trekkers can also exit through the Kumara Parvatha trek route to Kukke Subramanya.

The trekking starts from the forest checkpoint at the base of Pushpagiri Hills (after Heggadamane). The Pushpagiri peak is about 7 Kms from the checkpost and takes about 3-4 hours one way (moderate to difficult level) through thick forest, wet grasslands & some rocky terrain. There is a small temple at the peak dedicated to Kumara .....

At a distance of 36 Kms from Thrissur, Chimmony Dam (also known as Chimmini Dam) is a picturesque dam constructed across Chimmony Puzha. Located in Echippara village (2 Kms), near Varandarappilly town, the dam is surrounded by the Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary.

Close to Peechi Dam and Mangalam Dam, the Chimmony Dam provided water supply for drinking and forming to the nearly by villages. Situated on Nelliyampathy slopes of Western Ghats, Chimmony Dam is a place with immense natural beauty. Boating is also available in the reservoir.

It can be reached via Varandarappilly & Palappilly from Thrissur. It has limited public transportation. Best way to reach the dam is to hire private vehicle from Varandarappilly.

At a distance of 27 Kms from Thrissur & 81 km from Kochi, Guruvayoor is well known for the most famous Sri Krishna Temple in South India. This is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in Kerala & an ideal getaway from kochi.

Lord Sri Krishna can be seen in standing posture with four hands carrying Sankhu, Sudarshana Chakram, Lotus and Mace. A 33 meter tall gold-plated Dwajastambham is a special attraction. There is a 7 meter high 'Deepastambham' with thirteen circular containers, provides a wonderful site when lit.

The walls of the sanctum sanctorum are adorned with beautiful mural paintings and carvings. The temple is built in a typical Kerala temple architecture. Vishwakarma, the divine architect is said to have built the first temple here. On Malayalam New Year day, the first rays of Sun fall directly at the feet of Lord Krishna. The temple has a collection of 65 elephants, preserved at Anakotta, 3 Kms from the temple.

Only .....

At a distance of 47 Kms from Udupi & 17 Kms from Hebri, Kudlu Teertha Falls is a picturesque waterfall located in deep jungles of Western Ghats near Hebri. This waterfall is also known as Sita Falls. This place is also a good trekking destination.

The water at these falls drop from a height of 150 feet into a big pool. This is a beautiful waterfall and it's possible to swim in the pool below the falls. One can get close to the bottom of the falls when water is not forceful. There is one more waterfall above Kudlu Theertha called as Manga Theertha. There is no direct access to this fall.

To reach Kudlu Teertha, one has to first go to Hebri, which is 30 Kms from Udupi & connected by Bus. From Hebri, hire a private vehicle and reach the nearest road point to the falls which is located at Sita River. Cross the river and trek for 4 Kms in the jungle to reach the falls. The trek level is moderate and not suggested to visit with kids .....

At a distance of 47 Kms from Udupi, 17 Kms from Hebri & 3 Kms from Agumbe (which is located on Udupi - Tirthahalli road), Jogi Gundi Falls is a cute waterfalls situated close to the road between Agumbe & Barkana Falls.

The water at this place fall from a height of 20 feet into a huge pool. The surroundings of the falls capture great natural beauty and it's an ideal place to spend a couple of hours. It's possible to get into the falls and swim in the pond. The water from this stream merges into Malapahaari River, a tributary of the Tungabhadra. The pond got its name from the saint Jogi who used to meditate at this place.

At a distance of 52 Kms from Udupi, 36 Kms from Tirthahalli, 22 Kms from Hebri & 8 Kms from Agumbe (which is located on Udupi - Tirthahalli road), Barkana Falls is the 10th tallest waterfall in India with a height of about 800 feet. It is a magnificent waterfall situated in the dense forest of the Western Ghats.

Formed by Sita River, this waterfall is the source of one of the important hydro electric projects in Karnataka. The name Barkana comes from the words Barka which means 'Mouse Deer' and Kana means 'Home'.

Part of the approach road to the falls is very muddy & only suggested to go by Jeep (which can be hired at Agumbe or Hebri). The viewpoint is 2-3 Kms from Malandur village & approach road is very muddy (walking takes 1 Hr oneway). In order to reach top of the falls from here (not possible to reach bottom of falls), one has to trek for about an hour (one way) through dense forest.

This route is part of the Narsima .....

At a distance of 32 Kms from Thrissur Railway Station & 4 Kms from Guruvayoor, Chavakkad Beach is a beautiful beach lying on the coast of Arabian Sea.

The beach is full of natural beauty. This beach does not have much commercial activity and less crowded. One can have complete privacy and enjoy the beauty of the beach. Boating is available on country fishing boats.

Chavakkad Beach can be reached by private vehicles from Guruvayoor.

Tips: Can be reached along with Guruvayoor.

At a distance of 45 Kms from Udupi & 8 Kms from Agumbe, Onake Abbi Falls is a beautiful waterfall located near Someshwar. This is also a great trekking destination.

Located at a distance of 5 Kms from Someshwar, Onake Abbi Falls needs to be trekked from Someshwar through thick forest and rocky slopes. The duration of trek is about 1 hour 30 minutes (one way) and it's little hard to trek. The falls are best seen in post monsoon season between September & November. Here the water drops from a height of over 200 feet into a big pool. It's a great place to play in the waters.

It is highly recommended to hire a guide in Someshwar or Agumbe to trek these falls.

At a distance of 24 Kms from Thrissur Railway Station, Nattika Beach is the place to experience the exotic beauty of the nature. Nattika is a wide and virgin beach blessed with an endless stretch of golden sand.

This picturesque place offers beach holidays and package tours. The resorts in the beaches provide all modern facilities. Prime attractions include ride on country boats, elephant rides, deep-sea fishing & beach games.

At a distance of 1 km trek from Sri Arappaleeswarar Swamy Temple at Ariyurnadu, 55 km from Namakkal, 92 km from Salem, 138 km from Trichy and 400 km from Chennai, Agaya Gangai or Akasa Ganga waterfall is located in Kolli Hills of the Eastern Ghats.

Akasa Ganga is an enchanting 300 feet waterfall formed on River Aiyaru. The fall is enclosed with the dense forest which increases its charm and grandeur. It is situated in a beautiful valley surrounded by the mountains on all sides. The picturesque landscape created by the water fall is an ideal destination for the nature lovers.

The location is ideal for trekking and the breeze is pleasant. The water of the falls is considered to contain medicinal properties due to the varieties of medicinal herbs grown across the forest which makes it a natural spa. People here believe that taking bath in the water cures many diseases. Owing to this attribute, people from nearby areas take bath in the water so as to cure their diseases. On the .....

At a distance of 40 Kms from Kodaikanal & 485 Kms from Chennai, Thalaiyar Falls, also known as the Rat Tail Falls is the highest waterfalls in Tamil Nadu and third highest falls in India. It is also one of the popular sites for trekking near Kodaikanal.

With a height of 975 feet (297 meters), the falls is visible from a great distance on the ghat road towards Dindigul. This falls is considered inaccessible to the general public, as there is no access road to it. However, one can reach these falls with 6 kms trekking after 34 Kms of road journey on ghat road from kodaikanal. The trek duration is around 2-3 hours one way. The trek is considered to be of moderate difficulty.

The very edge at the top of the falls has a concrete wall. One can walk along the wall and get near the center of the falls. The water here is considered polluted and it's better to avoid bathing here.

One can catch Dindigal / Madurai buses .....

At a distance of 17 Kms from Thrissur Railway Station, Vatanappally Beach is among the beautiful Kerala beaches. It is situated on the coastal belt of Thrissur District.

It is an enchanting strip of golden sand laced with the rich greenery of coconut palms. Today, this calm and pleasant beach is a dreamy destination for many tourists.

This beach is close to NH17 between kochi and Kozhikode and connected by many bus services from Thrissur.

At a distance 50 km from Namakkal, 76 km from Trichy & 340 km from Chennai, Puliyancholai is a scenic spot on the foothills of Kolli Hills. It is a forest region splashed with a small stream and covered with lush green foliage and tamarind groves. The place is a favorite haunt among the tourist throughout the year to enjoy bathing in natural springs.

The Puliancholai falls is a terrace waterfall which appears like a stream of water that cascades through rocky terrain. Puliancholai is known for its scenic beauty located on the foot hills of kolli hills. It is a thick forest region, best suited for trekking and other adventurous activities.

Located far away from the hustle and bustle of the urban areas, this place offers you a quite escape from busy city life. There is a Shiva Temple which is situated about 12 km inside the thick forest. Devotees come here to trek up to Shiva temple in June and July.

Accommodation of provided by two resorts situated near the falls. The .....

At a distance of 40 Kms from Udupi, 12 Kms from Hebri & 25 Kms from Agumbe, Jomlu Theertha Falls is a cluster of small cascading falls formed on Seetha River. This is a wonderful place located near Belve village. It is a small waterfall of about 20 feet tall situated in serene location.

This is a great picnic spot especially popular among family tourists to spend few hours. There are several places to swim near the falls which are absolutely safe. This place is full of great natural beauty.

At a distance 50 km from Namakkal, 87 km from Salem, 135 km from Trichy & 395 km from Chennai, Kolli Hills or Kolli Malai is a small mountain range located in Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu. Semmedu is the headquarters for the Kolli hills. These hills are part of lie at an elevation of 1000 to 1300 m and cover an area of approximately 280 sq km. The Kolli Hills have 70 hair pin bends to reach the top of the hills from Namakkal side. The mountains are relatively untouched by commercial tourism and still retain their natural beauty.

The Mountain is named Kolli Malai after the Goddess Ettukkai Amman (Kolli Paavai). According to legend, the sages chose Kolli hills when they were looking for a peaceful place to do their penance. However, the demons invaded the hills to disrupt the penance when the sages began their rituals. The sages prayed to Kollipavai, who according to the myth, chased away the demons.

Trekking at Kolli Hills is a popular activity. Trekking to Agaya Gangai .....

At a distance of 40 Kms from Idukki, 38 Kms from Kumily, 57 Kms from Munnar, 15 Kms from Nadumkandam & 18 Kms from Kambam (on NH220 towards Palani), Ramakkalmedu is a lovely tourist place with rolling green hills and the fresh mountain air.

The hilltop also offers a panoramic view of the picturesque villages of Kambam and surrounding places on the slope of the Western Ghats. Kerala Tourism Department has provided additional facilities for tourists with resting points & statues of Kuravan & Kurathi (local tribes) at Ramakkalmedu.

Ramakkalmedu is also a great trekking destination. The view point on top of the hill is the highest point in this area, which can be reached by 3-4 Kms trek from the Ramakkalmedu Junction.

This place is connected by bus service from Munnar, Kottayam and Ernakulam.

At a distance of around 5 km from Idukki Bus Station, 53 km from Munnar, 107 km from Kochi & 130 km from Alappuzha, Painavu is a cute hill resort and also the headquarters of Idukki district. This is one of the popular weekend getaways from Munnar & Kochi.

Painavu is an important commercial center and a popular tourist hot spot in Idukki. At an altitude of 3,900 feet, Painavu is situated inside the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary. It is also home to several State Government institutions such as Civil Station, and Government Engineering College, Idukki.

The place is popular for its pleasing ambience and picturesque location. This is a stopover for visitors, who travel to Idukki Arch Dam, Cheruthoni Dam and Kulamavu. Boats are available from here for cruises between Cheruthoni and Kulamavu. In winter and rainy seasons elephants can be spotted moving on the roads. Surrounded by pristine forests .....

At a distance of 43 Kms from Idukki, 65 Kms from Kumarakom, 58 kms from Kottayam and 80 Kms from Munnar, Malankara Dam & Lake (in Idukki district) is a lovely place located at a distance of 7 Kms from Thodupuzha on Thodupuzha-Erattupetta route.

Malankara Lake, spread over 11 Kms is an artificial lake formed as part of Muvattupuzha Valley Irrigation Project. The Dam is constructed across Thodupuzha River for irrigation purpose. This place is a very good picnic spot with boating facilities in the lake.

It is located on SH8 and easily accessible from Thodupuzha by Bus, Auto & Cab. Thodupuzha is accessible by Bus from all parts of Kerala.

Thommankuthu Waterfalls is about 27 Kms from this place which is connected by Bus from Thodupuzha.

At a distance of 25 Kms from Idukki, 48 Kms from Munnar & 20 Kms from Thodupuzha, Thommankuthu Waterfalls is a marvelous seven step cascading waterfall dropping from a height of over 300 feet with pool at each level.

It is a best place to spend a day watching the nature and drown in the waters of the falls. Trekking into the surrounding picturesque hills is another popular activity at this place.

This place is connected by bus from Munnar and Thodupuzha. There are no accommodation facilities available near the falls.

At a distance of 30 Kms from Idukki, 63 Kms from Munnar and 20 Kms from Thodupuzha, Keezharkuthu Waterfalls (also known as Rainbow Waterfalls) is a popular tourist sport near Idukki.

It is a cascading waterfalls falling through several steps from a height of over 1500 meters. It is also an ideal place for rock climbing & mountaineering. This place is good to visit throughout the year.

The falls are located in deep forest and can be reached by trekking through the forests for over 2 Kms.

Nearest town to the falls is Udambannoor, which is connected by Bus with Idukku, Munnar and Thodupuzha. From Udambannoor, the falls are about 6 Kms and there is approach road for about 4 Kms which can be reached by Jeep / Auto. The remaining 2 Kms is trek path.

At a distance of 58 km from Idukki, 76 km from Kumarakom and 64 km from Kottayam, Vagamon is an enchanting hill station situated at an altitude of 1100 m in Idukki district on Kottayam-Idukki border. It is one of the ideal summer destinations in Kerala state and also one of the top places to visit in Kerala.

At the foot hill of Western Ghats, Vagamon is surrounded by 3 hills namely, Thangal hill, Murugan hill and Kurisumala. Also known as the Scotland of Asia, Vagamon was discovered by the British who found the place ideal for tea plantations and they were followed by Christian missionaries who built their abode of service at Kurisumala in Vagamon. National Geographic Traveler has listed Vagamon on their directory of the '50 most attractive places to visit in India'.

Kurisumala is a Christian pilgrim center and one of the main attractions at Vagamon. Kurisumala Hill is also home to the famous .....

At a distance of 10 Kms from Kozhikode Railway Station, Beypore Beach is located at the mouth of the Chaliyar River. Now an important port and fishing harbor, this place was also an important trade and maritime centre during the days of the early Arab and Chinese travelers and the Europeans.

The Beypore Beach is a commercial center for ship building and has existed here for more than 1000 years. This boatyard is famous for making a distinctive ship vessel known as 'Uru'. One of the major attractions at Beypore is its magnificent 2 km long stone bridge called as Pulimoodu, built entirely of stones, making a pathway into the sea.

Nearby attractions in Beypore are fishing harbor and Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary (7 kms). Baypore is little close Madras Trunk Road.

At a distance of 108 Kms from Coimbatore, 67 Kms from Pollachi & 600 Kms from Chennai, Annamalai (or Indira Gandhi) Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at an altitude of 1,400 meters in the Western Ghats.

Spread across 958 Sq. Kms, it is bordered with Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, Eravikulam National Park and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. This park is home for varieties of fauna like elephant, gaur, tiger, panther, sloth-bear, deer, wild bear, wild dog, porcupine, flying squirrel, jackal, pangolin, civet cat and birds like rocket-tailed drongo, red-whiskered bulbul, black headed oriole, etc.

This WLS is famous with several scenic waterfalls, grass hills, tea estates & reservoirs. The best gateway for the Sanctuary is Top Slip (70 Kms from Coimbatore & 30 Kms from Pollachi). Other gateways are Amaravathi (90 Kms from Coimbatore & 50 Kms from Pollachi), Sethumadai (5 Kms before Top Slip) and Valparai (92 Kms from Coimbatore & 52 Kms from Pollachi). The Gateways have limited stay .....

At a distance of 20 Kms from Kozhikode Railway Station, Kappad beach is one of the most charming among Kerala beaches. Vasco da Gama landed on Indian soil on 27th May 1498 at Kappad beach along with 170 men.

There is a monument on the beach that commemorates the landmark event of Vasco da Gama's arrival. This marked the beginning of a new era in the relationship between the Indians and the Portuguese which lasted for 4 to 5 centuries.

The beach is ideal for relaxing and playing around with sand. Devi Temple, which is believed to be 800 years old, is situated on top of a rock near the beach. Karappula River at Elathur close to the beach is a good place for boating. Sunset is a great site to watch here, in the combination of Sea and River.

This place is very close to NH17 towards Mangalore. It is connected by frequent buses from Kozhikode.

At a distance of 76 km from Coimbatore, 30 km from Pollachi and 550 km from Chennai, Topslip is a popular place located in the Annamalai mountain range in the Western Ghats in Coimbatore district of Tamilnadu. It lies at an altitude of 2554 feet and is famous for its wildlife sanctuary and national park that are in proximity.

Topslip is the Tiger Reserve Forest in small part of Annamalai Tiger Reserve, which is separated from the Nilgiri Hills by Palghat Gap in north. It got its name during British era, as lots of its timber sliped down to the plains below. Being a medical plant conservation area, it is famous for the elephant camp, wildlife safaris, pleasant weather and beautiful views of Annamalai Hills.

It is the best gateway for wonderful wildlife experience of the Indira Gandhi WLS. The unique teak forests, Bamboo forests, rich exotic species of plants and wild animals are the major attractions of Topslip. It is also .....

At a distance of 90 Kms from Coimbatore, 50 Kms from Pollachi & 516 Kms from Chennai, Amaravathi Dam & Reservoir is located at Amaravathi Nagar in Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary. The dam is surrounded by Annamalai Hills & Palani Hills and offer wonderful view of the valleys.

The dam was built in 1957 across the Amaravathi River. The Reservoir and the Chinnar, Thennar and Pambar rivers that drain into it are known for South India's largest wild breeding population of Mugger Crocodiles. The Amaravathi Sagar Crocodile Farm is the largest Crocodile nursery in India with about 100 crocodiles. Established in 1976, Crocodile Farm is 1 km before the Amaravathy Dam.

There is a well laid-out park near the dam with tranquil surroundings. Amaravathi Nagar is connected by bus with Pollachi vial Udumalpet. More bus connections are available from Udumalpet.

Timings of the Park and Crocodile Farm: 9 AM to 6 PM.

At a distance of 67 Kms from Coimbatore, 27 Kms from Pollachi & 548 Kms from Chennai, Monkey Falls is a magnificient falls situated near Aliyar Dam between Pollachi and Valparai in the Anamalai Hills (24 Kms before Valparai).

With a height of about 60 feet, these falls are very close to the main road and easily accessible. Bathing is possible at bottom of the falls, though it's bit dangerous during monsoons when the water flow is high.

Best time to visit the falls is between October & March. This place attracts several thousands of tourists across the year and usually crowded on weekends. It is easily accessible by Bus from Pollachi. All the buses between Pollachi and Valparai stop here.

At a distance of 35 Kms from Coimbatore Railway Station & 533 Kms from Chennai, Vaideki Falls are located near Narisipuram town.

The falls is very beautiful and has a naturally formed slope. It is located inside the forest and one must obtain permission before entering the forest. Visitors are only allowed by being escorted by a forest guard into the forest. This area of forest has lot of animal movements; especially elephants. There are lot of incidents of elephants attacking humans, so it is always advisable to obtain permission and get some guards accompanying while entering the forest.

About 5 Kms trek through forest is required to reach the falls from nearest road point. One can get private vehicles to reach forest trek point from Narisipuram town.

At a distance of 36 Kms from Coimbatore Railway Station, 50 Kms from Palakkad & 535 Kms from Chennai, Siruvani Waterfalls (also called as Kovai Kutralam Falls) are located in Siruvani Hills in Tamil Nadu. These falls formed by Siruvani River are located in dense forest.

The falls can be reached by about 4 Kms trek from the nearest road point between Siruvani Dam and Madavarayapuram. The falls are best seen in monsoon season between June and October. The upper part of the falls is dangerous with deep cliffs and tourist usually enjoy the beauty and bathing at bottom of the falls.

These falls are very close to Siruvani Dam (5 Kms away) which provides drinking water for Coimbatore City. The water of the Dam is famous for its sweetness.

This place is usually evacuated before 5 PM due to its remote accessibility and darkness spread by the forest. Siruvani Dam is connected by frequent buses from Coimbatore.

At a distance of 38 Kms from Kozhikode, Payyoli Beach is a beautiful stretch of golden sands located in Payyoli village close to NH17 towards Mangalore (before Vadakara).

Payyoli is one of the most outstanding tourist spots in this region with several thousands of tourists visiting the beach every week. The beach is ideal for water sports and sun-bath. The beach has a stretch of coconut palm trees which enhances the beauty of this lovely beach. This is a good place for swimming.

Trikkottur Perumalpuram Temple is nearby attraction. This is the home town of India's sprint queen P.T Usha.

Payyoli is connected with frequent buses from Kozhikode.

At a distance of 42 Kms from Kozhikode, Kolavipalam Beach is situated at Kolavipalam between Vatakara & Payyoli. Located to the south of Murad River, this beach is known as Turtle Beach. It is the closest beach to Bangalore City at a distance of 312 km.

The turtles found in the beach are the famous Olive Ridley turtles. The best season to find turtles is September. The great stretch of coconut groves along the beach enhances the charm of the beach. This place is close to Vadakara on NH17 towards Mangalore. It is connected by frequent buses with Kozhikode.

At a distance of 58 Kms from Kozhikode Railway Station, Kakkayam Dam is a picturesque dam and a good picnic spot. This area has rich wildlife population and also an excellent trekking & rock climbing destination.

Kakkayam offers challenging trekking and rock climbing experience along the Kuttiady River. The Urakkuzhi waterfalls located in the Urakkuzhi ghat area is an added attraction. This place offers breathtaking views of the valleys with numerous waterfalls.

The best time to visit this place is November to March. Few direct buses are available from Kozhikode.

At a distance of 64 Kms from Coimbatore, 24 Kms from Pollachi & 545 Kms from Chennai, Aliyar Dam is a charming location surrounded by Annamali Hills with wonderful natuarl views. It is located between Pollachi and Valparai.

Built across Aliyar River between 1959 and 1969, the primary purpose of the dam is to support irrigation. The height of the dam is 81 meters. There is a well maintained park built at bottom of the Dam. The view of the Anamalai range around the reservoir is a feast for the eyes and the view of the coconut groves from top of the dam is amazing. Boating is available here.

It is connected by frequent buses from Pollachi. Most of the people visiting Valparai make a trip Aliyar Dam too.

At a distance of 13 km from Muthappanpuzha, 63 km from Kozhikode Railway Station and 33 km from Thiruvambady, Vellarimala is a mountain range in Kerala, spread across Thiruvambady Panchayat in Kozhikode district and Meppadi Panchayat in Wayanad district. It lies at an altitude of 2200 m and is a popular hill resort around Kozhikode.

Vellari Mala is part of the popular Camel's Hump Mountains of the Western Ghats. The tallest peak in this range is called Vavul Mala and is situated an altitude of 2339 m. The meandering flow of the River Chaliyar through the rocky terrain of the hill range adds to the mystic beauty of the place by creating many waterfalls and cascades. Vellari Mala is a trekker's paradise but it is also a great picnic spot for a relaxing experience with family and friends.

Trekking to Vellari Mala starts from Muthappanpuzha, 3 km from Anakkampoyil, which is about 50 km .....

At a distance of 57 Kms from Kozhikode Railway Station, Peruvannamuzhi Dam is a beautiful picnic spot with great natural beauty amidst hills. The reservoir meets the drinking water needs of Kozhikode, Quilandy and Vadakara.

Boating facilities are available at the reservoir of the dam with speedboats and rowboat. There is a small island in the reservoir of the dam with a bird sanctuary & crocodile farm. One can closely observe the giant crocodiles maintained by forest department here. There is a garden named 'Smaraka Thottam' created for the memory of the freedom fighters of the region.

Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM.

At a distance of 15 Kms from Sringeri & 5 Kms from Kigga, Sirimane Falls (also known as Kigga Falls) is a popular waterfalls located in the deep forest of Western Ghats.

With a height of about 40 feet, this waterfall is located in serene surroundings with dense forest all around. There is a motorable road available to reach the falls and vehicles can be hired from Kigga (there are several autos as well plying between Kigga and Sirimane). A little walk is required from the parking place to reach the falls through well laid steps.

It is possible to get right to the bottom of the falls and enjoy the force (however, this may not be possible when the water force is heavy during monsoons). The falls are wide and can accommodate more crowds at the bottom. This is a good place to visit throughout the year. This is very safe place to swim & play in the water.

There is a dress changing room for women. Timings - 9 AM to 6 PM .....

At a distance of 26 Kms from Sringeri & 15 Kms from Kudremukh, Hanuman Gundi Falls (also known as Sutanabbe Falls) is a wonderful waterfall situated close to the main road between Sringeri & Kudremukh. Falling from a height of 100 feet, this is a majestic waterfall located in serene location.

There are about 300 well laid steps to reach the falls after little walk from the main road. It is a very safe place to take bath and it's possible to go directly under the falls. Post-monsoon is the best season to visit this falls. The falls is maintained by Forest Dept. and an entry fee is charged at the gate.

This place is relatively less crowded.

Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM

At a distance of 39 kms from Kalpetta, 12 kms from Irupu Falls and 12 kms from Nagarhole National Park, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1973 and brought under the Project Elephant in the year 1991-92. The sanctuary is bordered with Nagarhole WLS & Bandipur WLS in Karnataka and Mudumalai WLS in Tamilnadu. Occupying an area of 345 sq. km, Wayanad WLS is the second largest WLS in Kerala and is now an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The sanctuary was set up with an objective of conserving the biological heritage of the region with due consideration to the general life style of tribes. The sanctuary is divided into two separate parts, known as Upper Wayanad WLS and Lower Wayanad WLS.

Upper Wayanad WLS at Tholpetty is known as Tholpetty Wildlife Range, it is located 39 Km from .....

At a distance of 55 Kms from Pollachi, 91 Kms from Palakkad and 96 Kms from Coimbatore, Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Palakkad district of Kerala. It is under consideration by the UNESCO for selection as a World Heritage Site.

Sprawling over 285 Sq. Kms, it is situated adjacent to the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu. Besides being an abode of elephants, wild boar, sambar, gaur, crocodiles and a few tigers and panthers, it has rich diversity of flora and fauna.

Anappadi is the entry point to Sanctuary (all bookings have to be made here). The headquarters for Sanctuary is Thunakadavu (8 Kms from Anappadi & 9 Kms from Parambikulam Dam). There is a tree-house in the Reserve Forest area in Thunakadavu & Parambikulam which has to be booked in advance. Watch towers are available at Anappadi & Zungam (5 Kms from Thunakadavu). Trekking is allowed with prior permission.

Thunakadavu is connected by Bus from .....

At a distance of 12 km from Kudremukh, 38 km from Karkala, 43 km from Sringeri, 93 km from Chikmagalur and 86 km from Mangalore, Kadambi Waterfalls is one of the spectacular waterfalls which is located inside the Kudremukh National Park in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka.

The Kadambi falls is about 30 feet high falling through the rocks. It is very close to the main road between Sringeri & Kudremukh and it can be seen from the bridge situated nearby. However, it's possible to get down into the falls with some difficulty. The adventurous visitors even get down to the waterfall to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings and the water.

During the monsoon season the waterfall comes alive with full force and is an amazing sight to watch. It is an ideal spot for tourists who wish to spend time amidst calm and peaceful environment. There are several attractions in the vicinity .....

At a distance of 57 Kms from Pollachi, 93 Kms from Palakkad and 98 Kms from Coimbatore, Parambikulam Dam is an embankment dam built on the Parambikulam River near Parambikulam in Palakkad district of Kerala. It is 21 Kms from Top Slip and 47 Kms from Valparai.

Parambikulam Dam is the best in India and one of the top ten embankment dams in the world. The dam is located with in Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary and it is surrounded by rich natural beauty. It is also an excellent place for bird watching. Boating is available in the reservoir.

It is a great picnic spot to watch the nature & enjoy the boating. Bus service is available between Pollachi and Parambikulam, twice a day at 6:15 AM and 3:15 PM (return buses at 8.45 AM & 5.45 PM).

Timings: The Dam is located in Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary and it's open between 7 AM to 6 PM.

At a distance of 26 km from Kalpetta, 99 km from Kozhikode, 95 km from Ooty and 116 km from Mysore, Sulthan Bathery, previously known as Sulthans Battery, is a town and municipality in Wayanad district of Kerala. Situated at an altitude of 930 m it is a cute hill station in Kerala and also a transportation hub.

Earlier, Sulthan Bathery was known as Ganapativattom. It was also known as Kidanganadu, because the Kidangans lived here. It derives its present name from Tipu Sultan of Mysore who captured the Jain temple here and used it as his battery in the 18th century, hence the name Sultans Battery.

Sultan Bathery is known for its magnificent beauty and spice plantations. Lush green hills and cool climate make it an ideal holiday destination. The major attraction of the town is the Jain temple, which was built during the 13th century. This temple was used for storing ammunition (battery) .....

At a distance of 67 Kms from Sringeri, 90 Kms from Chikmagalur and 26 Kms from Kudremukh Town, Kudremukh is one of the best trekking destinations in Karnataka. At an altitude of 1894m, it is one of the highest peaks of Western Ghats and among the top destinations for trekking in Karnataka.

Permission from RFO at Kudremukh town is necessary to do this trek. The trekking is performed inside the national park and camping is not allowed in specific seasons (check with RFO before planning the trek). Though there are several routes to trek Kudremukh peak, the Samse - Mullodi route is quite famous. Mullodi is 12 Kms from Kudremukh via Samse and can be reached by Jeep from Kudremukh. Though Mullodi is starting point of the trek, some people trek from Samse, which is 4 Kms before Mullodi.

The peak is about 14 Kms from Mullodi village and takes about 5 Hrs to trek. Incase the camping is not allowed on the peak, you will need to start .....

At a distance of 18 Km from Sringeri, 20 Km from Agumbe & 65 Km from Udupi, Narasimha Parvatha is an excellent destination for trekking in Karnataka for a two day trip. It is situated at an altitude of 3780 feet. This is one of the popular moderate to difficult treks in Karnataka with overnight camping on the peak.

Most common trekking route starts from Malandur (6 Km from Agumbe) and ends at Kigga (10 Km from Sringeri) with overnight stay on Narasimha Parvatha. Malandur can be reached by private vehicle from Agumbe (walking takes 1.5 hrs). From Malandur, the trek distance to the peak is about 14 Km via Barkana Falls (6-7 Hrs trek). Camping is allowed on the peak. Kigga is about 8 Km from Narasimha Parvatha and takes about 3-4 Hrs (Sirimane Falls can be visited during this trek with 1-2 Hrs extra effort). Water filling can be done at Barkana Falls and there is also a small pond on the .....

At a distance of 47 Kms from Coimbatore and 51 Kms from Palakkad, Siruvani Dam is a wonderful place located in thick forest in Palakkad district of Kerala state.

Build across Siruvani River in 1927, the Siruvani Reservoir is the main source of drinking water to the city of Coimbatore. The water of Siruvani Reservoir are famous for the sweatness. People of Coimbatore are very fond of this water, some even carry the water when travel outstation.

Surrounded by Muthikulam Hill, the scenic beauty of Siruvani is simply enchanting. Boating facility is not available in this lake since it's the source of drinking water.

This place is connected by frequent buses from Coimbatore city.

At a distance of 26 Kms from Kalpetta, 35 kms from Irupu Falls & 32 Kms from Sulthan Bathery, Kuruva Island (also known as Kuruva Dweep) is a 950 acre protected river delta system on the Kabini River. At a distance of 13 Kms from Mananthavady, this is a popular tourist destination.

The island is uninhabited. Rare species of birds, orchids and herbs are the main attraction of the island apart from it's breathtaking natural beauty. Several migratory birds are also seen on the island. The main island contains two small fresh water lakes. Kuruva is being developed as eco tourism project.

Kuruva Island is about 6 Kms from Mananthavady - Mysore road. One has to take diversion towards right side before Kattikulam to reach the island (sign boards available). Best way to reach this place is to avail private transportation from Mananthavady or Kattikulam.

At a distance of 17 Kms from Kalpetta, Chembra Peak is the highest peak in Wayanad & third highest peak in South India at an altitude of 2100 metres. This place is a trekker's paradise. Chembra Peak is part of the Wayanad hill ranges in the Western Ghats.

Trekking to the Chembra Peak is a challenging task and recommended for experienced trekkers. Prior permission is required from the forest office in Meppady to the peak. A heart shaped lake on the way to top of the peak is a major attraction. The actual trek starts from the watchtower at the foot hill of Chembra Peak which is about 7 Kms from Meppadi. The trek entry point can be reached by private vehicles (jeeps) from Meppadi town. The peak is 11 Kms (one way) from watch tower & takes 4-5 hrs. Camping allowed at top of the peak.

There is an alternate route to visit Soochipara Waterfalls (11 Kms) while trekking down the Chembra Peak.

Best season is November - January.

At a distance of 30 Kms from Palakkad & 77 Kms from Coimbatore, Meenvallam Waterfalls is a magnificent 5 step waterfall near Karimba town in Palakkad district of the Kerala state.

The height of the waterfall varies from 20 feet to 25 feet at each step. Only two of the five steps of the falls are accessible. Swimming/bathing is possible at these falls.

This place is about 8 km from Thuppanad Junction on Palakkad-Mannarkkad route. Thuppanad Junction is connected by frequent buses from Palakkad. Private vehicles can be hired from here to the falls. About 2 Kms trekking is required to reach these falls which includes crossing Thuppanad River.

At a distance of 52 Kms from Kalpetta, 35 kms from Irupu Falls, 29 kms from Mananthavady & 7 Kms from Thirunelly Temple, Pakshipathalam is located atop the Brahmagiri Hills at an altitude of 1740 meters. It is also a challenging trekking path and a place of great natural beauty.

Pakshipathalam is the abode of large population of several species of birds. Rare species of birds can be sighted from the watch tower here. There is also a cave called Munikal Cave, where birds take shelter during night and early morning. There is a small eagle shaped projection where the Garuda was believed to have been landed. Night camping is not allowed on Pakshipathalam peak, so trekkers need to come back before it's dark.

This can be accessed only by trekking from Thirunelly Temple (about 3 hrs one way). To visit Pakshipathalam, special permission is needed from Forest Department at Tholpetty/Appapara (5 Kms from Thirunelly, Ph: 04835-240233). .....

At a distance of 37 km from Kanyakumari, 21 km from Nagercoil, 79 km from Trivandrum & 691 Kms from Chennai, Olakkay Aruvi Waterfalls is a wonderful waterfall located near Azhagiapandipuram in Kanyakumari district. It is located within the limits of Kalakkad Wildlife Sanctuary.

The nearest road point to the falls is at Ayyappa Temple which is about 2 Kms from Azhagiapandipuram. About 2 Kms trek from Ayyappa Temple through bumpy & hilly path will take you to this lovely place.

Azhagiapandipuram is connected by buses from Nagercoil town.

At a distance of 22 km from Kalpetta, 21 km from Mananthavady, 46 km from Sulthan Bathery, Banasura Dam is the largest earth dam in India and second largest in Asia. The dam was built across the Karamanthodu River, a tributary of Kabani River. This is one of the most popular tourist places in Wayanad and often represented in the promotion of Wayanad Tourism.

The dam was built in 1979 to support the Kakkayam Hydroelectric Power Project and satisfy the demand for irrigation and drinking water of the region. The reservoir is marked with a cluster of small size islands. These islands with the background of the Banasura hill provide a mesmerizing sight to the tourists.

About one km walk from the dam entrance will lead to the boating area which offers speed boating facility in the breathtaking backwaters of the dam. There are also Jeeps available that charge Rs. 100 per person to take visitors from entrance to the boating area. There is a small garden and children play area near .....

At a distance of 37 kms from Kalpetta & 12 kms from Sulthan Bathery, Chethalayam Waterfalls are located near Kidangand, towards Pulpalli from Sulthan Bathery. This is also an exciting trekking route.

This is one of the smallest water falls in this region, but popular among trekkers. It is less known waterfall due to its accessibility. One has to trek for about 4 Kms from Kidangand to reach the falls. The falls is located near Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and bird watching is also an interesting activity here. The falls may completely get dried in summer, so the post monsoon season is the best time to visit the falls.

At a distance of 17 Kms from Kalpetta, Karappuzha Dam located near Vazhavatta (3 Kms) is the second biggest earth dam in India.

The reservoir with partially submerged hills forms several green islands which makes it an ideal place for birds. The water with the backdrop of mountains makes this place extremely beautiful.

Vazhavatta is connected by few buses with Kalpetta. But Meenangadi town (7 kms from Dam) on Kalpetta - Sulthan Bathery road has frequent bus facility. Private transportation can be availed from Meenangadi to reach the Karappuzha Dam.

The road to Karapuzha Dam is very bad and the short distance takes about 30 minutes. There is not much to see near the dam except the view of the water and surrounding hills. The water level is very low in summer and not recommended to visit in summer.