A Few Salient Features of Agasthyarkoodam – The Breathtaking Peak in Kerala

Kerala is a gift of the Arabian Sea. The state is abundantly blessed with natural resources. It is also called as ‘God’s own country’ and no wonder why the state has been bejewelled with the title. The marvellous beauty of the state lures travellers from various parts of the world. Words are insufficient to express the beauty of the state. The meandering rivers bubbling over rocks, sparkling waterfalls flowing through the thickly populated woodlands, undisturbed backwaters, avalanching movement of sand in pristine beaches, emerald forest ornamented with wilderness and tweaks of birds, magnificent bowl-shaped valleys and awe-inspiring mountains blanketed with the lush green carpets of tea and coffee plantations and many more. One whole essay would not be enough to beautify the charm of the state. The state is adorned with many historic monuments and herbal rejuvenation centers. Most of the foreigner avails of tour packages for participating in various kinds of Ayurveda treatments. The climate of Kerala is favourable not only to Indians but also to people from other nations. It is being a decade that the state started to give prominence to the tourism sector. And as part of enhancing tourism sectors, many disquieting hill stations and historic streets were being unveiled. Thousands of travellers visit the state by purchasing the packages for a cheap price to explore the magnificent gem hidden in unexplored parts of Kerala. Kerala is a haven for adventure lovers. The breathtaking hill stations and offers immense chances to improve their skills in trekking and rock climbing. It is not possible to describe each and every sparkling destination of the state with its peculiarities. I would like to dedicate this essay to explain the salient features of the famous hill called Agasthyarkoodam.

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Agastyarkoodam hill is the second tallest peaks in Kerala. It is situated in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala. It is one of the utterly bare and precipitous hill stations in Kerala. It is situated in the premises of Neyyar Wildlife sanctuary with a height of 1868 m. The hill is known as Pothigai Malai hill in Tamil Nadu. The slopes of the hills are blanketed with purple orchids. The hill shelters to various types of birds. Famously the hill is known for trekking but most of the Hindu believers consider the hill as a pilgrimage. On the top of the hill one could find a statue of Agasthya sage withholding a stone crusher on one hand and a bowl of medicines on other hands.  Worshipers climb to the top and offer prayers to him. He belongs to one of the seven sages (Saptarishis) of Hindu ideology. He is considered the father of Indian traditional medicines and Tamil literature. The surroundings of the hill are occupied with a tribal community called ‘Kanis’. They are engaged in various activities conducted by the forest department.

The Story Behind the Agasthyarkoodam Hill

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For long years women were not allowed to climb to the top of the hill as the Agasthya muni was celibate i.e. Bhramachary and intervention of women will affect the purity of the mountain. But 2 years ago the ban on women climbing the hill was removed and in January 2019 the first lady to conquer the mountain was Dhanya Sanal. Followed to her 100 women registered their names for trekking to the Agasthyarkoodam hill. There is also a story revolving around the hill is when all the sages (munis or maharishis) went to Himalaya for attending the wedding of Lord Shiva and Lord Parvathi the tilt to one side. Then Lord Shiva insisted Agasthya Muni to go the southern portion and balance the earth. He obeyed the commands. Gradually he liked the place and decided to reside there.

Trekking to Agasthyarkoodam Hills

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Unlike other hills in Kerala, you can plan out trekking to Agasthyarkoodam hill when you wished to do. As aforementioned the hill is dedicated to Agasthya sage and hence trekking on it is possible only in the month of January i.e. the trekking routes will be opened on Makaravilaku till Shivarathri. Actually there are two routes that lead to the hill. First is through the Neyyar wildlife sanctuary and that is closed and the second route is Bonacaud village. The village is situated 69 km from the Trivandrum International Airport. So travellers coming from Delhi, Punjab, and Bangalore can either travel in local transport or can purchase the tour packages from Dream Holidays and the tour guides will guide you to the village. Trekking the hill will require three days. Before reaching the Bonacaud village trekkers have to avail of an entry pass of INR 500. Per day 100 pass will be issued. The issuing of passes will be started a couple of days before the Makaravilaku. Trekkers can purchase online also.

Itinerary for Trekking

  • 1st-day Bonacaud – Athiramula Base Camp

Travellers will have to reach the Bonacaud base by 7 am. It will take around for registration and verification. Do not forget to carry the necessary identity cards. Collect the food coupons and purchase the water bottles. You can start your trekking by 8 am. It will take 6 hrs to reach the Athiramula base camp. Over there you can rest and encash your coupon and satiate your hunger. After refreshing, you can stroll through the jungle. Do not make a loud noise as it will disturb the animals. You can build a camp and can spend your night in it. The canteen in the base camp works from 6.30 am to 8.30 pm, therefore, collect the food coupons for the next day before you sleep.

  • 2nd-day Athiramula Base Camp- Agasthayrkoodam Hill

After having light breakfast you can continue your trekking to the hill. It will take approximately 5 hrs to reach the top of the hill. On reaching the top of the hill you can capture the pictures of serene nature and soak yourself in nature’s bliss. Don’t forget to pack your lunch. Spend a few hours on the hill and return your journey before the sunsets. You can rest in the tent in the Athriamulla base camp.

  • 3rd-day Athiramulla Base Camp – Bonacaud

Followed to the breakfast travellers can descend to the village. It will take 6 hrs to reach the slope. From there you can return to your hometown. If you are new to Thiruvananthapuram you can visit the historic places of the district before concluding the trip.

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Dream Holidays are one such travel operator in Kerala that curates special packages for adventure enthusiasts. If you have any concerns regarding the same without any hesitation you can contact their customer representatives.

A Breath-Taking Trip to Kerala with my Friends

Life was moving at a usual pace, the normalcy of routine was the only thing that made us drowsy these days. We had just graduated from college and the only trips we (me and my group of four friends) made were for small meetups or for job interviews. We had one long free month before joining for our fresh jobs. We were all placed at different companies and we wanted to make some long-lasting memories before setting out for new roles in our life. All of us had different opinions and plans at first and after many hours of discussions, we concluded that a week-long trip to an exotic land is what we need. The next hurdle was choosing the destination but surprisingly all of us unanimously voted Kerala as our dream destination. We wanted to try out different things at Kerala and was in need of a solid plan. After a lot of research, we shortlisted some locations and activities that we wanted to try once we reach Kerala. We were so lucky to have found out Gogeo Holidays as our travel partner. With their cheapest Kerala tour packages and that too a personalized one, our trip turned out to be the best moments of our life.

We knew Kerala as a verdure spot with places like Wayanad and Munnar. All of us were from Delhi and we had studied in Mumbai. This was our first time coming closer to South India. Our flight rates were much less than we had anticipated. Thanks to Gogeo Holidays! We were starting our trip by saving a great deal of cash. Our trip lasted for two weeks and I think we could cover only half of the best destinations in Kerala, and we have already planned to come back to Kerala itself for our next trip and complete the expedition.

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We boarded the flight to Kochi from Delhi at 6 in the morning and it took us three hours to reach there. Even before we landed at Kerala, the view from the windows from out there at the sky itself intrigued us. There were many water bodies and green spots – that is how I would explain the view. Once we reached Kochi, we were taken to our room which was so clean and came with all the modern facilities. The interesting thing that all of us noted was that the usage of Wi-Fi and our smartphones lessened as each day passed. We were so lost in the beauty of Kerala that we were not slaves of technology for two weeks. So, the breakfast – we started the Kerala treat for our stomachs with puttu and kadala and appam and chicken curry. After taking rest for 2 hours we left to visit Kochi and our travel operators arranged a car for us on request. We would have taken a guide, but wanted to explore the land on our own. Some of the spots like Hill Palace, Bolghatty Palace, Pallipuram Fort, and Indo-Portuguese Museum are some of my personal favourites. Marine Drive and Lulu Mall are the places from where we clicked some group photos of us.

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We visited the Greenix Village as per our travel operators told us when we asked about Kathakali. As Kochi is known for the support of cultural and artistic activities, it would have been a great miss if we hadn’t known about this place. We forgot about lunch as we were so immersed in finding places to explore. At Greenix, there was a restaurant too so we had some pancakes. There is a cultural museum and we visited it before the Kathakali performance started. It was a mind-blowing performance with all those micro-expressions and all. The costume itself made us wonder how rich in culture and totally a different land is Kerala. There are many beaches in Kochi and we could visit only a few out of it like Fort Kochi Beach, Cherai Beach and Munambam Beach. Fort Kochi and Mattancherry are places that hold the greatest spell in Kochi. There are many places like Princess Street, Burger Street, Rose Street, Parade Ground etc. that had a lot of things to offer. With many cafes like Pepper House, Kashi Art Cafe, Bench Cafe and all we could not leave this place for a week. The biggest part of our trip was spent at Kochi itself. We moved to No. 18 Hotel to explore places closer to it. We met some old friends of ours from Kochi and had a great time at the Cochin Club. The boat jetty ride is the cheapest mode of transportation as it would cost not more than 10 rupees to travel across many nearby destinations like Marine Drive. The picture of the Chinese fishing nets is more breathtaking in real and we also tried using it. What we missed was the Biennale that happens every two years in Kochi. The Kochi-Muziris Biennale is an international art exhibition that stretches for a period of three months from December to March. A chance to visit the colonial building Aspinwall House was what we missed with the biennale. We wandered through the Jew Street too and bought many fresh spices to take back home. We are so thankful for this best Kerala tour packages as we would have stayed stuck at one place if we had not availed an itinerary for our trip to other places in Kerala.

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Alleppey was the next spot and the clean beaches were the first place we hit there. We could visit only Alleppey Beach and Marari Beach. We visited some small villages where coir making and handicraft making businesses were thriving. We bought some souvenirs from there just like we bought many bohemian styled clothes from Fort Kochi. The backwater cruise was of course, the best part of Alleppey. We glided through the Vembanad Lake and also visited the Kumarakom backwaters. The luscious seafood with some toddy (a local beverage made from coconut) is something that I still ache for.

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There were many other places like Munnar, Vagamon, Thekkady, Wayanad, and Kannur that we picked for our trip. This story of our visit would go on and on and there is a lot to write about each and every place and I will definitely write more about the rest of the trip too, but I know that mere words are not adequate to explain the charm of Kerala.

Offbeat travel destinations of Kerala a perfect spot for an effortless and cost-effective trip

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Blessed with hill stations, valleys, wildlife destinations, waterfall destinations and a number of such attractions Kerala to the south is one of the fascinating tourist destinations. The place mostly attracts the attention of the travellers to a greater extent with the rich greenery and the number of natural resources that the state holds in. The climatic condition of the state which stays moderate throughout the year is one other thing that grabs the attention of the travellers. Even after being a state with so much of potential in travel and tourism most of the travellers touring to Kerala find it difficult to explore some of the best travel destinations due to the high travel cost in the areas.  This is true to an extent too most of the travel operators in Kerala charges a very high price for tour packages organised to well-known travel destinations of Kerala like the hill stations of Munnar, Idukki, Wayanad and more. The prices would be even higher during the top seasons which would be unacceptable by most of the domestic travellers. This is one main element that affects the growth of tourism in Kerala. But the state, being located closer to the Western Ghats houses a number of fascinating offbeat travel destinations with heart-warming beauty. With a cool climate and rich natural beauty, most of these offbeat travel destinations of Kerala are best options for budget travel trips to the south. Listed below are some of the best offbeat travel destinations in Kerala that tourists could explore under very cheap and affordable travel rates.

Ponmudi

Ponmudi (1)

Located at a distance of about 61 km from the capital city of Trivandrum, Ponmudi is one of the best offbeat travel destinations in Kerala to the Western Ghats. One main attraction of the hills is its location which is very remote and is perfect for a nature escape from the loud polluted city. This is one main reason for the place to be included in the budget and cost-effective packages organised to the south. The place could be explained as one of the best hill stations to the south with rich green mountains, hills and valleys. With a number of small brooks and rivers, colourful mountain flowers and rare collection of birds and butterflies, Ponmudi is one best destination for trekking and a number of other adventures. With a number of fascinating and aromatic tea plantations, waterfalls and hills the place is one best destination for travellers who would love to enjoy a mountain life.

Best attractions near Ponmudi

  •         Golden Valley: A beauteous spot near Ponmudi with the fascinating beauty of golden sand, crystal clear water and rich green valley which is an ideal spot to relax.
  •         Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary: located near the Peppara Dam on the Karamana River the wildlife destination is known to house rich flora and fauna.
  •         Mini Zoo: Located at an easy reach distance from Ponmudi, this zoo is known to house a large number of Barasinghas which is one of the main attractions in the land.

Nelliyampathy

nelli

Filled with all the beauty of nature, Nelliyampathy is a fascinating offbeat destination located at a distance of about 60 kilometres from Palakkad. Plantations are one of the main attractions in the land. The place houses some of the best plantations in the land which includes orange cultivation, tea gardens and bio-farming.  Travellers from different parts of the world visit this destination not just to enjoy the beauty of the place and the climate but also due to the low travel cost. Most of the travel operators like Dream Holiday offers the tourist with cheap tour packages to this fascinating hill station in Kerala with an aim to promote tourism in the land. In addition, a number of adventure packages are also offered to the land. Being a place located to the hill station the place offers a number if adventures like trekking, camping, boating and tea plantation visits and more making the place a perfect destination for adventure lovers.

Best attractions near Ponmudi

  •         Nenmara: A fascinating village located at a distance of about 25 kilometres. The village is famous for the Nemmara-Vallangi Vela festival.
  •         Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary: Located at a distance of about 18 kilometres away from Nelliyampathy this rich wildlife sanctuary is blessed with exotic flora and fauna.
  •         Nelliyampathy Hills: Offering the travellers with a fascinating view of coffee, tea, orange and cardamom plantations at these hills is one main attraction of the place which is almost 2 kilometres from the city.
  •         Padagiri: Standing at a height of around 1500 meters above the sea level Padagiri is the tallest peak of Nelliyampathy Hills which is located approximately 3 kilometres away from the city.
  •         Raja’s Cliff: The cliff is one of the best spots where one could enjoy the splendid views of rich flora, fauna and awe-inspiring landscapes. Located at a distance of about 8 kilometres away from Nelliyampathy, the Raja’s Cliff lies at an altitude of almost 5250 feet above sea level. The place offers the travellers with the marvellous view of reservoirs, waterfalls, mountain ranges and forests from this spot.
  •         Palagapandi Estate: The estate holds in a charming colonial Bungalow which is one of the most beautiful spots in Nelliyampathy.
  •         Malampuzha Gardens: A literal paradise for children, the garden located nearly 33 km from Nelliyampathy is a must visit picnic spot. The children’s park, aquarium, mini zoo and toy rain are all the best things that attract the travellers mostly families to the place.

malampuzha

Most of the offbeat travel destinations in Kerala offer cheap and affordable packages due to its less popularity. With an effort to make these offbeat travel destinations of Kerala known among the international travellers the state government have introduced a number of travel packages and projects to make the travel to these destinations cheap and more facilitated. In addition, a number of accommodation facilities under cheap rates were also introduced and set up to attract the attention of the travellers to the place. One of the main aims of the projects was to grab the attention of the travellers to the offbeat travel destinations of the state and to make the place known to the travellers by offering them with some of the best attractions in the place and best-facilitated stay under cheap and affordable cost. With beautiful wildlife destinations, attractions and fascinating climate the offbeat travel destinations in Kerala are one of the best spots for an effortless and cost-effective trip to the south.

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Unleash some travelling hacks to plan a budget-friendly trip to Kerala

 

The lowest cost travel is the best way to travel safely. No matter how much you plan, you may find that expenses are shooting up. If you are careful about avoiding certain things, you can reduce your travel costs. Kerala is the most budget-friendly state in India to travel and here, cheap packages for tours are available for the travellers. It is a common misunderstanding that we must spend more to travel safely in Kerala but there are some travel hacks, unlocking which one can have a budget-friendly tour. Your responsibility to save money starts the moment you plan for a tour and always avoid last-minute preparations and bookings. When you are travelling in Kerala, let’s see what costs are needed.

Choose Vegetarian food in your travel

Kerala is famous for traditional food and the benefit of choosing vegetarian food amidst your travel is that it is clean, cheap as well as safe. If you are a first-time flight traveller, then chose vegetarian food as being healthy throughout the journey is necessary and if you are having a vegetarian meal in Kerala then you are less prone to food poison. The tastes may differ from place to place but the expense is less and also prime concern must be given to cleanliness.

 

Poppies 1.

Bargain while shopping

The small shop vendors are targeting foreigners and thus charge more than double for a product. If you dig out your talent in bargaining then you can get a product with half of its price. Thus bargaining allows you to shop more items or gifts to take back home for your dear and near ones. Always keep in mind that the shops at various tourist locations are actually targetting foreigners to take more money. The actual price of the product is less than half of its mentioned price.

Check out the hotel at morning itself

We know accommodation is the most expensive part of a tour and but in Kerala, some of the cheapest tour packages allow you to stay with a reasonable price but then too you can minimise the expense by planning a check out from the hotel or resort at morning. By doing so, you don’t have to pay for the rest of the day and in the meantime enjoy the day’s trip and plan like returning back at same day itself. On the way, there are many refreshment building where you can have a change.

 Traveling Off Season 

Traveling in Season will always be very expensive. Offseason is very cost effective. At this time, the accommodation charges will be very low and you can avail any services with much ease. The flight tickets, food and other charges on tourist activities will be minimum then. In Kerala, monsoon seasons are meant to be the offseason and houseboat packages are also very low at this time. Also, it is the best time to undergo ayurvedic treatments.

 Avoid souvenir shop in your travel

These souvenir shops are meant for foreigners and thus they will not charge less for any products. For foreigners, these shops and the products are really worth and they will not compromise money for these products. Thus avoid shopping at such shops as never expect bargaining can work there. Instead, shop at the street and get the discounts. These products are more profitable in local markets. In local markets, always try to shop late. If you shop near the shop during closing in the evening, you can shop at very low rates.

currency-exchange-restaurantKeep the currency with you instead of keeping digital money while travelling

Money can be considered as a currency. The lack of ATMs and using of credit card or debit cards at certain shops or for transport can make you in trouble. We often hear that avoid keeping currency while travelling but if you are travelling Kerala, keep the currency notes with you as in Kerala, certain shops or services will not take cards. But you can install Paytm in case of need.

Traveling together to reduce your expenditure

There is no doubt that the cost is very low when you are travelling in group or together. At accommodations, entry tickets, boating you can save money if you are travelling together. The accommodation can be made at sharing basis even food too. If you are coming from private vehicles, the petrol charges can be shared. The day when you leave, prepare food in your house itself and on the way take a halt and have the homely food. This will reduce the food expense at one time and also is a part of the fun. In fact, in group tours to Kerala, some of the tour packages will charge discounts and the price will be lower. Always consult your travel operator and discuss the discount amount you can get while you are travelling in groups.

Use the local transportation facility to the maximum

It is best to use local transportation facility in smaller cities where you can connect. Such travels will also make it possible for the travellers to get a clear understanding of places and locations. In local transportation, the charges are very low and on the way, you can interact with other locals regarding the places. It will easily teach you places.

Do not Believe in Brochures 

Do not Believe in the Brochures that Travel Agency and Agents provide you with no mention of correct details. The brochures that are presented in an incredible way can be amended on your own with places you know which are so attractive. Prior to booking any package look for the lowest prices always but with more attractions. Travel agents can play the trick by adding locations that are not worthy of watching.

Choose Guest rooms for accommodation

Guest rooms are charged with less price and will be having all amenities and services. To save your wallet, guest houses can help you. Don’t worry if you haven’t got an accommodation at last minute, consult with your local advisor and make them arrange a guest house.

Use flights wisely

If flight travel is your mode of comfortability, then you can book one but look for certain websites which provide ticket with less price. Also, at off-season, the price will be lower. Another idea to reduce the flight charges is that, if your travel is confirmed for a particular day then book the flight tickets about 1 or 3 months before.

 

temple food

Eat temple food amidst your pilgrimage tour 

If you are travelling to pilgrimages, you can save money. Many pilgrim centres provide food for free or low feeds for those who reach there in the afternoon and at night. In such a scenario, the costs can be reduced to a good price. The food will be safe and tasty too.

Above given are some of the tips that can be utilised for figuring out a budget-friendly tour as money is precious and we must spend it wisely. Travelling expenses are really high than our expectation but proper planning and determination can overcome the situation. Kerala is the cheapest place to conduct holidays but still, understanding these travelling hacks can benefit you at any point in your life.

 

Trivandrum, the History Hub of Kerala

An excellent base to explore the interior of Kerala with its spacious layout and regulated life, the capital city Trivandrum is built on seven low coastal hills and has an interesting mixing of tree-lined avenues, ancestral homes, massive buildings and a long seacoast washed by the waves of the Arabian Sea. Trivandrum city treasures many erecting of historical importance and reservations. Considered as one of the loveliest cities in Kerala, the capital city is clean and green but more than a tourist place, the city depicts the historic whereabouts in the past. On skinning through Amazing Kerala tourism packages try to plan a visit to the capital city of Kerala.

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BOTANICAL AND ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS

One of the oldest zoos in India located in the heart of temple city is flourished with the museum and botanical gardens are oldest of their kind in the country. The visionary behind its construction is Swathi Tirunal Maharaja, the illustrious king and music composer who had ruled Travancore early and he had a good collection of animals like elephants, horses breed in his horse breeding centers. The park also had tigers, panthers, cheetahs, deer and a lioness.

zoo1

His brother, Marthanda Varma has taken control over the zoo later and with the support of on British general, they incorporated a museum here and the museum was thrown open to the public in September 1857 but as it could in itself attract people much, a zoo and park were established in 1859. The zoo is also bordered by botanical gardens unique for its vibrant landscapes and luxuriant growth of vegetation. Tourists from different places visit the zoo and museum as it provides a respite for them more than offering tourism and recreation. The lofty trees of royal look towered by bamboos and lush green landscapes account for its breathtaking beauty.

zoo trivandrum

More than being a tourist spot, currently the Zoo is serving the purpose of conservation and education implying captive breeding of rare and endangered animals and birds. The ambience of the zoo is just like providing a natural habitat for the animals so that they don’t feel captive. Visit this zoo for getting a feeling of being present at jungle where animals are around. Soon check out Exiting Kerala tour packages with price. The zoo houses varieties of primates like macaques, langurs and lion tailed macaque, Nilgiri Langurs which are endemic to the Western Ghats and are endangered. The animals live in highly socialized groups and are intelligent. There are herbivores who occupy different niche to avoid competition amongst themselves like rhinoceros, hippopotamus, hog deer and prolific sambar. Good collection of endemic and exotic birds are present here along with water birds like storks, pelicans, egrets, herons and cranes housed in a natural habitat. There are added the advantage of an aviary and reptile house, an aquarium nearby on the beach presents a selection of fishes and other marine creatures.

CHITHIRA ART GALLERY

art ga;;ert

An art gallery named Chithira Art Gallery situated within the museum compound ha collections of the works of Raja Ravi Varma, a pioneer in Indian art. Roerich landscapes work from the Tanjore School of arts, copies of Rajput and Mughal paintings and copies of paintings from Ajanta caves are the notable collections here. Museum also houses miniature painting from China, Japan, Bali and Tibet. The museum was opened to the public by the erstwhile king of Travancore, Sri Chithira Thirunal in 1935 for the enjoyment and developing artistic traits of people. The royal house of Travancore and Kilimanoor Royal family has presented generously a large collection of paintings to the gallery. The king tried to collect rare pieces of arts and literature from different parts of the world to present bin this art gallery.

 ANJENGO FORT

angelos fort

The fort which played a major role in Anglo-Mysore War is located at here in the outskirts of Trivandrum city. East India Company made this fort and is a good location for signaling ships. This place is 12 kilometre south of Varkala. Once it was the permanent place of British administration. From the lighthouse nearby, wonderful sight can be enjoyed.

EAST FORT

east fort

In order to safeguard the erstwhile Trivandrum city, Travancore rulers have made this fort which has the famous Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple at its heart. It has got its name as the entrance was to the east side and there lays a famous palace called as a kuthira Mallika palace. Earlier the city was inside this fort and some of the parts got ruined. As an added attraction there is a Ganesha temple inside the fort.

NAPIER MUSEUM

napier-museum

Set amidst lavishly wooded beautiful gardens, the Napier museum has a striking building with a unique architectural design is a wealth of bronze and stone sculpture also an exhibition of modern handicrafts from the state design centre. The Natural history exposition is a collection of stuffed animals and birds, skeletons and fossil remains. The Napier Museum was based on a very beautiful form of domestic art and started in the year 1857; the museum was the idea of J.A Brown, then director of the Trivandrum Observatory and general William Cullen, the then British resident. The catching attraction in this museum is that of the sword of great and first Martyrs of Indian freedom struggle, Velu Thampi Dhalava, the precious heirloom presented to kind of Kilimanoor palace on his military expedition to Mannadi and later handed over to the president of India. Currently, it is displayed here. Extravagant wood carvings, stone sculptures and coin collections are the key elements of interest in this museum. Exploring this museum with your family including children to inculcate good knowledge to them on ancient artifacts and history, family tour packages to Kerala allows on to visit these places effectively.

SREE CHITHIRA ENCLAVE

sree chitra enclave

Located in the museum compound in Trivandrum, Sree Chithira enclave is actually a personal museum which has started functioning in 1993 in the memory of Sree Chithira Tirunal Bala Rama Varma who was the last Maharaja of Travancore depicts the history of the royal family of Travancore and its contributions to the growth of Kerala. the chariots used by king and queen along with medals, stamps, coins, swords and other belongings of the royal family is exhibited here. The socio-cultural history, geography and evolution of Travancore state is clearly narrated here. The real stories of past are interestingly narrated through a series of narrative mural paintings.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MUSEUM

st trivandrum

A must be visited place for children and students is located near Mascot hotel, offers an insight into the impressive growth achieved by India in scientific and technological fields. A planetarium is working inside the museum which is the first hybrid planetarium in India with tilted dome for presenting astronomical classes with a live show. This is the biggest projection screen in South India having provision for projecting night sky of any location on earth at any point of time using an optomechanical projector.

With these mentions, it is evident that more than a tourist spot of beaches and hills, Trivandrum is actually the history hub of Kerala preserved efficiently inculcating new technologies.

 

Backwater Riding in Kerala

Bucket List for a Kerala Holiday Trip

Are you planning on holidays anytime soon? How about checking out some of the most amazing Kerala Tour Packages with Price in the tranquil backwaters or the misty mountains? How about lazy evenings spend by the seaside resorts enjoying the golden sun by the mornings and the breezy sea in the evenings? How about a romantic dinner by the seaside, moonlit and start-struck? Do these and more at any dream locations on your Kerala holiday destinations! But here’s an exclusive bucketlist to check out while you are visiting Kerala for the first time:

A Ride on Kettuvallom

Punnamada

Kettuvalloms are wooden boats made of jackwood and coir that does not use any nails. These come in all sizes and different shapes. The larger version of these Kettuvalloms is the popular houseboats of Kerala that takes the tourists on backwater cruise through the major water channels such as Punnamada Kayal, Ashtamudi Kayal, Vembanad Kayal, Kumarakom etc. Kayal in Malayalam means backwater. Smaller canoes or valloms are used to travel through the narrower water channels that connect small villages and islands amidst these backwaters. It will be a one of a kind experience for the tourists to row their way through the canals of Allepey or Kochi watching the beautiful sights on the way and interacting with the locals.

Go Fishing!

12-4-2014,Kochi -Mass harvesting of fish from farms at Kadamakkudi near Kochi on Saturday. As per practice, people of the village enter the farms and catch all the fish ahead of preparing the farms for Pokkali paddy cultivation. The event called ‘Kettukalakkal’fest marks the end of fish farming and beginning of paddy cultivation and is also a tourist attraction now. Pix – ARUNCHANDRA BOSE

Kerala is abundant in seafood and marine wealth. Tourists on Exciting Kerala Tourism Packages with Price can go fishing on fishing boats into the sea or enjoy it safely in the backwaters or the fish farms located at many places in the coastal Kerala regions. One such place is the Njarakkal fishing farm in the suburbs of Kochi city. The route from Kochi via the Goshree bridges built across the Kochi Kayal to the Vypin Island itself is picturesque. You can see the fishing boats, ships docked at Cochin Shipyard, the beautiful backwaters, the evergreen mangroves and islands on the way. After spending an entire day at the fish farm, you can take the coastal road from Njarakkal to reach Cherai beach which will be an amazing experience to cherish.

A Walk through the Paddy Fields

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Monsoons are the right time to be in Kerala. That’s the time when the entire state becomes the most beautiful drenched in the rains. Everything becomes fresh and green all around! The ponds, rivers and the lakes get filled and the paddy fields are prepared for the season’s cultivation. The refreshing smell of the earth will remain in your memories forever! The best place to explore this earthy experience is at Kuttanad during your Kerala Tour Packages with Price that’s quite affordable. Kuttanad is the rice bowl of Kerala and the place is a beautiful idyllic village where you can enjoy staying rooted to the basics of life. The Upanishads say ‘Aditi Devo Bhava’, meaning, treat your guest like the God! The friendly people will accommodate you as their God as the Keralites believe that guests should be treated as God. You can enjoy the local treadmill, stepping on the irrigation wheel, walk on the slippery and muddy narrow paths between the fields and dip your feet in the mud and just let loose. You will become a child again, playing with mud in the rain!

Indulge in Ayurveda

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If there’s one thing everyone will advise you to do during your Startling Kerala Trip that will be to indulge in the invigorating Ayurvedic massages offered in the spas and clinics. Ayurveda uses nature to heal your mind and body and a good massage with herb and spice infused Ayurvedic oils will leave your body and mind completely refreshed. That’s the ultimate feeling of bliss you can experience only during your holidays in Kerala. Ayurveda offers beauty treatments, general wellness treatments and specific treatments for ailments. You can meet the experienced doctors or ‘Vaidyar’ at the special Ayurveda clinics and experience nature first hand!

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These are some basic elements of Kerala you can explore during your holidays here. Plan in advance with the best tour operator and experience the most blissful holidays in God’s Own Country.

My Experience on Trip to Kerala !!

Kerala Beauty

Travel has always been one of my greatest pleasures. Being a nature lover that is mixed with the love for photography, the God’s own nation that is blessed with many wonders of nature has always been on my bucket list of destinations to visit. When you think about travel you will never feel like you are ready. There would be a lot of things running through your mind. Like where to go? When? And how? All these makes you want to postpone your trip and the destination remains a dream still to explore. Kerala has always been my such dream destination. But this time I made it possible with amazing Kerala tour packages. And thanks to Go Geo holidays who was a wonderful companion throughout my journey. I felt like I have traveled with a friend from Kerala, a friend indeed knows in and out all about Kerala. How one travels can always make the difference between just an Ok visit to a fully immersive experience. And when I traveled with Kerala tour packages from Bangalore with Go Geo I just didn’t visit those wonderful places in Kerala. It was like I was a part of the land. I felt like all my senses are activated. I have tasted, felt, smelt and heard this nature’s paradise at it’s fullest. And I also had wonderful opportunities to quest my photographic mind. The breathtaking backwaters and coconut forests in Alleppy, the hills carpeted with tea gardens in Munnar, the placid waters of lakes are all a must see spots that a serious traveler must visit.  And there was always a chance to explore the places by myself and experience the local culture and the day to day life of people. The journey started from the bustling city of Cochin, which had so many offers in terms of entertainment and shopping.  The visit to magnificent Athirappilly Waterfalls was a memorable experience as was the visit to the land of tea gardens-Munnar. Munnar has its Echo point where you will see a lot of people shouting at the top of their voices,  to hear what they sound like when reflected from the surrounding mountains! Thekkady was also arguably an exhilarating vacation experience. The Periyar national Park is an amazing sight. The only thing you have to be prepared for is the need to get up at the earliest hour to take the first visit to the jungles. This would be worth it.

The packages have price range starting from 3250. Pick up and drop from Airport, complimentary breakfasts, daily sightseeing with experienced guides and guided adventurous activities all are included in these packages. You will never have a dull moment during your journey. That is guaranteed.

5 Mosques to visit in Kerala

Cheraman Perumal Juma Masjid, Kodungallur

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Cheraman Perumal Juma masjid is the situated at Kodungallor. This was built in AD 629 and is the first mosque in India. It has gone through many renovations but still they have retained some portions. In this mosque, you have an option for ‘Vidyarambam’ for kids. This mosque faces the east and mecca in the west. A Huge bronze lamp like in temples is kept lit here. Devotees of all religions pay for the oil to light the lamp when they visit it during their Kerala Holiday Packages.

 

Malik Ibn Dinar Mosque, Kasargod

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This mosque is located at Thalangara in Kasarkode district. It is a famous pilgrim center in Kasarkode and was built in AD 642 by an Arabian, Malik Ibn Dinar. The Tomb of Malik Ibn Mohammed, a disciple of Malik Ibn Dinar is there. The marbles used for flooring is believed to be brought from Mecca.

 

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Beema is a very famous mosque in Kerala which is visited by tourists on Kerala tour packages from Trivandrum. The story goes that Hazratha Bee Amma Beema Beevi and her son is actually from the family of Prophet Mohammed and they reached from Arabia centuries ago to preach the religion. It is believed that Beema Beevi had some divine power. Urs Shareef festival (Chandanakudam festival) of this Mosque is very popular and it happens in March-April. People from all religions participate in this festival.

 

Erumeli Vavar Mosque

 

Vavar Mosque is famous for its religious harmony. Vavar is known to be the close friend of lord Ayappa. Whoever goes to Sabarimala visits this mosque also. This mosque is situated at Erumeli. ‘Chandanakudam’ is the famous festival in this Mosque. This festival coincides with ‘Makaravilaku’ of Sabarimala.

 

Sheik Fariduddin Mosque, Kanjiramattom

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This is the most famous Mosque in Kanjiramattom in Ernakulam District. This mosque is famous for its ritual called ‘Kodikuthu’. ‘Chandanakudam’ is also very famous in this mosque. You can see elephants and cultural actives in this festival during your Kerala tourism packages  if you visit during the festivities.

My enthusiastic trip to Ilaveezha Poonchira | Gogeo Holidays

Kerala Tour

Ilaveezha Poonchira trekking is my favorite and most challenging one, because this is the most awaited trek in my life. The greenish beauty of Ilaveezha Poonchira is a main reason of my numerous sleepless nights. I actually don’t know what its reason is, may be its enchanting beauty or its allure climate or something else. In addition the trip was awesome and charm. This is one of the main spot of people coming in Kerala Tour packages for family.I together with my friends have started our journey to Ilaveezha Poonchira from Kottayam; the stunning location is situated just 55 kilometers away from Kottayam.  After joined to the Moolamattom road at Muttom and takes place a small journey through it. Then we reach a small town called Kudayathoor, there exist a sign board, directed right which tell us that you can reach Ilaveezha Poonchira after a 7 kilometer journey through the forest.

Kerala Tour

Ilaveezha Poonchira is one of the lesser known tourist destination in Kerala, and it always perform a resemblance of North east states of India. The geographical and atmospherically structures of Ilaveezha Poonchira is exactly similar as that of Nagaland. The place is perfect for a stunning trekking through Kerala Tour packages. The Name Ilaveezha Poonchira possesses the meaning of “a flower pond where leaves do not fall”. And the place doesn’t contain any single tree in its vicinity so there is no scope to fall the leaves there and that’s why the place got this name. Also the place is quite windy and leaves are flying through it. You may wish to have some fun and other adventures in to this place with friends as well as family.

kerala Tour Packages for Family

Ilaveezha Poonchira spread across thousands of acres and surrounded with three allure hills include Mankunnu, Kodayathoormala and Thonippara. I think you already aware of Ilaveezha Poonchira’s mythical connection; it was closely related to great Indian classic Mahabharata. During the pre historic era, Pandavas live their life with incognito and their beautiful wife Draupadi come to take a bath at a lake, and that one is Ilaveezha Poonchira. Some Devas bewitched by her beauty and trying to fulfill their voyeuristic itch. During the time the king of Deva, come to know about what was going on and artificially create a screen or hill of flowers which prevent Draupadi from such a practice. So the lake form itself a dam and which is free from leaves. There exist another sweet myth related to saint Agastya and all these stories are interesting to heard and know.

Kerala Tour packages

During my journey, I really enjoy the wild beauty of Ilaveezha Poonchira lot. The crowd and hot city life is really waste compared with this cool and chilled climate of Ilaveezha Poonchira. The mesmerizing wind caresses the long green grass, and the smile of the grass spread everywhere. To reach the top of the hill only through four wheel vehicle and it may some dangerous. Better to start your journey from morning and trying to finish it before sunset, because the place is home for highly dangerous and poisons insects. I don’t get much more words to explain my entire trekking, because it is really thrilling and more challenging to me. My heavy back bag is irritated me so many times, and I manage to carry it till the last of my journey. So you should keep all the essential things like medicines, dry foods, dry cloths and water up to a limited amount, otherwise you will suffer a lot.

Kerala Tour Packages

Throughout my trip, my walking stick helps me so much, because it is an essential thing in the entire trip. Huge and slant valley are highly dangerous and without a stick it’s hard to walk. At last we reach the top of the hill, in that single moment I forgot all such pain and effort which we bear, and I feel that I am staying at the top of the world. My eyes can’t recognize any colors, because everywhere filled with white. Sometime later I realize the wild and luscious color of Ilaveezha Poonchira, and mesmerize the beauty of it. So guys, this is the time and this is the location for a better and challenging Kerala Travel Packages. Make use of it and explore the stunning beauty of Ilaveezha Poonchira.

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You can reach Ilaveezha Poonchira by air then CIAL is the nearest air port, also consult train then both Ernakulum and Kottayam are acceptable. By road is also feasible for travelers and the nearest cities include Kattappana, Pala, Thodupuzha, Kottayam and many others. During November to March is the best time to visit Ilaveezha Poonchira, the winter dews are cover the hills of Ilaveezha Poonchira is amazing to watch and also offers pleasant climate. Some sort of peoples is visiting this ideal destination during monsoon also; it’s incredible and challenging also. Some other stunning destinations near to Ilaveezha Poonchira include Malankara dam, Vagamon, Nadukani, Thumpachi calveri samuchayam and Idukky Hydro electric projects. Also you can enjoy different activities like bird watching, eating out, and hill climbing and sightseeing also.

The myriad options for honeymoon holidays in Kerala|Kerala Tour Packages

Marriage and honeymoon are inevitably connected to each other. After the grand wedding plan, the next overwhelming activity is the honeymoon plan for couples. Most of the couples who want to enjoy a memorable and everlasting enchantment of honeymoon choose Kerala. With exclusive Kerala Tour Packages for couples, they can enjoy the most of the alluring Kerala. Kerala is always a blind choice for couples who are on a holiday. The exotic location, the palm-fringed beaches, the calm and magical backwaters, the enthralling festivals and happy people of Kerala, has always left any tourist mesmerized.

Kerala Honeymoon

With the magnanimous Western Ghats on one side and the other with the multitude of Arabian Sea, Kerala has blessed abundantly. The dazzling land of coconuts is always the best place to spend a honeymoon. With exciting Kerala Tourism Honeymoon Packages, couples can choose various options in amazing Kerala. Kerala is famous for the evergreen and luscious forests that are the natural habitat for the amazing flora and fauna. The vibrant wildlife resources of Kerala have always marked its presence in the preservation of forests and wildlife. The major part of Kerala is filled with evergreen forests that give a ravishing look to the state.

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The enchanting location of Wayanad is one among the favourite spots for honeymoon couples in Kerala in Kerala Holiday Packages.  The freshness of the dew filled leaves and the shady giant trees etc. are truly mesmerizing. The lakes and the fetching beauty of the surrounding areas will keep the mind rejuvenated. The holiday packages include a stay in the wooden treehouses amidst the chirpy forests of Wayanad, overlooking the enchanting greenery. A perfect stay for couples who love adventure! Wayanad is a bountiful location with numerous spots that leave you spellbound. The thrilling experience of trekking in the forests and climbing up the hill will give you an adrenalin rush. The mist clad green mountains are an amazing beauty to watch out for in Wayanad. Chembra peak, Kalpetta etc are some of the interesting locations to visit in Wayanad with Kerala tour packages reasonable.

Kerala Backwaters

The beguiling backwaters in Kerala are yet another spot for a memorable honeymoon. Honeymoon couples always prefer to choose a lousy and cosy ride on these intriguing backwaters. The state has numerous channels of backwater canals cutting across the land mass and connecting the cities. The ride in the captivating comfortable houseboats through these canals will let you experience the pulse of the villages in Kerala. With Kerala Packages, one can have a jolly ride on these backwaters. Another major attraction of these boat rides is the ride on the bewitching lake as well as the chance to taste the traditional Kerala cuisine the mouth-watering dishes of Kerala will leave you contented. Several backwaters facing resorts are available in Kerala for ease of booking. The cosy and comfortable houseboats give you the feel and look of being at home. The interiors are well kept and have a traditional touch. Tourists can enjoy the ride through the busy villages and cherish the sunset view from the boat. Most of the cities in Kerala have backwater canals that let you explore the feel of the villages and towns. Kumarakom, backwaters in Cochin etc. are mainly preferred by the couples, due to the larger connectivity.

Honeymoon in Beaches

Beaches and cottages, an ideal way to spend your honeymoon! Marari beach has numerous cottages lined up near the beach where the couples can spend an ideal time. Tourist can enjoy a peaceful stay at the beach in fishermen huts and walk around white sandy beach under the swaying coconut palms that is lined up in an array on the beach side. Marari is an ideal spot to choose from the Kerala Tour. The serene and calm environment of these beach cottages keeps the romance alive. Enjoy the most exotic and ultimate dishes of Kerala during the stay at the beach. There are plentiful beaches in Kerala to enjoy your stay. With the long shore lines that Kerala is blessed with, one can easily choose beaches for their romantic escapade. The rocky strewn beaches of Kovalam the people and vendor packed Calicut beaches, the drive -in beach at Muzhappilangadu etc. are other beaches to spend a romantic honeymoon.

Kozhikode Honeymoon

Calicut is an ideal location to spend a day among the heritage layers of the city, discovering the rich culture and heritage of Kerala. The city has an outlook of modernization as well as the rhythm of the culture and tradition. The place is over packed with Biriyani hubs and sweet shops that serve the traditional Kozhikode Halwa. The religious places like the old temples, mosques, and churches are quite interesting places to visit during the Kerala Tours. The Malabar region of Kerala showcases the ancient architecture and the traditions passed on from generation to generations. The festival of Theyyam is a thought-provoking watch.  The temples depict the ancient traditional style of buildings. Many couples on a honeymoon visit the shrine to seek blessings.

Munnar

Walk amidst the thickly populated tea plantations that go way up high the mountains blanketing them with green colour tea plants. The sprawling tea plantations touched and caressed by the misty clouds are truly an enigmatic watch. The vast stretches of tea gardens in Munnar are always a sheer attraction for tourists visiting in Kerala Travel Packages. Various locations in and around Munnar with a favourable climate has drawn a large group of people to visit the place. Adventure lovers and fun lovers can likely enjoy Munnar. The hill stations are evergreen and the climate is extremely favourable. Trekking in these tea gardens would be an ideal way to spend a day. Other than these, the Eravikulam National Park, The Mattupetty dam, Echo point etc are few attractions in Munnar. Cochin Honeymoon

Cochin is the pulse of Kerala. The commercial city is ever-growing with the advent of modernization the youthfulness of the city has attracted thousands of tourists to visit Kerala every year. The city has maintained the culture and traditional along with the pinch of modernization. Cochin is a complete place to grab a chance to witness the oldest Jewish remains and the various architectural innovations of Dutch, Portuguese and the British. The prince’s street in Fort Cochin has exemplary designs of houses made during the reign of the Dutch in Kerala. Enjoy the Giant fishing nets that encompass a larger portion of the lakes. Cochin is also famous for the numerous amusement parks and shopping malls. Couples can spend an optimal holiday in Cochin without missing the fun of metro cities with Kerala Holiday Packages.

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Kerala is one such place, where modernization has not hampered the cultural diversity of the people. Experiencing Kerala would be like a have-it-all kind of vacation. The abundance of resources will leave tourists visiting Kerala enjoy the best of any holidays. Enjoy a utopian honeymoon in the Gods own country is like a dream come true to many. The cities in Kerala showcase the genuine charm and features of a complete state. The festivals in Kerala are never to be missed while visiting Kerala during holidays. Kerala with its abundant resources is one of the ideal places to spend the honeymoon.