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Tour to the Less-Touristy Travel Locations of Kochi in Kerala

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The largest city of Kerala is a lot more than its backwaters and beaches. Actually, Kochi had been chosen by the erstwhile colonial masters for its most favourable geographical patterns. With evidence for that, they had built many colonial historical structures that are still operating as either some sort of government buildings or heritage hotels. Even otherwise, the district is home to earlier royal dynasties and so they too had left behind their footmarks in this land. Henceforth, Kochi has got to offer more surprises in the kitty to its international and domestic travellers. Discussed below are the less-touristy travel locations of Kochi.

Paniyeli Poru

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No one would expect the existence for such a glorious confluence of three small rivers at this spot located near Kurupampady in Perumbavoor in the outskirts of Kochi. A single day tour to this splendid location will be offering you a different face of Kochi, as here you will behold the rare sight of the dark-hued river waters flowing across numerous slippery boulders. Such a sight would be a rare one as they are located at this region of Kerala instead of any hill stations. Since they are only gradually emerging as a tourist destination quite recently, you will not be availing the tour packages that would include Paniyeli Poru from all the travel firms.

Kodanad Elephant Training Camp

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If you are willing to travel some distance from the main Kochi city to the north-eastern region in Kodanad, you could drop in at one of the largest elephant training centres of the state. Here, a small tributary of River Periyar is flowing on one side the camp, so you could watch the numerous elephant dwelling in the centre taking bath in their own world. Besides that, you may take leisure strolls alongside the stone-paved pathways built very aesthetically. Most of these elephants were captured from the forest of Malayattor in the earlier days and trained here in the camp. But now they are functioning as rescue centres.

Njarakkal Aqua Tourism Centre 

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Set in a picturesque location in the Vypeen Island, precisely in Njarakkal, the Aqua Tourism Center could be one of the best examples of how a normal geographical condition existed in a place was effectively converted to a hot tourist spot. The fish farm maintained by Fisheries Department of the State is like any backwater space of Kochi, but except for the fact that these water bodies are more serene and is rich in a considerably larger aquatic life. Visitors coming here could also avail the boating facilities in either peddle boats or Dhow boats along with savouring the traditional spicy recipes cooked from the fish caught from the farm.

Paliam Palace

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The palace used to be a hideout place for the King of Cochin during the 16th century away from their original citadel space in the wake of any crisis or for recreational purposes in Chenamangalamn near North Paravoor. As they were recently, renovated under the Muziris Heritage Project you could easily tour them and experience the royal way of living life. Although they were mostly concerned when the Portuguese Army tried to invade them, the bastion was built without comprising on any luxuries enjoyed by those erstwhile royals. The typical architectural style of Kerala with remarkable sculpting can be gazed here.

Malayattoor hill of St Thomas

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When you climb up these hills in amid the wild green covers, you could feel more sanctified rather than visiting a mere pilgrimage centre. Most of the sights that you get to watch and know are concerned with the beliefs of Saint Thomas to have visited the place. Quite strangely, the religious centre is also situated adjacent to the River Periyar. Some startling relics do still exist here such as the Golden Cross, his footprints, Marthoma Mandapam and the chapel. You could even get to witness a continuously flowing water spring that is believed to acquire some healing powers. Moreover, the mandapam constructed here follows a combination of Indian and Greek architectural styles.

Pallipuram Fort

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It would be surprising to realize the fact that the first-ever European monument of the country is situated here in this part of Kerala. They are the Pallipuram Fort of Vypeen Island towards its northernmost region. In its structures, you should not expect anything like the Bhadra Fort of Ahmedabad, as they were constructed by the Portuguese in the early 16th with only the sole purpose of observing any potential enemies who could encroach by sea rather than by air. These large hexagonal ancient structures can be easily missed from your typical tour packages as they are not much popular unlike the other historical monuments based in Kochi. Yet you may plan for a single day tour to the spot concerning their historical significance.

Apart from the off-beat travel locations disclosed here, there are various other destinations in Kochi that can be explored if you are a true wanderlust. However, you will be in need of an efficient tour company to help you. Gogeo Holidays based in Kochi in Kerala is one such travel firm that had acquired absolute customer satisfaction for its exceptional services. The polite tour guides of the firm will accompany you from the moment you arrive at either your bus station or airport. Moreover, they had set the most diverse tour packages targeting each sort of travellers such as honeymooners, family tour groups and for even solo travellers. You just need to pick up your most suitable package, which could fulfil your travel preferences. Furthermore, the most striking feature of the company is that these travel deals could be acquired at most affordable prices.

Eleanor’s Tomb as the Epitome of Love in the Old Munnar of Kerala

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The hill station of Munnar was even more beautiful and pristine in the late 19th century when the colonial powers did annexe many regions and started farming. You might have been to the CSI church at the hilltop of Munnar casually on your vacationing in Idukki. Moreover, the ancient spiritual structure built by the British in the early 20th century can be appreciated for its distinctive stained glass windows laid very beautifully amid the large primitive stone by which it was constructed. Nevertheless, the nearby laid tomb of Eleanor has got various touching stories behind it that are almost unknown to the present world. Below given are some intriguing facts which prove that the mysterious tomb for Eleanor was indeed an epitome of love.

Eleanor could predict her death

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The British deemed the place as a hot honeymoon destination and a young couple of Henry Knight and his young bride Eleanor Isabel May visited them. On reaching the picturesque location, Eleanor was very impressed by the impeccable beauty of Munnar. So on their casual talks, while they were strolling in the hills, she requested him that if she had breathed her last in this beautiful land, she must be buried here itself. It is believed that she was having an intuition that her final days were approaching hurriedly. Even an unlikely death at such a young age due to Cholera was quite tragic.

The graveyard was constructed well before the Church

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The popular spiritual centre of CSI Church of Munnar was only built 17 years later the graveyard was constructed where the young couples had been roaming in the hills. It was for the first time ever in the history that such as act was happening. Moreover, the church does follow the ancient architectural style of large Gothic buildings. The structure situated in the hilltop of this part of Munnar is laid out by hewn granites and marbles that were brought from England. At present, the British Association for Cemeteries of South Asia had included the tomb and graveyard in the ‘International Directory of Cemeteries.’

Presence of Fresh flowers every day                       kerala packages

People on tour to Munnar would inevitably get mesmerized of the aesthetic beauty of the place created by lush green shrubs, flowers and large trees. They can even be found hanging in every old structure quite adorably. However, quite strangely, the fresh flowers spread on this particular tomb of Eleanor that is being watched by a dog on most of the days are still a mystery. One could realize the true spirit of real love at such a sight. Henceforth, tourists who are travelling to this part of Kerala and those who believe in the concept of true love should never skip their visit to the ancient church and longing tomb, even if they are not readily included in their tour packages.

Eleanor used to be mourned by her husband at the tomb almost every day

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Her fond husband Mr Henry Mansfield Knight could not accept the sudden death of his wife at such an early age. Furthermore, there was only a 3 days gap since she had informed him about her last wish. Fulfilling her final demands, a graveyard was built in the same spot where they had spent their last romantic moments together. Before arriving at this particular spot, they had already strolled alongside the large Eucalyptus trees and expansive tea plantations. So the sweet memories that they cherished about the place were very close to their heart. The separation of Henry from his dear wife made him desperate and was seen breaking down every day near her tomb.

The adjacent CSI church was a place of refuge in the 1924 deluge

When you are travelling up to Munnar in any tour packages, once reaching up to Kochi by air, you would never feel that you are on tour in a disaster-hit region that had even fought back in 2018 Kerala floods. However, in the onset of heavy monsoon in 1924 was absolutely unpredicted in these high range parts. The mighty river of Periyar was in brimming with floodwaters. By the heavy shower, even the sleepers of Kundala Valley Railway (as it was called then) were washed off. In that gruesome instant, both the displaced locals and foreigners rushed on to the CSI church situated in the uphill. In the strongly built church was a place of refuge for them, just as the people from different communities stayed safe in the churches, temples and mosque, gurudwaras of Ahmedabad in the major floods of 2017.

Remnants of past histories like the Eleanor’s Tomb are quite many in the scenic hill station of Munnar, as it was a hot destination among the British. It was them who introduced and further expanded the cultivation of the major crop of tea in the vast slopes of Munnar and the nearby regions. In addition to the tea factories built by them, they had constructed many other monuments that are spread in various other locations in the state. So to travel up to those historically significant spots smoothly, you may contact Gogeo Holidays. The reputed tour company had set many varied kinds of tour packages to fulfil the travel requirements of each of the tourists to its fullest. Moreover, the popular travel firm had gained a remarkable customer satisfaction after working efficiently for all through these years of experience.

An Unexpected Office Tour to Wayanad

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From morning till noon we all were behind our hectic assignments and busy with several files and documents. Everyone was feeling so hungry that each one was praying to lord to make the 10’o clock into 1’o clock. However, by 11’o clock we were able to quench our thirst by sipping hot tea (some had hot coffee). After working for 2 hours we were really tired as soon as the long hand of the clock reached 12 and the small one on 1 we ran to our refreshment room. We were in a hurry. Each one of us started unboxing their lunch boxes. The aromatic scent of delicious homemade foods took us to another world. While savouring the scrumptious delicacies suddenly we heard a beep sound. It was nothing but a notification of a message from my phone. I just got up from my place to take the phone which I had kept on the juice table. By scrolling on the phone I occupied my place. Seeing the smile on my face my friends inquired the matter. They wanted to know the reason behind my smile. I showed them the images of my friends’ honeymoon. The pictures were really amusing and lovely commented by my friends. Seeing the picture one of my friends had a doubt whether the place is Wayanad in Kerala. I messaged her whether his assumption is correct or wrong. Within seconds she replied yes. The picture which they clicked in front of the heart-shaped lake more popularly known as Cupid Lake was really amazing. Seeing her romantic photos inspired us to plan a trip to the same place in Kerala. But we all had a doubt whether the place is exclusively made for honeymooners. Our dear friend Rakesh told the district is considered one of the best tourist places in Kerala. Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit the state by availing of tour packages from eminent travel operators. As it is being a long time we had gone for a trip why don’t we select Wayanad as a travel destination of our office tour was suggested by Aamir? We all rethink on his suggestion and found his words as valuable. Therefore we presented the matter to our HR manager and he agreed for the same.

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As our company was a start-up. We hardly were 50 members. Therefore we decided to reach Wayanad on a mini travel bus. And also travelling in a minibus is the best and cheap way to save expenses. We started the journey in the early morning. It took nearly 4-5 hours to reach the charming district. During our travel, we had to cross several hairpins. Crossing each hairpin gave us wonderful experiences. Usually while travelling through the hairpins, one will have the tendency to vomit or feel some kind of discomfort. Even though some of us had such feeling the aromatic scent from tea and coffee plantations made them feel better. From the beginning of the journey, we were very energetic and thrilled. We engaged ourselves in playing antakshri. As we had availed the tour package from the famous Gogeo Holidays their tour guide was there to accompany us. The tour guide was really very friendly. He shared much valuable information about Wayanad. He said that in olden days Wayanad was completely enveloped by tall trees and many wild animals. It was very hard for externals to reach the spot. It was during the colonial period that small sorts of transformations took place. Many eminent writers have penned down the amusing charm in their novels, stories, poems, and articles. More than the civilized people it is uncivilized people more commonly known as Adivasis rule this place. They are one such community in Kerala who show reluctance to adapt to modern changes. They are called a protector of the forest. While talking about the Adivasis, Rakesh asked about the story behind the Chain tree. Chain tree? We were surprised. How a tree could be named as a chain tree. We asked our tour guide to share the myth behind the strange name. He asked Rakesh does he know anything about the Chain Tree. He said that he does not know much. He got the name while surfing the internet as part of the tour the previous day.

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 Our tour guide told there is no myth related to the Chain Tree but a true story. The incident happened during the British administration. As he had aforementioned the district was fully forested to know the shortest route to reach the district once a British General seek help from a local Adivasi boy named Karinthandan. He showed the easiest way to reach the place. After understanding the route he killed the poor innocent boy so that he could acquire the credit. Years later Karinthandan’s ghost started haunting the villagers and visitors. Frightened people approached a priest and asked him to do something to get rid of the ghost. The spirit chanted prayers and sealed the ghost inside a tree using a chain. Over the years the chain started growing along with the chain. Till now nobody knows the science behind it. In the memory of Karinthandan every year local people conduct a rally by honouring him as the first martyr of Wayanad.

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After hearing the story we were really interested to visit the place. The tree is seen on the Lakkidi highway. After visiting the chain tree we moved to Kalpetta over there we witnessed the spectacular beauty of cascading waterfalls at Soochipar (Sentinel falls), Kanthapara falls and Meenmutty falls. Followed to it we spend quality time at Chembara peak. It is the perfect destination for trekking. By availing the entry pass we started trekking. On reaching the top we enchanted the beauty of the amazing heart-shaped lake or Cupid Lake. The top view of the lake is something beyond our expectations. Over there we enjoyed the panoramic view of the Kodaikanal and Wayanad. As overnight camping is not allowed soon after the sunset we left the place. Before leaving the beautiful district we also visited the famous Sultan Bathery and Edakkal Caves. The cave comprises the inscriptions of Neolithic age. We clicked photographs at Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.  After 2 days of the trip, we returned back to our hometown. The stunning beauty of Wayanad is beyond the words. If I get a chance I will definitely visit the place again.

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The Dazzling Munnar After Devastating Floods

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Kerala the ‘god’s own country’ has always been on the top list of most sought tourist destinations. The pristine beaches, tranquilizing backwaters, amazing biodiversity, historical monuments and many more lure the hearts of travelers across the globe. Each season has something new to gift its visitors. Many eminent writers have penned down the stupendous beauty of the state through poems, essays, novels, and articles. It always was being my dream to visit the tourists’ spots of the state. Many of my friends had visited the hotspots like Munnar, Thekkady, and Kollam and used to showcase the photographs clicked over there. Seeing those lovely pictures I used to feel very sad about not being part of it. Each time we plan a trip to Munnar some unexpected emergencies would hinder it.

But this time we decided to spend a few days in the misty mountains of Munnar. For that, we searched for the best travel operators that curate exceptionally good tour packages to Kerala. We were in search of such a tour operator who would be ready to take care of us and make our trip memorable. It was our friend who suggested the name of Gogeo Holidays. They are the only travel operators in my knowledge who inculcate the price of air tickets with the package and this specialty is what we liked very much. And also Gogeo Holidays are one of the best travel partners in Kerala. As we were basically hailing from Hyderabad we were really unfamiliar with the language and lifestyle of the Kerala people, availing their services will definitely help us and the same was reported by our friends. Many of us asked to drop the plan as the previous year, 2018 the state had faced one of the disastrous rainfalls which took the lives of many living beings. Most of the routes to the tourist spots were completely damaged and the state had to face a big financial loss. With a few months of rigorous hard works the state started to recover but again in 2019 the state faced the same kind of rainfall but not with that intensity as the previous year. Even we thought of dropping the plan but the tour coordinators of the Gogeo Holidays assured us there would be no issues and our traveling would be safe.

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After the 2019 flood, we availed of the package to Kerala during the puja holidays. We boarded a flight from the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad to Cochin International Airport in Kerala. As informed, the tour coordinators were there to receive us with a warm welcome. From there we proceeded to Munnar in a private cab. The road to Munnar was good in condition except with a few potholes here and there. Our journey comprised of many hairpins also. While covering the hairpins we saw many people coming back after visiting the famous hill station, Munnar and with a smile on their faces. As we reached Kerala in the early morning we didn’t have to face much traffic and could reach the spot with 3 hours. The Munnar hill station is situated in the Idukki district. The moment we reached the resort the people over there received us with warm greetings and handed over the keys of our rooms. After relaxing for an hour we got ready for sightseeing. The place which we were taken first according to the tour package was to the thick green plantations of tea. The spectacular arrangement of tea leaves touched our hearts deeply. The aromatic scent of the tea leaves took us to another world. Over there we saw many foreigners who came there to celebrate their romantic days. Apart from western people we also interacted with people hailing from different states of India. I and my sister indulged in plucking tea leaves with female workers by carrying a long basket.

From there we moved to Mattupetty dam. Over there we were engaged in boating. For the first time, we were seeing people boating in a dam!!! Travelers who visit this iconic destination would definitely avail of the boating service. One could also capture the splendid view of nature while boating inside the dam.  Followed to it we savored mouth-watering dishes prepared in traditional Kerala style. By the evening we reached the Eravikulam National Park to observe the various rare species of animals and birds. Also, it is home to Strobilanthes flower (known as NeelaKurinji flower in the Malayalam language). It is a lavender-blue colored flower which blooms once in 12 years. It last bloomed in September 2018 but due to hazardous flood, the number of tourists declined rapidly. Most of the animals were unknown to us and our tour guide who accompanied us explained all the important information about the species including their lifestyles.

We trek to the Nilgiri hills and clicked the beautiful picture of Nilgiri tahr. We really had wonderful family time on the hill. As it was getting darker we were asked to return back to the resort. On reaching the resort we filled our tummies with delicious Kerala foods served in hot.

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The next day also we continued our sightseeing in Munnar. I and my sister had a great time at the Echo point. Not only we but many newly married couples and lovers were calling out each other’s names. In between sightseeing, we also did the shopping. Our mother was busy collecting homemade tea powders in various flavors and also chocolates, spices, and many more things. I and my sister were busy collecting ornaments made out of shells and various showcase items. How could we end our shopping without buying a gorgeous hat? Our dad was engaged in a deep conversation with the local farmers for understanding the various methods of farming.

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After spending one more day in Munnar we packed our bags to our home town. After visiting the place we understood most of the news which we heard about the Munnar were only exaggerated form. Such news badly affected the tourism of Kerala and also the income of the common vendors. However, the trip to Kerala really gifted loads of memories to be cherished in our free time. Once again I would like to thank our travel partner Gogeo Holidays for making our trip an outstanding and marvelous.

Kerala, the State of Medicinal Plants

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Kerala, the state is popular for its picturesque landscapes, serene nature, and marvelous environment. Irrespective of the seasonal conditions and natural calamities the state always becomes the ultimate tourist destination for travelers. Not only the travelers from the other states of India but also from various corners of the world visit Kerala to enchant its marvelous beauty. One week is actually not enough to explore the state. The state is blessed with several notifying features such as awe-inspiring wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, golden sand beaches, tranquil backwaters, breathtaking hilltops, shallow rivers and many more lure tourists to Kerala. The state is a haven for adventure events. Some popular enthralling activities are trekking, mountaineering, rock climbing, rafting and so on. Even foreigners demand such activities in their packages while touring Kerala. There are a group of people who visit Kerala for refreshing their soul by dwelling in Ayurveda centers. People often tour these revitalizing centers to rejuvenate their souls. And also to erase their minds from all kinds of sorrows and worries. There are several Ayurveda centers are seen in Kerala. Ayurvedic treatments use herbal plants, roots and some fruits for treatment of various kinds of diseases. Treatment may be lengthy but it assures cent percent eradication of disease without any harmful effects. Many of us are unaware of the plants which are used for the treatment. Below is the list of the different types of plants used for medicinal purposes.

     1. Aloe Vera

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Aloe Vera, due to its medicinal importance it is also known as a magical plant. It is cultivated in almost all countries. Aloe Vera is the main source of all the medicinal and cosmetic companies in the world. It is known as Kattar Vazha in the Malayalam language. Not only the multinational companies but also common people depend on aloe vera for thick and long hair. It is the best solution for baldness. Aloe Vera is used for curing many diseases. Fresh juice extracted from the leaves of Aloe Vera is refrigerant and cathartic. It is used in healing ailments related to the liver and spleen. It is also used for dermatitis, x-ray burns, cutaneous leishmaniasis and many more. The extract of leaves is also used for inhibiting the growth of mycobacterium tuberculosis. The thickened juice extracted from Aloe Vera is used for curing prolapsed uterus also for haemorrhoidal congestion of stomach and spleen.

  1. Neem

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The Neem tree is another most important tree seen enormously in Indian soil. The leaves of Neem are used for rituals in temples of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The botanical name of Neem is Azadirachta indica. It is known as Arya Veppu in the Malayalam language. As it requires a very less quantity of water farmers won’t find it difficult to cultivate it. Neem trees even have the ability to survive without water for days. These trees have special healing powers. The presence of trees in the air itself can cure many diseases. The bark of the Neem tree is used for skin ailments. The leaves of Neem are antiseptic, as a poultice, it is applied to boils. Patients suffering from ulcers, eczema is given leaf decoction. Not only the leaves but also the flower and berries have medicinal importance. The flower of Neem is stomachic and tonic whereas the fruits or berries are emollient and purgative. The oil extracted from the seeds of Neem is used for skin afflictions.

  1. Tulsi or Tulasi

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Tulsi is always considered a Hindu plant as it has an unavoidable role in Hindu rituals. Hindu worshippers adorn garland made up of Tulsi leaves to Lord Krishna, Vishnu, and Vithobha. Tulsi is also known as Tulasi in the Malayalam language. The botanical name of the Tulsi is Ocimum tenuiflorum. Tulsi is considered one of the best herbal plants available in Kerala. While on your Kerala tour you could see tulsi being planted in front of the Hindu houses. It is believed that the plant is an earthly manifestation of God. It is an antibiotic and protects all living beings from mosquitoes. The leaves of trees are used in making herbal hair oils. It is treated as a medicinal plant. It is used for curing catarrh and cutaneous diseases. People suffering from malaria are given the decoction of roots. The seeds of Tulsi are used for healing genito-urinary diseases. Leaves of Tulsi are also used as expectorant, antipyretic, stimulant and diaphoretic.

  1. Indian Gooseberry
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Indian gooseberries on white background

The Indian Gooseberry is also known as Amla in Hindi and Nellika in the Malayalam language. The botanical name of Indian Gooseberry is Phyllanthus emblica. It is the only plant that grows enormously in India and the Middle East. It is also called Amritaphala in the Sanskrit language which means nectar fruit or fruit of heaven. The Amla tree is short in size and attains a height from 8 to 18 m with a crooked trunk and sprawling branches. The leaves of the tree resemble pinnate leaves and are light green in color. The flowers are greenish and yellow in color. The wood of the tree is used for fireworks. It is always the main ingredient of Ayurvedic tonic such as Chavyanaprash. The Amla fruit is spherical in shape with six stripes on it and is commonly seen in light greenish-yellow in color. The fruit highly contains Vitamin C. The fruits of the tree have the power to heal mental disorders. It is the main element of rejuvenation treatments. It is also used in hair oils, hair dyes, and shampoos.

By reading the above paragraphs you might have got a clear idea about the plants used in Ayurvedic treatments. Most of the plants which you read above are unfamiliar to you. There are many more plants that are there seen only in jungles. So when you plan a holiday to Kerala certainly visit these forest areas. Gogeo Holidays is one such travel partner which organizes trips to Kerala by inculcating several revitalizing centers. Also, travelers could see how these plants are being used for medicinal purposes. By discussing with the travel partner you can also avail Ayurveda treatments like a massage with herbal oils. You accompany your friends and family members who are suffering from incurable diseases like hypertension, sinusitis, migraine, bronchial diseases, cancer, heart diseases, arthritis, cervical spondylitis, post-pregnancy problems and many more. Among all the treatments Panchakarma therapy is a famous one.  Also, herbal treatments also have the ability to remove all the stress and tensions from the mind. So if you feel you want to refresh your mind, don’t waste your time. Avail the packages as soon as possible. Undergoing Ayurveda treatments during monsoon seasons in Kerala will give the best result. Therefore grab the package before it expires.

A Breath-Taking Trip to Kerala with my Friends

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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.

cheap and best kerala tour packages

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.

A Solo Budget Trip to the south, exploring the best in nature

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“The man who goes alone can start today, but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready.” Like the quote says, it is best preferable that you travel alone so that you can simply travel at your own comfort. Solo travellers could always explore most of the hidden beauty even in the most explored travel destinations in the world. I am such a solo traveller who loves to explore the beauty within ‘the beauty of nature’ that is yet to be explored or touched. One of the other secret reasons why I prefer travelling alone is that it is one best way by which you could keep the travel expenses under control. Here we are free to choose all our mediums of travel and accommodation. We are free to choose the ways by which we want to explore and traverse. It would be completely what we want the way we want it. Most of us are people who actually love to travel but is mostly the situations, the lifestyle or mostly the travel package rates that becomes a roadblock for our trip. Even though there are a number of travel operators like Gogeo Holidays that offers the travellers and the tourist with lists of best tour packages at a cheap price, the travel expense remains high for the budget travellers. In this blog, I will share with you my first solo trip to the southernmost end of India; Kerala.

Kerala-Unveiled
Exhibiting the best of nature, climate, cuisines, festivals and cultural heritage, Kerala is a state that I would say to be the perfect destination from where one could start their low budget or call it a cheap trip alone. Unlike all the other states in India, the gods own country has all of the best elements that a traveller would love to explore. It was during the peak season that I travelled to Kerala. Even though the state is known to house a moderate climate throughout the year, the month from September to March is best preferred for a holiday in Kerala. And thus the travel rates to the place were really high. Now what I had to do was to explore most of the travel attractions which are best known among the tourists at cheap rates. Being a resident from Chennai it was easy for me to save in travelling as I choose to enjoy a night ride. To be very precise it took a whole night for me to cross Walayar and to get into the borders of Kerala and another 3 hr to reach Kochi, the metropolitan city best known for its hidden natural beauty and historic charm. By the time I reached the city, all I could think of was food and some sleep. After having to enjoy a straight drive from Chennai it was rest that I wanted the most. Now choosing for accommodation in this time of the year is one of the best hectic things, but then there are different apps available like Oyo where you could search for the best budget modes of accommodation where you could enjoy a luxurious and comfortable stay. I, after reaching Kochi and having food from a Dhaba at just 50/INR checked-in at a hotel named ‘Greenland Residency’. Located in the centre of the city this was one of the best places where I could stay cheap and could connect with almost all of the best travel destinations in the city with ease. After taking a very refreshing nap at the hotel I woke up by around 4 pm, which was the perfect time for me to start with a small tour of the city. The places that I actually explored at Kochi were the Mangalavanam bird sanctuary, the Marine Drive, and Fort Kochi.

Fort Kochi kerala
The Mangalavanam bird sanctuary was one of the very first travel destinations in Kochi that I explored. Exhibiting the pristine beauty and charm of the wild and nature, this place was one of the best explored spots in Kochi, yet the travel rates to the place were just nil as there are no entry tickets. One of the main attractions of the place was the mangrove plantations. The place also has a treetop watchtower from where you get to enjoy the best of the beauty in the area. The place is home to a wider verity of birds and thus it is always the best to speak softly. Trust me this place is the best for budget travellers who are in search of natural charm. After being at the place for a while taking some pictures I moved on to the next travel destination which was the marine drive. Not just Mumbai, but Koch too has a drive which is the best spot in the city where one could enjoy the beauty of the sea and the flavours of the street foods in the area. The best part of taking a walk at drive was that I was able to taste Kulukki which is a special drink in the city, pineapple and such fruits which are soaked in salt water and many such things. By late evening I travelled to Fort Kochi which is mostly referred to as the city that never sleeps. It is mainly during the night that you could see the rush of travellers in this place and most of the shacks and shops are open till early morning. The best of attraction in the area would be the sunset that at the Fort Kochi beach where you can also enjoy the beauty of the Chinese fishing nets. To the end of the day, the one thing that I really noticed was my travel expense which was very low. Even after being a peak season for travellers my expense in the place was much less than 3000/INR.  It was around 11 pm when I reached back to my hotel and dozed off as the next day morning I was to travel to Munnar, the misty hills to the western ghats of the south.

Even after exploring the misty hills of Kerala the next day my travel expenses remain much lower and cheap than tour package cost which is organised by the travel operators in the land. Let it be any type of trip to any part of the world, according to me what one should look into the most to reduce the travel expenses are to be a bit conscious while selecting the destination, the season in which you travel, the places you choose to stay, the modes of transportations that you want to use and the type of food that you wish to taste. By taking a bit of extra care in such things one can reduce the travel rates to a greater extent. But yes if you are a foreigner and has no clue about the destination of interest, it would be best to go for a budget travel package as it would reduce your travel stress allowing you to enjoy the best of the trip with ease.