South India in Glimpse

Trivandrum

Thiruvananthapuram (or Trivandrum) is the capital of the southern Indian state of Kerala. It's distinguished by its British colonial architecture and many art galleries. It’s also home to Kuthira Malika (or Puthen Malika) Palace, adorned with carved horses and displaying collections related to the Travancore royal family, whose regional capital was here from the 18th–20th centuries

Kovalam

Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach with three adjacent crescent beaches. It has been a favourite haunt of tourists since the 1930s. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing.

The leisure options at this beach are plenty and diverse. Sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programmes and catamaran cruising are some of them. The tropical sun acts so fast that one can see the faint blush of coppery tan on the skin in a matter of minutes. Life on the beach begins late in the day and carries on well into the night. The beach complex includes a string of budget cottages, Ayurvedic health resorts, convention facilities, shopping zones, swimming pools, Yoga and Ayurvedic massage centres.

Accommodation facilities for tourists at Kovalam range from five star hotels to budget hotels and the choice of food available at restaurants and cafeterias range from Continental varieties to South Indian delicacies.

Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, is just 16 km away from Kovalam and getting there is no hassle. But if you are on holiday it is better to stay in Kovalam and visit the city. The city of Thiruvananthapuram has many interesting places to see like the Napier Museum, the Sri Chitra Art Gallery and the Padmanabhaswamy Temple. The SMSM Institute, a State owned handicrafts emporium, is the ideal place to pick up ethnic curios and other articles.

Alleppey

Alappuzha or Alleppey is best known for houseboat cruises. Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport to Alleppey. You can find trains and buses from all major cities. The place is famous for its boat races, beaches, backwater trips, marine products and houseboat stays.

The major tourist attractions are Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Alappuzha Beach where you can find favorite beach activities like parasailing, surfing, swimming, boat races, etc., The Snake Boat Race, Marari Beach, Punnamada Lake, Krishnapuram Palace, Revi Karunakaran Museum, Pathiramanal which is small island on the backwaters of Alappuzha and Karumadikuttan. Alleppey Backwaters is something you can’t miss if you are a nature lover.

Thekkady

If you are a wildlife enthusiast and want to rejuvenate in the misty mountains then Thekkady is the place for you. You can find trains and taxis to reach Thekkady from Alleppey. It is home to the popular Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.  You can take a boat cruise over Periyar Lake to view wildlife. Take an elephant safari to see inside the forest. You can find various wildlife species like elephants, tigers, deer, bisons and much more.

Some of the most important tourist attractions in Thekkady are Kurisumala where you can have an adventurous tourism and trekking, Murikkady, Chellarkovil, Pullumedu, Periyar Tiger Trail, Bamboo Rafting which is offered by the Forest Department at Thekkady.

Munnar

Munnar is a town in the Western Ghats mountain range in India’s Kerala state. A hill station and former resort for the British Raj elite, it's surrounded by rolling hills dotted with tea plantations established in the late 19th century. Eravikulam National Park, a habitat for the endangered mountain goat Nilgiri tahr, is home to the Lakkam Waterfalls, hiking trails and 2,695m-tall Anamudi Peak.

Cochin

Cochin or kochi which is the cultural and economic capitals of kerala is a must visit place if you love fishing. the major tourist attractions are fort kochi that offers chinese fishing nets, mattancherry, bolghatty and vypeen islands, lulu shopping mall, paradesi synagogue, malayatoor church, kodanand elephant training centre, andhakaranazhi beach, marine drive, hill palace museum and museum of kerala history in edappally.

Ooty

Ooty is a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life. You can find regular trains and buses from other major cities of the country to ooty. the major tourist attractions are ooty lake and boat club, botanical gardens, dodabetta mountain peak, pykara falls, mudumalai wildlife sanctuary, rose garden, wax world museum, ooty golf course, nilgiri mountain railway and toda huts.

Mysore

Mysore is the place where you can explore magnificent palaces, stunning gardens that make Mysore unique. You can find regular trains, buses and flights from other major cities of the country.  The major tourist attractions are Mysore Palace, Karanji Lake, Chamundi Hills, Lalitha Mahal, Mysore Zoo, Brindavan Gardens, KRS Dam, Railway Museum, Rangantittu Bird Sanctuary, Talakad which is the epicenter of horticulture and wine making, Melukote to enjoy folk dances, ethnic cuisines, Melody World Wax Museum, Jaganmohan Palace, Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion and St. Philomena’s Church.

Bangalore

A capital city of state is one of the popular tourist destinations to visit in Karnataka. The IT hub of the country has pleasant and comfortable weather round the year. The fascinating tourist destinations are Go-karting for racing enthusiasts, Bannerghatta Biological Park, Bangalore Palace, Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens, Cubbon Park, Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, Wonder La Amusement Park, National Gallery of Modern Art, Innovative Film City, Shiva Temple, Chunchi Falls, Nandi Hills, ISKCON temple, Aerospace Museum and Shivasamudram Falls.