Kerala, located in southwest India, is known as "God's Own Country" for its lush green landscapes and plantations rising from the sea. For centuries, traders from Phoenicia, Greece, Rome, Arabia, China, Portugal, the Netherlands, France and Britain came to Kerala to trade spices. Experiencing Kerala's backwaters by cruise is a highlight, as the intricate network of lakes and rivers wind through coconut palm-dotted villages connected by canals. Alleppey is a tranquil town dominated by backwaters, beaches and lagoons ideal for relaxing houseboat cruises. National parks like Periyar offer opportunities for boating, trekking and wildlife viewing in one of the richest bio-diversity

1. KERALA Backwaters And Tranquil Nature
Located in the southwest corner of India and cradled in the green mountains of the Western
Ghats, Kerala is famed as “God’s Own Country.” Lush plantations rise from the sea here and
sweep the entire state in verdant beauty.
The region has long been known as the Malabar Coast, famed for its rich trade in spices. The
Phoenicians and in 1000 BC King Solomon’s ships visited Kerala. Later the Greeks, the Romans,
the Arabs and the Chinese came to trade. In more recent times the Portuguese, Dutch, French
and British battled it out for control of the spice trade.
Wandering through one of Kerala’s spice gardens, identifying the various flavours and smells, is
one of the true pleasures of this region.
Kathakali Dance Drama-This 1,500 year-old dance
form is among the most enthralling of Keralan
traditions. Actors don imposing masks, huge,
elaborate costumes, and colorful makeup to
dramatically enact the stories of Hindu mythology.
Kochi The sites and cultures of medieval Kochi were
shaped by a collusion of Portuguese, Dutch and
English traders in this rich port of the Malabar Coast.
Visit St. Francis Church, built in 1503 by Portuguese
Franciscan friars. It was here that the Portuguese
explorer Vasco da Gama was buried for 14 years
before his remains were transferred to Lisbon. Also
visit the Mattancherry Palace or “Dutch Palace.” This
Palace was first built by the Portuguese, with later
additions by the Dutch and the Cochin Maharajas. The
central hall on the 1st floor was the coronation hall of the Maharajas of Cochin. Here you will
see some of finest examples of Hindu mural painting in all of India.
Kerala Backwaters -Kerala is truly a paradise on earth. There is no better way to experience
Kerala than with a cruise down the backwaters of Kerala and indulge into the sounds of the
rippling waters, which stretch beyond fifteen hundred kilometers.Awaken your senses as the
sounds of birds chirping in swaying palm trees nearby takes you into a serene world away from
here. The green caret of rice fields pose as the perfect backdrop for locals living on houseboats
just off the sandy shores. The backwaters of Kerala are an intricate network of lagoons, lakes,
canals, and forty-four rivers running into the Arabian Sea.

2. Alleppey (Alappuzha) is one of those fantastic towns
where days can drift away while relaxing. Tranquil
backwaters, beaches, and lagoons dominate the
landscape here. Paddy fields and coconut palms
surround thatch villages interconnected by canals. The
highlight for the visitor is a leisurely cruise in a
traditional houseboat to observe and understand life in
this tropical haven.
Wayanad tells of the existence of life in the Kerala area
at least 10 centuries before Christ. In an area of 2,126
sq km, one can find evidence of the New Stone Age
civilisation. In Wayanad disctict there are scenic and
nature places like Vythiri & Sulthan bathery. This
western ghat is beautiful combination of wildlife,
nature, spice plantations and old spice market visits,
feeding the Jumbos at Elephant Camps of Guruvayur –
also a divine place where the religious atmosphere
surrounds you in form of chanting hymns and
devotional songs sung in the praise of Lord Krishna, the icon in the Hindu society, well
decorated shops and hundreds of devotees flung everyday to get blessed at the Krishna temple.
Offering a short walk at the ancient sites of Neolithic human settlement at prehistoric cave s of
Edakkal and last but not the least - rejuvenate your body and soul by traditional Aurveda
treatments whist enjoying the serene and calm air at leisure resorts of Neeleshawar.
Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve offers plenty
of opportunities for recreation and is considered one
of the richest bio-diversity wildlife parks in the world.
It is situated within the confines of the Western Ghats.
Tourists are captivated by the variety of activities
available in the park like boat rides, trekking, angling
and much more. Periyar was declared a sanctuary in
1934 and became the only Tiger Project of Kerala in
1978.
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