One of the ten most beautiful places in the world (Kumarakom) by National Geographic Traveller. Known as God's own country/spice garden of India. Famous for Snake boat race, Kathakali dance, Ayurveda system of healing.
ALAPUZHA (ALLEPPEY) - Onam snake boat race (Aug/Sept), boating through the backwaters to Kollam or Kottayam, Ambalapuzha temple (25 km), Mannarasala temple at Haripad, Kanichukulangara temple - Shivratri festival, Arthunkal church (20 km) - Festival on Jan 20th.
KOCHI/ERNAKULAM - Known as 'Queen of the Arabian Sea', Parishat Thampuran museum, Bolgatty palace by boat from Marine drive, Hill palace museum at Thripunithura.
FORT KOCHI (10 km) - St.Francis church of 1510 AD where Vasco Da Gama was buried, Dutch cemetry, Santa Cruz Basallica, Willington island, Coonan kurisu shrine at Mattanchery, Jewish synagogue (1568 AD), Jew town, Dutch palace, Chinese fishing nets, Vypin island via boat.
ALUVA - Shivratri is celebrated here. Kalady - Birth place of Adi Sankaracharya, Malayattur church (25 km, Easter/Good Friday).
ATHIRAPALLY & VAZHACHAL - Waterfalls. 30 km from Angamaly.
MUNNAR (524 m) - Hill staion, tea plantation. 136 km from Kochi.
THRISSUR - Archaeological museum, Pooram at Vadakkunathan Shiv temple (April/ May), zoo, fort, palace; Guruvayur temple (40 km, 63 temple elephants).
KOTTAYAM - Churches, Syrian Christian cultural centre. Popular tourist centre Kumarakom is 16 km away.
SABARIMALA - Ayyappa temple 160 km from Kottayam at 914 m, Nov to Jan - Major pilgrim centre, 5 km trek from Pamba.
TEKKADY - Periyar lake wild life sanctuary, famous for wild life - Elephants, tigers, birds and flying lizards. 130 km from Kottayam. PIRUMED - Hill station, plantation.
VARKALA - Beach, Janardhana temple, Anchuthengu fort (10 km).
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Padmanabhaswamy temple, zoo, Napier museum and Sri Chitra art gallery, palace, Science and technical museum, Secretariat, Shankumukham beach, Veli beach (10 km); Kovalam beach (16 km), Neyyar dam and Lion safari (32 km). Ponmudi hill station (60 km). Padmanabhapuram palace (54 km).
MALAMPUZHA (12 km from Palakkad) - Dam, garden with fountains.
EDAKAL - Cave in Wayanad district.
KANNUR - Fort, Payyambalam and Muzhapilangad beaches. KASARGOD - Bekkal fort (20 km).
FESTIVALS - Onam (Aug/Sept), Vishu, Ramzan, Christmas, Aluva Shivratri.