KOVALAM
This is the main beach resort of Kerala and is just half an hour from Trivandrum Airport. It has a number of beaches, including the famous Lighthouse Beach. Much of the beach area can only be reached on foot which gives Kovalam its village atmosphere. There is a wide range of hotels and a number of restaurants, shops and tailors. | More >>

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
Trivandrum (as it is usually called) in the far south of Kerala is the state capital. There is a range of business hotels here and these can be useful for a night before an early departure, but for longer most people like to stay at one of the nearby beaches. | More >>

SOUTHERN BEACHES
There is a string of beaches running south from Kovalam and we refer to these as the southern beaches – Poovar is the furthest south at about 50 minutes from Trivandrum Airport. Just south of Poovar is the border with Tamil Nadu. Staying at a resort along one of these beaches offers a more ‘exclusive’ experience and if you want the shops and restaurants of Kovalam it is only a short distance away. | More >>

VARKALA
Varkala is just over an hour north of Trivandrum Airport. The attractive beach is at the bottom of a steep, red cliff. Although Varkala is a beach resort with a range of hotels, guesthouses, bars and restaurants, it is also a place of pilgrimage for Hindus. The Sree Janardhana Swamy temple and Sivagiri Mutt attract many pilgrims and pujas for departed souls are conducted on the beach each morning. | More >>

KOLLAM
Kollam (Quilon) marks the southern end of the Kerala backwaters. It is a typical market town with some old wooden houses and winding streets. The village of Paravoor, on the edge of an inlet, is 13 km south of Kollam. | More >>

ALLEPPEY DISTRICT
South of Cochin in the district of Alleppey there is a narrow strip of land sandwiched between the sea and Vembanad Lake. It is a convenient base as it is close to Cochin (and Cochin Airport), has the beach on one side and the backwaters on the other. This is a village area rather than a tourist resort so visitors must not expect to find restaurants, bars and shops here – but if you want quiet beaches in a convenient position for central Kerala | More >>

THE BACKWATERS
This term refers to the network of waterways stretching from Kollam in the south to Cochin in the north and includes lakes, lagoons, rivers, canals and channels. This is a beautiful area where you can visit small villages and enjoy the countryside and birdlife – either from a backwater resort or from the decks of a houseboat. Many of the resorts are on the banks of the vast Vembanad Lake. This region of the backwaters, called ‘Kuttanad’, is known as the rice bowl of Kerala and is one of the most beautiful and interesting areas. | More >>

PERIYAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Periyar is between 900m and 2,000m above sea level and is said to offer the visitor the best chance to see wild elephant in the whole of India. The park is also home to leopards and a small number of tigers although these animals are rarely seen as the park is huge at 777 sq km. It is excellent for birds and there is also a good chance of seeing wild boar, gaur bison, sambar deer, Nilgiri langur, macaque monkey, otter | More >>

MUNNAR
At around 1,600m above sea level the hill station of Munnar (previously known as the High Range of Travancore) is one of the highest tea growing areas in the world. The landscape is dramatic with craggy rocks and neat manicured tea gardens. This is an area for walking and trekking and if your interest is wildlife then it is possible to visit Eravikulam National Park (just 14 km outside the town of Munnar) and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary (58 km away but quite a long journey due to the mountain roads). | More >>

THE FOOTHILLS
You do not have to go to the highest sections of the Western Ghats to enjoy some mountain scenery and cool air. Staying along the route can either break-up a long journey or may be a destination in itself. The more secluded locations of these properties is superb and they offer a more personal experience. | More >>

VAGAMON
Vagamon is in central Kerala not too far from Cochin, Thekkady (Periyar) and Munnar. It is a beautiful area with comfortable rolling green meadows and tea gardens. | More >>

THATTEKKAD
Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary is 78 km from Cochin and regarded as the best place in Kerala to see birds. The sanctuary is also known as the Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, named after the world-renowned ornithologist (1896-1987) who described Thattekkad as a ‘birder’s paradise’. | More >>

PONMUDI
This is a small hill resort not far from Trivandrum and the southern beaches. The area is good for walking and it is possible to visit Neyyar Dam and Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary. | More >>

PATHANAMTHITTA
Pathanamthitta is a district of Kerala inland from the backwaters. It is a rural area and not much visited by tourists so if you like to venture off the beaten track then this place will suit you nicely. It also works as a good journey break between the beaches and mountains. | More >>

CENTRAL KERALA
The districts of Thrissur and Palakkad provide a welcome break in the journey between Cochin and North Kerala or Ooty. The Kerala Kalamandalam (performing arts academy) is located at Cheruthuruthi in Thrissur and visitors are welcomed. Palakkad (or Palghat as it used to be called) is a major rice growing area in a natural depression or gap in the Western Ghats. | More >>

COCHIN (KOCHI)
This historic harbour city is also Kerala’s commercial capital. Cochin International Airport is approximately one hour north of the city. Being a harbour city, Cochin has a number of different areas – mainland, peninsulas and islands. The main areas are connected by road bridges. | More >>

WILLINGDON ISLAND
Willingdon Island is sandwiched between Fort Cochin and Ernakulam making it convenient for both these area. Parts of it are rather industrial and there is also a large naval base on the island but there are some good hotels here. | More >>

ERNAKULAM
Ernakulam is the busy mainland part of the city. The main street of Ernakulam – MG Road – is excellent for shopping. Staying in Ernakulam is more convenient for the airport and it is still possible to visit the places of interest on Fort Cochin using a variety of transport methods (eg taxi, rickshaw, water taxi). Ernakulam is the name of the district as well as the city. Cochin Airport which is about an hour north of Cochin is still within the district of Ernakulam. | More >>

CALICUT
Kozhikode (as Calicut is known locally) is the main city of the Malabar region. The smart new airport is now taking a number of international flights from a range of airlines and this is gradually opening up the area. The city of Calicut is known for its weaving (calico is believed to have originated here) and also has a thriving boat building industry. As Kerala’s third largest city it also has good shopping opportunities. | More >>

TELLICHERRY
This small town (now called Thalassery) was a spice trading town during the Raj and the site of a number of skirmishes between the British and other Europeans as well as with the Indians. The Tellicherry Fort was built by the British in 1708. The main reason most people come to Tellicherry is to stay at Ayisha Manzil but while you are here don’t miss the opportunity to see one of Kerala’s most extreme cultural spectacles – Theyyam. | More >>

WAYANAD
Wayanad is a rainforest area in the Malabar section of the Western Ghats. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere, which also incorporates Bandipur National Park in Karnataka and Mudumalai Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu. From this area it is possible to visit Sultan’s Battery, Pookote Lake and Edakkal Caves. | More >>

KASARAGOD
Kasaragod is the most northerly district of Kerala’s Malabar region. It is a rural area with a long coastline that is currently being developed. The beaches are wide and attractive and there is an ancient fort at Bekal (one of the largest forts in Kerala) but only the outer walls and some watchtowers remain. The nearest domestic airport is at Mangalore (just over the border in Karnataka) and the nearest international airport is Calicut. | More >>