KERALA VACATIONS

Kerala - Gods Own Country

If there is one place in the riveting diversity of India where there is tangible beauty and a phenomenal thing like total literacy, it is in Kerala. Kerala is full of good things. This small state in the southern tip of the Indian peninsula is an easy winner owning to its great mind-blowing landscape and infinity of intriguing customs, high-intensity cultural life and educated public so often dressed in white. From Kasargode to Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala is choc-a-bloc with places that attract tourists and travelers from all over the world.

Culture
A majority of the people of Kerala are Dravidians, who also inhibit most of the southern part of India. Hinduism is the principal religion with considerable percentages of Muslims and Christians. The craftsmen of Kerala here can pick up the humblest and meanest bits of material and imbue them with magical mastery. Woodcarving is the most important of craft forms that this state has developed. Kathakali is a 300-year-old dance form developed exclusively in Kerala combining the performing art forms of opera, ballet, masque, and pantomime.

Tourist Attractions of Kerala

Backwaters of Kerala
Driff into a land that time forgot watch picture-book towns and ancient trading posts float by. Wave at that little girl. See the sky shimmer through the coconut canopy. Listen to the tales of exotic birds. Allow the wind to bring you the oarsman's song. Sail a cloud. Dream a dream. Kerala's centuries-old, palm fringed kerala backwaters stretch over 1900 kms. There is a Kerala that lives along these backwaters holiday. And it's an incredible experience to sail down these soothing waters in a country craft to absorb this unusual representation of Kerala life.

The Key Backwaters of Kerala

Alleppey
Alleppey remains prominent on the tourist trail as one of the major centres for backwater boat trips, served by ferries to Quilon and Kottayam in particular. The town is pleasant to stroll around, with plenty of activity to watch on the canals. One of the best known ports along the coast of Malabar, tourist literature is fond of referring to Alleppey as the 'Venice of the East'.

Cochin
Popularly known as the Queen of the Arabian sea, Cochin is the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala. A conducted cruise through winding waterways will take you several quaint spots including Jew town, where the Jews arrived as early as 52 AD from Yemen and Babylon. Half the fun of visiting Cochin is getting about on the local ferries.

Hill Stations of Kerala
Free yourself. Be what you want. Do what you will. Cast your cares down the edge. Touch the sky. Hunt for the rivulet's origin. Take time to smell the flowers. Talk with the mountain goat. Tuck yourself away in quaint little cottages on hillsides. Watch the stars shine for you. Listen to the sounds of silence. Be at peace.

Key Hill stations

Munnar
The nature lover's paradise. Sprawling tea plantations. Picture-book towns. Winding lanes filled with the heady fragrance of fresh tea… All 1800 m above sea level. In fact, Munnar has the highest peak in south India, Anamudi-which towers over 2695 m. An assortment of kerala wildlife such as the Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri Langur, Sambhar, Gaur and the Lion tailed Macaque are found in the rich tropical forests around.

Idduki
Idukki is one of the popular hill stations of Kerala. Idukki is the land of majestic mountains, wondrous valleys and spectacular streams. The mountains of Idukki are the starting point of the River Pamba. The small hill town of Idukki derives its name from the Malayalam word Idukku that literally means 'a narrow gorge'. Idukki lives true to its name and the Periyar River has the hills of Kuravan and Kurathi on its sides forming a gorge. The mist clad hillocks of the hill resort of Idukki work magic. Idukki offers forests rich in teak wood, rose wood and sandalwood.

Beaches of Kerala
The beaches of Kerala are renowned the world over for their breathtaking beauty. The blues of the sky and the blue waters of the beaches of Kerala come together to take away your blues. Amongst the popular beaches of Kerala are the Kovalam Beach and Varkala beach. The other much-visited beaches of Kerala are Thanagasseri Beach, Cheria Beach, Tanur Beach, Padinharekara Beach, Beypore Beach and Kappad Beach. The importance of Kappad is because of Vasco-da-Gama's arrived at this place. This is the historic beach where Vasco - de - Gama landed on the 27th of May 1498, A.D.with 170 men in three vessels.

Ayurveda in Kerala
Discover the Secret of Eternal Youth at the Ayurvedic Rejuvenation Centres in Kerala. The exclusive programs from Top Travel are based on the VEDIC Science - Ayurveda and are directed towards strengthening your immune system and preventing disease. The Ayurvedic physician draws out the rejuvenation program for each individual after a thorough evaluation. Well-qualified and highly experienced doctors and personnel handle recommended Ayurvedic Treatment and Massage Centres, which are added attraction of the Tours.

Fairs and Festivels in Kerala
Festivity is in the air, thorughout the year, in Kerala. It is a land where festivals never end. A reflection of the varied terrain of the land and the exuberant people, these festivals are connected with a temple, church, mosque or a national phenomenon. The Popular Festivals of Kerala include Thrissur Pooram, Aarattupuzha Pooram, Nehru Trophy Boat Race, Attukal Pongala, Kalpathy Ratholsavam and Vishu.

Vibrant and packed with centuries of unbroken tradition, the festivals of Kerala seldom stray far from the realms of magic. A thousand colours.Mesmerising music. Fireworks. Processions of gold bedecked elephants… you will have to keep coming back for a lifetime to really witness this myriad range of experiences.