Top 10 Summer Vacation Destinations In Kerala

Are you looking to plan a summer holidays in Kerala in 2015? Are you wondering which are your best bet for summer holiday destinations in Kerala? Our collection of places to visit in Kerala in summer offer you the widest possible choice of places to pleasant and sun soaked places across Kerala.

With schools and colleges closed, you have a good opportunity to travel with your family to a place that has little to do with constantly rising temperature and is free from many constrains of city life. Here we have prepared a list of not-to-miss places for those who haven’t yet decided where to go on a summer vacation in Kerala with family.

This coastal state is rich in distinctive traditions and culture, and lush unspoiled tropical beauty. Most of all, Kerala is known for its elephants, elaborate temple festivals, and the tranquil backwaters. The pace of life is slow, making Kerala the perfect place for a leisurely vacation.

Kerala, the “God’s Own Country” is among the most favorite and popular tourist spots. Huge number of people from all across the globe comes to pay a visit to this beautiful state of Kerala. Peaceful beaches, composed climate, lush green hill stations, serene stretches of backwaters, and exotic wildlife are the most sought after attractions of this land. According to the National Geographic Traveler Magazine Kerala is among the “ten paradises of the world” and “50 places of a lifetime”.

1. Alleppey Backwaters

Kerala is home to some of the most wonderful and serene waterways, estuaries, lakes, canals, rivers etc. This huge interlocking network of waterways can be traveled and enjoyed on a houseboat. The backwaters of Kerala are home to some of the most beautiful and unique variety of aquatic life ranging from frogs, crabs, mudskippers, kingfishers, cormorants, darters, to turtles and corters. Leafy plants, shrubs, Palm trees along the sides of backwaters provide the environment a green tinge. Some of the beautiful backwaters of Kerala that you can pay visit are Kollam backwaters, Alleppey backwaters, Kozhikode Backwaters, Cochin Backwaters, Kasaragod Backwaters etc.,

Alleppey is well known for the backwater trips on houseboats and always comes on top among the best destinations to check out in Kerala, simply because it is a exclusive encounter that you cannot get anywhere else on the globe. Alleppey was described as the one of the locations known as ‘Venice of the East’ by Lors Curzon. A houseboat vacation along the natural backwaters in Alleppey provides a chance to observe landscapes attractions like lavish paddy areas below the water levels, small chapels, fishing with netting, ducks in water, water lilies etc, sure to remain etched in your mind forever. A vacation along the pathways with conventional Kerala food provided in a bananas leaves is fascinating with a meditative spell that is weaving a feeling of calmness and beauty around you . All months from Sept to May are fun to check out and go to Alleppey which has few of the best backwater trips in Kerala. Some other tourist destinations in Alleppey are Chettikulangara Bhagawathy Temple , Arthunkal Church , Krishnapuram Palace, Pathiramanal, Marari Beach, Sri Krishna Temple in Ambalappuzha etc other than the beach in Alleppey which may be among the closest encounters to Arabian Sea. All months from September to May are good time to visit and go to Alleppey which has few of the best backwater tours in Kerala.

2. Fort Kochi

Known as the “Gateway to Kerala”, Kochi is an enchanting city that’s had an eclectic influence. Arabs, British, Dutch, Chinese, and Portuguese have all left their mark there. The architecture and historical sites in Fort Kochi attract most of the visitors to the area.

3. Munnar

If you like tea, a visit to Munnar is a must! The surrounding region is renowned for its sprawling tea plantations. See tea being picked and processed, and try fresh tea straight from the gardens. There’s even a tea museum. The area is blessed with the natural beauty of winding lanes, misty hills, and forests full of exotic plants and wildlife. Adventure enthusiasts can trek to Anamudi, the highest peak in south India, explore Eravikulam National Park, or go rock climbing and para gliding.

4. Varkala

The setting of this Varkala beach is striking enough to take your breath away, with a long winding stretch of cliff and views that extend over the Arabian Sea. A paved footpath runs along the length of the cliff, bordered by coconut palms, quaint shops, beach shacks, hotels, and guest houses. Nestled at the bottom of the cliff is a long stretch of sparkling beach, reached by steps leading down from the cliff top. It’s not surprising that Varkala is one of India’s best beaches.

5. Wayanad

Wayanad is a bright green mountainous region that stretches along the Western Ghats. It has a great deal of scenic appeal. Abundant coconut palms, thick forests, paddy fields, and lofty peaks form the landscape. Due to the nature of its terrain, the area also has much to offer adventure enthusiasts. Popular attractions include trekking to Chembra Peak and Meenmutty Falls, exploring old Jain temples, climbing to Edakkal Caves, and wildlife spotting at Muthanga and Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuaries. Another highlight of Wayanad is the many delightful homestays in the area.

Kerala’s Periyar National Park, in the Thekkady district, is one of the most popular national parks in southern India. One of the best things about the park is that it stays open all year round, even during the monsoon season. Periyar is known for its elephants, and 30 minute elephant rides through the jungle are offered. Safaris are carried out by boat, with the lake being particularly captivating at sunset. Visitors can also take part in an excellent variety of eco-tourism activities there.

6. Nelliyampathy

This fascinating hill station is at a height of 467 to 1572 m above sea level. At least 10 hairpin bends have to be negotiated on the ghat road that passes through the breathtaking evergreen forests of the Sahya Ranges. Seethakundu at Nelliyampathy offers a panoramic view of about one third the area of Palakkad district.

7. Vagamon

Across the Idukki-Kottayam border, there is an enchanting hill station called Vagamon, pulling visitors and tourists across the world to feel the nature’s rhythm in wild. Studded with meadows, gardens, dales, tea plantations and valleys, Vagamon is a promising hill station holiday retreat in India. Mystic hills, perfectly maintained lawns and fresh air are quite enough to make your visit ravishing. What makes Vagamon extraordinary is a chain of hills contemplating religious harmony – Thangal Hill, Murugan Hill and Kurisumala. Vagamon is one of those places that have to be experienced live than just read about and is rated among the best hill stations in India.

8. Kovalam

Rated as among the best beaches in India even before Kerala Tourism shot into prominence Kovalam is the favorite option of many tourists in Kerala for relaxing in the sun, ayurvedic treatments and powerful strong deep massages. The crescent shaped beach has a light house on its southern side, which provides an excellent view of the city especially the moon-shaped beach and the Vizhinjam mosque. Kovalam which is derived from cocnut trees is 16 kms away from Trivandrum. The mild home provide an awesome perspective of the moon-shaped beach and the Vizhinjam mosque. To the northern of Kovalam is the Samudra beach and Hawah beach is in the middle of Kovalam. The rocky formations mixes with the calm blue bay to turn the bay into a exclusive aquarelle on moonlit evenings. Three beaches at Kovalam are divided the rocky formations that is projecting out to the sea. The bigger one is known as Light House Beach and the second biggest in the Hawah beach.Check out Tourist Places near Kovalam Beach and a weekend holiday experience in Kovalam.

9. Thekkady

Periyar Wildlife sanctuary in Thekkady is a popular wild life sanctuary preserving various species of animals including elephants, tigers, sambars, gaurs and the very rare lion tailed macaques. The forest is situated on the banks of the lake, Periyar. Of the 777 sq kms of area, 360 sq km has been taken up bythe thick evergreen forest. Thekkady’s scenic beauty along with its wildlife has been attracting tourists and visitors from all over the world for years. Probably the best position in Kerala to see wildlife while doing a boat trip trip in Thekkady lake. From the mighty Indian elephant to the Great Indian tiger to leopards, boars, bisons, deers etc Thekkady has it all that a wild life sanctuary has. The tourism department provides going up the right into the middle of the jungles either on feet or on top of elephants. If you want some more awesome adventure,you can take the path from Moozhiyar to Thekkadi via Gavi spinning through the thickest wooded miles of Kerala. Elephants are a common sight in Thekkady and boating is the favortie past time for most tourist who visits Thekkady.

10. Kumarakom

The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and is part of the Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres is a favourite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist’s paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, teals, waterfowls, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian Stork visit here in flocks and are a fascinate the visitors.

An enchanting backwater destination, Kumarakom offers visitors many other leisure options. Boating and fishing facilities are available at the Taj Garden Retreat, a sprawling old bungalow-turned-resort.

Waterscapes, the backwater resort of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation has independent cottages built on stilts, set amidst coconut groves and panoramic view of the backwaters. Holiday packages involving houseboats, traditional Kettuvalloms (rice barges) offer great experiences.