Kerala Monsoon Getaways : Must-Visit Places in Kerala from July to October

Must-Visit Places in Kerala Monsoon from July to October

Kerala, often referred to as "God's Own Country," is a tropical paradise on India's southwestern coast. With its lush green landscapes, serene backwaters, and beautiful beaches, it's a popular tourist destination. Let's explore seven must-visit places in Kerala between July and October.

1. Athirappilly: The Majestic Waterfalls

 

Athirappilly Waterfalls Kerala

Known as the "Niagara of India," Athirappilly is famous for its cascading waterfalls. Surrounded by dense forests, it's a haven for nature lovers. The best time to visit is during the monsoon season when the waterfalls are at their fullest.

Athirappilly is a nature lover's paradise, renowned for its breathtaking waterfalls that cascade down from a height of 80 feet. Surrounded by lush green forests, it's a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. The monsoon season transforms the falls into a spectacular sight, making it the ideal time to visit. Trekking through the surrounding forests, taking a refreshing dip in the natural pools, or simply basking in the beauty of the falls are some of the popular activities here.

2. Varkala: Cliffside Serenity

 

Varkala Beach Kerala

Varkala is a coastal town famous for its cliff-top views and Ayurvedic treatments. The Varkala beach, with its black sand and natural mineral springs, is a popular spot for relaxation.

Varkala offers a unique blend of natural beauty and spiritual tranquility. The town is famous for its cliff-top views, where you can witness stunning sunsets over the Arabian Sea. The Papanasham Beach, with its black sand and medicinal springs, attracts visitors seeking relaxation and rejuvenation. Varkala is also known for its Ayurvedic treatments, making it a perfect place to unwind and rejuvenate.

3. Kumarakom: Backwater Bliss

 

Kumarakom Backwaters Kerala

Kumarakom is a backwater destination known for its serene houseboat cruises. You can enjoy the tranquil beauty of the Vembanad Lake and watch the local birdlife.

Kumarakom is synonymous with Kerala's backwaters. A houseboat cruise through the serene Vembanad Lake is a must-do experience. You can spot a variety of bird species, enjoy delicious Kerala cuisine, and soak in the tranquil ambiance. Kumarakom also offers opportunities for fishing, birdwatching, and exploring nearby villages.

4. Munnar: Hill Station Charm

 

Tea plantations in Munnar Kerala

Munnar is a hill station renowned for its tea plantations, rolling hills, and cool climate. It's a perfect place to escape the summer heat and enjoy the scenic beauty.

Munnar is a hill station that captivates with its rolling hills, tea plantations, and cool climate. It's a perfect escape from the summer heat. Enjoy trekking through the tea estates, visiting spice plantations, or simply relaxing amidst nature's beauty. Munnar also offers opportunities for adventure activities like trekking, mountain biking, and river rafting.

5. Alleppey: Venice of the East

 

Houseboat in Alleppey Kerala

Alleppey, also known as Alappuzha, is famous for its backwaters and houseboat cruises. A leisurely houseboat ride through the canals is a must-do experience.

Alleppey, or Alappuzha, is often called the Venice of the East due to its extensive network of backwaters. A houseboat cruise through the serene canals is a highlight of any Kerala trip. You can experience the local lifestyle, enjoy delicious Kerala cuisine, and witness stunning sunsets over the backwaters. Alleppey also offers opportunities for fishing, birdwatching, and visiting local markets.

6. Kovalam: Beach Paradise

 

Kovalam Beach Kerala

Kovalam is a beach town with three beautiful beaches: Lighthouse Beach, Hawah Beach, and the famous Kovalam Beach. It offers a variety of water sports and Ayurvedic treatments.

Kovalam is a beach lover's delight, offering three beautiful beaches: Lighthouse Beach, Hawah Beach, and the famous Kovalam Beach. Enjoy swimming, sunbathing, water sports, or simply relaxing on the golden sands. Kovalam is also known for its Ayurvedic massages and yoga centers, making it a perfect place to rejuvenate your body and mind.

7. Jatayu Earth's Center: Mythical Marvel

 

Jatayu Earth's Center Kerala

Jatayu Earth's Center is a unique tourist destination dedicated to the mythological bird Jatayu. It features a giant sculpture of Jatayu and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

Jatayu Earth's Center is a unique tourist attraction dedicated to the mythological bird Jatayu. The centerpiece is a massive sculpture of Jatayu, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. You can explore the theme park, learn about Indian mythology, and enjoy adventure activities like zip-lining and rock climbing.

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Houseboat Holiday - An Awesome Holiday experience..

Houseboat Holiday - An Awesome  Holiday experience..

Your holiday in the kaleidoscopic Kerala will be bewitching with the balmy beaches and the breathtakingly beautiful backwaters. Though it will be the private boat trip along the backwaters that will make the tour complete. The ‘kettuvallams’ or the traditional houseboats offer the best possible accommodation. The slow yet steady sail along shallow, palm-fringed lakes and narrow canals is mesmerizing. As it is the strong yet smooth sailing houseboats form one of the most abiding images of Kerala. 

The stitched boats of Kerala are the moving masterpieces of the majestic country crafts that may measure up to 80 feet in length. Usually the traditional houseboats are 60 to 70 feet high and 13 feet wide in the middle. These ‘kettuvallams’ are made up of eco-friendly materials like the bamboo poles, coconut fiber, ropes, bamboo mats, carpets etc. The entire structure is strong enough to carry a truckload of material and withstand the enormous waves in the sea. In case the houseboats are maintained well, they last for generations. Earlier these houseboats were used as the means of transport through the backwaters for men and material today they have become major tourist attractions. 

After your tour to God’s Own Country even you will find the houseboats the true luxury on water. The simple looking houseboats are no less than the star categorized hotels. There are fleets of houseboats that offer most of the modern comforts and conveniences. These houseboats are fully furnished and well appointed with the option of single, double or triple bedrooms. Usually the structure also has ample space for toilets, kitchen, private balcony and the sun decks. For the budget tours the houseboats offer dormitories.

The Kettuvallam is a large floating structure with high load carrying capacity was a part of Kerala' s culture and heritage over the past years. The advent of road transport and motorization of waterways saw in steep decline in the significance of Kettuvallam as an effective carrier of bulk cargo.

The experience of the backwaters is heightened with the use of the traditional lanterns for lightening. The houseboat usually offers a small or two sitting rooms comfort for two members of the crew and the chef. The members of the crew comprise of the oarsmen and/or the guide. Many-a-times the houseboats are powered by a small engine. When onboard you may savor the traditional delicacies of Kerala. The cuisine is captivating owing to the local specialties in the menu. The food is generally fresh as the material is purchased on the way. The sights, sounds and smells add to make the backwater trip unforgettable. The colorful culture and customs, canopies of coconuts will always catch your eye. When these dazzling and delightful dwellings are afloat a whole rainbow of lives and styles seem to pass by. At spots shoals of ducks seem to greet you. the magic of the moonlight, The magic of the mystical backwaters will sweep you off your feet and the joy ride on the houseboat will add to the enchanting experience. The traditional houseboats attract travelers equally from India and abroad. There are several price options for you to take your pick from. There are over 250 houseboats that ply in the backwaters. For tourists the charges may be settled for anything between 500 and 6000 Indian rupees for a day. The entire experience on the backwaters is enchanting. You must opt for the fabulous ride on the houseboat and explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters of Kerala.

Around six years ago an entrepreneur on the request of tourists remodeled the traditional Kettuvallam to suite the role of a tourist cruise boat. This gave an impetus to the resurgence of Kettuvallam and with further modifications these vessels were transformed into full-fledged house boats. The Kettuvallam was once an integral member of the fraternity of Kerala as an efficient cargo carrier. With a redefinition of its function these boats have carried which for themselves in the present and future of Kerala as a tourist house boat.

The floor defines a field of space with territorial boundaries. The curved lines provide the feeling of continuity for the space and the points of Aniyam and Amaram define the end of space. The floor creates a space below that is hidden completely from the view used as a place for water storage and balancing sandbags. The valapura, my cover provides an opaque plane marks off a portion of amorphous space and separates here from there and provides shelter for volume of space beneath it. Entering inside you sense shelter and enclosure. This perception is due to the architectural elements, the floor, and the cover that define the physical limits of the interior space.

Shape

The Valapura is always made symmetrical so that the self weight is equally distributed and joins at either edge of the hull. The hull again being exactly symmetrical helps itself balance on the water. The arched forms coming and joining to form an egg shaped shell in turn influence the dimensions, proportion and arrangement of interior spaces within the volume.

Lighting

Light and the patterns of light and darkness it creates can call our attention to one area of our room de-emphasize others and thereby create division of spaces.

At night the traditional hurricane lamp is used to lit the interiors. Usually each one is hung from the ridge of valapura one at front, one at rear and one or two accordingly for the living spaces. And mostly for half of a month there will be moonlight, which gives enough light, reflected on water.

Eco friendly materials

The materials used in the construction of Kettuvallam are organic in nature. Wood is used for the construction of the hull. It is renewable light and poor conductor of heat, sound and Coir is used as rope for tying various elements. It is of light coconut fibers, which is course, rough and hard. It is elastic and resistant to water.

Bamboo

It is used for the framework of the roof and splits are used for weaving mat for roofing. Bamboo poles are used for punting the Vallams. It is strong fibre and absorbs more carbon.

The Space

The spaces within a vallam can be arranged to suit man's functions. It is seen that the vallam began as a log of wood used for traveling over water, which underwent transformations through ages to suit various functions.

The Form

For old cargo vallams the roof was low and the circulation of light and air inside the vallam was less. The new forms have raised roofs with more opening allowing more air, which increases the comfort within the vallam. The feeling of the pure free flowing air bring the travelers close to the surrounding nature. The Kettuvallams has been so much a part of Kerala's culture and heritage for years. Although, it faced a period of decline with the advent of surface transport it has now come back to the scene as tourist attraction. It is a space adapted for the present, from the past to be used in the future and it plays a significant role in the social and economic aspects of the life of the people of Kerala.

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KERALA HOUSEBOATS ( KETTUVALLAM )

Kettuvallams, the stitched boats provide the best way to experience the colourful backwaters of Kerala. The Kettuvalloms of Kerala are giant country crafts, measuring up to 80 feet in length.

The traditional houseboat, the indispensable part of the picturesque backwaters of Kerala, was mainly used in Travancore and Kochi and in the Minicoy Islands in olden times.

The wood commonly used to make Kettuvalloms is 'Anhili', which is found in abundance in central Travancore area. Large planks are tied together using hand made coir ropes and beaten coconut fibres.

This gives the Kettuvallams enough strength to withstand heavy waves in the sea. These long cargo boats are a familiar sight on the backwaters. These traditional houseboats undoubtedly form one of the most abiding images of the backwaters in Kerala.

Today, these goods carriers have been adapted to make the most exciting tourism product in India, the luxuriously furnished houseboat. Kettuvallams or the 'house-boats of Kerala' dot the serene palm-fringed backwaters of Kerala.

Witness The Making Of the Traditional Kettuvallams
At a quiet spot just outside the small town of Karunagapally, 23 kms north of Quilon, it's possible to watch the construction of traditional Kettuvallams. Kettuvallams are built entirely without the use of nails.

It requires great skill and adroitness to construct these giant boats by tying huge planks of jack wood together. The boats are applied with fish oil and cashew nut oil and left to cure for days.

Oil is simultaneously applied atleast three times before the boat is set on water. Each jackwood plank is joined to the next with coir rope, and then the whole is coated with a caustic black resin made from boiled cashew kernels. With careful maintenance, they last for generations.

Enjoy The Backwaters of Kerala 

A sojourn in Kettuvallams, the House boats of Kerala, offers a panoramic view of one of the most picturesque aspects of the God's Own Country. One can cruise in it through the palm-fringed backwaters, throughout a night in waxing moonlights.

The lullaby of the waves and the dazzling delights of the moonlit night can be experienced by spending a couple of nights aboard the Kettuvallam. The traditional houseboat of Kerala is one of the most enduring images of the backwaters.

These houseboats are converted version of the "Kuttanadan Kettuvallams".

The Luxury In Water - Kerala Houseboats
Kettuvallams, the large traditional houseboats are converted into floating luxury dwelling units.

These house boats are available in all sizes and shapes, the most popular accommodation type being a suite, having one or two bath attached bedrooms, one living room, kitchenette, an open lounge, deck and a crew comprising oarsmen, a cook and guide.

The houseboats are generally powered by a small outboard engine, allowing one to cruise along the backwaters. A recent innovation is a small conference room in a houseboat.

Price For Comfort
A 24-hour stay costs somewhere in the range of Rs. 6000. There are cheaper ones including dormitories and one bedroom. About 250 boats operate along the backwaters.

Cheaper boats are available for much less but it is a cheaper experience too. At the dockside, called Finishing Point at Alappuzha, the town of houseboat operators and the starting point for backwater journeys, the boats are available for even Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 per day.

Kerala Travel Tours - Kerala means "land of coconuts". Many call the beach at kovalam the best in India. Emerald Kerala Backwaters, lush hill stations, ayurveda and health resorts, enchanting beaches of Kerala, and exotic cuisine... all of which are a part of Kerala Travel and Tourism Guide

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Kerala Houseboat Packages which offers a unique backwater cruise experience in waters of Alleppey and Kumarakom is one of the most appealing holiday experience in India today according to travel reviews. In this world of simple pleasures, you will skim past ancient Chinese fishing nets, water lilies, lush paddy fields, coir villages, rustic homes, temples and coconut groves. A houseboat cruise offers you a chance to learn about the life of local village people through a Kerala Village tour and chance to know about that part of Kerala which lives along these backwaters throbbing with its own unique culture .For you, as a visitor to Kerala it can be incredibly different experience just floating this backwaters in a country craft and absorbing unusual representation.

About Kerala Houseboat & Backwaters
A Kerala houseboat, locally known as Kettuvallam, was used to transport the rice harvested in the fertile fields alongside the backwaters to towns in ancient days. Kettuvallam means a boat made by tying together pieces of wood. Not a single nail is used in the making of a Kettuvallam and it is built by are joining together anjili wood panes with coir ropes and then by coating with black resin made from boiled cashew nut shells. The houseboat raw materials for building consists of eco friendly bamboo poles, coconut fiber ropes, bamboo mats, coir carpets etc.

Todays houseboats originated from traditional commercial boats were used as the mode of transport in the early times from the interior villages in Kerala to places like Alleppey, Kottayam, Cochin and Kollam.Later these boat services became extinct with the introduction of modern transport services between towns and villages. In these days houseboats of kerala have become the symbol of Kerala tourism. No tourist experiencing in Kerala is complete without a kerala houseboat cruise.

About Backwaters
Kerala Backwaters are a network of interconnected canals, rivers, lakes and inlets, a labyrinthine system formed by more than 900 km of waterways.In the midst of this landscape there are a number of towns and cities, which serve as the starting and end points of backwater cruises.The backwaters have a unique ecosystem - freshwater from the rivers meets the seawater from the Arabian Sea. In certain areas, such as the Vembanad Kayal, where a barrage has been built near Kumarakom, salt water from the sea is prevented from entering the deep inside, keeping the fresh water intact. Such fresh water is extensively used for irrigation purposes.Many unique species of aquatic life including crabs, frogs and mudskippers, water birds such as terns, kingfishers, darters and cormorants, and animals such as otters and turtles live in and alongside the backwaters. Palm trees, pandanus shrubs, various leafy plants and bushes grow alongside the backwaters, providing a green hue to the surrounding landscape.

Rooms, Facilities & Staff
Kerala house boats have fully furnished single double triple and five bedrooms with sundeck, private balcony with comfortable chairs, kitchen and toilet. There will be three crew members comprising of two oarsmen and a cook . It takes great skill and meticulousness to construct and navigate these giant Houseboats by tying huge planks of Anjili tree and the staff has been trained properly. All Houseboats have adequate safety measures and Kerala government and tourism department conducts periodic audits and inspections to ensure safety of tourists.

Food & Dining
When you book a Kerala houseboat cruise for one night all meals will be served inside the boat and the Kerala Houseboat Menu is continental, south Indian, North Indian or traditional Kerala flavored with the local specialties; delicious local fish.

How to select a Kerala houseboat package?
Starting point of a Kerala Houseboat Cruise is Alleppey / Kumarakom. Houseboats of Kerala are available for rental from prices starting from Rs.3500 for a Non A/C to Rs.40000 for a super luxury houseboat with butlers. Select a single bedroom houseboat for two people and two bedroom houseboats for four people, 3 bedroom houseboat for six people and a 5 bedroom houseboat for 10 People.

Ask for special arragements like candle light dinner , flower arrangement etc if you are coming for a honeymoon or a romantic cruise. Food preferences (Vegetarian/ Non Vegetarian) has to be specified before the boat leaves from the shore. Fishing Arragements and canoeing in a traditional Kerala boat can also be arranged on request

While many Kerala Houseboat Cruises take tourists from a particular point and bring them back to around the same point next morning there are some specific cruises mostly in the Alappuzha area, such as the one night cruise from Alappuzha to Thotapally via Punnamada Lake,two nights cruise from Alappuzha to Alumkavadi,one night cruise from Alappuzha to Kidangara,and one night cruise from Alappuzha to Mankotta.There are numerous such cruises which we arrange for our guests on special request.