Kerala is not just beautiful since the word ‘beautiful’ seems to be a fairly mediocre tag for this place. It is one of the most serene places in the world and India is definitely fortunate to have something as picturesque and romantic like Kerala in its collection of geographical treasures.
Though there are several tourist places in Kerala (and each one is a gem in itself), here are the ones you must not miss out on during your maiden visit:
Periyar National Park: Periyar National Park is one of the most fulfilling tourist places in Kerala. It is your passport to elephant rides, boat rides and into a world full of plants and animals.
Varkala: If you have come to Kerala looking for beaches, then you simply cannot afford to skip Varkala. By unanimous consent, it has been declared the most striking destination for beach bums in this state. It may not be as lively or electrifying as the beaches of Goa. But you cannot find a more peaceful and rhapsodic place to connect with nature.
Kollam: Kollam is a potpourri of many things. It is quaint and natural. There are lovely backwaters and some rustic bazaars.
Cochin: Cochin has the right amount of history and a hint of nature with some extremely serene beaches. The Cherai Beach in Cochin is counted amongst the most beautiful beaches in India. So, if you are looking for some exquisite pictures of sunsets and sunrises, then you should visit this beach during the dawn and twilight hours. The city is also noted for its entourage of churches, one of the most famous of which is the St. Francis Church. Willingdon Island, Mattancherry Palace and Jewish Synagogue are other notable attractions of Cochin.
Munnar: Munnar is one of the best Kerala tourist places and rides high on the popularity count owing to the breathtaking beauty of its hills. It is a hill station and has been growing in stature as one of the top honeymoon destinations in India. In recent years, many young honeymooners have been choosing Munnar over other traditional favorites like Shimla or Kashmir. Its lush green hills and quiet tea gardens make for perfect scope of photography. The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and Eravikulam National Park offer interesting vignettes of nature and give you some thrilling opportunities for wildlife photography. Anamudi, Tata Tea Museum and Indo-Swiss Diary Farm are other attractions of Munnar.
Alleppey: Alleppey has multiple attractions including temples, beaches and churches. Yet the entire limelight is stolen by the backwaters which are so majestic that almost the entire reputation of Kerala is owing to them. The lagoons and the canals offer pacific and blissful waterways where one can sail on a houseboat. So, honeymooners find Alleppey as the most romantic corner in the whole of India. In these water bodies, there is this faraway world which transports everyone into a dream land. For nature photography, Alleppey, without a doubt, is one of the best Kerala tourist places.
Its Alappuzha Beach is also a picturesque spot and is frequented by people of all ages. The view of the Arabian Sea from this point is too poetic to resist not staring. In case, you wish to take snapshots of religion or spiritualism, then the Edathua Church and Shree Krishna Temple are recommended spots. However, most of the religious attractions in India do not permit photography inside the premise. You can, however, take snapshots from outside. The architectural beauty of the temples and churches of India is second to none.
Neelimala View Point: Neelimala View Point is a place which offers you a heart-rending view of the landscape. Witnessing the mountains and the nearby hamlets from the top of this corner can make your adrenalines rush in bucketfuls.
Meenmutty Falls: A hill station is not complete without having a waterfall or two! And Meenmutty Falls is that corner where you won’t mind spending an entire life. The beauty of the cascading waterfalls is so enormous that one stays rooted before it and gets lost in introspective thoughts. It is surely a place which is a must visit.
Kanthanpara Falls: If you love waterfalls, you can add another one in your list. Kanthanpara Falls makes the kind of sound which will give you goose bumps. It is easily one of God’s best creations when it comes to natural beauty.
Chembra Peak: Chembra is the highest peak of the region and so must be visited without fail. It is extremely panoramic and gives you a delightful view of the valleys below. These are Wayanad tourist places which are so scintillating that it would be a grave sin on your part to forget your cameras in your hotels. One can capture some excellent shots of nature in these corners. And Chembra Peak, with its unconquerable height, is certainly as inviting as a model waiting for you to click it.
