Thursday, December 25, 2014

KERALA...God's own country...Really! Mountains,river,sea,beach,backwater,waterfall....... u get it all !





KERALA , known as .... God's own country !
 Now I know why !!



This beautiful state is in India's south-west region. It is on the beautiful green Malabar coast. It is a state with the highest literacy rate. It is a must visit place. Mountains, rivers,waterfalls, sea, beaches...

 Yes! You get it all !!






          MOUNTAINS

         MUNNAR
            The beautiful emerald carpet













Mattupetty Dam





The greens





These beautiful views, you will get in and around Munnar...on the way to Top Station.


Munnar is one of the most popular hill stations in South India.  It is nestled in Western Ghats at an altitude of 6000 ft and is located in Idukki district of Kerala.  This picturesque hill station beckons nature lovers from far and near !! MUST VISIT !!

Large tea plantations, forests, hill ranges, valleys and wildlife make anyone fall in love with this place. 


Here is a list of top places to visit around Munnar



1. Mattupetty Dam
Mattupetty dam and its reservoir  is  located 13 km away from Munnar.  This concrete gravity dam is built between the hill ranges and it is used mainly for water storage for hydroelectric projects. Its reservoir is an idyllic place to enjoy the serene nature. It is also said to be one of the waterholes where the elephants in the region often visit.


2. Mattupetty Indo-Swiss Dairy Farm
Mattupetty is also famous for the Indo-Swiss Farm. This is a highly specialized dairy farm  which comes under Indo-Swiss Livestock Project. Hundreds of high quality cattle are reared here and new varieties are scientifically developed.



3. Kundala Lake
Kundala Lake is an artificial reservoir of a minor arch shaped dam, huddled between the mountain ranges. It is about a 20 km drive from Munnar. There is boating facility there too.



4. Top Station
It is about 40 km from Munnar and it is 1,880 meters above sea level. The panoramic view of the Western Ghats and the valley of Theni from Top station is simply breathtaking. Top station got this name from it’s being the uppermost located railway station on the Kundala Valley Railway.


5. Echo Point
Echo Point  is about 15 km from Munnar. Go there and scream as loud as you can..and wait for a minute. You can hear your echo. Its quite interesting. If you have kids with you..they will love it. They can experience this natural phenomenon firsthand.



6. Rajamalai (Part of Eravikulam National Park)
Rajamala, part of Eravikulam national park, is located at about 15 kms from Munnar.  This region is the natural habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragas hylocres). It was converted to a national park to provide a safe sanctuary  for the already endangered species of Nilgiri Tahr.
Eravikulam National park is an Must Visit place. You can seen Nilgiri Thar, its a rare goat  that climbs mountains easily.You can feel the cool breeze, with spectacular view of South India's Higest peak. Tickets 
can be purchased from forest ticket counter.



7. Tea Museum
This tea museum is first of its kind in India. It is located at KDHP’s Nullatanni estate in Munnar. The aim of this museum according to its founders is to showcase the growth of more-than-a-century-old tea plantations in this region. Anyone visiting this museum will get a clear  picture of how laborious this tea processing really is.


8. Marayoor Sandalwood Forests
This is located at around 42 kms north of Munnar through the Udumalppetta route. Marayoor is famous of the natural sandalwood forest. Not only that, this place is said to be part of the ancient stone age civilization dated back to 10,000 B.C. Stone age paintings, rock edicts and dolmens found there vouch for this rich heritage.


9. Attukad Waterfalls
Now this is a scenic waterfalls located between Munnar and Pallivasal. It is just 9 km away from Munnar. But this waterfalls will be in its full glory only after the monsoon (Rainy season). During other seasons, it is just a trickling mountain stream.




10. Blossom Park
Blossom International Park is about 3 km away from Munnar town and it spreads over 16 acres. It is a peaceful location to enjoy a calm and relaxing nature walk admiring flowers and surrounding green hillside. The park offer many activities for tourists like boating, cycling, roller skating etc.




11. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Chinnar wildlife sanctuary is about 60 kms from Munnar.in Idukki district. It is an ideal spot for trekking and enjoying wildlife closely. It is the habitat for endangered Grizzled giant squirrel in India. Almost 34 species of mammals including panthers, spotted deers, elephants, tigers can be found here. It is also a bird watchers paradise. 245 species of birds live here!




12. Tea Plantations
How can one resist a tea garden tour when you are in Munnar? Rolling hillsides covered with tea plantations is a sight to behold. The lush greenery and the soothing cold wind with a mild aroma of tea leaves totally rejuvenates you.



13. Lakkom Water Falls
 This waterfalls is about 25 kms from Munnar on the way to Udumalaipettai. Lakkom waterfalls is part of Eravikulam National Park. The cascading waterfalls and the scenic surroundings makes it a tourist's favorite hideout in Munnar.


                                                                      WATERFALLS

                                                                    Treat for the eyes  
                                                          The Grand Athirapally Waterfall                                                                                                                          At the top
                                                                             
                                                               



At the foot of the waterfall



           From: Kochi, Kerala To: Athirappilly, Vettilappara, Pariyaram, Kerala

The Athirapally waterfalls is situated 1000 ft above sea level on the Chalakudy river, at the entrance to the Sholayar ranges of the Western Ghats, Athirappalli is a scenic combination of forests and little streams. Falling from a height of 80 feet, this is one of the largest waterfalls in the state. Many endangered and endemic species of flora and fauna are found in the forests of the Athirapilly-Vazhachal area.
 






           Valara waterfall 
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The Valara falls is on the way to Munnar from Kochi, you can see it from the main road.



                        Cheeyappara waterfall
                        

This fall, too, is right on the main road, on the way to Munnar fom Kochi.




                                                               BEACHES

                         Yes, the beaches of Kerala are worth visiting. They are clean too,
                                             especially the lesser known ones.


                                        Few  images of the lesser known beaches.



                                                                     Beach near Kochi
 



        Alleppey





      





      

 



                                                                        BACKWATER

                                                                        IN ALLEPPEY















HOUSEBOATS




















Must haves in a houseboat

·        Each houseboat is of excellent construction and luxurious furnishing with exquisite flooring, canopy.

·        Each houseboat is provided with a sun deck, spacious living / dining area.

·        Each houseboat is attached with toilets for the visitors and separate toilets for the crew.

·        Spacious passage and a neat, classy kitchen to be included.

·        Kitchen is properly protected from hazards by fireproofing and fire extinguishers.

·        Clean environment with a hygienic storage hold, free from insects and safe fuel storage facilities.

·        Clean ans good quality linen, blankets, towels etc are also provided.

·        Log books and tourist records are updated regularly and the boat has a valid license.


·        The service of professional cooks are available on the boat.

·        They are in top cruise worthy condition.




NEEDHI SB's

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