of India’s most exciting natural wildlife sanctuaries which offer
opportunity to watch wildlife at close range. The vegetation, the
flora and fauna and the birds of Thekkady are uniquely rich, vast
and varied. Notable among wild life population in this sanctuary
which attracts a steady stream of visitors round the year is the
majestic Asiatic wild elephants, Nilgiri langur, wild boar, wild dog,
bison, bear tigers and leopards. The greatest attraction in
Thekkady is a leisurely cruise across the expanse of the fresh water
lake in the midst of the sanctuary. Lakkidi in Wayanad district is
another hill station of great scenic beauty with its picturesque
hills, streams and luxuriant vegetation, one of the highest
locations in Wayanad, and registers the second highest degree of
rainfall in the world. Surrounded on all sides by meadows and
hills, it has become a favorite picnic spot of tourists. Wayanad
district also offers a variety of other tourist attractions like the
Kuruva Islands, Pookote Lake, Chembra Peak, Edakkal Caves etc.
Bird Sanctuaries: Birds have always evoked the curiosity of man.
Maybe the wish to fly is prime reason. The beauty, the way in
which they make its nest, its ability to sense even the subtle
changes in the nature and the nature of migration and their
mating- all associated with birds are keenly watched by man. Bird
sanctuaries are major attraction for tourists. Dr Salim Ali Bird
Sanctuary is the most renowned bird sanctuary in the state.
Started in 1983, the bird sanctuary located in Thattekkad in
Ernakulam district was the first bird sanctuary of Kerala. Spread
over an area of 25 sq km in the forests surrounded by the
tributaries of the Periyar River. One can see a variety of migratory
and resident bird species, including the rare Ceylon frogmouth
and the rose-billed roller. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is another
important one. Migratory birds like darters, egrets, herons, teals,
waterfowls, cuckoos and wild ducks are some of the varieties
found here. The Siberian storks migrate to Kumarakom every year.
Pakshipathalam, situated 1740 mts above sea level, can be
accessed only by trekking. Rare species of birds can be sighted
from the watch tower of this bird sanctuary. Kadalundi Bird
sanctuary is spread over a cluster of islands in a scenic area
surrounded by hillocks where the Kadalundi River flows into the
Arabian Sea. The estuary at Kadalundi is a heaven for migratory
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birds. Over a hundered varieties of native birds and over 60
varieties of migratory birds flock here in large numbers.
Plantation Tourism: The Western Ghats at an average altitude of
900 mtrs from the sea level, with a number of peaks well over
1,800 m in height and their slopes and valleys are known for its
exotic spices like cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, and cash crops
like tea, coffee and rubber. The Midlands, lying between the
mountains and the lowlands, is made up of undulating hills and
valleys which are rich in cashew, areca nut, tapioca, banana, rice,
sugarcane and vegetables of myriad varieties. These areas have
now become hotspot of plantation tourism. Many of the
plantation estates are in the scenic locales of the Western Ghats.
The breathtaking panoramas bring one to a world of wonder.
Though plantations are the lands of leisure, it also imparts
cognition about the cultivation and processing of these great
crops. The opportunities for trekking, fishing, swimming and other
recreations proffer an experience of being one with the virgin
nature. Idukki, Wayanad and Kottayam are the major plantation
centres in Kerala. The exotic smell of the spices elates to a
heavenly ecstasy. Sense the spirit of eco-tourism and adventure
tourism through the green plantations. Stay with nature, dine with
nature and rejoice with nature.
Sandy Beaches: Flanked on the western coast by the Arabian Sea,
Kerala has a long coastline of 580 km; all of which is virtually
dotted with sandy beaches. These sandy beaches and sea shores
are ideal for sunbathing while the shallow coastal waters are
extremely safe for swimming and a refreshing sea bath. The cool
breeze that blows on the beaches will be soothing for both the
body and soul. The most popular beach in the state is Kovalam,
one of India’s internationally acclaimed beaches. A cluster of three
crescent shaped beaches, Kovalam is ideal for an adventurous
water sports like wind surfing swimming and thrilling boat ride
either in catamaran or a wooden craft. The Varkala beach flanked
by the brick red cliffs is an ideal sea side resort and spa. It is also
a pilgrim centre. Alleppey is another spectacular beach where
you can venture safely into the sea to enjoy the massaging touch
of the gentle waves or sit on sand dune hearing the song of the
sea. Kappad beach in northern Kerala is where history comes alive.