another drawing card for the nature lovers to visit Thiruvananthapuram during monsoon. The leisure zone in Thenmala includes the sway bridge, sculpture garden, boardwalk. Adventure zone includes rock climbing, bird watching, mountain biking, and rappelling. The deer rehabilitation center and the Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary also make the visit to Thenmala highly recommended.
The active travelers can go in for trekking along the various routes available in the hilly terrains. Mankayam ecotourism zone is one such area. Mankayam River has two spectacular waterfalls – Kalakayam and Kurisadi. A half-day trek to the interior area would take one to Ayampara waterfalls and might give a glimpse of wildlife. For the more adventuresome, there is a one-day trek to Varayadin Mottai. Sighting of Nilgiri Tahr is a possibility in this trek which goes through rolling valleys and shola forests. Trained guides provide camping options too at this place. The picturesque water body at Veli is a picnic spot where the lake meets the Arabian Sea.
Akkulam, an extension of Veli Lake has a calm and serene atmosphere with its natural beauty. The dam site at Aruvikkara is gifted with scenic beauty.
Moving on to the beaches, Kovalam- one of the finest international beaches during the monsoon gives one a purely divine experience. Those of you who want to rejoice in the fresh air along the beach, this is the right time. A walk along the beach where the sand is covered with sea water would elate the mind. The sight of swaying palm trees and the ocean waves hitting the shore would charge the mind.
A keen photographer would never miss a chance to photograph the Western Ghats during the monsoon season. The rains restore the true beauty of the Sahyadris from being dry lands in summer. Viewing this through lens would give a sense of paradise for the photographer enthusiasts.
Even those indoor people too would find Kerala as an apt destination to be during the monsoon. A visit to the museums such as Folklore museum at Koyikkal palace, Kuthiramalika palace museum, and Numismatics museum, would be highly enlightening. For pilgrims Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple and
Hari Kishore S Tourism Department Director
“ Being the first state in India to receive Monsoons every year, Kerala enjoys a good position for marketing the unmatched vibrance of the season and to attract travelers.
The rugged charm of rainy season with sunny interludes, along with the lush greenery, streaming waterfalls, rejuvenation with Ayurveda etc.. gives wide scope for an offseason campaign and Kerala Tourism has been promoting Monsoon Tourism as a grand season for a long time.”
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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
July 2013
METRO mart