Kerala Flights and Travel Guide

Tucked away in the South West corner of India, Kerala is a narrow strip of land between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghat mountains. The name means "land of coconuts," and palms still shade almost the entire state from the tropical sun. The tropical landscape is criss-crossed by dozens of rivers and countless waterways and visitors can spend idle days riding small ferries through the backwater lagoons and see village life close-up in this, India's most populous state.

Kerala has some of India's best coastal resorts, among the finest is the much photographed Kovalam, which many argue has the best beach in the country. Here visitors can take in Kerala's rich cultural and artistic life and enjoy the best vegetarian cuisine on the planet.

When the rest of India gets too hot to handle, Kerala is soothing and rejuvenating, whether you stick to the lowlands or head for the hills, passing through scenery dotted with churches and temples, past spice, tea, coffee and rubber plantations, enjoying natural forests with wildlife reserves filled with elephants.

Compared to the rest of India Kerala is short on monumental sights to see; the drawing card here, though, is the natural beauty. The countryside undulates westward from the mountains offering vistas of rich green valleys. Rivers glide across the plains towards the sea, creating attractions like the Athirampally Falls, ending in a linked chain of lagoons where the silence of the still waters is broken only by boats and canoes, and seagulls and cranes.

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Kerala Insider Information

• If you’re booking flights to Kerala to experience monumental sights, then the palaces and museums that surround this historical resort town won’t disappoint you. Alwaye Palace, settled on the Banks of the Periyar River, is one of the finest establishments in the area, ornate with circular verandahs overlooking the river. Boghatty Palace, built by the Dutch in 1744, was used as the governor’s residence, and is now used as a tourist hotel. Its canopied garden allows for scenic views of the Arabian Sea. To be dazzled by the king’s throne and crown, visit the Hill Palace Museum, where the wealth and prosperity of the royal family houses beds, paintings, carvings, and epigraphy of ancient temples.
• For the outward-bound traveler booking flights to Kerala, take advantage of the beautiful waterfalls that cascade from the area’s highest peaks and descend into lush, green valleys. The Vazhachal waterfall is the most picturesque, and surrounded by thick, verdant forest land. Pouring into the Chalakudy River, it creates a powerful flow of water that intensifies its peaceful façade. Just east of the Panualur, the Palaruvi waterfall surges down a mountain pass more than 300 feet tall.
• India’s last stretch of tropical evergreen rain forest spans throughout the Silent Valley National park, where elephants, tigers, wild dogs, and flying squirrels coexist in nature’s habitat. Because of vehicular traffic around park is limited, it may be your most challenging Kerala travel excursion, but the experience is worth the obstacle. Another sanctuary, the Eravikulam National Park, was established solely for the preservation of the Nilgiri Tahr, beloved endangered species of India. It also shelters elephants, sambars, guars, lion-tailed macaques, and leopards. While it’s the perfect place to trek, it’s also a great place to camp. Accommodation and board facilities are available in Munnar, the nearest town.

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Kerala Airports

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