Most Romantic Places in Kerala

Are you searching for most romantic places in Kerala or best places in Kerala for honeymoon? Here is the list of most popular romantic getaways in Kerala to make memories that last forever.

Kerala has been blessed with sizzling natural beauty and plethora of natural resources. The abundance of the natural splendour and scenic locations make Kerala one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in India, the most popular tourist destination in India as well as the most romantic places in Kerala. The quiet backwaters, the lush green hills, the picturesque waterfalls, walking on the beaches, spending some quality time watching the sunsets and sunrises, roaming in the wilderness of the plantations and having a marvellous vacation in the tree houses or the backwater resorts, you can find endless opportunities here to make the best of your vacation.

Munnar

There is something in the air and surroundings of the beautiful place known as Munnar, most romantic places in Kerala. The lovely tea estates with rich fragrant atmosphere and surrounded by hills on all the sides takes away all worries. Situated at the confluence of three mountain streams, namely – Nallathanni, Mudrapuzha, and Kundale, the place oozes only charm and brilliance in every nook and corner. You will find yourself drawn to the hilly roadsides, sharing the past memories and making some more. Enjoying a local trek, travelling to the Echo Point, and spending some quiet moments at the Kundale Lake will make you FEEL nature around you. 
Take a different route, and book your stay in a Tree House in some wildlife resort. Listen to the voices of nature, and enjoy getting wrapped up in the clouds and fog as the night falls. The mornings will bring the cosiest rays of the mountainous sun and the evenings will enwrap you in the chilly sheets of fog. The tree houses have all the facilities of a regular stay and have lavish insides.

Kumarakom

Lakes, waterfalls, wildlife, picturesque surroundings, backwaters, and resorts located amidst the hotspots of nature make Kumarakom as another one of the most romantic places in the lovely land of Kerala. You can relax on the beach of Kumarakom Beach, watch the tropical sun, or just walk on one of the finest coastal beaches. Hire a houseboat to roam in the waters of Vembanad Lake and watch the exotic birds. Listen to the waves splashing on the boat and get lost in the majestic surroundings. Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls are another famous tourist spot in the region. Trek with your partner and enjoy the view of the 5-step waterfall from the top. The woodlands, the hilly landscape, streams and the exotic flora and fauna will make your trek one of the most memorable experiences. After an adventurous day full of parasailing, skiing, trekking, bird watching, and roaming on the beach, chill out in a houseboat in the Kumarakom Backwaters.

Alappuzha

This place is a one-in-all package for all the tourists. The lovely scenery and the exciting tourist attractions make it a most romantic place for all the age groups. For the young couples seeking adventure, there are beaches with a lot of exciting water sports and dolphin spotting. However, the waters are not ideal for swimming as the currents become strong especially in the monsoons. Apart from the Alappuzha beach, there is Marari Beach, which is an ideal coastal beach speckled with palm trees sporting hammocks in which you can relax and enjoy a beach day. There are a lot of temples, museum and a palace in the region which can be enjoyed by the people preferring quieter vacations. The stay can be done in the Backwaters Houseboats.

Wayanad

If you want to explore the wildlife, enjoy the thrill of safaris, if you want to experience living amidst the wooded lands of the Western Ghats, then Wayanad is the place for you. Get lost in the charming hills, plan a trek to the local hillocks, lie down on your backs on the hill tops and talk nonsense to your loved one. Explore the caves of Edakkal and shout out your names to hear them echolocating. Enjoy the view of the coffee plantations from the Neelimala View Point and enjoy soaking in the clear and fresh waters of Meenmutty Waterfalls. Choose the colour of your choice for the tent and camp in the local woods, enjoy a campfire and experience the thrill of camping. Phantom Rocks, Boating in the Lake, Bonfire and Star Gazing – Wayanad has it all. You will be able to reminisce all the old incidents and add lots of others while touring the Wayanad.

Kovalam

Famous as the most beautiful beaches in the nation, Kovalam has some of the finest beach resorts to enjoy your romantic vacation to the fullest. Roam on the largest beach, the Lighthouse Beach, take a walk to the lighthouse and enjoy the view of the whole beach. Hawah Beach and the Samudra Beach can also be explored in the region. Enjoy a tasty snack in the German Bakery and delve into some of the finest baked goods. Boating in the Karamana river and Vellayani Lake, click some timeless sunset shots in Edakallu and enjoy a quiet, relaxed evening at the Valiyathura Pier. 
You can stay at the Halycon Castle which has now been converted into a luxury hotel and is a famous tourist spot too.

Poovar Island

Famous for the Poovar Backwater Cruise and its location in between the Neyyar River and the Arabian Sea, the Poovar Island is another must visit place for a romantic Vacation in Kerala. You can stay in various resorts and hotels located on the island. 

Thekkady

Thekkady offers you lot of adrenaline pumping getaways such as wildlife national parks, tiger reserves and lots other exciting getaways. Roam in the Periyar Tiger Reserve, Periyar National Parks, Periyar Lake, and Gavi Forest, all of them can be visited. There are two refreshing tourist spots in the region – Deepa World Spice and Ayurvedic Garden and Spice Walk which are a must visit. Plan your stay in the wildlife resorts or the tree houses to have a unique experience.

Vagamon

Vagamon Located in the Idukki district is the another most romantic places in Kerala. It is a wonderful hill station which has a cool climate throughout the year. The lush green forests with spiralling roads make you go gaga. Enjoy a long drive, do paragliding or plan a camp night in the hills of Vagamon. Head to nowhere in the Vagamon Pine Forest, or the Barren hills, drive on the Mundakayan Ghat Road and make a trek to the Vagamon Falls. Enjoy local trekking at the Vagamon Kurisumala.

Apart from these places, there are Bekal, Allepey and lots of other places in Kerala where you can plan your romantic getaway and make memories that last forever.

Unveiling the Charm of Alleppey Backwaters

This is the seventh post in the Kerala backwater blog post series.

The Alleppey backwaters always existed; the people living around the area years ago, used the ‘almost’ fresh water for all purposes, like drinking, bathing, washing etc. Families used small boats for themselves, which every member of the family could row. The bigger ferry boats served as public  transport and the spacious, traditional Kettuvallams ( big boats bound with rope) carried cargo and  the families that owned them used these big boats for an occasional visit to their relatives. Life was quiet and peaceful.  I wonder if they ever marveled at the beauty surrounding them or did they take it as a matter of  routine…

Life has changed a lot from those days.  The backwaters remain the same, but not the activities. With the development of roads much of the traffic has moved on to land. Now houseboats carrying tourists criss-cross the calm waters. Many have discovered the thrill and joy of boat rides on the backwaters of Alleppey. They wax eloquent about their wonderful experience of cruising and living in boats on the serene backwaters. This in turn prompts others to dream of a vacation in Kerala and visit  in and around Alleppey, the boating capital of  Kerala.

To call Alleppey the “Venice of East” maybe a cliché, but there is truth in it. There are narrow canals  which connect the larger water bodies. To traverse these water inlets, one may have to depend on a shikara,  the country boat. On either side there are simple dwellings, eateries, shops and stores. You can stop anywhere and use the services as in a town. Stores selling ethnic articles are a source of souvenirs to take home.

Coir making is a cottage industry prevalent in the area. Coir is made by retting coconut fibers. A lot of women work at it and become economically independent. The boat can drop you in such a place where coir and coir articles are crafted.

With all these facilities, the holidayers can cruise along for hours on the waters and the regulars can reach their destinations in time, without getting subjected to the air pollution on the roads.  The cruise in these backwaters is indeed a dream come true! It is a refuge from hectic life for the romantics, poets, authors, artists , in fact for anyone who holds an aesthetic view of life.

No amount of repetition can dull the description of the swaying coconut trees, the green paddy fields, blue skys, flocks of ducks  floating on the surface, cormorants, the fish-eating birds exposing only their long necks above water,  and those beautiful water lilies. You have to see it to believe it. As you relax on the deck after a Kerala lunch/dinner mainly of sea-food cooked by special chefs, you may witness a sunset in riotous colors, or enter the moonlit world of imagination.

At night you may come across a fisherman or two in his boat half asleep yet alert enough to net his catch. He won’t disturb you. Some find the monsoon with raindrops falling on the surface of the water causing unending ripples more thrilling. The cool breeze, gray skies and lightning add to the charm.

Kochi is the nearest international airport from where Alleppey is 100 km away by road. There is a ferry service to Cochin or you can take a private boat ride. From Alleppey, the entire backwater stretches of Kerala are accessible by inland waterways which are more pleasant than road. You can go on to reach Kuttanad, the granary of  Kerala. The unique shrine dedicated to serpents is about 32 km south of Alleppey. The temple is headed by a Brahmin priestess.

The famous Krishna temple at Ambalappuzha is 15 km south of Alappuzha. It is a grand example of Kerala architecture. The “palpayasam” made of milk is served as an offering, something worth tasting apart from being blessed by the Lord. The murals depict the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. 3 km east of Ambalapuzha stands the fascinating “Karumadikuttan” which is said to be a 11th century statue of Lord Buddha.

A lovely place to spend a night during the cruise is Pathira-manal an island which is also a bird sanctuary. A one and a half hours’drive by motor boat takes you there. Kumarakom the famous bird sanctuary can also be covered on the way to Kollam. Each of these places holds its own charm.

Good hotels and resorts are plenty and you can choose any type you prefer. The tariffs vary from Rs, 1000 to 13,000 for a double room. By good, I mean they are modern, clean and comfortable. There are home stays also to choose from, if you are one of those who want to experience real Kerala lifestyle.

Hope you enjoyed unveiling the charming Alleppey backwaters. Love to hear your comments and experiences visiting Alleppey backwaters.

Here is the complete list of articles in the Kerala backwater series.

1. Backwaters of Kerala

2. Exploring Kerala Backwaters : Kumarakom

3. Fishing…For Fun at Njarakkal Aqua Fish Farm (Part of Kochi Backwaters)

4. Traversing Backwaters of Kuttanad

5. Feel the Beauty of Kollam Backwaters

6. Discover: Backwaters of Kochi

7. Unveiling the Charm of Alleppey Backwaters

Discover: Backwaters of Kochi

This is the sixth post in the Kerala backwater Series. In this post, we will be traveling around Kochi and its close lying backwaters…

A holiday spent in Kochi would be an exotic mix of history, modern city life, and water world. By water world,  I meant the backwaters adjacent to the sea, almost making it a unique marine experience. Such a combination is not all that common….!

A boat ride through the Kochi backwaters will be an awesome experience. There are cruises of various durations. All cruises from the city start at the Sea Lord jetty at Marine Drive. There are half day cruises which take you to a lot of interesting destinations in and around Kochi through these waters. Tickets should be booked in advance…

When the boat starts from the Marine Drive,  you see modern high-rise buildings such as, apartment complexes, Government buildings all tastefully built to suit the locale. The Cochin Port trust Building combines the traditional and modern styles and it stands out.

Taj Malabar, a five star hotel can also be seen as you near Willingdon Island. There is a private boat jetty for the hotel guests. Port of Kochi is a big busy port on the  west coast. The island is  also the location of some of the best hotels.

As we reach the vicinity of the island, it’s exciting to sea ships from all parts of the world. Occasionally a ‘Luxury Cruise Liner’ may be seen anchored at the port. The Naval Base can be visited with permission from the authorities. Willingdon Island can also be reached from the mainland by road that passes through picturesque surroundings.

Next, the cruise takes you to Fort Kochi and Mattancherry. Fort Kochi has a distinct  European ambiance, mostly because of the architecture of houses and churches such as the St.Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica, all in all, the place looks kind of different from rest of Kerala. Don’t forget to see the Chinese fishing nets…the sunset view from here is awesome!

There is a Dutch palace at Mattenchery (one can say in Kerala-Dutch style!), with beautiful Hindu temple art murals. The Jewish Synagogue at Mattancherry was built circa 1568. It is matter of pride for Kerala that Jews lived here and conducted their business in peace and the synagogue stands as an eloquent witness to the peaceful past.

The last stop of the half-day cruise is the Bolghatty Palace Hotel , originally built by Dutch. It is situated in an island on the backwaters.

Vypin one such island 27 km long was accessible only by boat, till very recently. Its western coast is a long beach The northern tip of Vypin has a large fishing harbour called Munambam. Now the island is a fast developing suburb of Kochi. A series of bridges known as Goshree Bridges connects Vypin to Marine Drive, Kochi on the way connecting two other islands along. There are regular boat services connecting Vypin to Fort Kochi.

Vallarpadam one of the islands traversed by Goshree Bridge is where India’s first International container trans-shipment terminal (ICTT) is located in the Special Economic Zone. This terminal has given a big boost to Cochin to develop into the Southern Gateway of India. Now vessels from foreign lands can decargo at the Terminal. The Basilica of our lady of Ransom, an important pilgrim center, is located here.

The Bolgatty Island is also connected by the Goshree Bridge. By boat it takes just 10 minutes from the High Court corner. The attraction here is the Dutch style Bolgatty Palace, now a luxurious hotel with its own golf course. Recently a Marina with international standards has been set up there for promoting yacht tourism in Kerala.

Gundu island is the smallest island in Kochi.. It has an extent of only 5 acres. You can reach the island by boat from Vypin. It is now a resort owned by the Vivanta group (Taj Malabar Hotel). Earlier, there was a coir factory where workers used hand made looms to weave coir carpets.

Kumbalangi tourism village is a small island in the west near the port city of Kochi. It is eco-tourism project and demonstrates tourism can be done without damaging the environment. Mostly a fishing place, it is of interest to those who care for nature and ecological balance. The abundant mangrove provides the right setting for marine life.

It is a model village project by the Government. The Chinese fishing nets can be seen from close. Kalagramam the artists’ village is a place to see there. They craft pretty things out of wood and natural raw materials. You can buy fishing equipment also.

The villagers love to show their ways of fishing, farming, making of coir objects and even encourage us to participate. There are clean and comfortable home-stays available if you want to spend a night there.

I am sure Cochin, the queen of Arabian sea, will not disappoint you.

Here is the complete list of articles in Kerala backwater series.

1. Backwaters of Kerala

2. Exploring Kerala Backwaters : Kumarakom

3. Fishing…For Fun at Njarakkal Aqua Fish Farm (Part of Kochi Backwaters)

4. Traversing Backwaters of Kuttanad

5. Feel the Beauty of Kollam Backwaters

6. Discover: Backwaters of Kochi

7. Unveiling the Charm of Alleppey Backwaters

Traversing Backwaters of Kuttanad

This is the fourth post in Kerala backwater series. In this post we are exploring Kuttanad and its backwater stretches…
Kuttanadu is called the rice-bowl of Kerala. It is the area of lowest altitude in Kerala. As a consequence, farming here is carried on below sea level!

Kuttanadu has some legend associated with the origin of its name! The epic Mahabharata mentions this place, as the place of stay of Pandava Princes during their exile which was then a dense forest. The epic also records the forest fire which destroyed this whole dense forest. So the place was called burnt land or Chuttanad which locally came to be known as Kuttanad. The presence of coal deep under the surface proves the point.

The main occupation of the locals for centuries has been paddy cultivation. It is carried out in the kayal (which means lake in Malayalam) lands that are the lands reclaimed from the great Vembanad lake gradually over time. In the early times, till the beginning of 20th century, water was bailed manually from shallow parts of the lake and the river Pamba. There were specific regulations by the King of Travancore on how to do that.

As years passed with the advent of steam, kerosene and electric engines, land reclamation gathered speed and thousands of acres were reclaimed and farmed. It was the Christians in the area who took the upper hand and they flourished. Some of those families are still prominent in the area.

The only constraint was that the fields would get flooded during the monsoon as rivers brought in water. To prevent the flood, a Spillway was built to divert river water to the sea. During summer, sea water entered the land and made it salty. A bund (dam) was built with the help of locals across the lake to keep the sea water out. The shutters would be opened only during the monsoon. The farmers were happy that they could produce two crops annually. One man’s meat is another’s poison. The fishermen lost their abundant catch of fish which teemed in the slightly saline water.

Some interesting places in Kuttanad

Champakulam

Champakulam is a village in the Kuttanad area. The holy river Pampa flows through the village splitting it into two. On either side are luscious green fields of paddy, and coconut palms. Big groups of ducks can be seen moving gracefully, often driven by their tender.

One of the oldest Christian churches, St Mary’s Forane Church believed to be built in AD 427, is located here. The open air Rock cross and inscriptions are pointers to the antiquity of the Church. The annual feast is celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of October.

The Moolam Boat race held here in July is a popular event. The Chundan or Snake boats are revered by the villagers and it is a matter of prestige to win the snake boat races. Their Chundan 130 ft long, with a breadth of 69 inches has won many a trophy including the coveted Nehru trophy.

Chengannur

Chengannur is a major town in the eastern part of Alapuzha district. It is well connected to the capital and other cities by NH 220. The ancient Mahadeva Temple and the old Syrian churches here are famous.

Kavalam

Kavalam is another such village through which the river flows. The scenic beauty is amazing! Film makers haunt the region for shooting. Even a few years back, Kavalam could be reached only by boat which gave it a laidback atmosphere.  Now there is road access from Alleppey and Kottayam to this serene place. Still the water junction of five canals remains as a rare sight to behold…!

Kavalam also has its chundan which occupies a pride of place among the “Kavalians”. Muricken Outhachan, the Krishi Rajan (farmer king) as he was then called by our Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, hails from Kavalam. So do some famous poets and writers who retain “Kavalam ” in their names.

Kuttanad is about 65 km south of Kochi. It  is actually a cluster of small villages interconnected by winding waterways. Taking a country boat ride along these waterways is a sure way to enjoy the village life of Kerala.

Taking a “kettuvallam” or a house boat cruise would be ideal, if you wish to spend to a couple of days enjoying Kerala backwaters..  There are so many waterways to sail through in Kuttanad; the sights everywhere offer eye candy. The greenery, the swaying  palms, gliding birds….these views are interspersed with cameos of village life, workers in the fields, the coconut pluckers, simple shops where men sip tea and read newspaper, toddy shops…. Kerala is different indeed!

Have you visited Kuttanad? Did you find this backwater stretch different? Do share your experience…

Here is the complete list of articles in Kerala backwater series.

1. Backwaters of Kerala

2. Exploring Kerala Backwaters : Kumarakom

3. Fishing…For Fun at Njarakkal Aqua Fish Farm (Part of Kochi Backwaters)

4. Traversing Backwaters of Kuttanad

5. Feel the Beauty of Kollam Backwaters

6. Discover: Backwaters of Kochi

7. Unveiling the Charm of Alleppey Backwaters

Fishing…For Fun at Njarakkal Aqua Fish Farm

National Geographic Traveler was never more right when it tagged Kerala backwaters in the list of 50 important, must-visit tourist destinations in the world. UNESCO has also tagged Kerala and its backwaters as a World Heritage site. In fact, you can enjoy a kaleidoscope of Kerala culture when you are on a tour of its pristine backwaters.  There are plenty of exciting ways to enjoy the virgin beauty of Kerala backwaters and the Njarakkal Aqua fish farm in Cochin is just one of them.

It is part of the Kerala Fisheries Department and Tsunami Emergency Assistance Program (TEAP). Fishes like Prawns, Karimeen (Pearlspot), Mullets, Tilapia, Crab , Green Shell Mussels are the important species in the farm according to the aqua farm employees and members.

Spanned across an area of 18 kilometers, this mesmerizing fish farm with its brackish waters and alluring beauty is perhaps one of the most endearing highlights of Cochin. Fishing is one of the most significant sporting activities in Njarakkal Aqua fish farm. You will be given fishing reels, fish food and lots of useful advice, but after that you are on your own. You can also meet a few professionals and maybe garner a tip or two from them. If they feel you are not a threat to their business, they might offer some ‘fishy’ tips. Favored by both locals and tourists, the fish farm lets you take your catch back home where you can proudly show off your fishing exploits to others.

Exploring Kerala Backwaters : Kumarakom

Kumarakom is an entrancingly beautiful tourist spot in Kerala. The rippling backwaters reflect the azure blue sky. The amazing shades of the green vegetation – that include mangroves, coconut palms and paddy fields – cover the verdant countryside. Channels and waterways wind their way through this green paradise. Water lilies and lotuses bloom in the water and birds from the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary call as they fly across the clear tropical sky.

Kumarakom is an idyllic holiday destination that you must visit on your Kerala holidays.  Kumarakom is situated 15 km from Kottayam on the Vembanad lake.  It is best described as a small, picturesque rural village in Kottayam. It is a small group of islands spread on Vembanad lake. Kumarakom bird sanctuary is popular among bird watchers and nature lovers. Many rare varieties of birds especially seasonal birds can be seen there.

The best way to watch the birds of the Kumarakom sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands. It is spread over 14 acres of lush green vegetation.

Hundreds of swaying coconut palms lining the rivers lean their heads and whisper to each other . Kumarakom is an example of nature at her best with fragrant flowers, flock of multi-coloured birds, surrounding greenery and the clear waters.

Bethlaham Church at Kumarakom

The Vembanad Lake is one of the largest fresh water lakes in Asia. It flows through the verdant lands of Kerala and offers one of the best backwater cruises. Most of the flora and fauna in this region flourishes around this supply of fresh water. The lake also acts as a balancing tank against floods, and its wooded banks, temptingly invite a visitor to explore more…!

This is the second post in the series of posts exploring Kerala Backwaters.

Here is the complete list of articles in this series.

1. Backwaters of Kerala

2. Exploring Kerala Backwaters : Kumarakom

3. Fishing…For Fun at Njarakkal Aqua Fish Farm (Part of Kochi Backwaters)

4. Traversing Backwaters of Kuttanad

5. Feel the Beauty of Kollam Backwaters

6. Discover: Backwaters of Kochi

7. Unveiling the Charm of Alleppey Backwaters