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Places to Visit in Kerala

Explore the Kerala famous places and tourist spots in Kerala on this page before you plan your ideal holiday.

Kerala is a destination with a lot of places to see in Kerala for their vibrant art & architecture, lush green hill stations, Ayurveda treatments, rejuvenating spas, glistening backwaters, beautiful beaches and abundant wildlife surrounded by many premium hotels which are world class and known for their warm hospitality. This is what makes these the best tourist spots in Kerala and the southwestern coasts of India.

Kerala is known as one of the 50 places in the World to Visit in a Lifetime. Kochi, formerly known as Cochin is the capital of Kerala and is one of the most popular places to visit in Kerala. Here, the state's history of foreign contact is transparently evident in Fort Cochin and the Old Quarters of Mattancherry which are some of the places in Kerala. While Varkala and Kovalam offer great views of breathtaking beaches; Thiruvananthapuram is a sample of places to see in Kerala ‘s abundant artistic and cultural life. There are a lot of things to do in Kerala. In Kuttanad which is the region around Kollam and Alleppey; there are boat rides that offer a breathtaking view of the unexplored parts of places in Kerala from the waters. Cruisers and beautiful wooden boats known as Kettuvallams, ply in the backwaters, which are known for offering tourists a glimpse of the rural village life in “God’s own Country; Kerala!”

Move towards the hills which are some of the popular places to visit in Kerala, perched around 2695 meters above MSL if you wish to avoid the lowlands which are known to be hot at certain times of the year. En route to Periyar wildlife reserves and other such natural sights, where herds of elephants are known to roam freely in the lush green jungles; you will surpass through scenic landscapes and some of the popular places to visit in Kerala that are dotted with churches and temples, tea, coffee, spices, rubber plantations and many other breathtaking views. Munnar, Varkala Beach, Lighthouse Beach in Kovalam, Periyar National Park, Chinese Fishing Net, Vembanad Beach, Mattancherry Palace, Cherai Beach, Guruvayur Temple and Athirapally Waterfalls are some of the best places to visit in Kerala.

 

Silent Valley National Park

A subtle yet gorgeous presentation of the last rainforest in Kerala, the Silent Valley National Park carries its own charm and aura. Initially occupying only 89.52 sq km, this national park grew with time to be declared as the Reserved Forest. Home to the unusual Nilgiri Tahr and the Lion Tailed Macaques, this is one of the most sought after the evergreen forest in this part of India. Regarded as one of the most popular biodiversity hubs among the nature lovers and the wildlife enthusiasts, the Silent Valley National Park is a beautiful reserve that you must definitely visit!

 

Location

This gorgeous national park is located in the lap of Palakkad in the God’s Own Country.

Address: Wildlife Warren, Silent Valley Division, Mannarkkad, Palakkad, Kerala 678582

Hours: 6:45 am to 2:45 pm on all days except Fridays.

Telephone: 08589895652

 

Timings

This year-round destination is the best place to visit from the months of December to April to have the most comfortable experiences. During this period, the temperatures are mostly average, ranging from 18-21 degrees Celsius. 

The park is open for tourists to venture on a safari ride from 8 am to 5 pm. Hence keeping these timings in mind book a slot that is comfortable for you.

 

Highlights

  • The Silent Valley Park is the core of the prestigious Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve that is a plethora of green meadows and plants. 
  • It is home to the largest population of the unique lion-tailed macaques in the world. 
  • You can find a wide range of rare birds and more than 100 species of beautiful butterflies that stutter around in the park.
  • Due to the presence of the unique tropical rainforests preserve, this bio-reserve owns habitats that cannot be found in any other national park in India.

 

Price

It will cost you INR 50 as the entrance fee of the Silent Valley Park. The guide will cost you INR 150-200 approximately, Still Camera INR 25-30 approximately, Video Camera INR 200-250 approximately. 

Nevertheless, the Jeep Safari will cost you INR 1,600 per person for five people in a jeep.

 

Recommended for

The Silent Valley National Park is recommended especially for all the wildlife lovers and photographers. However, people from all age groups are welcome here to enjoy the surreal beauty of this national park.

 

How to get to Silent Valley National Park

By Air: The Coimbatore International Airport is the closest to the Silent Valley Park with a distance of about 117 km. This airport is well-connected to all the major metropolitan cities of the country like Chennai, Pune, Delhi; and many other famous places like Bangkok and Singapore. After arriving at the airport, you can hire a taxi to reach the designated destination according to your wish.

By Rail: The Palakkad Junction Railway Station is the closest to the Silent Valley Park. It is approximately 45-46 km away from the park and is connected to the major metropolitan cities of the country. There are direct trains from Delhi, Jaipur, Chennai, and Mumbai to reach the destination. However, after reaching, you can hire taxis or take a bus to reach the destination in the same route as in the case of airports.

By Road: There is a well-maintained chain of roads nearby the Silent Valley Park which makes it easily accessible from the major cities. You can easily pull off a spectacular road trip to Palakkad as you enjoy the sublime greenery of Kerala. If you are travelling from Chennai, Bangalore, or Coimbatore; it is going to be an amazing ride either on a rented taxi, bus or a personal vehicle if you are ready to bear the thrill. If you cannot find cabs, there will always be buses which are much more economical when compared to the cars. The KSRTC provides regular buses from the major cities to Palakkad.

 

About Silent Valley National Park

The park is home to a vast range of animals, plants, birds of various species that cannot usually be found in the country. There is about 50-80 percent of the species that you cannot find on a daily basis within the park. Apart from this, the park also possesses an interesting range of flora that attracts nature lovers from across the country. Primarily dominated by the Evergreen forests, it also features Orchids, Liverworts, Algae, Legumes, Asters, Black Pepper, Rice, Ferns, Lichens, Grasses, Rubiaceae, Cardamom, and Beans. Other than these, there are more than 110 plant species that will grab the attention of all the nature enthusiasts. 

That being said, there is also a large scope for the Fauna which includes the Nilgiri Langurs, Hairy-winged Bat, Tigers, Panthers, Lion-tailed Macaque and many other species that are one of a kind. Besides, there is also a large range of birds which include the famous Ceylon Frogmouth and the Great Indian Hornbill that attract bird-watchers from various parts across the world.

While in the Silent Valley park, you can go on some fun safari through the deep jungles to experience the park from a closer point of view. Else, get yourself to the top of the Watchtower to capture those Instagram-worthy pictures that you are ready to post on your Instagram handles!

Nevertheless, you can also go on a simple trek to the glistening Kunthi River that is filled with clear waters. You can take a short walk through the lush evergreen forest lands of the Silent Valley, and this trail will eventually lead you to the beautiful anchored boats that are tied to the banks.

 

Interesting facts about Silent Valley National Park

  • It has great accommodation in and around to make your stay as comfortable as possible.
  • It is the only existing evergreen forest in the vicinity of Kerala
  • You can go on a small trek to reach the Kunti River, where there is a stream of clear water flowing through the gorgeous land.
  • Located in the God’s Own Country, this national park has a lot of species that you cannot find in any other national parks in India.
  • It has a wide range of birds that it a literal treat for all the bird watchers.

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Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

The beautiful Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is located at Kumarakom in Kottayam district in Kerala. The sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Vembanad Lake in the enchanting backwaters of Kerala, which is why it is also known as the Vembanad Bird Sanctuary. Kumarakom is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Kerala as its home to many native as well as migratory birds. A wide range of rare birds make it an alluring place for birdwatchers. The sanctuary sees a lot of tourists all through the year and serves as an amazing place to get close to nature.


Highlights of Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary:

  • There’s an exciting walk of about 2 kms to reach the end of the site and people can spot different birds while walking on the trail. The journey itself is wonderful as there’s a small butterfly garden on the way. One can enjoy a leisurely stroll listening to birds twittering in the trees. 
  • One can also take a boat ride in the Vembanad Lake and enjoy the picturesque views while being surrounded by bright blue water. 
  • There’s an interpretation centre at the entrance of the sanctuary that showcases pictures of different birds that visit throughout the year.  


About the sanctuary:

The Kumarakom Sanctuary covers a large area of about 14 acres and is controlled by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation. The sanctuary was earlier known as Baker’s Estate as it was originally developed as a rubber plantation by George Alfred Baker. 

The pleasing views of this lush and evergreen place are literally a treat to the eyes as one can spot many local birds like owls, cuckoos, herons and waterfowls, along with a lot of migratory birds during their migration season. Some of these migratory birds come all the way from Siberia, while others make their journey from the Himalayas.  


Best time to visit Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary:

The best time to visit the sanctuary is during the months of November to February as migratory birds from different parts of the globe fly here at this time. It can be visited during the months of June to August too as one can spot a lot of local birds there.  

In terms of comfort, most seasons in Kerala see moderate climate, so travelling here at any time should be quite pleasant. 


How to reach Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary:

By road: Kottayam is just 13 kms away from the sanctuary and local cabs and taxis are easily available for hiring. One can also hire private transport to reach the destination. 

By train: The nearest railway station to the sanctuary is the Kottayam railway station. It is at a distance of 12 kms, and is connected with all major Indian cities. 

By air: The nearest airport to the sanctuary is the Cochin airport, located just 38 kms away. The airport is connected to all major cities in India, so flying to this wonderful place should not be a hassle. 

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