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.Nestled in the lush forests of the Western ghats in Kerala are 12 Wildlife sanctuaries and two National Parks.
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The following are the Wildlife Sanctuaries / National Parks in Kerela :
Peppara Wildlife sanctuary
Neyyar Wildlife sanctuary
Shenduruni Wildlife sanctuary
Periyar Wildlife sanctuary
Idduki Wildlife sanctuary
Chinnar Wildlife sanctuary
Parambikulam Wildlife sanctuary
Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary
Muthanga Wildlife sanctuary
Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
Silent Valley National Park
Eravikulam National Park |
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Main animals in the sanctuaries of Kerela are :
Elephants, gaur, sambar, deer, wild dogs, jungle cats, tigers, wild boars, sloth bears, leopards, lion tailed macaques, Nilgiri Tahrs, langur, malabar giant squirrel, flying squirrel, tiger,panthers, spotted deer, grizzled giant squirrels, Hanuman langurs, peacocks, star tortoises, wild dogs, civet cats, The Atlas moth, bonnet, macaques, Loris, mongoose, foxen, bears, barking deer, pangolins, bison, bears etc..
The Reptiles found in the sanctuaries of Kerala are :
Cobra, Viper, krait, a number of non poisonous snakes, bicoloured frogs, crocodiles, varanur pond terrapins, cane turtles, star tortoises, geckoes, skunks, chameleons, spectacled cobras, pythons, green keel backs, rat snakes, vine snakes, monitor lizards etc...
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| Main birds seen in the sanctuaries of Kerela are :
Water fowl, Cuckoo, Owl, Egret, Heron, Water duck, Migratory Siberian Duck, Jungle fowls, Mynas, Laughing thrushes, Black bulbuls, Peafowls, Woodpeckers, Kingfishers, The hornbill, Stork, Raptor, Darter, Cormorant, Grackle, Cluster, Indian rollers, Common snipes, Crow pheasants, Jungle nightjars, Kites, Grey drongos, Malabar trogons, Llarge pied wagtails, Baya sparrows, Grey jungle fowls, Indian hill mynas, Robins, Jungle babblers, Sunbirds, Peacocks, Crimson-throated barbets, Bee-eaters, Shrikes, Fairy bluebirds, Grey-headed fishing eagles, Black winged kites, Night herons, Grey hornbills, Malabar hornbills and more than 253 additional species including migrant birds..
Main flora in the sanctuaries of Kerela are Teak, maruthu, karimaruthi, rosewood, venteak, vengal, chadachi, mazhukanjiram, bamboo, neem, nanjanathi, sandal, dendrocalamus, marythu, vaka, , mulluvenka. elavu, |
| manjakadambu pala, vembu, aval etc... and over 1800 flowering plants including 171 grass species, 143 species of orchids etc... |
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Kerala Backwaters
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| .The backwaters of Kerela is a unique product of Kerala and is found nowhere else in the world. Backwaters are a network of lakes, canals and estuaries and deltas of forty-four rivers that drain into the Arabian sea. The backwaters of Kerela are a self supporting eco-system teeming with aquatic life. The canals connect the villages together and are still used for local transport. Over 900 km of this labyrinthine water world is navigable |
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| The largest backwater stretch in Kerela is the Vembanad Lake which flows through three districts and opens out into the sea at the Kochi Port. The Astamudi lake, literarlly having eight arms, which covers a major portion of Kollam district in the south, is the second largest and is considered the gateway to the backwaters.
The most exciting thing on the backwaters of Kerela, however, is the kettuvallom ( traditional houseboat ) which has become the most popular tourism product in India today. In a land as waterbound as Kerala it wouldn't be an unusual sight, but for a visitor to God's Own Country a houseboat gliding along the vast green expanse of the backwaters is the most amazing spectacle in the world. Even more enchanting is a holiday in the houseboats of Kerela. |
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Kerala Beaches
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.Kerela has a 600 km long shoreline dotted with some of the finest, most charming beaches of the world, coconut groves, natural harbors, lagoons and sheltered coves. All of it as peaceful as the rest of the land, washed by the pleasant tropical sun and as pristine as ever.
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Kovalam beach :
This internationally renowned beach resort of Kerela has been a favorite haunt of tourists since the 1930s. Kovalam consists of three adjacent crescent beaches. The southernmost , known as the Lighthouse beach, is the most popular, Kovalam offers accommodation options to suit all the budgets.
Poovar Beach :
Poovar is an unspoilt and unexplored island, envoloped by the most serene backwaters, and opening out to the sea and a dream golden sand beach.
Shanghumugham Beach :
This is a favorite haunt of sunset viewers. The beach is adjacent to the Thiruvananthapuram ( Trivandrum ) airport and Veli Tourist Village.
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The Varkala Beach :
Vakala is a seaside resort and spa, as well as an important Hindu centre of pilgrimage. High cliffs with rich mineral springs rise majestically from the coastline. The 2000 year old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple and the Nature Care Centre are the two main attractions there
Alappuzha Beach :
This is one of the most popular picnic spots in alappuzha. The pier, which extends into the sea here, is about 140 years old.
Cherai Beach - This lovely beach bordering Vypeen island is ideal for swimming. Dolphins are occassionally seen here.
Fort Kochi Beach - The town was shaped by the Portuguese, the Dutch and later the British.. |
Kappad - This is the historic beach where Vasco da Gama landed on the 27th of May, 1498 with 170 men in three vessels. The rock studded beach is locally known as Kappakadavu. An interesting feature of the landscape is the sprawing rock that protrudes into the sea. The temple on the rock is believed to be 800 years old |
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Kerala Hill Stations
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Kerala has a long chain of lush, mid-clad hill stations that are home to exotic wildlife. All the hill resorts in Kerela offer the most enchanting experience of nature in all its virgin beauty
The major Hill resorts of Kerela are: Munnar, Ponmudi, Peerumade, Neliyampathy, , Peruvannamuzhi, Tusharagiri, Wayanad, Pythal Mala, Ezhimala, Ranipuram, Devikulam, Wagamon etc.
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Munnar HillsMunnar hills is situated in the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni & Kundala. Situated 1600 metre above sealevel, this hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture-book towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town.
Ramakalmedu:
Rolling green hills and the fresh mountain air make Ramakalmedu and enchanting retreat. The hilltop also offers a panoramic view of the picturesque villages of Bodi and Cumbum on the eastern slope of the Western Ghats. Situated at a distance of 40 km from Thekkady and 75 km from Munnar |
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| Echo Point
This scenic place gets its name from the natural echo phenomenon here. Echo Point is on the way to Top Station in Munnar
RajamalaRajamala is the natural habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragas hylocres), the Eravikulam - Rajamala region is now home to half the world population – estimated at around 1300 - of this endangered mountain goat. But the Tahr is only one of the reasons to make a visit to Rajamala.
VagamonOne of the most beautiful places with a chain of three hills - the Thangal hill, the Murugan hill and the Kurisumala, important for Muslims, Hindus and Christians respectively. |
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PullumeduVelvet lawns and rare flora and fauna add to the beauty of Pullumedu. The famous Sree Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala and the Makara Jyothi illuminations at the shrine are visible from here. The winding journey to this hill along the Periyar River, offers a stunning view of hills draped in lush greenery.
Vandanmedu
This is one of the world's largest auction centres for cardamom. A walk through the sprawling cardamom plantations of Vandanmedu is a heady experience.
ChellarkovilThis sleepy little village with its breathtaking view of the plains and cascading waterfalls is a feast for the eyes. The village slopes down to the famous coconut groves of Cumbum in neighbouring Tamil Nadu. |
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| VandiperiyarThe River Periyar flowing through the centre of this town nourishes its vast tea, coffee and pepper plantations. A major trade centre, Vandiperiyar is also home to a number of tea factories. The Agriculture Farm and Flower Garden have a delightful array of rose plants, orchids and anthuria.
Pattumala
Pattumala or Hill draped in silk in Peermede has charms like no other. The lofty peaks, the little streams and the green expanse of the tea plantations give the hills an ethereal beauty.
Eravikulam National Park
A sanctuary for the endangered mountain goat of South India, the Nilgiri Tahr ( Hemitragus hylocrious), the Eravikulam National Park stands out for the stark beauty of its rolling grasslands and sholas, spread over 97 sq km in the Rajamalai hills. An ideal place for trekking, facilities are provided here and tourists are allowed to go on foot up to Anamudi ( the highest peak south of Himalayas ) |
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Kerala Houseboats [Luxury category]
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| A Cruise along the palm fringed waterways of Kerala in a luxury houseboat or ketuvallom is the most enchanting holiday experience in India today. In this world of simple pleasures, you'll skim past ancient chinese fishing nets, water lillies, lush paddy fields, coir villages, rustic homes, temples and coconut groves. |
Innumerable lagoons, lakes, canals, estuaries, and te deltas of forty-four rivers make up the 900 km backwater network of Kerala. The backwatrs mainly covers the four districts of the state - Kollam, Alleppey (alappuzha), Kottayam and Kochi ( Cochin ).
The largest backwater body, the Vembanad lake flows through Alleppey ( Alappuzha ) and Kottayam districts and opens out into the sea at the Kochi ( Cochin ) Port. The Ashtamudi Lake, the second largest backwater stretch, offers the longest ride and is considered the gateway to the backwaters.
Your holiday home in this tranquil world is the comfortably furnished houseboat or ketuvallom. |
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Non A/c Houseboat
| The Houseboats or Kettuvalloms of Kerala are giant country crafts, measuring up to 80 foot in length, retrieved from being lost to the State altogether.
Once these Rice Barges ruled the backwaters, poled along by one or two men, heavily loaded with rice, coconut and other commodities. But in the recent times, the ketuvalloms or houseboats have been replaced by more and modern modes of transport, relegating them to neglect and decay |
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It takes great skill and meticulousness to construct these giant Houseboats or Kettuvaloms.
Traditionally, the Houseboats was called Kettuvallam, which means a boat made by tying together pieces of wood. Unbelievably it may sound, not a single nail is used in the making of a ketuvallam. Jackwood planks are joiined together with coir rope and then coated with black resin made from boiled cashewnut shells.
There used to be an entire clan of artisans who were involved in kettuvallom or houseboat construction. Today, an innovative holiday idea has restored these majestic representatives of a unique culture and with them their makers.
The Kerala houseboats that cruise these emerald waterways are an improvisation on the large country barges which were an essential part of the land's ethos in days gone by.
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Bedroom of Luxury A/c Houseboat
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Open lounge of Luxury A/c Houseboat
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Modified to meet a novel concept of holidaying, the kettuvalloms or houseboats are comfortably furnished with an open lounge, one or two bath attached bedrooms and a kitchenette, and are extremely eco friendly, merging smoothly into the panorama. Every houseboat is manned by a crew - usually a cook, a Captain, and an Oarsman.
The kitchen in the houseboat or ketuvallam is the production center of the best traditional Kerala food. The availability of fishes and all along the backwater add special charm to the authentic Kerala cooking. Only fresh materials are used and purchased locally to support the economy of the village. Only authentic Kerala food is prepared under high standards of hygiene and professional competency by expert cooks, who have been specially trained.
The highest classifications awarded by Dept. of Tourism for Houseboats are Gold Star and Silver Star. All the Houseboats dealt by us are either Silver Star or Gold Star. |
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The Luxury A/c Houseboat offered by us includes the following facilities :
Front living area and bedrooms have a beautiful wooden ceiling with overlapping logs to give it a contemporary feel.
The wooden ceiling in the living/dining area has 200 fiber optic lighting points to emulate the stars during the night and gives a cozy feeling. The light intensity or ‘glow’ can be adjusted according to guest preferences.
Additional lighting in the living area of the Luxury A/c Houseboat will be provided with terracotta lamps with candles to provide an ideal, romantic setting for the boat.
The bedrooms of the Luxury A/c Houseboat have complete glass windows stretching across 3/4ths of the wall to offer the guests a complete and uninterrupted view of the backwaters while traveling
Each bed in the Luxury A/c Houseboat is located at the exact height of the window, so the guest gets a good view even while lying on the bed.
Each room in the Luxury A/c Houseboat has a dressing mirror, luggage compartment, writing table, wardrobe, attached bathrooms and air-conditioning
Bathrooms in the Luxury A/c Kettuvallams have a shower area with WC and wash basin and are one of the largest, if not the largest on any boat. All fittings are of high quality.
Click here to view the various Hous Boat cruise packages
The wall next to the WC has a large picture window that offers the guest an ample view of the backwaters, similar to the one in the bedroom and it also offers a feeling of space and ample natural lighting.
The exterior walls, i.e. the textured finished walls in the dining/living area and pathway have niches incorporated in them. These niches have paintings that follow a theme on each Luxury A/c Houseboat.
The kitchen, at the rear of the boat, is complete with a modern equipment and ambience, even though it is for use for the staff only. A 165 lt. fridge is also part of the equipment level. Even guests can use the kitchen facility for themselves if they so choose.
Every toilet is equipped with shower areas and water heaters. Each room is Air-conditioned using proper split units & Lifesavers and safety jackets are available on board.
Onboard game activities include - Chess, Caroms, Scrabble, Playing cards etc. Fishing rods, painting and sketch pads, Library & High-End music system.
Come, check into our Houseboat for the most amazing experience of your life.
No. of Luxury Houseboats available - 03 Nos.
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Corridor of Luxury A/c Houseboat
Lunch in the Luxury A/c houseboat
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