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What to do in Kerala with Kids

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in Cochin, Tour Packages, Travel Tips

Just because God’s Own Country, Kerala is well known for honeymoons doesn’t mean it’s unsuitable for those of us who travel with kids. On the contrary, palaces of kings, variety of experiences , delicious food, and plenty of play-time perks and rides in amusement parks make Kerala an ideal family destination and a holiday in Kerala can be a cherish-able memory for any family.

What to do in Kerala with Kids

Many families feel a vacation isn’t complete unless their itinerary includes a beach, a zoo, or an amusement park. Well, Kerala is one of those rare places where you can cover all of the above by travelling a short distance. For starters, it boasts several conveniently-located amusement parks spread through out the state , quiet and idyllic beaches near all major cities and the zoos, meanwhile; has all the critters on children’s must-see list including tigers ,elephants and lions

On the Amusement Parks
Wonderla is one of the best amusement parks in India ans is situated about 15 km away from Kochi city . Wonderla has special Kids’ rides are designed and built keeping in mind the safety requirement of kids and these fun-packed rides will surely catch the imagination of kids and keep them entertained. Moonwalker, kiddies wheel, pirate ship, balloon tower and castle jet are some of the popular items in this section. ‘Flying Ammu’ is an interesting ride in this section in which kids are seated atop elephants while being spun round in circles. The balloon tower takes kids bouncing up and down and swirling around in colourful balloons that go up to a height of 10 meters.

Spread over 30 acres of land Wonderla offers more than 50 amusement rides and is the first amusement park to be awarded the ISO 14001-2004 for environmental friendliness and conservation of natural resources and is a must visit for anyone having a holiday in Kerala with kids.

Keep it Moving: If you are not planning to visit Kochi, you can also try out Silver Storm amusement park in Thrissur, Dream World Water Park near Athirappilly waterfalls, Fantasy Amusement Park in Palakkad which has a planetarium as well , Happy Land Amusement Park Thiruvananthapuram which has the longest uphill water ride and the largest wave pool in Kerala and Vismaya Water Theme Park Kannur which is supposed to be one of the best environment friendly parks in the world.

On the Zoos & Animals
It is possible to take elephant rides at all the major toursut destinations in Kerala but Thiruvananthapuram Zoo in Thiruvananthapuram is worth it for vacations with kids just to see the expression of the children when they see the tigers who acted in the famous hollywood movie Life of Pi as well. The other must see animal places in Kerala include Snake Park in Parassinikkadavu in Kannur. Apart from snakes, other animals, reptiles and birds are part of the park. Lion tailed macaque, an endangered species which is well known for snake demonstrations every hour

Keep it Moving:The destinations are spread all over Kerala and you have to carefully choose the attractions so that travel does not become hectic with kids. Zoo in Thrissur is also famous and within the zoo premises in Thrissur lies the Zoological garden, botanical garden, art museum and a natural history museum. The wildlife in this zoo includes tiger, deer, monkey, hippopotamus, owls, crocodiles etc. An added attraction here is the snake park.

On the Backwaters

Backwaters of Kerala is an enjoyable and may be the only part of the trip that you have to prepare in advance with active kids as it involves 24 hours in a boat moored in the middle of water with nowhere else to go. You can come with books and toys and use the TV and DVD player but there is nothing to worry as it will be a different and exciting experience for the children who may also enjoy riding the boat and enjoying the food from banana leaf.

Keep it Moving:Cap off the waterfront experience by treating your boat-obsessed offspring to an on-the-water excursion in a shikara. A ride into the interiors of backwaters in the shikara is something that you should not miss. The shikara experience takes you through the narrow canals where you will discover the life in small villages situated on the banks of the lake.

On the Beaches
Kerala is famous for some of the best beaches in India and nothing is more enjoyable for a family like warm weather, hammocks strung between palm trees and cocktails with umbrellas in them and each beach in Kerala has its own flavor and charm and if you would like to do a vacation in Kerala with Kids, ensure that you are staying in a kids friendly beach hotel with play area, a trampoline and a wavepool for kids to swim.

Keep it Moving:A lot of times resorts will call themselves ‘family friendly’ but you can tell right away if it’s just in the brochures but not in the attitude of the staff. So ensure that you do a detailed research in review sites for hotels that are really “kids and toddler friendly”

On the Palaces
Palaces in Kerala are neither as imposing as Buckingham Palace nor as charming as Hampton Court, but Kerala has palaces spread all over using which you can weave amazing stories for kids of maharajahs and queens and ancient kingdoms.Most of the palaces are open to public and has various artifacts like swords, palace dresses, chariots , crowns and other interesting items of history that delve into palace history and history of the kingdom which kids may enjoy.

Keep it Moving:Trivandrum is a the ideal place in Kerala with lot of majestic old palaces including Kowdiar Palace is a huge palace with lot of architectural works and is the main residential place of the Travancore Royal Family and Koyikkal Palace, Kanakakunnu Palace, Kuthiramalika Palace and Kilimanoor Palace

kerala-family-vacations

Parting Thoughts on Travelling with kids

“They are too young to go to India.”
“Everyone gets sick in India; it will be too difficult with them.”
“India is too dirty.”

These are some of the common responses that you may get when you tell anyone and everyone about your travel plans to visit India with children, especially with toddlers. Before you travel, you need to discuss with a doctor on the key health risks to a baby at the time you are visiting Kerala. Malaria is one to find out about, especially during monsoon time. Malaria is easily preventable and treatable these days and outbreaks are usually well known and well reported in the media and it is not much of a cause to worry in Kerala, as the state has state of the art medical facilities , may be among the best in the world.

If you are travelling with a toddler, then dont worry, understand that little babies are the easiest to travel with – and you shouldnt worry about the flights – international or domestic. Of course it depends on the individual, but most babies just sleep constantly for the first year. Ensure that you carry a sleeping bar for the baby and a baby carrier bag. However do try to avoid distances which are more than 70-100 kms away on the same day.

Hope you enjoy your family vacations in kerala and travelling with kids and toddlers to Kerala and don’t forget the baby wipes. They’re useful for washing hands, cleaning toilet seats, and wiping down restaurant tables :)

Iris Holidays
32/1822 A, Edappally P O Kochi, Kl, 682024 India 
 • 999-500-4276

Tagged as: Kerala with Kids, Kids vacations

What Makes Honeymoon Packages in Kerala Special

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in Kerala Experiences, Kerala Honeymoon

A honeymoon in Kerala is more than a vacation. It is a celebration of your marriage. The lure of the variety of experiences make Kerala a popular honeymoon destination all through the year. Kerala is a multi-experience tourism paradise that National Geographic Traveller magazine voted as one of the 50 must-see places in the world. With its serene backwaters, well-managed wildlife sanctuaries, ayurvedic treatments, temple festivals and boat races Kerala attracts countless honeymooners with its exotic cuisine, top of the line resorts and unforgettable greenery.

Kerala is in the southern-most tip of India and honeymooners arrive in Kerala to laze on houseboats lolling in its backwaters, get rejuvenating oil baths or simply gaze at the majesty of the monsoons. Munnar, a hill town in the Western Ghats, with its rolling mountain scenery, craggy peaks and manicured tea estates is the most popular honeymoon destination in Kerala and an unforgettable place to visit for your honeymoon. Thekkady is ideal for honeymooners seeking adventure and nature are more likely to see herds of elephantswhen they do rafting or boating in Thekkady. Kumarakom and Alleppey are well known for the scenic backwaters and pretty network of lakes, rivers and canals and a trip on a kettuvallam, or houseboat, is a unique memory that will be etched in the mind of honeymoon seekers in Kerala. If you are looking for a picture perfect honeymoon beaches like Kovalam or Varkala, or Cherai will be the right destination for you which may provide you exciting memories to take home after your honeymoon.

Accommodation in Kerala ranges from colonial estates to eco beach resorts and humble homestays and there is an option that suits the budget of each traveler who wants to visit Kerala. Activities in Kerala ranges from kathakali, Kerala’s classical dance-drama to an ayurveda massage, or cookery lessons in one of the homestays. Kerala is also the perfect setting for delicious food and Kerala’s spread of morning dishes – vellayappam, Uppuma, iddli, puttu, masala dosa and appams. have been rated the best breakfast in the world by Travel & Leisure magazine. A must-try in your kerala honeymoon is the crisp lacy appam served with meat/vegetable stew and puttu which is a breakfast dish of steamed cylinders of ground rice layered with coconut eaten usually with papadum, plantain, fish curry, jackfruit, mango, chicken curry and kadala curry.

At Iris Holidays we are committed to offering honeymoon seekers in Kerala with the best value at all times and we work very hard to achieve this by keeping an eagle eye on the market prices and your comfort. We cater only to travelers bound for Kerala & because of this narrow focus, you can expect deep, passionate and personal expertise on any honeymoon in Kerala that you book with us. We care for our guests and won’t suggest any resort, hotel or destination that we haven’t been to and tried ourselves. We guarantee that we will always provide you with the lowest cost for the best experience, highest quality activities and hotels and If you are looking for a comfortable, safe and incredible honeymoon experience in Kerala with complete peace of mind and maximum fun and enjoyment , then you are in safe, reliable and experienced hands with Iris holidays.

Tagged as: Kerala Honeymoon, kerala honeymoon destinations, kerala honeymoon package tours

Travelling to Kerala on a budget-Travel Advice

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in Travel Tips

In 2012, 11 million tourists visited Kerala and Kerala tourism generated revenues worth 21000 crores. While Kerala continues to develop as a hotbed for travel and tourism, accommodation in hotels and holiday apartments is becoming increasingly expensive for budget travelers and homestays in Kerala are becoming a popular accommodation option for budget travelers and backpackers who typically spend less than USD 20 per day.Here are some tips about homestays in Kerala for budget travelers who are planning to visit Kerala for summer package deals in Kerala

Homestays in Kerala offer an opportunity for guests to enjoy an authentic experience: sights, smells, tastes and traditions up close, not through the usual lens of an everyday holidaymaker but with close interaction with families. Stay in a family home and you’ll see and feel the real Kerala which combines the comfort and distinction of a boutique hotel with the hospitality, informality and local knowledge you enjoy when staying with friends & family.

While the practice of Indian families renting rooms in their own homes out to travellers is a little-known one here in the West, the system has existed in towns and cities over there for many, many years right from the time of invasion of Alexander. With many houses equipped with spare rooms, and many families experiencing the same quandary with their sons and daughters being away from family, the practice spread quickly across the nation’s cities and towns.Room rates are often quoted by the month or for a week, because the nature of the way they’re let out is usually mid-long term. However, nightly arrangements can generally be negotiated with a family.

Young Western travelers and veteran India explorers alike have come to realize that many of the homes that offer spare rooms are fairly opulent, and this sort of accommodation can therefore offer the kind of unparalleled luxury, culture and life experience that other types of accommodations simply cannot.

The low rent reflects the fact that because you’ll be staying with an Indian family, you’re subject to their cultural and house rules, although Western lodgers will often be cut some slack, and you’ll be able to meet somewhere in the middle with them.You’ll also probably find that you’ll also be offered an in-your-face experience of Indian family life, which is almost always raucous and can be wonderfully dramatic.

However, that said, these aren’t negative points – they’re simply points that you as a Western traveller should be aware of so that you can make prior adjustments in your expectations for any cultural discrepancies you’re likely to encounter. Apart from the fact that this is an exceptionally cheap way to see a country, it’s also exceptionally authentic and culturally rich – often, much richer than the experience of your average backpacker.

One of the best places to find a family for an India homestay is India Mike travel forum or travel magazine – anything that’s posted there will be a recommendation from someone who has experienced the accommodation first-hand – nothing’s advertorial, and that’s absolutely the only way you should go about finding a nice family to stay with. Another good idea is for you to enter “paying guest [+ destination name]” into your search engine, or visiting homestay-specific.

Bamboo rafting in thekkady periyar in Kerala

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in Kerala Experiences, Thekkady, Trekking, Weekend Packages

Thekkady is one of the best places in India to do bamboo rafting . The concept of bamboo raft tourism in Thekkady owes its existence to these simple rafts built and used by the tribals in the sanctuary and only tribals are permitted inside the Periyar wildlife sanctuary in Kerala.

Here are some photos and experience shared by Bozidar Dragisic a guest from Croatia who visited Kerala in December 2012 whose testimonial about customised Kerala holiday packageyou can find here.

Here is a signboard on the way to starting point of the rafting inside Periyar wildlife sanctuary.

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This was the starting point of the journey. This stream joins the Periyar Lake further downstream.
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Few other guests from Croatia crossing over to the other side on the rickety bamboo raft in the picture below.

This is a combined trekking and rafting tour and trekking involves a four kilometer walk to the point of bamboo rafts boarding.Here are some snaps on the way.

Trekking and rafting tour in Thekkady

The trekking route through forest lands is frequented by animals and here are some animal Footprints on the way.

Trekking and rafting tour in Thekkady

You can spot were bison in the distance, langur and wild pigs on the way during the trek. Tigers hunt the bison and you can see the heads and bones of the bison on the way.

Trekking and rafting tour in Thekkady

A bison probably eaten by a tiger who is resting at a place not far away from the place we are trekking through

One of the guides showing us a bone. Lot of these guides are ex-poachers who have been rehabilitated as a part of eco-tourism programmes.

Periyar is a veritable paradise of elephants. Herds of playful wild elephants can be seen near the Periyar lake, their favorite haunt for frolicking in the water.

Guides taking a rest along with us.Guides are employed by Kerala Forest Department for trekking and rafting tour.

Rafting point from which rafting starts after the 4 kilometer trek. Bamboo rafting is an amazing and fresh experience. The fact that we’re sitting at water level makes for a more intimate encounter with the water in the lake. In fact, the middle of the raft lies so low in the water, a puddle forms there and sometime the middle of the raft is below water with guests sitting on both side. More pictures from rafting below.

The scenery during this trekking and rafting tour is really exhilirating and amorous, and the best point to enjoy this is enjoy it from than the languidly floating bamboo raft when you are floating in the water and rafts are partially submerged in the water, making for a tactile encounter with the lake.

This is where trekkers stay during night trekking. The ditch around the camp site is for protection against elephants and other wild animals.

Taking the rest again after rafting.

Thekkady lake was created when the Mullaperiyar dam was built over a century ago and water was collected in the forest areas. The projecting arms of trees are silent reminders of the Mullaperiyar dam and is seen only in periyar lake.

Trekking back through the lands and there are lot of animal photograph opportunities after rafting on the way.

Elephants on the way once again. Baby elephant and mother elephant playing near the periyar lake.

We are returning back and the trek is almost getting over. Bamboo rafting and trekking in thekkady periyar is a magical time for everyone who enjoys it.

Bozidar toured with us on a 14 day tour from December 2012 to January 2013 and his New Year eve was on Meesapulimala in Munnar . You can View more photographs from the Kerala tour of Bozidar Dragistic here

Tagged as: periyar tiger reserve thekkady, Rafting, Thekkady Periyar, Thekkady Rafting, Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary, Trekking

How to book a houseboat in Kerala-consolidated advice

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in Alleppey, Backwater Cruises, Kerala Houseboat, Kumarakom, Weekend Packages

Here are some frequently asked questions about booking a houseboat in Kerala.Answers to these questions are formulated to guide you, to assist you, and help make your backwater experience very special, unforgettable occasion that it is meant to be. One that will live with you forever.

Enjoy.

House-Boat-on-Kerala-backwaters

Should I book it online or go to alleppey and do a spot booking?
It is always better to book kerala houseboat package in advance  through a tour operators than going  to alleppey and do a spot booking. People may think that if they do “spot booking “they get best rates and that is not correct as houseboats may not be available or you need to compromise for a low quality houseboat if you wait till the day of your houseboat tour.  The houseboat quality, cruise time, food & service will be compromised if you go for cheaper rates. Tripadvisor is the powerful tool to find best houseboat operator.Most of the tour operators will provide you an option to choose houseboat according to your budget, the quality of the houseboat and you can search for  opinions of earlier travelers before booking and booking in advance is ideal.

Are there prices fixed or we have to negotiate and book for best price?
The prices will vary from Rs.5500 to Rs.18000 and are mostly fixed for good houseboats with some scope of negotiation.To get the best price you need to ensure the services and the quality of the houseboat and what you are getting for the price.The houseboat quality, cruise time, food & service will be compromised if you go for cheaper rates and at the end of it you may not enjoy the experience at all.

 

What all items and activities are included in the price?
The price for a normal houseboat include A/C inside room from 9.00pm to 6.00am, Well-furnished room/dining room,  Availability of hot water from solar heater or through kitchen, Food (Vegetarian or Non Vegetarian depending on your choice) , Welcome drink on arrival,  Non-veg meals (Including Fish fry and Chicken) for lunch,  Tea and snacks at evening, Non-veg Dinner (Chappati-Chicken), Breakfast (Iddly/Puttu/Uppumav etc.). You can also buy prawns , crab etc and give it in Kitchen for cooking. Activities usually include  fishing using traditional fishing rod, swimming, village walk and you can also take canoes for riding if you want etc

What are the checkin and checkout timings for a houseboat trip?
Check in time of an overnight cruise is 12 noon and the cruise will go on till 9 AM the following day with a total cruise time of 22 hours. The houseboats will be anchored at 5:30 PM as per the rules from the government .If you are opting for a day cruise, the cruise timing is from 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM with lunch and snacks in between.

Which one is better – Alleppey or Kumarakom?
Kumarakom  cruises gives more of of the wide stretches of the back waters and less narrow canals. Where as Alleppey cruise is more through the narrow channels where you will be able to see the life on the either side. people involved in their daily affairs.Kumarakom is located near the gorgeous Lake Vembanad, this is a large body of open water with really beautiful views on all the sides of the lake. Alleppey has more houses facing the canals (the canals function as waterways and are a major form of local transport). So in Alleppey you will see local homes, people washing clothes etc in the water. So you can see typical Kerala life in this area. Thus these two places offer different type of houseboat experiences.

Should I opt for a day cruise on houseboat  or an overnight cruise ?
The option to choose day cruise in a houseboat or overnight cruise depends on your budget and time available.An overnight cruise will enable you to get a little outside the usual one day routes and you will then avoid a lot of the congestions in the main areas of houseboats. Daycruise  may turn out to be much expensive if you decide to stay overnight in a resort as well. Overnight cruise and day cruise usually involve all the meals till checking out and the cruise in backwaters are till 5:30 after which the houseboat moors near the backwaters . Houseboat cruising is not permitted by law after 5:30 in the evening to help fishermen for fishing.

What about the Safety inside Houseboat?
All Houseboats have adequate safety measures and Kerala government and tourism department conducts periodic audits and inspections to ensure safety of tourists. In addition there is also separate rest room with television and a crew comprising two oarsmen and a cook . It takes great skill and meticulousness to construct and navigate these giant Houseboats by tying huge planks of Anjili tree and the staff has been trained properly.

Can I get a houseboat with full time AC?
Yes, that is possible and full time luxury AC houseboat will be much more comfortable option in summer. However the charges of the full time AC houseboat will be much more higher than a normal houseboat in which AC can be availed from 7 PM to  6 AM in the morning. Check out a review from a customer who went on a luxury houseboat cruise.

How long is the cruise in backwaters?
Overnight cruise is usually for 22 hours from 12 Noon to 10 AM and Day Cruise is for 7.5 hours and is usually from 11 AM to 5:30 PM.Guests can check in at the prescribed time, ware served with fresh tender coconut water and start cruise after a short briefing introduction, relax and enjoy the canals and rivers and backwater, at 1300 hrs houseboat will stop for lunch , with lavish menu of traditional kerala cuisine 1500 hrs it will continue its cruise covering beautiful rivers and canals with palm trees and small houses near to it, villages paddy fields, churches, etc, you can get out and get an experience of Toddy( soft liquor made from Coconut it is safe pure and sweet.

What kind of meals are served in a Kerala houseboat?
When you book a Kerala houseboat cruise for one night all meals will be served on board from the Kerala Houseboat Menu. The cuisine is continental, south Indian, North Indian or traditional Kerala flavored with the local specialties; delicious local fish. In a day cruise lunch and snacks will be server on board. The option of choosing vegetarian or non vegetarian meals resides with the guest and need o be specified to the houseboat provider or tour operator in advance.

Hope this was helpful. If you have any questions on  houseboat in Kerala, please do mail us at team@irisholidays.com and we will be happy to help you.

Tagged as: Kerala Houseboat, kerala houseboat cruise, Kerala Houseboat Food Menu, kerala houseboat packages, kerala houseboat tour

Munnar Tour-Planning the trip

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in Munnar, Travel Tips

Munnar means “three rivers” in Malayalam and Monnar or Munnar derives its name from the confluence of three mountain streams – Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundale. Munnar is a hill station and is easily accessible from Cochin, Coimbatore and Trichy. However please note that if you are planning a trip to Munnar and want to reach Munnar you will need at least two days to enjoy the complete beauty of Munnar since there are lot of sight seeing spots on the way in your trip to Munnar which will require one day and the entire sightseeing of Munnar will take one day.

munnar-trip-planning

If you are planning a trip to Munnar from Kochi, on the way visit the Kodanad Elephant Training Centreto watch the elephants bathing and baby elephants. Kodanad is the only elephant training center in central kerala. In Kodanad you can take an Elephant Safari and play with Baby elephants. The other attractions on the drive include Spice Plantations, Valara waterfalls, Cheeyappara waterfalls, Karadippara view point, Attukkad water fall view etc. The distance from Munnar to Cochin is 145 Kms.

If you are planning a trip to Munnar from Coimbatore, use the road via Udumalpethu from Coimbatore. The route is Coimbatore – Pollachi – Udumalpet – Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary – Munnar and the sightseeing on the way are Lakkom Falls and Sandalwood Forest in Udumalpet – Munnar road.The distance from Munnar to Coimbatore is 160 Kms

If you are planning a trip to Munnar from Trichy use the road via Trichy – Dindugal – Theni – Munnar.The distance from Munnar to Trichy is 195 Kms and hence you can also opt for a stay in Madurai and a darshan at Madurai Meenakshi Temple to make it less hectic.

If you are planning to visit Munnar, What we would recommend is the Cochin route as it is more scenic and verdant and would take less time.You can also try out our holiday packages in Munnar or our 2 night Misty Munnar Package which offer sightseeing exclusively in Munnar. Our only advise to you if you are planning a visit to Munnar is to make sure that the trip is not hectic and you enjoy the beauty of Munnar on the whole.

Tagged as: Munnar, Munnar Distance, Munnar packages, Munnar Photos, Munnar Pictures, Munnar Tourist Attractions, Munnar Travel

Houseboat Cruise in Kerala

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in Alleppey, Kerala Experiences, Kerala Houseboat

Divided in 28 states, India is massive, and traveling the country presents a wealth of cultural experiences so diverse it’s like visiting 10 different places in one. Certainly it takes a few visits, or one very long one, to make your way through the ornate forts and palaces of Northern Rajasthan, luxuriously tented Ranthambore tiger safaris and colonial splendor of urban Mumbai. Before you make your way to the groovy beaches of Goa, the stunning Andaman Islands of the Indian Ocean—or all the way down to the Malabar Coast on the country’s southern tip where you’ll find yet another completely distinct region in the pastoral waterways of Kerala.

kerala-houseboat-cruise

The area’s long history as a spice center secured its relative wealth, though an unusual history—one that includes a rare confluence of Catholics, Christians and Communists—ensured its prosperity and uniqueness. With Kerala’s progressive Maharajas supporting free public education, 19th century missionaries got busy scattering the landscape with churches and schoolhouses, while promoting the modern notion that girls, as well as boys, deserved instruction.

image-of-church-kerala

By 1956, Keralites—well-informed, dual-lingual, 20% Christian—commenced voting in Socialist candidates; a stance they’ve stuck with for the last half a century, much to the chagrin of India’s centrist federal government. In a country famed for political chicanery where huge swathes of the population remain so destitute and illiterate they vote by selecting the symbol—cricket bat, elephant, lotus flower, scooter—ascribed to whatever party is doing nothing for them this year, this striking autonomy has served them well. With educated, socially conscious, locals implementing the full roster of left wing goodies: land reform, public health care, trade unions, workers cooperatives, a women’s movement, while rejecting the India’s discriminatory caste system.

kids-in-kerala

All in all, the sort of social construct that would give Mitt Romney a Hemiplegic migraine. For their efforts, Kerala ranks today as India’s least corrupt state, and its cleanest, while boasting the nation’s longest life expectancy, highest rating on the Human Development Index, and densest concentration of media; publishing newspapers in nine different languages. Given their advanced skill-sets, its youth are noted for leaping on 21st century BRIC economic opportunities and excelling at white-collar vocations. Proving that the best cure for extremism is an thriving middle-class, Kerala’s peaceful community of 35 million Hindus (60%), Muslims (20%) and Christians (20%) shun religious conflict, sidestepping the clashes that occurs in parts of India mired in crushing, everyday poverty. But I digress, America.

The other amazing thing about this verdant and unique patch of India, rich in pepper, natural rubber, coconut, tea, coffee, cashews, and spices, is its bucolic backwater network of lagoons and canals. Edged in lotus-flowering rice paddies and coconut groves, slowly gliding along these picturesque waterways, some stretching as long as the 150 mile Periyar River, others so slight they’re fed entirely by the June through September Monsoon rains, is one of life’s great tranquil experiences. Languid and thoughtful, the scent of cardamom in the air, an afternoon’s drift along these Indian estuaries is the travel equivalent of the Slow Food Movement.

houseboat-cruise-view

Houseboats along the waterways have multiplied over the last decade and Kerala’s signature touring options now range from handcrafted kettuvallams—anjali wood hulls capped with a vaunted roof woven out of palm leaves—to sleek air-conditioned cruisers with white jacket staff and options ranging from daycruise in houseboat to Kerala Luxury Houseboat Cruise.

getting-down-from-houseboat

Sailing October through April, the most luxurious is the Vrinda: Oberoi’s eight cabin motor cruiser with a rooftop sun deck which serves as your base with daily forays to locals villages and temples—as well as ornate churches—on a traditional kettuvallam. Beyond cooled cabins and dining areas, much welcome in the sultry climate of Kerala,the Vrinda highlights local South Indian cookery and culture. [Full disclosure: my girlfriend works for Oberoi and invited me to join her on this voyage]

With three, seriously elaborate, daily meals and dinners followed by highly ritualized evening recitals by Kerala’s most sought after musicians, dancers and performers for a taste of local culture. If you like, there are cooking lessons as well. The area is rich with coconuts, bananas, rice, freshwater fish, crab, mussels and prawns, and every sort of spice, you’ll disembark with the skills to whip up a tasty Malabar fish curry when you get home.

The Vrinda offers set 2 and 3 day excursions, but if you book the whole boat, you can tailor your experience. On the drive in or out, stop at Periyar National Park and trek through the jungle on an elephant. While on the rivers, organic health and beauty forays are innumerable—Kerala is the cradle of Aryuvedic medicine—expert herbal remedies are plucked fresh from the abundant supply of plants that flourish here.

kerala-housbeoat-parked-lake

Of course, in India, a country with 330 million gods, temple festivals are as extravagant as they are frequent. A grand highlight on the social calendar and celebrated with musical processions, bejeweled elephants, colourful river floats, dancers, and fireworks, not to mention, regional costumes that are wildly ornate, even by the elaborate decorative standards of India.

church-festival-kerala-backwaters

Keralites also enjoy a bracing snake boat race, a tradition they’ve honed over four centuries and trace back to the ancient kings of Alleppey who battled each other on these waters. Up to 120 feet in length and manned by as many as 100 rowers, each village takes enormous pride in their particular snake boat—and vanquishing competing hamlets during the July to September regattas. Most anticipated are the Nehru Trophy, held in memory of India’s late Prime Minister, and the Champakulam Moolam, which celebrates the Hindu God Krishna with a parade of boats decorated with performers and parasols.

Reproduced from Forbes article

Tagged as: Backwater cruise Vacations, Houseboat Cruise in Kerala, Kerala Houseboat, kerala houseboat cruise

Visa Requirements for Kerala-India

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in Travel Tips

You need a visa to visit Kerala. It is important that you keep up to date with the current visa requirements to guarantee visa application success for your holiday in Kerala.Here are some of the questions that we generally receive from our guests and the answers  should help make your visa application quick and easy.

visa-requirements-kerala-india

I am planning to visit India. Where do I start?
The Consular Passport and Visa (CPV) Division of the Ministry of External Affairs is responsible for issuance of Indian visas to foreign nationals for their visit for various purposes.Visas can be applied in person or by post at the High Commission of India based in the country from where the candidate intends to depart for India. Specific visas are granted for a variety of purposes.

What are the types of visas issues by India?
The different types of visa, categorised on the basis of purpose of staying in India, are Tourist Visa, Business Visa, Student Visa, Transit Visa and Conference Visa.

What is the type of visa that I should get if I want to visit Kerala on a holiday as a tourist?
If you are planning to visit Kerala, you should get a tourist visa.Tourist visa is given for 6 months normally, rest specifically depends on the country of residence. The applicant is required to produce/submit documents in proof of his financial standing. Tourist travelling in groups of not less than four members under the auspices of a recognised travel agency may be considered for grant of collective tourist visa.

Is there any provision of visa on arrival?

The Government of India has announced a scheme of granting Tourist Visa on Arrival for the citizens of Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand and Singapore. The tourists who wants to use this scheme Visiting India for the purpose of tourism (recreation, sight seeing, visitin friends and relatives) and fulfills all other criteria for grant of normal tourist visa to India like assured financial standing (production of return ticket and proof of availability of sufficient funds to spend in India), passport of at least six month validity and reentry permit if required.


There is no provision of ‘Visa on Arrival’ in India  for other countries and no fee is charged for immigration facilities at the airports. Foreign passengers should ensure that they are in possession of valid Indian Visa before they start their journey to India except the nationals of Nepal and Bhutan who do not require visa to enter India and nationals of Maldives who do not require visa for entry in India for a period up to 90 days (a separate Visa regime exists for diplomatic/official passport holders).

What are the requirements for Visa?
Original passport valid for at least 6 months ,Visa fee , Duly completed application form, Two passport-size photographs and Supporting documents, where necessary are required for obtaining Indian Visa. However, the requirement may vary from country to country.

What is the fee for visa application?
The fee structure depends on the nationality of the passport holder and type/duration of visa applied.

The Existing Fee Structure

Transit Visa 5 $

Visas with validity upto six months 30 $

Visas with validity upto one year 50 $

Student Visa 50 $

Visas with validity between one to five years 100 $

Visa fees indicated in US$ are payable in local currencies as well.

Visa fees are not refundable except in cases where a visa already issued is cancelled thereafter.

These are indicative prices, please confirm with the Local Indian Embassy.

Where can I find more information?
To know more about the Consular Passport and Visa (CPV) Division of the Ministry of External Affairs visit www.passport.nic.in

To know the contact details of Indian Missions abroad, visit the official website of the Ministry of External Affairs www.meaindia.nic.in

Tagged as: Visa to Kerala

Kerala Tourism Videos

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in Travel Tips, Uncategorized

Tagged as: Kerala Tourism Videos

Is Kochi and Cochin the same?

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in Cochin

Kochi and Cochin are the names which create a lot of confusion when you travel a trip to Kerala. If you are having the same predicament, dont worry, Kochi and cochin are the same. British used to call Kochi as Cochin and Keralites used to call it Kochi and officially Kochi was declared as the name in 90s. Eventhough the official name is Kochi, cochin is also used by many people who live there or who travel to Kochi.The city is widely known as the commercial or economic capital of the state of Kerala and thus good transport infrastructure is critical for the city’s economy.

kochi-cochin

Here are some fun facts about Kochi or Cochin that you may find interesting

  • Kochi and Cochin are the same. Kochi is the local name and Cochin is the name given by British
  • There is another city in Japan with the same name – KOCHI. There is a partnership between Kochi in India and Kochi in Japan for cultural exchange.
  • Ernakulam is the name of the district in which Kochi ,the sea port in kerala state is located. This place is known and called as Kochi or Ernakulam commonly.
  • Cochin International Airport is 28 Kms North East of Cochin and is located outside the main city
  • Kochi originated from kochazhi which, in Malayalam, denotes “small estuary”.
  • Fort Kochi is the heritage area in kochi and Kochi was a fishing village in the Kingdom of Kochi in the pre-colonial Kerala. The territory that would be later known as Fort Kochi was granted to the Portuguese in 1503 by the Rajah of Kochi.
  • If you want to  come to Kochi by train then you need to alight at North or South. Among Kochites, this station is referred to as “Ernakulam North” or simply “North” as it is in the Northern part of Kochi, to distinguish it from  Ernkulam Junctions which in turn is referred to as (and was officially called for a long time as) “Ernakulam South” or simply “South”. These railway stations are among the railway station nearest to Munnar.
  • Kochi is  the only city in Kerala with three railway stations and there is one more station called Cochin Harbour Terminus near Cochin Port that is used for goods transport
  • Kochi has a very fast and efficient bus transport system mainly dominated by private operators, known as Red-Buses.For transport within the city, buses and taxis are available throughout the day.For transport within the city, buses and taxis are available throughout the day.

buses in kochi

  • The most common on-street hire option are auto rickshaws autos, which are economical.
  • Kaloor Bus station which is a major terminus used by privately operated long-distance buses and local red-buses. It is also a major stop for private mofussil services.
  • Most of the on-street taxis are HM Ambassadors and Tata Indica and as per law, they have to be in White colour with yellow plates without any taxi sign on top.
  • Kochi has the reputation as a bargain-hunters’ paradise , though in price terms many items in Kochi can be cheaper and can be “bundled” with more products if you know how to bargain and where to bargain. Shopping in Kochi is an enjoyable experience .

In all probability, your predicament over Kochi or Cochin should end here. Kochi is among the best cities in Kerala to start a holiday in Kerala and all the major tour destinations like Munnar, Alleppey, Thekkady , Athirappilly etc are in and around Kochi.

Enjoy your trip to Kochi.

Tagged as: Cochin

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