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Cochin to Munnar

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in Munnar, Travel Tips

Cochin to Munnar distance is 125.8 kilometers and it will take 3 hours and 45 minutes to reach from Kochi to Munnar in a self driven car. The best route to go from Kochi to Munnar is through Kochi – Muvattupuzha – Kothamangalam- Neriamangalam – Adimali – Munnar. Here is a munnar distance map with the route to help you plan your trip from Kochi to Munnar.

cochin-munnar-distance-map-route

Cochin to Munnar Cab
Cabs are available from Cochin to Munnar as well for a fixed rate. Cabs are available from Ernakulam Railway Station as well as the Prepaid Taxi Counter in Cochin International Airport. The distance from Cochin International Airport to Munnar is 115 kilometers and the taxi fare from Cochin to Munnar for an ordinary AC car will be 2185 rupees as in September 2013. Taxi cars are also available from Ernakulam Station and from various points in Kochi city. It is always advisable to negotiate with the driver and arrive at a fixed price before hiring a cab from Cochin to Munnar.

Cochin to Munnar Bus
There are frequent buses to Munnar from Ernakulam KSRTC Bus Stand as well. The exact timings can be checked probably one day in advance, at the enquiry counter as the timings change depending on the availability of buses. If you find that the bus is crowded, you may approach the counter and collect a coupon which will have a seat number printed on it and that is a sort of reservation. However this facility is available only in selected buses. It is also advisable to opt for an Express or a Fast passenger bus that will stop in limited number of stops and this will save time through out the journey. The cost of travelling in a bus from Kochi to Munnar will be Rs.90 to Rs.210 depending on the type of the bus.

Cochin to Munnar Route
Journey to Munnar is scenic and there are also some waterfalls on the way to Munnar. Cochin Munnar Road that runs throough the forest is rough with many bents and hairpins and you may find the journey uncomfortable if you are not accustomed to hilly areas. It is also advisable to carry some tablets as there may be a vomiting sensation if yo are new.

Cochin to Munnar Train
There is no train from Cochin to Munnar and the railway station nearest to Munnar is in Angamaly or Aluva if not in Trivandrum. Prepaid taxi cabs to Munnar is available for Ernakulam Railway Station and the taxi fare from Kochi to Munnar is a fixed rate.

Cochin Munnar Sightseeing
In the best route from Cochin and Ernakulam to Munnar , till Neriamangalam it is a densely populated area and you can take a detour to Thattekad wildlife sanctuary if you are looking for a break and some bird watching as well. You can also make a stopover at Neriamangalam bridge which is a scenic spot for sightseeing . After Neriamangalam there is a spot called Ranikallu- Stone of Queen which was laid by the queen of Travancore to start the construction of the road from Cochin to Munnar. The waterfalls at Valara and Cheeyappara are also popular stopover points. If you are planning to do a Cochin to Munnar sojourn , Munnar Package Tour can be booked from any of the leading tour operators in Kerala.

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

Tagged as: Cochin, Munnar

Best Things to see in Kerala

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in Kerala Experiences, Travel Tips, Uncategorized

The urge to “go somewhere” is a pan-Indian one, not only in summer Whether you’re beleaguered by the sun or the monsoon, but also in winter when you want to get some sun and heat. There are two ways to tackle it: hole yourself up in your home or better still, succumb to the urge and really get out embrace and choose the right destination where you can enjoy the sights and summer or winter does not matter like Kerala in India.

Kerala, located in the in the southern area of India is a beautiful paradise called as God’s Own Country because of its abundant natural beauty such as long stretches of river, long golden beaches, fantastic wildlife, and the added beauty of green paddy fields and swaying palm and coconut trees and we have already shared 10 unique things that you can do only in Kerala.

Here is a list of unique things you can see only in Kerala

Eating at a Thattukada in night
Eating Yummy Porotta from a Thattukada at night is a unique experience that you wont get anywhere in the world. Thattukada is a street food stall where the food is cooked in front of you and eating the hot and steamy porotta with curries is an experience is something that most Malayalis relish and cherish.From chapathi with kozhi porichadu and thattu dosa to mola puttu and kadala curry, the spicy and tangy whiffs and tastes of rustic Kerala . If you ever visit Kerala and even if you are using one of the popular Kerala Luxury Packages, do go out for a night stroll once to enjoy the Kerala Thattukada experience

thattukada-at-night

The Malayali way of making Tea
Everyone in the world makes tea and malayalis also make tea in their own “Malayalish” way which is an experience to enjoy.the aroma of freshly fried local snacks,the boiling tea pot that constantly spews aromatic steam, the glass shelf with traditional Kerala snacks, the open frying pan, the easy camaraderie of the staff, a cluster of yellow and small bananas that hang by coir ropes and in between a person with a lungi who is trying to reduce the temperature by holding a tea glass high up in the air and pouring tea to another glass through a tangent the angle of which varies from tea shop to tea shop, a sight that you can see only in Kerala. When you are enjoying a trip to Kerala, please ensure that you drop into one of the roadside tea stalls in the evening to taste the tea experience with local flavour.

see-making-tea-thattukada in kerala

Colonial Flavor of Fort Kochi
History is a mute witness that testifies with time and the testimonial for this statement are the streets in Fort Kochi which has many moods and where you can see the colonial flavour through the mesh of the Chinese fishing nets whose great wooden frames line the shore of Fort Kochi. Colonial flavour of the old part of Kochi and visit the wooden synagogue, built in 1567, with its floor of Cantonese willow-pattern tiles, the Mattancherry Palace with its teak and grandeur and interesting photographs of the last Kochi royal families, and the old go-downs of Bazaar Road, once stuffed with spices for loading on to ships.Fort Cochin must be explored on foot, and slowly, to study its side streets and alleyways. This way I discover its old-world shops, cafés, stately bungalows and heritage structures, like the Dutch Palace with its fine elements of colonial and Kerala architecture.

sights in Fort Kochi

Fort Cochin is still filled with untouched secrets. You find narrow lanes redolent with the scents of herbs, oils and spices—there’s even the world’s oldest pepper exchange (upstaged by the national commodity exchanges, it does little business today, so you can walk in and talk to anybody during business hours); antique shops piled high with bargains; treasures within the old Paradesi Synagogue, art galleries and churches; freshly caught fish cooked to order in the little stalls along the marina; backwater boat rides. It’s a small place, but you can’t fit its many facets into a single day.

Varied Hues of Beaches
There are crowded beaches and quiet beaches and there are pristine beaches and and beaches with sundecks and Kerala has all kinds of beached including secluded beaches, laid back beaches or party beaches: there’s any type of beach for everybody in Kerala. Famous beaches of Kerala like Kovalam, Varkala, Marari, Cherai etc has their own hues and forms and each is a unique experience that you can enjoy by yourself just by exploring beaches in Kerala. There are beaches ideal for swimming, their are beaches where you can see couples wrapped in love and there are secluded beaches where you will be the only person enjoying the hues of the waves.

best beaches in kerala

Tea Gardens in Munnar

O’ peppermint tea —
two delights per sip
as steamy hot as passion
cool as a wintry lake dip

~Terri Guillemets

If you are a Tea lover, you will cherish the visit to Munnar in Kerala. Munnar was the summer destination for Britishers and High Tea originated with the rural and working class British, who would return to their homes at about 6:00 p.m., for a typical meal of potted meats, fish, cheese, salads, sweets, and a pot of strong tea. Visiting a tea estate in Munnar is a unique experience that you can enjoy only in Kerala.A stroll though velvety plantations and a visit to a factory to learn all about tea growing and processing and taste. If interested, you can also purchase pure tea in various forms

tea-gardens-munnar

Estuaries in Poovar
An estuary is a fantasy location with the backwaters on one side and the beach, with the sea lashing on it, and a river on the other side. Poovar is one of the best kept secrets in Gods Own Country and an explorer’s haven where an island and a beach of almost indescribable beauty awaits you.Sunsets are a spectacular sight in Estuarys and a walk on the beautiful, white sands of the beach with the wind in your hair and the sea spray is a relaxing, yet exhilarating feeling and the sights in Estuarys like Poovar is unique to Kerala.
fishermen in poovar beach

Elephant Festivals
Elephant festivals are unique to Kerala where elephants are decorated in ceremonies and processions with grandiose scale and the best experience to see is the Thrissur Pooram which is held with its large gathering of decorated elephants and the sea of humanity that descends on Thrissur during April – May. Pooram in Thrissur is an opportunity not to be missed if you are planning to visit India or Kerala.

elephant festivals in kerala

Worlds Richest Temple

Guinness book of world records lists the Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, India,as the world’s richest Hindu temple after the chance discovery of secret cellars at the temple uncovered a vast treasure of gold, silver and precious jewels believed to be worth at least £12 billion (then approx. $18 billion) which is almost equivalent to the wealth of the richest Indian in the world, Mukesh Ambani .Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is in the heart of Trivandrum, capital city of Kerala, and the the Holy Tank of the temple is called Padmatheertham. Another unique thing to see in the richest temple in the world is Puthenmalika (also called as Kuthira malika), which is an excellent example of the traditional architecture of Kerala.

worlds-richest-temple-trivandrum-padmanabhaswamy

Green Paddy Fields

The sight of Green Paddy Fields and walking through the green paddy fields in Kerala is a different walking experience that you may not be able to experience anywhere in the world where you will lose completely in the dazzling green around yourself, as you’ll have to watch out for the slushy water passages that run through the mud path in the middle between the boundaries of each paddy field.
green-paddy-fields

Life along the Backwaters
Sights along the Backwaters is unique and is a mind-blowing view of canal systems and endless lagoons , Paddy fields, fishing in backwaters, small houses on small stretch of land There are villages in all over these backwater, The view of backwater birds, people working in paddy fields or people using small canoes as mode of transportation, small resorts, heritage homes are specialty that can be seen only in Kerala.

Tagged as: Backwaters of Kerala, kerala arts, kerala honeymoon destinations, kerala tourism, Munnar Tourist Attractions

Images and Photos of the Monsoon

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in Kerala Tourism Photos

Monsoon season is cloudy, breezy with a bit of rain now and then and you can either hate or love it depending on how you enjoy rains. From honeymoon spots in Kerala to the Kashmir , from Gujarat to Assam , the monsoon rains are an eagerly awaited event in many parts of India. Here are some stormy, greeny and wonderful photos of this extraordinary weather phenomenon .

Children Playing in Monsoon Rains in Kerala

Monsoon Rains bring in the intoxicating smell of the dry Earth getting drenched, the splashing waters and children playing with the tiny paper boats sailing on the clogged water make monsoons the favorite season for tourists in Kerala who want to enjoy the verdant nature and intense rains and children to play paper boats in the rain.

Child playing with a paper boat

Monsoons always blow from cold to warm regions. The summer monsoon and the winter monsoon determine the climate for most of India and Southeast Asia and the Monsoon that hist Kerala in June for which the entire India waits for is the summer monsoon.The summer monsoon has been called Indias true finance minister and when the monsoon is late, the regions economy suffers. Fewer people can grow their own food, and large agribusinesses do not have produce to sell.

One of the happy side-effects of heavy monsoonal clouds – stunning sunsets! For the last 300 years, scientists have understood monsoons as the movement of air currents between warm landmasses and the cooler ocean. However, recently scientists have begun to explore other theories, including the possibility that monsoons are caused not by different temperatures but by the interaction of tropical air circulation and turbulent air currents in middle latitudes. Research into the exact conditions that bring about monsoons continue.

Stunning Sunsets on Monsoon

Kerala’s countryside transforms itself with the monsoon rains. The Indian subcontinent has the most intense of all the monsoons, with 80% of its rainfall arriving between the months of June and September. A delayed or diminished rainy season has huge repercussions for agriculture and the economy. The same is also true of too much rain, which can cause floods and kill crops. Still, the splashing of the first raindrops is greeted with celebration in India, both in rural areas and in the cities, which look to the monsoon for relief from the baking summer heat.

Waterfalls Overflow in Monsoons

Sleeping at nights suddenly becomes a pleasant & Comfortable experience in Monsoon. While it is the time to enjoy the cool downpour it is also the time to welcome a host of diseases.Traditionally, according to ayurvedic physicians, rejuvenation therapies have their best effect during the wet monsoon months, when the winds and the cold temperature render the body especially amenable to the therapeutic and restorative powers of the herbs and concoctions used in ayurveda.

monsoon-ayurveda-treatments

As we have seen, the monsoon is a crucial weather pattern that affects life on our planet in ways both big and small. None of the earth’s flora and fauna could live without the important drinking water that comes to us from the heavens for free. Think of that next time you grudgingly have to get out your umbrella!
Police Jeep Stuck in Monsoon Rains

Monsoon Rain Drops

If you want to enjoy monsoons in India then you should visit Kerala as monsoons in Kerala are the most enchanting in India. With green pastures at its best, it is the most sought after destination during rainy season.

Alleppey Backwater Ride-Fall in love with natural beauty

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in Alleppey, Backwater Cruises, Kerala Houseboat

As you drive into the picturesque city of Alleppey complete with canals, backwaters, beaches and lagoons, there is a certain energy and a ‘feeling of being one with nature’ that comes to you. Situated at a distance of 62 km south of Kochi, Alleppey is a popular tourist destination during the monsoon season. The day cruise in backwaters of Aleppey take you through canals connects Kumarakom and Kochi in the north and is the main centre for the Nehru Trophy Boat Race where you find 50 people seated in the boat rowing hard to win the race.

kerala-backwaters-cruise

But the most important thing that strikes you about the backwaters here is the serene, calm environ with the monsoon water slowly coming down on the lake. There are many resorts situated on the backwaters of Alleppey and Kumarakom in Kerala but the Lake Palace Resort situated on the banks of the Vembanadu lake is worth visiting for its food and luxurious cottages. Each cottage is just 5 steps away from the lake and as raindrops come falling, you find just a boat or two with fishermen dressed in their umbrella caps trying to spread their nets far as possible. It is quite a contrasting view of life as you find fishermen on one hand trying to find their daily bread hunting for fish in the monsoon rains and on the other hand you have the high flying tourists enjoying a walk under the almond trees by the lake or indulging in a lavish brunch early morning.

A ride into the interiors of Alleppey in the shikara is something that you should not miss. Clearly called the Venice of the East, the shikara takes you through the narrow canals where you find small villages situated on the banks of the lake and village tourism in Kerala. While it is a beautiful experience for the tourists, on the other hand you find the villagers washing clothes, and enjoying a peaceful coexistence living in the small houses. The houseboats cannot go through the narrow canals. There is a vast area of paddy fields that makes a green cover besides the lake. So much so, that the coconut trees on either side, the green paddy fields make the water also look green! As you make your journey slowly, it is a sight to watch so many houseboats cruising through the waters, people happily enjoying a dish of onion vadas with coffee and a variety of birds enjoying their flight over the sea.

Alapi Kerala cruise

Another important sight and pleasure hobby here is fishing. Just anybody is happy waiting for a fish to get onto the hook as they wait eagerly on the banks of the lake. Catching fish is like an all time favourite here and one should not miss the Karimeen Fry. It is made spicy and tasty in Kerala style. Just be careful if you don’t know how to eat fish with the bones. Other worth sampling delicacies could be Elai Ara, (idli sandwich filled with cardamom, saffron and dry fruits), Puttu, and the Kerala fish curry.

The place is called backwaters because the lake water is actually fresh river water that comes down from the river and is then used for the paddy fields whenever the need be, and later the lake water as it goes ahead, merges with the ocean in Kochi.If you really like chasing the monsoon season, then backwaters in Kerala is the place to be. The people are definitely polite and helpful and the ‘date’ with monsoon season lives up its best as you see water, clouds, fog and the lake merge together.

Tagged as: Alleppey houseboat, Kerala Houseboat

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 :)

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.

thekkady-rafting-photo02

This was the starting point of the journey. This stream joins the Periyar Lake further downstream.
thekkady-rafting-photo05

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

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