kerala tour packages

Bangalore is one of the busiest cities in India which is mostly known as the business hub or the IT hub of Kerala. Being in this thickly populated city for more than 6 years, I was totally doomed and depressed with my life. All I wanted was a break from this boring city life and increasing tension and workloads. Taking a break from the busy working life on the 4th of December I finally planned a trip to Idukki by availing one of the best Kerala tour packages from Bangalore which was planned and organized by Seasonz India. The trip was scheduled on the 6th of December to Idukki, one of the best hill station and the 14th district of Kerala. Finally, on the 6th of December, I reached the Bangalore airport by 8 and after a flight of about 3 hrs; I reached the Cochin international airport at 11 am. At the airport, I was welcomed by the tour operators and was lead to the taxi which was already waiting for me. From the airport, I was accompanied by a travel guide who would help me know more about the destinations I visit during the trip. It was about 3.30 hrs of travel from the Cochin international airport to Idukki. We started our trip from the airport to our destination by 11.30 am and reached the place by 3.30pm. On the way, we stopped to have lunch from a Dhaba. The food in Kerala is entirely different from that in Bangalore. The flavors and spices of the land give in a unique and mouth-watering smell to the food in the place which is entirely different from that in Bangalore.

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 We reached the Idukki town by 3.30 pm and checked in to the hotel that was pre-booked for me by 4.00pm. After refreshing and having a tea I reached back to the guide by 4.30, it was already evening and so the destination I was to visit the day was just one, the Kulamavu Dam. After travelling for about 20 min, I finally reached my first destination of the day by almost 5 pm. The Kulamavu Dam was one of the best hiking destinations in Idukki, me being a crazy lover of nature decided to hike to the peak to enjoy the natural beauty of the hills covered in mist and the beautiful sunset. It took me about an hour to reach the peak of the hills. The view which the peak offered was fascinating; by the time I reached the peek the mist was already kicking into the hills. It was freezing cold in the hills that I was not able to hold in the place for long. After enjoying the sunset I immediately got down to the base. I reached back to the base by around 7.30 pm; it was already dark and freezing cold so I decided to get back to the room. I reached back to the room by around 8.pm. after refreshing I decided to have the dinner from the restaurant in the hotel. The food provided in the place was delicious with different spices and flavours. After having the dinner I got back to the room by 9.30 and decided to sleep on as I had a busy day ahead.

I woke up the next day by 7 am and after refreshing I had breakfast and set off for my trip. According to the plan, my destinations to be visited for the day included Thommenkuttu Falls, the Idukki Arch Dam, and the Hill-view Park. I started my trip for the day from the hotel after checking out by 9 am and after traveling for about 30 min I reached my first destination of the day, the Thommenkuttu Falls. The falls were one of the best destinations that I visited in Idukki. Located about 17 km off Thodupuzha these scenic falls have 7 steps through which the water rushes down to the pool. The place was one of the best destinations for trekking and rock climbing apart from the waters and rock climbing one thing that attracted me to the place was the different activities offered by the Kerala tour operators like boating, horse riding and more. I enjoyed horse riding and boating first and then moved on to enjoy the waters. After playing in the waters for a while I moved to my next destination of the day, the Idukki Arch Dam.

After driving for about 30 min from the falls I finally reached the Arch Dam. The dam was one of the oldest built by the Britishers. The dam was built across two beautiful hills which were known as the Kuravan and Kurathi hills. The beauty of the hills and the greenery of the place add up to the beauty of the dam. Built across a minimum height of 550fts, the Idukki Arch Dam was considered as an architectural wonder. Built by the Britishers the dam was one of the main sources of water to Tamilnadu and the people in the area. The way in which the dam is built was something that fascinated me, the cool breeze and ambiance of the place where one of the best things that one could enjoy in the place. After being on the dam for a while I moved to my next destination of the day, the Hill-view Park.

The Hill view park was said to be one of the best and most beautiful tourist destinations in Idukki. After traveling for about an hour from the dam I finally reached Hill-view Park by 1 pm. The park located in Idukki was one of the most beautiful destinations a nature lover could explore and visit. Filled with greenery and natural habitat the place was one of the best destinations in Idukki, from where you could enjoy the enticing beauty of the Cheruthoni Dam and the Idukki Arch Dam. Apart from the beauty of the place, the park could be said as one of the best destinations for trekking and from where you could enjoy the true beauty of the wild. As I had no much time to trek in the place I left after enjoying the scenery and the beauty of the place. It was my last destination for the day, after exploring the place I decided to head back to the airport which was again at a 4 hr distance from Idukki. After traveling for a while I finally reached back to the airport by 7 pm and took a 3 hr flight back to Bangalore.

The day I spend in Idukki was one of the most relaxing and refreshing. Far away from the daily routines and city life it was the only vacation I had after 5 long years. Kerala was one of the most beautiful destinations. Unlike Bangalore, Kerala houses a number of locations with natural beauty and importance which are the prominent destinations in most Kerala tour packages. Hill stations like, Munnar, Idukki, Wayanad, Gavi are all examples of such destinations with natural beauty and wildlife that attracts travelers from around the world to Kerala. For travelers who wish to escape from the depressing city life the wild and beauty of nature, Kerala would be the ideal destination. 

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A Romantic Rendezvous in Kerala

Kerala, a place surrounded by enthralling and enriching greenery is the best choice for a couple who is beginning to start a new chapter in their life. The peace and tranquillity that this place provides is something that makes it the best choice among travelers. The undulating mountains and lush greens are the reasons why people choose Kerala as their honeymoon destination. There are many travel agencies that provide Kerala honeymoon packages that assure easy and hassle-free travel. Thus, they can have an enchanting experience among the mountain clad tea plantations.

Some of the Major Honeymoon Destinations in Kerala are:

Munnar Tour packages  – Munnar , Known as the Switzerland of Kerala, it is the best destination to celebrate the love and union of two people. The romantic mood will be complemented by the chilly weather and the breathtaking landscape. Large tea plantations, forests, hill ranges, and wildlife makes anyone fall in love with this wonderful place. It is the perfect destination to firm the bond between couples. You can enjoy the cool breeze while you soak in the beauty of the Western Ghats. Since the climate is pleasant and favorable throughout the year, it makes Munnar one of the most sought after destinations in Kerala.  The major attractions in Munnar are Eravikulam National Park, Devikulam, Marayoor, Mattupetty Dam, Anamudi Peak, Meesapulimala, and TATA Tea Museum.

Kovalam – This is the ideal destination to start your journey together. The Kovalam beach filled with coconut trees and scenic beauty is going to make your honeymoon rejuvenating and memorable. The beach has a lighthouse in its background where you can experience the charismatic sunset. It is heaven with amidst white sparkling sands, rushing waves and sea breezes. You can enjoy the quintessential charisma of this place while soaking in the glory of the Sun.

Apart from Kovalam Beach, other major beaches in Trivandrum are Hawa Beach, Shanmugham Beach, Varkala Beach, and Chowara Beach. There are many resorts that are close to these beaches that provide special honeymoon packages. These resorts come along with spas where the couples can indulge themselves in massages and Ayurvedic treatments. These are meant to rejuvenate the body and mind.

Fort Kochi - Fort Kochi greets you with a mystical aura that adds an ethereal realm to your romantic getaway. The entire place gives you a vintage feel and takes you years back to an era when the place was ruled by the Portuguese and the Dutch. The narrow roads are a perfect choice for couples to walk hand in hand. You should not miss the breathtaking sight of sunset and the unique method of fishing using Chinese fishing nets. These nets were brought from the court of Chinese Emperor Kublai Khan and were introduced to the local fishermen by Chinese Explorer Zheng He during his visit to Kochi. Fort Kochi is a place that gives everyone something to enjoy and relish as it is a melting pot of culture.

Wayanad – It is a destination filled with virgin forests and misty clad mountains. It is a state that has been able to maintain its pristine nature. With its beautiful backwaters, rainforest cover, spice plantations, and dazzling waterfalls, Wayanad is the perfect spot for an exciting honeymoon. To memorize your trip, you can go to Kuruwadweep Island, Meenmutty Waterfalls, Chembra Lake, Edakkal Caves, Soochippara Waterfalls, Banasura Sagar Dam and Wayanad Heritage Museum. These honeymoon places are blessed with the breathtaking view of the hills, mountains, waterfalls, lakes and unique plantations that are beyond verbal descriptions. Kuruwa Island is a group of Islands located along the Kabani River which is the most famous place in Wayanad. The unique features of this place are the bamboo bridges and rare species of trees.

Vagamon – Vagamon is blessed with the green vegetation and cool climate which will be a bliss for honeymoon couples. This exotic place has valleys, tea gardens, waterfalls, and pine forests. You can enjoy walking through the pine meadows with your partner and have a relaxing tea break in the plantations. The major attractions in Vagamon are Vagamon Meadows, Pine Hills, Kurisumala, Ulipooni Wildlife Sanctuary, Vagamon Lake and Marmala Waterfalls. Vagamon Pine valley is an enchanting pine forest which is a great place to spend time. Vagamon Meadows is a perfect place to spend a relaxing time with your partner. You can also go for boating in the Vagamon Lake which is situated within the tea plantation. There is a small bridge near the lake where you can go for a small walk and have a wonderful evening together.

Idukki – Known for the famous dams and scenic views, It is one of the major tourist destinations in Kerala. The hill station, Devikulam is surrounded by the Sita Devi Lake and is famous for its tea plantations. Major destinations in Idukki are Thekkady, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Mullaperiyar Dam, Idukki Dam, Cheruthoni Dam, Kulamavu Dam, and Kumily. You can enjoy the lush greens of Idukki while staying in a homestay or a hotel.

Alleppey – Alleppey reminds us of its backwaters and palm-shaded streets which are a sight to watch. It is one of the most suitable locations for couples to enjoy their honeymoon. There are houseboats that are specialized for couples who are on their honeymoon with extreme privacy and luxury. They can feel like at home and have an enjoyable time together. Many houseboats arrange for special room decorations and customized honeymoon cakes if requested as part of Kerala honeymoon packages. As the packages also include food, the couples do not have to worry about that too.

Apart from the backwaters, Alleppey is also famous for its beaches. Some of the most famous beaches are Alappuzha Beach, Andhakaranazhi Beach, Marari Beach, Pathiramanal Beach and Thottapilly Beach. If you are someone who loves the beach, then you can walk through the beach holding hands while enjoying the sunset. These will be the moments that you will be able to cherish forever in your life.

Thus, Kerala can be described as honeymooner’s paradise. Many travel agencies offer attractive and affordable packages that include food, accommodation, and travel. Seasonz India provides attractive Kerala houseboat packages for honeymoon couples where they can avail special discounts and seasonal offers that allow you to have a romantic getaway with your partner into God’s Own Country.

Savour the Best Memories of your Honeymoon in Kerala

After all the tensions and the hurry-burry of a marriage, it is actually during your honeymoon that you get enough time to know and understand each other better and deeper. I don't know about others but in my case, it was so. After a long list of pre and post marriage functions, it was finally during our honeymoon trip that I get to know more about Leo, my husband. After our marriage, we relocated from Delhi to Chennai for the ease of his work. As we had guest almost every day for a week it was just too impossible for us to plan a honeymoon trip. After taking enough time, we decided to trip off to the wildlife destinations in the country just because the both of us really needed an off from the busy bursting city, its noise, all the pollution's and especially from the visitors. It was after panning for about 2 to 3 days that we finalized our travel destination as Wayanad, a forest or better say a wildlife destination in Kerala. Our next real task was to find us a travel operator who would organize the best Kerala honeymoon packages for us. Like any new generation gadget freak, we google and decided to travel with Seasonz India. They actually had a really good review which was more than enough to convince us.

On the 2nd of March, we started with our honeymoon trip to explore the wildlife destinations in Wayanad. As the Kerala honeymoon package, we choose did not include the flight tickets we were on our own until we reached the Kochi international airport. At the airport checkout point, we met the travel representatives and discussed the travel plans, after which they introduced us to our travel guide cum driver who was to accompany us throughout our honeymoon trip. We reached the airport by 3.30 am and after completing the checkout formalities we started with our drive to Wayanad. To be very honest the drive to Wayanad takes around 7 hrs. The only thing that I remember of our drive to Wayanad was some hills mountains, dense forests, and hairpin roads. We were actually sleeping all the way to Wayanad. Explaining the whole Wayanad trip would be something really hectic so given below are 2 of the best travel destinations that we explored while enjoying our honeymoon in Wayanad.

Banasura Sagar Dam, Kalpetta

Located at Kalpetta the Banasura Sagar Dam is one of the most explored travel destinations in the wildlife destinations of Wayanad. This fascinating dam is surrounded by the pristine beauty of nature offering the travelers and the honeymoon couples with a number of adventure options. The dam was the first travel destination that we explored. The place did offer us a number of adventure options which includes boating trips, trekking tours and more. To be honest the place is one of the most explore destination for the honeymooners as the place not just let you enjoy the adventures at the place but also gives you the perfect picture background that anyone would love. This fascinating dam is a part of the Indian Banasurasagar Project which is basically a project with the construction of dams and canals. Started in the year 1979 this project this project was flagged off with the primary aim to support the hydroelectric project at Kakkayam. Not just that the project also aimed at meeting the water demands of the farmers. One of the main attractions of the place is the Banasura Hills that offers the travelers and the couples visiting with the best view of nature and a better panorama of the whole city. The dam offers the travelers and the honeymooners tripping with a number of best activities like the trekking through the trails of the hills, boating through the waters of the dam enjoying the beauty around the dam and sightseeing options where we get to enjoy the actual beauty of Kerala.

Chembra Peak

Chembra Peak is one of the must-visit travel destinations for honeymoon couples as per me. There are a number of attractions at the place that any newlywed couple would love to explore. Located at about 8 km to the south of Kalpetta is the beautiful and magnificent Chembra peak which borders the Nilgiri slopes in Tamil Nadu and Vallarimala in Kozhikode. The peak is one of the highest in Kerala and is a perfect destination for adventure lovers. One of the main attractions of this fascinating hill stations is that the peak holds in a hearty shaped lake that is located halfway to the peak of the hill. Most of the honeymoon travelers and couples travel to this fascinating location just to enjoy the beauty of this unique heart-shaped lake and the climate of the place. This fascinating destination is the perfect location for the adventure lovers and honeymoon couples who are interested in exploring the hills and wild at Wayanad in the best adventurous way possible. Trekking is one of the main adventures that are offered at the place. After taking permission from the forest department the travellers and the couples are even given permission to enjoy one-day treks and two-day natural life treks as per the convenience of the travellers. Even though the place offers travellers with a number of adventure options trekking is one of the best options that travellers love to enjoy at the place.

 Apart from the above-listed travel destinations, there were a number of other places that we actually loved exploring while enjoying our honeymoon. the place holds in a number of other travel destinations like the Edakkal Cave, the Chain Tree at Vythiri, the Pookodu Lake at Kalpetta, the Kuruva Island, the Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary are all some of the best travel destinations in Wayanad that the honeymoon couples should explore while at the place. A number of couples and honeymoon travelers explore this paradise destination in Kerala by availing different kerala tour packages that would let them explore most of the land in the best adventures ways possible. We totally enjoyed our honeymoon in the land as it gave us enough time to be ourselves far from the rush of the city and the tension of the work. Filled with a number destinations waterfalls, forests and mountains with ravishing beauty the travel destinations in Kerala is a must explore for the nature lovers and the couples who seek peace and privacy.

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Eternal Togetherness throughout a Short Traverse of Bliss

No matter how many days a journey stays, if you set off with the people you love the most, it sure turns out to be the best of every other journey. 

After my little family of my wife and son had been formed, this was the first journey we had been on which was indeed a pleasant journey. We are residing in Bangalore and hence we were never short of places to visit in the neighboring states. Even though this time, rather than extra baggage for us, we had been keen on the baby's towels and clothes as his comfort throughout the journey had been our prime concern. We had decided to visit Kerala this time as on the journey, we had also decided to visit Guruvayoor temple. I had communicated with Seasonz india and had been given an itinerary through a package with which we could be visiting the places. Together with the little champ and his mother, we began the journey of our Kerala tour in the air-conditioned lobby of the Indian railway. We had been moving through the means of travel that imparts comfort and would fall into a price range that would not be so costly. 

After we got down at Shornur railway station, the driver picked us up and our drive to Guruvayoor began. Our little boy had been up from sleep and had been busy staring out of the window and we had been moving smoothly as the train journey had not been a tiring one. As we reached the driver dropped us at a hotel where there was no minimum stay policy which was indeed a great bliss as you don't have to pay the whole rent of the room for just spending 2 hours in it. We refreshed, wore some traditional clothes and vacated the room to reach the temple. The crowd seemed to be like the Sunday malls in Bangalore but everyone seemed to have a concern for the baby due to which we made our way easily to the temple. We had a divine darshan and did some lady shopping for the wife where she had found a place selling bangles and bindis. When we were done we walked to the hotel where the driver had dropped us as he had parked the car there. We got into the car and the drive to our prime destination for vacay, Wayanad began but we had already decided that during the night we would be staying in Kozhikode. 

We asked the driver to keep the speed low which indeed turned out to be as the roads were filled with traffic. When we had reached the district of Kozhikode, we stopped and got into a hotel for the stay. They had half-day policy due to which I could keep half the price of the room in my pocket. Since the baby had been droopy, we sat in the hotel and when it was almost 7 we got out and decided to take a walk around. We even made the baby lick the Kozhikode Halwa even though we were not confident of it. But both we had enough fit and packed some as well and got back to the room as sleep was necessary for the champ and we required eating some good food which we ordered through room service. In the meantime, our parents kept calling us from Bangalore to infer about the baby and just like that, the day came to an end. The next day morning again, the drive began to Wayanad. The thing was that it was not possible to get to this place on a flight or a train as the hills didn't have the facilities to this. 

The drive had been pretty awesome as we started rolling up the Thamarassery hairpins. 

As we reached the driver got us into a homestay facility where we kept the bags and then we got going to Muthanga Wildlife sanctuary. That is where we had decided to be visiting in the first go. Even though they had jeep safari, we decided not to be on one and instead walked around for some time. We got to see some deer and pieces and that was the first of the baby sighting both these. When we were done with that, we decided to walk back as we had not been sighting any other animal anywhere close by. That is when we realized that we had actually not taken the baby to Bannerghatta National Park despite it being located at Bangalore. And since it was feeding time, we decided to have lunch after which we proceeded to Banasura Sagar Dam where they had boating facility. There we had a good time being at one of the largest dams in the whole of India. By the evening we made our way to Pookode Lake which was the last place of visit. As it had been getting cooler we did not want to stay outside with the baby. After spending some time on the beautiful lake, we left to the homestay where the people had been more than loving as they were fond of babies and made sure that he was in utmost comfort. The place hosted us in the best possible manner and we definitely tipped them for the extra happy stay they provided us.

And in utmost comfort and no difficulties, the baby had proved that he is a true traveler for not even once did he trouble us with uncertainties. We were glad that everything had gone as per the plan on the Kerala tour and we had actually been returning back to Bangalore. The service by the tour planners had been good and each place where we had stayed and been to on the package had also been a great time. The places we went across and the food we had had all been memories and good pictures in the camera. On the happiness of having been on a tour after almost a year and a half, we went back hometown with much more than happiness on our cards. 

For more details please contact us @ www.seasonzindia.com

Kerala State Where Tourism Developed Into Branches

Blessed with nature, wildlife, historical destinations, cultural heritage and rich traditions, Kerala is a state located to the southernmost tip of India where tourism is one of the main sources of income and employment. Being a land rich in the potential for tourism to cherish the state government and the tourism department has classified tourism into a number of categories on the basis of the destinations and activities included in the category. One of the main aims of the Kerala tourism department to classify tourism into different categories is to give a clear idea for the travelers about the different varieties of destinations and a wide possibility of tourism in the land. One of the main reasons for the government of Kerala to support tourism in the land is due to the fact that tourism is one of the fastest-growing industries in the land which helps greatly in the economic development of the state. Catching up with the increasing interest in categorized tourism, different tour operators like Seasonz India are now in the field with a number of kerala tour packages based on the customer's interest and seasonal trends. The Kerala tourism department is now supporting such travel operators with innovative ideas and interest in tourism. With the development of tourism, the Kerala government have introduced a number of tourism categories. Some of such trending tourism categories in Kerala are listed below.

Festive Tourism

Apart from being known as the gods own country and the land of coconuts, Kerala is a land which is also known as the Festive capital of the country. Kerala being a state that houses a wide verity of ancient traditions and culture holds in a number of festivals which fascinates the travellers visiting the place. A number of foreign travellers visit Kerala during the festive seasons to enjoy the celebration and the colour splash of the season. Most of every city in Kerala has a different and unique way in which each of the seasonal festivals is celebrated in the land. This uniqueness is one thing that attracts the travellers from around the world. Onam is one of the best festivals in Kerala which attracts tourist into the land. One of the main attractions of Onam is its traditional feast with a number of Curries and payasam. In Alleppey, Onam is celebrated with snake boat race which fascinates the tourists visiting the land to enjoy the seasonal splash of Onam. Some of the other festivals in Kerala which attract the attention of the tourist from around the world are Thrissur Puram, Pongal, the harvesting festival and more.

Seasonal Tourism

With the change in seasons and celebrations, Kerala offers the tourist with a number of new reasons to travel and explore the land. Seasonal tourism is one of the major categories of tourism in Kerala which attracts the attention of the tourist to a greater extent. Most of the travellers availing the seasonal packages are either nature lovers or honeymooners. With the arrival of winters, most of the tour operators and the tourism department would be all set with the winter packages which would mostly include destinations like hill stations. Most of the hill stations in Kerala are the best to visit during winters so that the travellers could enjoy the dew in nature and have a climate perfect for honeymooners. Some of the best destination for winter tourism in Kerala includes the hill stations of Munnar, Wayanad, Alleppey and much more. Being a state where monsoon hits twice a year, monsoon tourism is a must in the place. The wildlife destinations, backwater destinations and the beach destinations are the best choices for monsoon tourism in the land. Summer is the time when families rejoice and spend time with children. It is with the summer holidays that most of the travellers trip to Kerala to explore the family holiday destinations in the land. Some of the best places to visit during the summer seasons include the hill stations and the wildlife destinations where the climate is moderate. With the change in season and climates, the tourist destination of Kerala shows a different colour of nature.

Business Tourism

Kerala being a developing business city supports and promotes business tourism with an aim to attract business travellers to the land. Business tourism in Kerala is supported greatly by the Kerala government so as to improve the economic condition of the state. A number of different and attractive business tour packages are introduced by the tourism department to increase the flow of business travellers from business hubs like Bangalore, Mumbai and more. Kerala being a state with immense potential is greatly in need of a support from a neighbouring state to develop business. The business tours organised in Kerala would mainly include a number of destinations with a great potential in developing an enterprise. One if the added advantage of the business tourism in Kerala is that it would help the state to develop the hidden potential of the land. With the development of business tourism, Kerala is to see a rise in business enterprises in the land offering job opportunity to the educated youngsters. With the development of different business in the land, the business tourism would increase the chance of youngsters getting job opportunity.

With a number of destinations with various tourist attributes, Kerala is a land which houses different categories of tourism. Apart from the types of tourism given above the tourism department and the Kerala government have introduced a number of other tourists like the wildlife tourism which includes destination with wild and vegetation, educational tourism which is mainly meant for students which include destinations which provide knowledge, medical tourism which includes destinations with medical importance, Ayurvedic tourism which would include Ayurvedic destinations, cultural tourism which includes the cultural destinations in the state, historical tourism which includes the destinations with historical importance and much more. It is with the introduction of different branches in tourism that the flow of tourist visiting the state increased. The different categories of tourism clearly explain the wide verity of tourist attractions present in a land. For travellers who wish to explore each and every element of Kerala the different categories of tourism would clearly explain the different categories available.

Idukki – a hill station with history where the nature dwells

Bangalore is one of the busiest cities in India which is mostly known as the business hub or the IT hub of Kerala. Being in this thickly populated city for more than 6 years, I was totally doomed and depressed with my life. All I wanted was a break from this boring city life and increasing tension and workloads. Taking a break from the busy working life on the 4th of December I finally planned a trip to Idukki by availing one of the best Kerala tour packages from bangalore which was planned and organised by Seasonz India Holidays. The trip was scheduled on the 6th of December to Idukki, one of the best hill station and the 14th district of Kerala. Finally, on the 6th of December, I reached the Bangalore airport by 8 and after a flight of about 3 hrs; I reached the Cochin international airport at 11 am. At the airport, I was welcomed by the tour operators and was lead to the taxi which was already waiting for me. From the airport, I was accompanied by a travel guide who would help me know more about the destinations I visit during the trip. It was about 3.30 hrs of travel from the Cochin international airport to Idukki. We started our trip from the airport to our destination by 11.30 am and reached the place by 3.30 pm. On the way, we stopped to have the lunch from a Dhaba. The food in Kerala is entirely different from that in Bangalore. The flavours and spices of the land give in a unique and mouth-watering smell to the food in the place which is entirely different from that in Bangalore.

We reached the Idukki town by 3.30 pm and checked in to the hotel that was pre-booked for me by 4.00pm. After refreshing and having a tea I reached back to the guide by 4.30, it was already evening and so the destination I was to visit the day was just one, the Kulamavu Dam. After travelling for about 20 min, I finally reached my first destination of the day by almost 5 pm. The Kulamavu Dam was one of the best hiking destinations in Idukki, me being a crazy lover of nature decided to hike to the peak to enjoy the natural beauty of the hills covered in mist and the beautiful sunset. It took me about an hour to reach the peak of the hills. The view which the peak offered was fascinating; by the time I reached the peek the mist was already kicking into the hills. It was freezing cold in the hills that I was not able to hold in the place for long. After enjoying the sunset I immediately got down to the base. I reached back to the base by around 7.30 pm; it was already dark and freezing cold so I decided to get back to the room. I reached back to the room by around 8.pm. after refreshing I decided to have the dinner from the restaurant in the hotel. The food provided in the place was delicious with different spices and flavours. After having the dinner I got back to the room by 9.30 and decided to sleep on as I had a busy day ahead.

I woke up the next day by 7 am and after refreshing I had the breakfast and set off for my trip. According to the plan, my destinations to be visited for the day included Thommenkuttu Falls, the Idukki Arch Dam and the Hill-view Park. I started my trip for the day from the hotel after checking out by 9 am and after travelling for about 30 min I reached my first destination of the day, the Thommenkuttu Falls. The falls were one of the best destinations that I visited in Idukki. Located about 17 km off Thodupuzha these scenic falls have 7 steps through which the water rushes down to the pool. The place was one of the best destinations for trekking and rock climbing apart from the waters and rock climbing one thing that attracted me to the place was the different activities offered by the tour operators like boating, horse riding and more. I enjoyed horse riding and boating first and then moved on to enjoy the waters. After playing in the waters for a while I moved to my next destination of the day, the Idukki Arch Dam.

After driving for about 30 min from the falls I finally reached the Arch Dam. The dam was one of the oldest built by the Britishers. The dam was built across two beautiful hills which were known as the Kuravan and Kurathi hills. The beauty of the hills and the greenery of the place add up to the beauty of the dam. Built across a minimum height of 550fts, the Idukki Arch Dam was considered as an architectural wonder. Built by the Britishers the dam was one of the main sources of water to Tamilnadu and the people in the area. The way in which the dam is built was something that fascinated me, the cool breeze and ambiance of the place where one of the best things that one could enjoy in the place. After being on the dam for a while I moved to my next destination of the day, the Hill-view Park.

The Hill view park was said to be one of the best and most beautiful tourist destination in Idukki. After travelling for about an hour from the dam I finally reached the Hill-view Park by 1 pm. The park located in Idukki, was one of the most beautiful destinations a nature lover could explore and visit. Filled with greenery and natural habitat the place was one of the best destinations in Idukki, from where you could enjoy the enticing beauty of the Cheruthoni Dam and the Idukki Arch Dam. Apart from the beauty of the place, the park could be said as one of the best destination for trekking and from where you could enjoy the true beauty of the wild. As I had no much time to trek in the place I left after enjoying the scenery and the beauty of the place. It was my last destination for the day, after exploring the place I decided to head back to the airport which was again at a 4 hr distance from Idukki. After travelling for a while I finally reached back to the airport by 7 pm and took a 3 hr flight back to Bangalore.

The day I spend in Idukki was one of the most relaxing and refreshing. Far away from the daily routines and city life it was the only vacation I had after 5 long years. Kerala was one of the most beautiful destinations. Unlike Bangalore, Kerala houses a number of locations with natural beauty and importance which are the prominent destinations in most Kerala tour packages. Hill stations like, Munnar, Idukki, Wayanad, Gavi are all examples of such destinations with natural beauty and wildlife that attracts travellers from around the world to Kerala. For travellers who wish to escape from the depressing city life the wild and beauty of nature, Kerala would be the ideal destination. 

The Wilderness Aptly Captured In Cameras, In Search Of the Scenic Locale of Pulimurugan

We all are some way or the other movie buffs and love to watch a movie in the weekend after keeping aside the busy daily life pressures. Inside a multiplex, with high definition video and audio effects, nowadays, watching a movie is like a different experience which is hard to explain. Whatever we see on the big screens with all the other light off is really appealing and if it presents wonderful scenery then our enthusiasm widens. Athirappally waterfalls in Bahubali and other movies was really a scene stealer and same like there are other places captured in cameras arousing curiosity among the audiences.It has been a year after the release of the big budget and book office cracker of ever time superstar, Mohanlal movie Pulimurugan where hunt of man versus wild was shot. After the release of the movie, people from different parts of places landed Kerala and were in search of the scenic place pictured. Audiences were moved by the wilder beauty of that place. They thought such a scenic splendor was in Munnar or Thekkady and started booking several Kerala tour packages. The social media popularized the place and finally, its name was out. 

The picturesque forest captured in the movie was Pooyamkutti, in Ernakulam district near to Kothamangalam. It was a real surprise to know that the forest was located in Ernakulam district instead of some other place to visit in kerala  

Before Pulimurugan, Pooyamkutti has shown its eminence in another Mohanlal movie named Shikkar. The movie was not a blockbuster hit but still, the place was perfectly shot. It is after the Pulimurugan release, the popularity of the place soared.

Tourists especially, youngsters were so thrilled to visit the place and most of them planned a trekking to the inner skirts of Pooyamkuti forests. The social media's publicity was the main reason for more trekking to this place. The exact location is about 27 kilometers from Kothamangalam and to see the wilderness of the forest, a prior permission is needed. On the way to Poyyamkutti, there are many breathtaking attractions and after tasting its beauty, continue the journey to the abode of Murugan, the wild hunter. The route can be picked as Kothamangalam to Thattekad to reach Kuttampuzha and from there Pooyamkutti.

The Thattekad bird sanctuary is famous and is a bird lover's paradise. On the way, a visit can be made to this wonderful bird sanctuary. It is the venture of the great ornithologist, Dr Salim Ali and after a research in early times; he convinced Travancore kings that the place is abundant with a rich diversity of birds. This place is perfect for trekking too. Kuttampuzha is another location which is an offbeat attraction and not so popular. Kerala has several such places which are not so popular but its beauty is unexplainable and we can reap more memories from there. Some honeymoon couples demand privacy for spending their newly wedded days to enjoy nature and for them, these offbeat places can be preferred. Kuttampuzha is such a place that can be included in the Kerala Honeymoon packages. It is actually a tiny scenic hamlet in Kerala where people are involved in farming and other agricultural practices and are far away from commercialization. It is the meeting point of two rivers namely Pooyamkutti and Edamalayar, hence the name 'Koodum' meaning meeting and 'Puzha', river. On must really appreciate the diversity of butterflies of this village with Gladey bush brown and Malabar rose varieties. To feel the chillness of the water, there are several bathing Ghats around the village. After filling your senses with a soothing village life experience, continue the journey to the wild.

Pooyamkutti and its forests belong to the Malayatoor forest division. The Pooyamkutti River is what separating the town from the forests. It is the tributary of Periyar River. The most exciting thing one can see here is the tribal villages inside the forest. One must take a 10 kilometers trek inside to watch the tribal world. The watch of bamboo huts and their happily living are quite thrilling to behold. One thing which is unknown to the world is that Pooyamkutty is the habitat for wild elephants and there are huge numbers of them inside the forests. Unlike shot in the movie, where tigers are the frequented wild animal here, the elephants are the villain but this a place where the humans and elephants have learned to coexist Tribal live in harmony with the elephants. One interesting fact is that the Pooyamkutty forests lye in the Western Ghats, connecting Eravikulam National park and Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary. Hence, this is the major elephant migration route, thus allowing a huge population of elephants to nurture here. The population of bamboo forests is another reason why elephants migrate to Pooyamkutti forests. There are fastly growing bamboo trees inside the forest and thus bamboo domination is more here. These forests are the breeding grounds for freely roaming elephants.

Another suggestion is that trekking can be done in the Pooyamkuty forests with your friends. Lucky are those youngsters in the Ernakulam district as they can opt it as a weekend trip involving great kind of adventure. For people from faraway places, visiting Kerala during holidays is suggested. It is really difficult for new ones in Kerala to figure out the place and hence seeking the guidance of tour planners is necessary and by choosing some attractive Kerala holiday packages, a guided trekking will be offered to the tourists. One thing you must be bewares of while trekking is the elephants. But as per the locals there, the elephants are really active during nights and are not often encountered in days unless a threat for their habitat occurs. To get inside the forest, jungle route is the only way after crossing the river. The elephants used to damage the crops and for protecting from which, electric fences are built at some locations. The avid trekkers can smell the fresh elephant dung on your way. They will come to the jungle route or tribal village at night and afterwards move to the banks of Pooyamkutty River. But this is not a sight that can be seen in daytime. Another interesting attraction here is the Peendimedu waterfalls which are 8 kilometers deep inside the forest. This is a very large waterfall, and realising its potential, a hydroelectric project named Indira Priyadarshini was proposed to cover 1000 MW same like Idukki dam but was changed to 210 MW later. The environmental issues and the threat to biodiversity are what lying as a hindrance to this project.

We have seen a bridge in the Pulimurugan movie and is the only way to cross the river and connects Poyyamkuty to Manikandamchal. Manikandamchal is a village and the bridge is named as Chappath by locals. The call of the jungle is characterized by the sound of langurs and macaques. To reach the tribal colony, 20 kilometers of a trek is needed and from where good quality pure and natural honey can be bought. Almost 100 tribes inhabit the village and a healthy interaction can give you a chance to get some tribal products. Never try to visit the forest during monsoons as the river will be flooded making the trek difficult and risky. It is best to trek after monsoons preferably after October. This is a ride to explore the locations of the Pulimurugan and witness the wildness of the forest in real.