Category: Destinations

Bewitching sunsets, soul-soothing greenery, quiet backwaters, vibrant culture… Yes, Kerala is truly magical but God’s Own Country would never be complete without you – the travellers across the globe. Kerala Holidays, in a unique attempt, gives you an opportunity to explore the State’s top destinations virtually. To explore your favourite destination in Kerala, cast your vote now! Starting with beaches, every month, Kerala Tourism will feature top attractions of the State under various categories. Hill Stations, Backwaters, Village Life Experiences, Waterfalls and Culture Trail will follow.Kerala Tourism will take you through a video tour of the top-rated destination once the ... Read more

Kavil Pattanam, the harbour about which the legends Ibn Battuta and Marco Polo wrote in their travel writings has now transformed into a beautiful island. Sprawling across the districts of Kannur and Kasaragod, this lesser known pristine land of composed beauty is the largest backwater island group in the northern part of Kerala.  Kavil Pattanam used to be the centre for the trade of spices and gems from Malabar and of the wootz steal/Damascus steal before it was banned by the British in the 17th century. Kavvayi backwaters is a cluster of islands that constitutes the largest backwater island group ... Read more

Choolannur Pea Fowl Sanctuary or Mayiladumpara, as it is locally known, is a lesser known habitat as well as premier haven for peacocks in Kerala. The word ‘Mayiladumpara’ literally means “the rock where peacocks dance”. Located in Palakkad, getting to the 500-hectare enclosure requires a trek through dense forests. The view however makes up for it immediately. One is enraptured by the vivid colours and majestic shades of this kingly species. At this pristinely maintained heaven, dawn and dusk tend to be the best viewing times. Photographers can capture unique shots of peacocks here along with many other rare bird ... Read more

Verdant green landscapes, misty mountains, romantic waterfalls, scores of folk art forms… the picturesque district of Wayanad is all this and much more. But if you are a true adventure lover, you may enjoy yourself at Karlad Lake in Wayanad, Kerala, India. The Wayanad Adventure Camp (WAC), the first of its kind in south India, run by the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) Wayanad, is an ideal place for adrenaline junkies. Karlad Lake is perfect for adventurous activities. The DTPC offers a smorgasbord of adventure sports in this pretty place. It is the best place for those who love to ... Read more

An hour’s drive from Kannur lies a hidden hillock that boasts of some of the rarest floral species in God’s Own Country. Welcome to Madayipara, home to over 500 plant species, 300 flowering plants, and rare breeds of butterflies. Drive down here and the locals will inform you of the seasonal beauties at this laterite hill. Many are used during major festivals in decorative styles across the State. The bio-diversity of the place has slowly helped it gain traction among tourists and nature lovers alike. In ancient times, this place once served as the administrative center of the Ezhimala kings. ... Read more

Like those precious gems hidden away under the ocean and upon the mountains, some of the beautiful places in the state are still stashed away in deep folds of nature, and you’d have to walk a bit of ground to get to it. Conolly’s Plot is one such place a nature lover must explore someday. An exclusive place dedicated to teak and it is one of the oldest teak plantations in the world – the Conolly’s Plot. Named after H. V. Conolly, then Collector of Malabar, in 1842 initiated the action to plant teak here and that resulted in the ... Read more

The mighty Danube River flows 1,788 miles from its springs in Germany’s Black Forest to the Black Sea. Just before reaching the sea, it forms the second largest and best-preserved of Europe’s deltas: 2,200 square miles of rivers, canals, marshes, tree-fringed lakes, and reed islands. The Danube Delta is a wildlife enthusiast’s (especially a bird watcher’s) paradise. Travelers can spend three or more days exploring its passages, teaming with the highest concentration of bird colonies in all of Europe. The maze of canals bordered by thatch, willows, and oaks entangled in lianas, offers the perfect breeding ground for countless species ... Read more

Lumbini is the Buddha’s birthplace, one of the world’s most important spiritual sites, and attracts Buddhist pilgrims from around the world. Today you can visit over twenty-five Buddhist monasteries built by diverse countries from Vietnam to France, study Buddhism, meditate and visit the birthplace within the sacred Mayadevi Gardens. Mayadevi Temple is the most sacred site in the Lumbini Garden where archaeologists have identified the exact spot where Lord Buddha was born. Inscriptions on the Ashoka Pillar nearby also refer to the spot as his birthplace. It is said that the newly born Prince Siddhartha (later became the Buddha) took his first seven steps and delivered ... Read more

Spread over a 55 sq. km area of forests on the Western Ghats, the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is among the finest of its kind in Kerala. It plays host to an exotic array of flora and fauna and is among the most picturesque locations in the Kannur district. The entire area is covered in tropical and semi-evergreen forests and is a truly riveting sight. One can catch sight of herds of elephants, gaur, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, Nilgiri Langur, Hanuman Langur, and the Malabar Giant Squirrel. It is also famous for the vast amount of butterfly species found here. ... Read more

Chicamocha Canyon, which was one of the locations selected for the 2009 campaign to select the seven natural wonders of the world, is about an hour from the city of Bucaramanga, in the department of Santander. This tourist destination is one of the most beautiful in the country and is home to Chicamocha National Park, where you can connect with nature and enjoy a wide range of sports and cultural activities. If you’re a fan of adventure or extreme sports, you can paraglide over 3280 feet high through the heart of this magnificent canyon. As you skim through the air ... Read more

Impressive, majestic, sublime? Any adjective, no matter how grand, falls short of truly describing the essence of the Colombian Amazon, a destination whose stunning natural diversity is unparalleled. This destination owes its incredible natural resources to the Amazon River, which is the largest river in the world and is home to no less than 860 species of birds, 140 species of amphibians, 85 species of mammals, 147 species of reptiles, and 6,800 species of plants. These factors make traveling to the Amazon a unique opportunity to find and observe the most exotic natural riches in the world. To get the ... Read more

Egypt has been a healing destination since ancient times thanks to its sunny and dry climate. The desert is ideal for treatments such as sand bathing and therapeutic dips in hot springs. Desert sands have proven qualities that heal arthritis and rheumatic pains. Egypt has rich therapeutic environments that attract people from around the world to enjoy its sand, climate, natural mineral water and sulphuric springs that cure numerous bone, muscle, kidney, skin and stomach diseases. Plan your trip around your needs to mix a healthy balance of sightseeing and relaxation, choose a wellness spa resort. Egyptian spas are located ... Read more

A scenic picnic spot, Daksum lies 14 km southeast of Kokernag at an altitude of 2438 m (8,099ft) above sea level on the Anantnag- Kishtwar highway. The picturesque Daksum, situated in a densely forested gorge, presents an awe-inspiring sight with ubiquitous peace and tranquility. The only sound heard there is that of the Bringi River, rushing right through its center. Daksum in Kashmir valley is a must for those fond of walking and nature as a number of treks branch out from this fascinating place. A walk-in Daksum will take you up to the hills enveloped in lush coniferous trees ... Read more

Equestrian tourism is a new way to discover Colombia through a unique connection with nature. Colombia is one of the most biodiverse and multicultural countries in the world. This makes it a destination that can be discovered and experienced in plenty of different ways, and one of them is equestrian tourism. Equestrian tourism allows you to experience the biodiversity of Colombia first-hand, with short tours through beautiful trails, as well as crossings and immersive experiences of up to eight days in which you’ll discover new destinations at a horse’s pace. Riding on horseback offers a truly unique ecotourism experience, one that lets you enjoy nature through traditional country roads or even ... Read more

Kandovan is located in East Azerbaijan Province of Iran, in the city of Oscu, and is famous for its rocky structure. The village has been registered as a valuable work in national works of Iran, and it has a worldwide reputation and it is the only rocky village in the world. The weather in the Kandovan village is mountainous and bungalow. And in the cold seasons, the heating of the rooms is done through the floor. Kandovan village has 700-year-old rocky houses and a unique view, encouraging tourists to travel to the beautiful weather spot on the slopes of one of the most ... Read more