Location

Geographically, kerala is at the southernmost tip of India. The most advanced society in India with the highest physical quality of life index, no place on earth is perhaps as naturally green as breathtakingly endowed, green kerala.

Kerala is 5 1/2 hours ahead of GMT, 4 1/2 hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time.

Beaches

Beaches are the most important tourist attraction in kerala, there are many other beaches which are almost as good . The long coastline lined with the swaying coconut palms and dotted with an occassional fishing hamlet is fast developing into one of the world's best string of beaches . Through infrastructure is yet to come up in many of the beaches, the advantages in those beaches are many, the most important being, less crowded. We have compiled a list of good beaches and have graded the facilities (or the lack of it) available at the various beaches.

Beach List

Wild life
Kerala has about 30% of its landcover accounted by forests. The jungles of Kerala are famous for the elephants and tigers besides other animals like sambar deer and wild buffalos. Periyar Wild life Sanctuary, Parimbikulam wild life Sanctuary, Eravikulam national Park are the major wild life centres. Kumarakom, Thattekkad, Myladumpara are the main bird watching centres.

The major tourist activities that can be undertaken in the wild life parks are wild life tours Elephants rides, stays at jungle lodges, tree houses, fishing camps etc.Guides are available in the Periyar wild life sanctuary for treks in the forest. The Parambikulam forest authorities organise wild life tours in the park.

Food
Kerala offers several gastronomic opportunities. Spices that flavour the local cuisine give it its richness absorbing some of the tongue-testing, pepper hot flavours. As in much of South India, there is a tendency towards vegetarian restaurants. However there is a good deal of sea food available, and the prawn recipe in coconut gravy are exceptionally good. Curries are eaten usually with plain steamed rice. Small, steamed rice cakes called Idalis and this crepe-like pancakes called Dosas served with chutney and sambar are the usual menu for a typical kerala breakfast. Other delicious include Appam a puffy variation of Dosa (fermented coconut-water or toddy is mixed for making uppams) can be had either with egg masala, chicken curry or Vegetable or matton stew.

The hotels in the larger towns serve international cuisines too, and these include Chinese as well as selected.

Sadya/Feast

The traditional feast of Kerala called sadya-is dished up readily during Onam. Exotically served on a clean fresh banana leaf, this multi-course extravaganza comprises mainly of rice and countless curries and dishes. All delectably vegetarian. Most of the items are coconut based . Various tongue-tingling pickles add a touch of spice. Large helping of Payasama-a sweet milky porridge are served with dried fruits and nuts as dessert.

Spices & Platations

Kerala history is closely linked with its commerce, which in turn was wholly dependent until recent times on its spice trade. Kerala was known for its spices and travellers from around the world visited to trade and to gain control over this rich land. The first travellers were the Greeks, The Romans, The Arbs and the Chinese later day traders included the Portuguese,The Dutch ,The French and The British. It is believed that the spice trade dates back to three thousand years was responsible for Vasco da Gama's quest for the Indian Subcontinent, and its discovery via a sea route.Pepper still remains the king of kerala spices, but the state also has a very rich produce in cardamom,Cinnamon,Nutmeg,Mace,Ginger and Turmeric. It has a rich cultivation of cashewnuts, and is India's native state for coconut!

As in the past, the state continues to be the spice capital of the world. visitors to kerala , especially the tourists, prefer to see for themselves how the different spices are grown, harvested, processed and packed.

Shopping

Handicrafts, Textiles, Antiques and jewellery that you will probably want to buy in Kerela, you will find yourself browsing through very unlikely merchandise lured into small shops.

You could take home with you excellent samples of Kerela arts and crafts like handicrafts in wood, horn, metal mirrors, brass lamps, coir mats, handloom fabrics and gold jewellery in exquisite designs.

For a good selection of the range of crafts available in Kerela, start with the main Handicrafts emporia in Trivandrum or Cochin. Here you will find intricate rosewood and sandalwood carvings, ivory work, brass and 'bell-metal' lamps and other decorative and useful things made from coconut, coir, cane, bamboo and straw.

Amongst Indian Khadi (Handspun and Handwoven) and Handloom textiles, Kerela's unique fabrics are especially fine textiles.

In Trivandrum and Cochin, there are several good antique dealers. In Tivandrum, Kairali has a good handcrafts shop near secretariat, Anjana at I.T.D.C Ashok beach resort Kovalam. In Cochin, there are several good shops clustered on the small lanes near the Mantancherry Synagogue. There is wealth of lovely things made during the century which makes, affordable and extremely rewarding purchases. Look especially for unusual bronzes and unique decorative items, such as the traditional, intricate old locks.

Coir products, woven from coconut husk fibre, are a kerela speciality. In Cochin you can take a motor launch to the Gundu Island, to watch the entire process, and then to select mats and carpets in brightly coloured designs. Coir is also a major craft/ industry in the Alleppey area.

Spices, nuts, coffee and tea, and local specialities such as crisp banana chips can be found in the cities and in most towns. Make enquiries about the specialities of the area you are passing through Munnar for Kannan Devan tea Calicut for banana chips, Quilon for cashews, Periyar for cardamom for instance.

• Air Tickets
• India Tours
• Car Rentals
• Train Bookings
• Hotel Reservation
• Van & Coach Hire
• Leh Ladakh Tours
• Kerala Backwaters

• www.stateexpressindia.com
• www.indiarentacar.com
• www.lehladakhtours.com
• www.tours2kerala.com
• www.4hotelsindia.com
• www.indiatourtravels.com
• www.rajasthanpackagetours.com