KOVALAM-The Paradise of the South

Kovalam is also Known as "The Paradise of the South"

Kovalam is a world famous beach situated in Kerala, India. It is one of the main travel destination of international tourists. The Beach with miles of golden sands, Coconut trees and the blue water of the Arabian Sea make Kovalam one of the favourite destination af all types of tourists. Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees. Kovalam offers a variety water sports opportunities, great seafood, and Ayurvedic massages and treatments. Kovalam is one of the most prominent tourist spots in India. Kovalam is finding a new significance in the light of several Ayurvedic salons, and recuperation and regeneration resorts which provide a wide variety of Ayurvedic treatments for tourists.

Swimming and bathing are very refreshing and exhilirating in the waves. One can walk into the sea for about 100 metres without loosing ground. This cove is also the safest place for swimming. At many coastal places there are beautiful patches of coral reefs. The underwater views, which are visible during snorkeling, are really marvellous. Visitors can experience the tremendous joy of surfing, swimming, skiing and kayaking in the vast azure water of Arabian sea which touches the golden sands of Kovalam. And dont forget to watch the wonderful sunset at the Kovalam beach.....

The Three Charming Beaches of Kovalam

Kovalam has three crescent shaped beaches separated by rocky outcroppings. The beaches are ideal for swimming and the shallow waters streach for hundreds of metres along with palm covered head lands and lots of shops with all kinds of goods.

1. Lighthouse Beach : The Light house beach is the most popular and the Largest beach of Kovalam which is located at the southern part of Kovalam. It is called so because of the 35 m high light house situated atop of Kurumkal hill. Most of the Hotels, restaurants, lodges and shops are located here. The Light house beach offers a spectacular view of the Vizhinzam mosque and its verdant surroundings.
2. Hawah Beach : Hawah beach is the second largest beach of Kovalam situated in between Light house beach and samudra beach. Visitors frequent these two beaches.
3. Samudra Beach : The Samudra beach is located at the northern part of Kovalam. It is an ideal place for nature lovers.It is also a perfect beach for sunbathing.

Ashoka beach is also the part of Kovalam beach.

There are a large number of beach resorts in and around Kovalam.The Seaport of Vizhinjam is about 3 km away. It is famous for special variety of fishes, old temple, big church and mosque.The Proposed International Trans shipment Terminal at Vizhinjam is also close to Kovalam.

Kovalam-Fact File
District	:	Thiruvananthapuram
Altitude	:	At Sea Level
Temperature-Summer	:	36.2 c to 20.6 c
Temperature-Winter	:	35.0 c to 18.0 c
Rainfall	:	170 cm
Clothing	:	Light cottons
Best Time to Visit	:	Sept to May
STD Code	:	0471

How to Reach

By Air

• Thiruvananthapuram Airport : 20 Km

By Rail

• Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station : 16 Km

By Road

• Thiruvananthapuram Town : 16 Km
• Bus Time : Bus Service available every 15 mts from Thiruvananthapuram Kizhakekotta Bus Stand

Tourist Information Office

• Tourist Information Center, Near Bus Stand, Kovalam : 0471-480085
• Tourist Information Center, Park View, Thiruvananthapuram : 0471-321132
• Tourist Information Center, International Airport, Thiruvananthapuram : 0471-502298
• Tourist Information Center, Railway Station, Thampanur : 0471-334470
• Tourist Information Center, Central Bus Station, Thampanur: 0471-327224

 

Tourist Destinations Near By :

• PathmanabhaSwami Temple : (16 Km) : Fameous Mahavishnu Temple
• Kuthiramalika Palace Museum : (16 Km) : Lot of art works in wood and costly paintings are there in this museum. The Palace is build by King Swathithirunaal.
• Zoo(19 Km) : Zoo and Snake Park
• Sree Chithira Art Gallery : (19 Km) : Lot of paintings displayed here including Raja Ravi Varma
• Varkala : (55 km) It has a superb beach and cliff front and the usual tourist amenities. The quiet sandy beaches and large lakes of Paravur (65 km from Kovalam) are also close to Varkala and are hidden away. Paravur is a shared secret among those seeking a more peaceful getaway.
• Neyyar Dam : More convenient is a tour with a taxi and guide. You cross through hilly landscapes, rubber tree plantations and a stunning landscape. There is a wildlife sanctuary with free roaming lions, deer and (caged) indian mugger crocodiles. Close by is an elephant camp in the forest where you can ride an elephant or help washing one. On the way you pass by the Shivanda Ashram.
• Ayurvastra : Ayurvastrais a commercial organic fabric dyeing centre about 10km from Kovalam where fabrics are dyed using herbs. Tourist can visit the place and see the demo of dyeing. Please fix an appointment.

Contact

• Police Station, Kovalam: 0471-480255
• General Hospital : 0471-443874
• Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram : 0471-528300

 Distance Chart

• Thiruvananthapuram - 13 Km
• Alleppey - 158 Km
• Bangalore - 516 Km
• Calicut - 456 Km
• Cochin - 235 Km
• Idukki - 306 Km
• Kannur - 550 Km
• Kollam - 85 Km
• Kottayam - 175 Km
• Kumarakom - 175 Km
• Munnar - 317 Km

INCREDIBLE MUNNAR

Munnar is One of the main attraction of Kerala. Every Year Munnar attracts thousands of tourists with its breathtaking beauty. The highlight of Munnar is its mesmering greenary, mountain scenary calmness and cool refreshing air with very good climate. The temperature in munnar range from 0 c to 25 c. Munnar is the ideal place for those who want to escape from the summer heat and

The neelakurinji, a blue flower which blooms only every twelve years, is found in this region. It bloomed last in December 2006. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, at 2695 m.



Munnar-Fact File
District	:	Idukki
Altitude	:	1600 Mts to 1800 Mts above sea level
Area	:	26.2 Sq. Km
Temperature- Summer	:	15.2 c- 25.8 c
Temperature- Winter	:	-5 c to 10 c
Clothing	:	Warm Cloth and Rain Gear
Best Time to Visit	:	Sept to May

DTPC Boating Facility is available in Munnar.  Time- 9 to 6

How to Reach
By Air

• Cochin Airport - 130 km
• Madhura Airport - 142 km

By Rail

• Kochi : 130 km
• Kottayam : 147 km

Road - Distance from various places to Munnar

• Kozhikkode : 289 km
• Palakkad : 226 km
• Thrissur : 158 km
• Palani : 122 km
• Thruvananthapuram : 302 km
• Coimbatore : 160 km
• Pollachi : 120 km
• Thekkadi : 106 km

Contact

• KSRTC Enquiry : 04865 230201
• Tourist Information Office : District Tourissm Office, Kumali - 0486 322620 
• Police Station : 04865 230321
• Tata General Hospital, Munnar : 04865 230270

Tourist Destination Near By:

• Pothenmedu : (6 km) Beautiful Sceneries and Tracking Facility
• Photo Point : (2 km) It is a small place filled with woods and a small stream. Good location to take photos.
• Blossam Park : (4 km)
• Pothamedu View Point
• Devikulam : (7 km) Hill station, Seethadevi Lake, Fishing facility
• Attukkad Waterfalls : (5 km) A scenic waterfalls amidst hills and jungles
• Pallivassal : (8 km) Hydroelectric powerstation
• Chithirapuram : (10 km) Chithirapuram has old playgrounds and courts, bungalows and sleepy little cottages which all give this place an old world charm. This town is also famous for its tea plantations in the world.
• Mattupetti : (13 km) Indo-Swiss Diary farm, Entry time-9-11, 2-3:30
  Better known as Mattupetti (cattle village), Tamil migrant labourers had once upon a time reared cattle here. The cool climate and abundance of fodder made it the ideal location for the Indo-Swiss dairy farm. Established in 1961, the Kerala Livestock Development Board (KLDB) manages this highly specialised dairy farm. The dairy farm is a unique one of its kind with more than 100 varieties of high-yielding cattle being reared.
• Echo Point : (15 km) on the way to top station from Munnar is a small lake set amidst rolling hills. Every loud call made from a spot on the lake embankment is returned manifold by the echo from the surrounding hills. Young tourists throng to this place to listen to the echoes of their friendship calls.
• Elephant Arrival Spot : (18 km). Here you can board an elephant for a ride. It costs appox. 350 Rs for a person.
• Kundala Lake : (23 km). This lake is very beautiful amidst lush jungles. Hiring a pedal boat and exploring the lake and its surroundings is an awesome experience. Except at the place you hired the boat, don't expect to find humans around the lake as it is surrounded by scenic jungles and hills. Unless you know how to row a boat, prefer a pedal boat, each trip lasts around 30 min and will be closed at 4:30 PM
• Lakkam Waterfall : (24 km). A small waterfall
• Top Station : (37 km). On the Kerala and Tamil Nadu border, has great views of the Western Ghats. Top station is the "top"-tourist attraction. This place gives a real 'above the clouds' experience. Regular buses go to Top Station (1 hr) from Munnar. A jeep costs Rs 400. The area is known for the Neelakurunji plant, which flowers only once every twelve years. The flower is violet.
• Tata Tea Museum : (2 km). Tourists can see pieces of colonial era and old bits collection. Videography and Photography is strictly prohibited here. This museum remains open from morning 10’o clock till evening 4’o clock every day, besides Monday which is an off day. There is a 50 rupees ticket on the entry for the adults and 25 rupees ticket for the children.
• Eravikulam (Rajamalai) National Park : See Nilgiri Thar (Hemitragas hylocres) - an endangered species of mountain goats, rolling grasslands and sholas, spread over 97 sq km in the Rajamalai hills, rare flora and fauna, Atlas moth (largest in the world), lion-tailed macaque, leopards, tigers, The Kurichi or Neelakurinji Flowers turn the hills of Rajamalai blue every 12 years. The next bloom will be in 2018. One can actually debate if going to the high peak just to see some goats is worth all the effort or not. However, the walk along the park is very romantic and has some breath taking view.
• Anamudai Peak inside Eravikulam National Park : The highest peak (2695 m) south of the Himalayas, towers over the sanctuary in majestic pride. The slopes of the hills abound in all kinds of rare flora and fauna. The Atlas moth, the largest of its kind in the world, is a unique inhabitant of the park. Other rare species of fauna found here are the Nilgiri Langur, the lion-tailed macaque, leopards, tigers, etc. An ideal place for trekking, facilities are provided here and tourists are allowed to go on foot up to Anamudi.
• Chinnar Wild Life Sanctuary : Chinnar wildlife sanctuary is located in the Wester Ghats of Kerala. This wildlife sanctuary has a large number of plants and animals. This wildlife sanctuary is spread in around 90 km of area. This sanctuary is one of the protected areas in the western ghats because of its geomorphologic, ecological, cultural significance and floral.
• Marayoor : (40 km), It is the only place in Kerala with natural growth of sandalwood trees, natural caves with murals, and relics from Later Stone Age civilisation. There is a sandalwood factory of the Forest Department of Kerala and a children's park extending across one hectare of land under the canopy of a single Banyan tree, all of which attract tourists in large numbers.
•          Other Places to Visit
• Salim Ali (Thattekkad) Bird Sanctuary : There are woodpeckers, Malabar gray hornbills, Ceylon frogmouths, parakeets, and rose-billed rollers. This sanctuary is located 20km from Kothamangalam on the road between Ernakulam and Munnar. There are basic and mid-range hotels in Kothamangalam and an Inspection Bungalow in Boothathankettu. You can take a boat cruise from Boothathankettu to Thattekkad. Admission Foreigners/Indian Rs 40/10.
• Kolukkumalai Tea Estate : At a height of about 7130 ft, this orthodox tea factory lays claim to being one of the highest in the world. The view of the Western Ghats is absolutely enchanting.
• Water falls : Check out several natural waterfalls on the way to Munnar. These waterfall carry fresh rain water. They provide an excellent place for all tourists to have photo shootout.

Website Givisn more Information

• www.munnar.com/
• www.munnar.org/
• www.keralatourism.com/
• www.keralatourism.org/