Travel articles by Deepak MR
Five winter experiences you cannot miss in God’s own country
Meta Title: The 5 best things to do in Kerala, God’s own country this winter
Meta Description: Visit Kerala this winter and enjoy the beauty of God’s own country. The things to do in Kerala at the 5 places will make your holiday memorable.
Introduction
God’s own country! What an idyllic place that would be! Visualise yourself in paradise, where God dwells. How would such a place look like? There would be greenery all around, with forests, waterfalls, mountains, and beaches. Such a place exists and is the beautiful state of Kerala in India. Known as God’s own country, Travelling in Kerala is a unique experience, one that every traveller must soak in. Listed at 9th place in Time magazine’s top 50 places in the world to explore, Kerala is a traveller’s delight. The many things to do in Kerala make it such a popular destination. If you are looking for the best travel destination this winter, Kerala is the place to visit.
Is Travelling in Kerala during winter a good idea?
The best time to visit Kerala is during the winter season. The period from October to January is winter in Kerala. The summer months are hot and humid. Apart from the hill stations, the climate would be oppressive in other places. During autumn, the rains are heavy, and travel is a bit tough.
Winter is the best time to visit since you can experience pleasant weather everywhere, including at the beaches. The rains would have filled up the rivers, and the waterfalls would be at their attractive best. You can enjoy God’s own country at its best during winter. If you want to enjoy a great holiday amidst nature, Kerala is your go to holiday destination.
Top 5 places to visit in Kerala
Kerala has many beautiful places where you can enjoy Kerala’s natural beauty along with its amazing culture and awesome food. Deciding which place to visit can be a bit tough. To help you plan your itinerary, you can go through the top 5 list we have curated for you. These are the best 5 places to visit in Kerala.
1. Enjoy the houseboat experience in the backwaters of Alleppey
Imagine you are on a boat relaxing in the cool breeze on the rivers sipping your favourite drink. How would it be if the boat you are travelling on is also your house? Yes, this experience is possible in the backwaters of Alleppey in Kerala. The houseboats come with a roof, and have comfortable bedrooms, toilets, showers, with a dining area.
The friendly boatman will show you the beauty of Kerala along the river. He will also cook fresh karimeen (a local specialty fish) and other Kerala delicacies. It is the perfect way to enjoy a holiday amidst nature with good food and pleasant weather. You can even try your hand at steering the boat.
2. Refresh yourself at an Ayurvedic retreat in Kovalam
India is known for Ayurveda, its indigenous health system. Kerala has the best practitioners of this ancient healing system. Visit an Ayurvedic retreat in the beautiful beach city of Kovalam. Have a great time sunbathing and swimming. Once you are done, check-in to one of the popular Ayurvedic retreats.
You can experience a refreshing massage with a variety of oils. The traditional treatments will detoxify and rejuvenate you. Enjoy nutritious and healthy food in five-star facilities while experiencing the power of Ayurveda.
3. Have a great wildlife safari trip in Thekkady
The Periyar National Park in Thekkady is a great place for wildlife lovers. While travelling in Kerala, make sure to visit Thekkady. Enjoy elephant rides under the watchful eye of a trained mahout. Catch a sight of the elusive tiger as you visit the forest.
Boating and bamboo rafting are other activities to enjoy here. If you are an avid trekker, you will enjoy the variety of trekking activities on offer.
4. Relax yourself in the mountains of Munnar
Among the things to do in Kerala is visiting the hill station of Munnar. The amazing weather and the beauty of nature will leave you spellbound. Stay amidst the sprawling tea gardens and taste fresh tea.
Watch the ancient arts of Kerala, including the blistering kalaripayattu sword fight performance. Munnar is the perfect place to relax in the lap of nature.
5. Experience the beauty of the Athirapally waterfalls.
It would be worth your time visiting the magnificent waterfalls at Athirapally. The largest waterfalls in Kerala beckon you. Watch the falling waters, have a picnic, and trek to the bottom of the falls for an adventurous experience.
Just a few kilometers away is another beautiful waterfall – Vazachal. Enjoy a visit to both these falls and have a cool holiday experience.
Conclusion
The 5 places you read about allow you to experience Kerala at its best. You can create memories you will remember for long during your Kerala trip. Use this list while travelling in Kerala and planning your trip. If you want to enjoy a trouble-free experience while visiting Kerala, then use the services of a reputed travel service provider. Carpe Diem is a leading travel aggregator that can create a travel itinerary to meet your expectations perfectly. Get in touch with them today and plan your holiday for this winter in God’s own country.
FAQ’s
1. Is travelling in Kerala safe?
Yes, Kerala is a safe destination for travel. Kerala is a state where even solo female travelers can travel without any risks. Key tourist areas are well-policed. Incidents of crimes against tourists are rare. Most importantly, local people are helpful and polite.
2. What are the 3 most unique things to do in Kerala?
i) Houseboat travel in the backwaters of Alleppey.
ii) Go on an elephant safari in Thekkady and explore the national park.
iii) Allow your body and mind to relax as you experience an Ayurvedic massage.
3. How many days do you need for a Kerala trip?
If you want to visit the best places in Kerala, a stay of 4 to 5 days is ideal. If you want to explore the beauty of Kerala fully, travelling in Kerala for 7 to 10 days is recommended. Plan your journey well so you can experience all that Kerala has to offer. Get in touch with a service provider like Carpe Diem to plan your travel itinerary.
References:
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/goa-vs-kerala
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/things-to-do/interesting-things-to-do-in-kerala-this-winter/photostory/94618385.cms
https://www.thomascook.in/india-tourism/best-time-to-visit-kerala
https://www.alongdustyroads.com/posts/kerala-travel-guide
https://irisholidays.com/keralatourism/athirappilly-falls/
Tiger Safari in India - take a walk on the wild side
Who doesn’t want to see wild animals? From an excited kid to the busy corporate executive, there is hardly anyone who wouldn’t like to catch a glimpse of wild animals. And the zoo is definitely not the place to see a wild animal. A wild animal is best seen in the wild - in the forests, its natural environment. Let me take you on a journey deep into the forests of India to spot the most amazing wild animal one can see in India – the majestic Royal Bengal tiger.
Go on a tiger safari in India – wildlife tourism at its best
“Tiger Tiger burning bright, in the forests of the night”, William Blake’s poem gives you a vivid description of the tiger. Amid the trees and bushes, hidden inside the tall grass, a bright orange spectacle holds you spell bound – behold the tiger, the real king of the Indian forests.
The tiger’s orange black velvety skin and its burning eyes will enthral you and one sighting of the tiger will leave you sated, creating an image in your mind which you will carry for the rest of your lives. On a rainy day, you can sit with your grandchildren and recount the tale of how you saw the regal tiger in the forest.
The tiger is India’s national animal and is hence protected. Under the ‘Project Tiger’ initiative of the Indian government, tiger reserves have been setup all over the country to protect this beautiful but endangered animal. Ranthambore, Corbett, Bandipur, Kanha, Bandhavgarh are the names of some of the popular national parks in India, where you can spot the tiger.
Let me now walk you through an experience of spotting a tiger in the Kanha National park.
Tiger safari in India at the Kanha reserve – a memorable experience
Kanha reserve is where Mowgli played in the tall grasses with Baloo and Baghera and watched out for the terrifying Shere Khan. The tales of Rudyard Kipling’s “Jungle Book” reportedly took place in these jungles. You can write your own jungle book, describing your adventures in Kanha as you try to spot the real life Sher Khans - the Bengal tigers who rule these forests.
Kanha Tiger reserve is located in the state of Madhya Pradesh, in Central India. The park is spread across 940 sq km. The nearest airport is Jabalpur, 175km away, a three hours journey by car. There are a number of resorts located near the park, which provide luxurious accommodation suited for your budget.
The best time to visit the park is during summer, April to June, when the shortage of water brings all animals near the water sources and makes spotting animals easy. But the weather would be very hot and temperatures can shoot up to 1090 F (430 C). So November to January would be a better time to visit the park, as the weather would be pleasant. The park is closed during the monsoon season from July to the beginning of October.
The highlight of the park visit is of course the open jeep safari where you are taken into the jungle accompanied by a trained guide. There is also an elephant safari, where you can take a ride on an elephant and are promised a close view of the tiger. The safari operates from sunrise till noon (11:30 local time) and from 15:30 till sunset.
Attractions of the tiger safari
Apart from the tiger, which is undoubtedly the star attraction at Kanha, there are plenty of other animals waiting to be shot - on your camera. Leopards, Jackals, Sloth bears, Wild Dog (Dhole) and a variety of deer (Sambar, Chital, Barking deer) are found here. The Barsingha (swamp deer) can be found only in this park.
Bird watchers can get to see more than 300 species of our feathered friends, including the Ibis, Bee eater, Egret, Drongos and other birds. Cobra, Python, Krait and Russell ’s viper are some of the reptiles found here. But those who have come for the ‘tiger experience’ will in all probability go back with an unforgettable experience and with the coveted snap in their camera. As you are taken deep into the jungle, you spot deer, mongoose, and bison when suddenly everything goes silent and the animals look around anxiously.
The monkey on the tree raises the alarm call and all the animals flee for their life. As you wait with bated breath, you see a flaming flash of orange and the tiger appears. He walks down the trail, royally ignoring the horde of tourists. Make sure your camera batteries are fully charged, lest you miss the golden opportunity. And if you are in luck you may even spot the king making a kill.
Don’t miss the golden opportunity of seeing this awesome animal live in its own environment, Tiger safari in India at Kanha or for that matter at any of the tiger parks, will give you an experience of a life time, one you will cherish for a long time.