| Tours in Cochin India :
Alleppey(Alapuzha)
Alleppy is located at a distance
of 63 Kms to the south of Cochin
along its picturesque coast. Alleppey
is well connected to Kochi by
both railways and road network.
Allepy is popularly known as the
"Venice of the East" because of
its widespread watery canal network.
Alleppy is also the venue of the
renowned snake boat race which
is held annually here and attracts
thousands of tourists from India
and abroad.
Cheruthuruthy:
Cheruthuruthy is located at a
distance of 110 Kms from Kochi.
It is the nerve center of the
renowned Kerala Kalamandalam,
a world class classical art and
dance academy. This prestigious
academy offers training in a variety
of traditional dance forms like
Kathakali, Mohiniyattam etc.
Kalady:
Kalady is located at a distance
of 48 Kms to the north-east of
Kochi. The shimmering river Periyar
meanders along Kalady. Kalady
is renowned as the birthplace
of one of India's legendary Hindu
saint and philosopher - Sri Adi
Sankaracharya who lived in the
8th century AD and passed away
prematurely at the age of 32 years.
He traveled extensively throughout
India and preached his hypothesis
of Advaita or monotheism. There
is a magnificent shrine dedicated
to Adi Sankaracharaya which is
all of 8-storey and is a must
visit site for visitors to Kalady.
Kodanad:
Kodanad is located at a distance
of 30 Kms to the north-east of
Kochi in the majestic backdrop
of the subordinate ranges of the
imposing Western Ghat mountains.
The river Periyar along gracefully
through Kodanad. The Periyar wildlife
reserve is one of India's most
renowned wildlife sanctuary and
it is the only forest reserve
in India wherein one can watch
animals by cruising on a boat
or ferry. Periyar Wildlife Reserve
is particularly renowned for its
large elephant population and
there is also an Elephant Training
Center within the jungle premises.
Apart from elephants, the reserve
is home to a wide variety of animal
species like antelopes, samburs,
bisons, monkeys and bears.
Kodanad is within easy driving
distance to the famous St. Thomas
church in Malayatoor.
Kodungalloor:
Kodungalloor is located at a distance
of 35 Kms north of Kochi. In the
days of yore, Kodungallor used
to be a renowned port which was
completely ravaged by a flood
which in turn led to the creation
of Kochi harbour. St. Thomas,
the apostle, is supposed to have
set foot here in 52 AD. Kodungallor
also hgas the unique distinction
of having India's first mosque
- The Cheraman mosque which resembles
a lot to the Hindu temples of
that era.
Munnar:
Munnar is located at a distance
of 140 Kms on National Highway
49. Munnar is a popular hill station
which offers the refreshing cool
mountain air that provides the
much needed relief from the scorching
tropical heat of the plains. Munnar
is replete with lush green tea
gardens which is laid out across
the mountains and looks like a
green carpet from above. This
place is also renowned for its
cardamom plantations. South India's
highest peak - Anai Mudi is located
within close proximity to Munnar.
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary;
The Thattekad bird sanctuary is
ideally located 60 Kms east of
Cochin neighboring Kothamangalam.
The shimmering river Periyar meanders
along the northern part of the
sanctuary which is conspicuous
by its dense tropical forest.
The sanctuary is spread over a
sprawling 25 sq Kms of luxuriant
forest and in the days of yore,
this bird sanctuary was home to
some of the rarest avian species
in peninsular India. Even today
this sanctuary is the breeding
ground for numerous exotic bird
species not found elsewhere. |
