Kochi Kottayam Backwater Destinations

Delhi, the capital of India is the soul of the country. Many rulers and dynasties flourished in this historical city and gifted architectural marvel in the form of several magnificent monuments. This vibrant city with people from different parts of the country makes a feel of mini India to the tourists.

This lively city has many places of interest namely India Gate, Parliament House, Qutub Minar, President's House, Raj Ghat, Humanyun's Tomb, Connaught Place, Red Fort and Dilli Haat.
Famed for one of the finest natural harbour in the world, Kochi is one of the India's most interesting cities. This vibrant city is often called the 'Queen of the Arabian Sea. From time immemorial, Arabs, Chinese, Dutch, British and Portuguese followed the sea route to Kochi and left their impresssions on this town. Kochi can be reached conveniently by air, rail and road from all parts of the country and has plenty of hotels to stay.

The ancient temples, churches and synagogues are of special interest in Kochi and pull in tourists from all over the world. The Mattancherry palace built by the Portuguese is the notable attraction here. Other attractions of Cochin are the Parishith Thampuran Museum, Gundu Island, Francis Church, Santa Cruz Baslica and Cochin Fort.


Kottayam is one of the beautiful backwaters destinations attracting tourists right through the year. Bird sanctuaries, temples, churches and scenic landscapes are the characteristics of this exotic land. One can reach Kottayam from cities like Kochi, Chennai, Bangalore, New Delhi by train. Buses also operate from Kochi, Allepey, Chennai, Bangalore and Kozhikode. Visitors must land at Kochi airport while coming to Kottayam by air.

Around Kottayam, there are many places to see. 16 kms away lies the Kumarokom bird sanctuary where one can enjoy the sight of diverse avifauna. On the Vembanad Lake, one can enjoy boating and fishing. This ancient town is also famous for its churches, especially the 700 years-old churches, the Cheria palli with exceptionally lovely paintings over the attar and the Valia Palli church atop the hill.


The beautiful hill station of Munnar lies 1600 to 1800 mtrs above sea level. It can be reached in an easy four-hour drive from Cochin. The entire area surrounding Munnar is known for its intriguing beauty. One can see around thirty tea estates that sprawl across the hills making it a plantation town.
Beyond the tea estates, visitors can see here rich tropical forests that house an assortment of wildlife such as Nilgiri Langur, Sambhar, Gaur and Elephants. Mattupetty Dam, Marayoor, Anamudi, Eravikulam wildlife sanctuary and Devikulam are added attractions of this place.


Allepey is the hottest backwaters destination of Kerala. It is also a chief centre for coir and carpet industries. The nearest airport to reach Allepey is Cochin and one can also reach this backwater site by water transport from Cochin which takes hardly five hours to reach Allepey.

Allepey is famous for its spectacular snake-boat races held on the second Saturday of August, each year. The lovely long sandy beaches covered with lush palm groves also attract tourists here. The temple of Lord Krishna at Ambalapuzha, Pathira Manal and the Champakulam Church must also be visited.


Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is 200 kms from Kochi and 117 kms from Kottayam. One who is coming by train to this sanctuary has to get onboard from the Kottayam railway station. Private buses operate from Kottayam and Ernakulam to Kumily, the nearest town from Periyar.

Periyar is one of the India's major sanctuaries, with wild elephants in abundance. Gaur, Barking Deer, Bonnet Macaque, Nilgiri Tahr are some of the wild life which can be spotted here. Covered by moist deciduos forest, this sanctuary is also home to many resident and migratory birds such as Darters, Cormorants, Kingfishers and racket-tailed Drongoes. The sanctuary is flocked by tourists mostly from October to June.


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