Kottayam

Kottayam is an important commercial centre of Kerala, India, as a producer of cash crops. Most of India's natural rubber originates from the acres of well-kept plantations of Kottayam, also home to the Rubber Board, One of the country's primary commodities board. Kottayam, among the state's more mountainous districts, provides some of Kerala's finest natural scenes sandwiched as it is between serene palm-fringed backwaters on the west and the Western ghats on the east.

Kottayam is also an important commercial centre, for it is a producer an array of cash crops. Most of India’s natural rubber is prodiced in acres of well-kept plantations of Kottayam. It also houses the headquarters of Rubber Board, one of the country’s primary commodities board.

It was the first town in India to attain cent percent literacy, an event which triggered a mass movement to make Kerala the country’s first cent percent literate state. Kottayam not only attracts with beautiful backwaters but also with commercial products.

Kumarakom

Kumarakom is an breathtakingly beautiful paradise stocked with divine mangroves and coconut groves, lush green paddy fields, gushing waters snaking through the dense forests and the magnificent delicate fluttering blossoms. The place is located on the Vembanad Lake. This illustrious land is recognized for its traditional country crafts. There are exquisite boats and canoes that take you on a cruise round the lake. Fantastic resorts are available nearby that offer leisurely Accommodation with an ever increasing line of facilities provided like Ayurvedic massage, yoga, meditation, boating, fishing, angling and swimming.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

This fabulous bird sanctuary is on the banks of the Vembanad lake house. An ornithologist's delight, this place is the favourite haunt of the migratory birds like the Siberian stork, egret, darter, heron and teal. Among the other species are the woodpecker, skylark, crane, water hen and parrots. To get the right feel of the place, once should cruise along the lake. Take a look at Pathiramanal too, which is a delightful island on the lake and can be accessed by boat from here.

Vembanad Lake

Vembanad Lake is a very wonderful place to visit and it has inter connectivity of number of rivers, canals to have feeling like visiting to another paradise. It incidentally forms the joining point of all the rivers. This makes it a wonderful picnic spot. It is slowly being commercialised and developed into a backwater destination. The lake has in store for you, certain thrilling activities like boating and fishing. Nearby is the Kumarakom Tourist

Kumarakom Tourist Village

The village that offers houseboat cruises and holiday packages. The otherwise quiet and peaceful lake comes alive bustling with joy at the dawn of Onam. It forms the centre of attraction during that time as the snake boat races are held there. The vigour of the boatmen, their cheerful and competitive spirit and the enthusiasm of the silent watchers is worth the money spent on a trip to this place.

Wagamon

Wagamon is one of the beautiful hill stations in Kerala. Wagamon is situated 64kms from Kottayam, enchanting hill station at an elevation of 1100 metres above sea level is a trekker’s paradise. This enchanting hill station on the Idukki-Kottayam border dotted with tea gardens and meadows, will soon be one of India's foremost Eco tourism projects. The breeding centre of the Kerala Live stock Board is located here.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Periyar in Thekkady is one of the world's most fascinating natural wildlife reserves - the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Elephants, bisons, antelopes, samburs, monkeys and bears can be found in their natural habitat in this world famous wild life sanctuary, situated 190kms east of Cochin. A boat ride through the man-made lake in the heart of the sanctuary provides a unique opportunity to observe these animals in their natural surroundings

Elaveezha Poonchira

Elaveezha poonchira, a hill station near Melukavu Mattom, 60kms from Kottayam is gaining tourist importance. Located among three beautiful hillocks Mankunnu, Kudayathoormala and Thonippara, Poonchira is a place of picturesque charm. Legends say that the pool here was a bathing place for Panchali the legendary heroine of Mahabharata. The D.T.P.C. is developing this place into a trekking spot. A tourist bungalow with rooms and dormitory to accommodate 15 people has been constructed. The beautiful valleys of Poonchira are spread across thousands of acres. The verdant landscape punctuated by the gigantic hills, each rising to around 3200 ft. is an ideal place to unwind. During the monsoons when the valley fills up to form a scenic lake, this place unveils yet another beautiful slice of nature. Elaveezha poonchira means valley where leaves don't fall and is named so because the place has no trees. This is also one of the best places in Kerala to witness both the sun rise and sunset.

Poonjar Palace

The Poonjar palace in Meenachil taluk is a glorious testimony to the regal opulence of a by gone era.With the palace walls is an extra ordinary royal collection of antiques and exquisite furniture which include a palaquin, a thoni carved out of a single piece of wood for ayurvedic massages, huge chandeliers, palm leaf engravings, jewels boxes, a variety of lamps, sculptures of Nataraja (dancing Lord Siva), grain measures, statues and weapons.

A unique couch preserved here is taken out once a year for ritualistic purpose. Near the palace is an amazing replica of the Madurai Meenakshi Temple. The walls of this temple have sculptures with war fare stories from the Puranas (the legends of ancient India).However the most fascinating thing here is the Chuttuvilakku (row of lamps) carved out on the stone walls of the Sastha temple nearby. Such rock cut lamps are rare in India.