Kerala's Winter Getaways
During winters, Kerala turns into an enchanting paradise with beautiful backwaters, mist-clad hills, and green all around. Looking for quiet houseboat rides, tea gardens nestled in the mist, or adventurous wildlife tours, Kerala is your perfect winter getaway destination.
Be it Alleppey, with its centuries-old backwater or Thekkady, which offers interactive spice plantation tours, every place is history in itself. Munnar presents the tea estates in hill precincts and Kumarakom presents the beauty of a lake. And Wayanad introduces you to adventure promising hikes, intriguing secret caves, and tranquil hours by the lake.
By drawing large number of tourists, Munnar Tourism contributes to the economy as much as it contributes to visitors’ Kerala Itinerary with its wide-ranging resources. From sightseeing the striking vistas to taking part in adventure activities like mountain biking, trekking, paragliding.
So, let’s dig into the top five best places to explore in Kerala during the winter season which makes Kerala not just a place to travel, but a splendid journey through the natural world.
Alleppey, rightfully called the Venice of the east, is the most popular backwater destination in Kerala. The place is a paradise for people in love with nature and serenity, especially in winters.
Having a plethora of romantic spots, Munnar is an ideal honeymoon destination for newly-weds who are romanticizing being amidst nature and all sorts of secluded experiences.
Alleppey has a big watered territory for cruising which comprises a labyrinth of canals, lagoons, and lakes. Experiencing the ever-pleasing boat rides in waters makes Alleppey the top winter tourist places in Kerala. Its water routes are accompanied by palm trees and lush settings all around. Under the clear pleasant sky and around equally beautiful greens, watch locals doing chores, temples and their reverberances, old toddy shops, churches, and various candid village affairs. You will have different options to experience the wonderful backwater exploration. The most popular option, houseboats, comes from basic to luxury variants that range in amenities. Moreover, you can choose from shikara boats, canoe, ferries, or kayaks for a backwater ride.
Afterwards, spend a few hours on the beach, try out fresh-n-warm local cuisine, and perhaps taste the locally produced drink toddy.
The hilly paradise, Munnar, is a destination that is sometimes referred to as the Kashmir of Kerala. The place blends the geographical splendour of nature with unparalleled landscapes.
Located in the hills of the Western Ghats, this place has fresh air and scenic beauty for tourists seeking a place to visit in Kerala during winter season. Munnar is especially famous for its extended green tea gardens that directly blend on the slopes like green velvet carpet. Just strolling through these vast gardens and indulging in the aroma of fresh tea is very appealing.
To further enhance the beauty, the low temperatures engulf the place in fog, a perfect setting for those who like to cuddle up while sipping on hot tea. Find yourself quite at home here, as Munnar is famous for its tea. The hill station lets you explore the tea factories, where your favourite beverage takes its packaging shape.
To add more to this popular winter destinations of Kerala, the exotic Eravikulam National Park provides natural Sightseeing of wildlife. Spot the elegant Nilgiri Tahr apart from touching landscapes at the viewpoints like Top Station and melodious Echo point. Tourists with high energy can go hiking and explore trails while other tourists can relax because they will be provided with beautiful sights of valleys, rivers and waterfalls.
Wayanad, also known as ‘the realm of paddy fields, is a place where even nature is free from pretense. Overpowering ‘airs of greenery’ backed by towering terrains of western ghats, Wayanad is a paradise for the ones seeking a serene atmosphere undisturbed by urbanization.
This calm country has lush forests, shrouded mountains, and large spice gardens with a natural scent of spices. However, during the winter it becomes one very adventurous travel destination in Kerala. The Chembra peak at Wayanad gives a view of the beautiful heart-shaped lake and the historical Edalkal caves introduces you to the ancient engravings on the rocks.
It also has beautiful waterfalls such as Meenmutty and Soochipara where flowing water creates melodious tunes. Lovers of wildlife should visit the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary if they are interested in seeing elephants, deer, and birds in their natural habitat.
Kumarakom, situated on the banks of the placid Vembanad Lake, is one of the most popular backwater destinations of Kerala. This beautiful place is famous for its quiet sea, gorgeous greenery and the countless number of birds.
The Kumarakom range backs the serene water bodies and the bird sanctuary during winter, a time when birds like the Siberian stork and teals are seen. Tourism boat rides in and around Kumarakom is also a popular activity. The sound and sight of water being rocked gently in the backwaters, swaying coconut palms and the view of the lake is breathtaking. Winter season is the most enjoyable time for the intimate cruise on the deck in conventional houseboats which can be akin to cottages. Kumarakom has also the options of other water rides like the Shikara boats and canoes. Witness villagers, fishermen, and people getting along with their regular schedules around the water bodies.
After having a look at these worlds, enjoy the tasty sea foods prepared instantly with Keralian spices. To have some quiet time you can go for a walk by the lake or if you want relaxation you can find an Ayurvedic spa nearby. With the whiffs of nature and enchanting scenic beauty, Kumarakom surely deserves the place of one of the best places to visit during winters in Kerala.
Thekkady, its spice country, tantalises the senses and the spirits with its multihued geographic features. Offering scenic beauty at its best, from the Periyar wildlife sanctuary to teak forests, tranquil and spotless water, Thekkady is the best place for rejoicing the spirit of wildlife.
What makes Thekkady unique is the perfect blend of tough and coy at the same time. Boating on the Periyar Lake is a must to do activity during which you may witness elephants, deer and many birds amidst thick forests. The winter season in the sanctuary offers relatively good weather for natural walks and also an excellent chance to experience bamboo rafting and wildlife safaris.
Apart from the sanctuary, Thekkady has its spice plantations, which really arouse the senses with the aroma. Spend at least a few hours strolling through landscapes accompanied by paths full of cardamom, pepper and coffee plantations. The adventure seekers can choose to trek the picturesque places like Pandikuzhi or Kurisumala and behold with the fantastic view of the valleys and forests afterwards.
Do not forget to go shopping in Thekkady’s local markets where you can have fresh spices, herbs, chocolates and tea products. Some people crave the wild, some the quietude of nature, and some the spice of scents; whichever it is, Thekkady has it and will leave a sweet memory for life.
These five best winter destinations in Kerala are the quintessential ones to experience almost everything this south Indian state has to offer. From the houseboat rides in the backwaters of Alleppey to the tea & spice plantation visits in Munnar, every day spent in any of these destinations will energise your soul and add some unforgettable moments in your life.
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