Top 10 District of Kerala For Mountain and Backwater Tourism

The Kerala backwaters on the Arabian Sea are the network of interconnected canals, rivers and lakes or chain of brackish lagoons. Mountain and Backwater Tourism is the fastest growing industry in the state of Kerala with many unique species of aquatic life, unique ecosystem and surrounding landscape.

Kerala was placed among the Top 50 destinations of a lifetime by Walk Through India Traveller for its House boat, Wildlife, Mountains, Tea Estate and Backwater tourism.

Palakkad – The Gateway To Kerala

Palakkad is known as the gateway to Kerala due to the presence of the Palakkad Gap, a low mountain pass in the Western Ghats between Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu and Palakkad.

Palakkad Gap mountain pass is one of the most important gap in the Western Ghats region,located between the Nilgiri Hills to the north and Anaimalai Hills. Palakkad Gap is one most popular of the mountain pass in India along with other top 13 High Altitude Mountain Passes in India plus popular mountain passes out of the Indian Himalayan Region.

Idukki – Highway of Mountains

Idukki is the second largest district of Kerala, famous for its hill station destination like Munnar and Thekkady. The Gateway to high wavy mountains of the Western Ghats, Rugged mountains and forests and home to Anamudi, the highest peak in Kerala south of the Himalayas.

Places of interest around Idukki are Munnar tea plantations, Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Marayur remote village and Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary.

Wayanad – Five Ghat Roads ! Hairpin

Wayanad District shares border with Kozhikode, Kannur and Malappuram districts, Nilgiris district and Kodagu districts and has the highest number of tribals in Kerala. Wayanad is set on the high altitudes of Western Ghats with high hills and Mountains Chembra Peak,Banasura Peak and Brahmagiri are some of the important mountains in the district.

Thrissur – The Elephant Festival

Thrissur is known as the cultural capital of Kerala and the land of Poorams also famous for its ancient temples, churches, and mosques. Thrissur Pooram is the most colourful and spectacular temple festival in Kerala and Places of interest in Thrissur Rural District are Athirapilly Water Falls, Punnathur Kotta Elephant Sanctuary, Thrissur Kole Wetlands and Chavakad Beach.

The Vadakunnathan temple of city is one of the most important temples of Hindu Shaivism and is a classic example of the architectural style of Kerala. Vadakkunnathan Temple is the main venue of the Thrissur Pooram,an annual Hindu temple festival held in Kerala.

Kollam – Gateway To Backwaters

Kollam is the southern getaway to Kerala’s backwaters and one end of the popular backwater ferry trip to Alleppey. The capital of Kerala’s cashew industry is famous for Plains, mountains, lakes, lagoons and backwaters, forest and Boat race in Sasthamkotta Lake, the largest freshwater lake, Ashtamudi Lake and Paravur Lake.

Ashtamudi Lake is the most visited backwater and lake in the state known for unique wetland ecosystem and a large palm-shaped water body and called the gateway to the backwaters of Kerala and is well known for its houseboat and backwater resort.

Kasargod – Land of Lords and Forts

Kasaragod is world renowned for its coir and hand-loom industries,a coastline of around 29.3 kilometers and consists of high mountain ranges like the Ranipuram Kottencheri belt and filled with rivers, hillocks, beaches, shrines and forts.

Kasaragod is often named as land of Lords and Forts and one of the most beautiful districts in Kerala with number of tourist attractions including biggest Bekal FortKottancheri Hills and Valiyaparamba Backwaters. Beach, Chandragiri Fort and Kasargod Fort are famous for the breathtaking birds eye view of Arabian sea.

Ernakulam – The Commercial Capital ! Chinese Fishing Nets

Ernakulam also known as Kochi or Cochin is known as the commercial capital of Kerala and famous for its ancient temples, churches and mosques. The district  of Ernakulam hosts the highest number of international and domestic tourists in Kerala state and listed as the most advanced district in Kerala.

Marine Drive Kochi, Chinese Fishing Nets and Hill Palace Museum are the major tourist attraction in Ernakulam city.

Kozhikode – The City of Spices

Kozhikode also known as Calicut on the Malabar Coast of Kerala,famous for its boat-building yard, timber industry and historic temples and churches. The second largest city in Kerala is part of the second largest urban agglomeration in Kerala and the town has a long recorded history.

Major Attractions of Kozhikode and places of interest around the city are Beach, Mananchira park,Tali Shiva Temple and Kappad Beach. Kozhikode is also known as the City of Spices and ranked as the second best city in India to reside in with an average literacy rate of 96.

Alappuzha – Venice of The East

The district of Alappuzha is a widely known tourist destination and is well known for its coir factories. Alappuzha is strongly connected by waterways to various other parts of Kerala, including the famous tourist destination, Kumarakom.

The most important tourist centres of state is also known as Venice of the East and ideal headquarters for backwater tourism. The Backwaters of Alappuzha are the most popular tourist attraction in Kerala, houseboat cruise, ambalappuzha payasam and Alappuzha Beach are other attractions in Alappuzha and offers the most beautiful views of the Laccadive Sea.

Kottayam – Vembanad Lake ! Bird Sanctuary

Kottayam has unique characteristics panoramic backwater stretches, lush paddy fields, highlands, hills and hillocks. The city is bordered by the Western Ghats on the east and the Vembanad Lake and paddy fields of Kuttanad also a gateway to the pilgrim centers like Sabarimala.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is another popular tourist destination located near the city of Kottayam and the lake backwaters is home to many species of Egret, Cormorants, Storks and more.