Kerala - A Nature's Masterclass

Kerala, the state in the southern part of India, also known by the name of “God's own country” has everything a traveler will long for. From the tea plantations of Munnar, to the dense forests of Thekkady, to the back waters of Alleppey, to the coastline of Arabian sea, it’s a nature's masterclass.         

                    

                             

I had the opportunity to visit Kerala in Jan 2018 & the thing that I liked the most about the place was the simplicity of locals there. It was pleasantly surprising in today's complicated world. In today's fast paced modernized world, there was a place still so close to mother nature. We reached around 9 AM at Cochin international airport after a three hours flight from New Delhi. After an hour of traveling from the airport, we stopped at a small restaurant to have our breakfast. The taste of the authentic south Indian food & the politeness of the restaurant staff, was the best way to kick start the trip. And not to forget one of the best tea that we ever had 😊

"From the tea plantations of Munnar, to the dense forests of Thekkady, to the back waters of Alleppey, to the coastline of Arabian sea, it’s a nature's masterclass. "

After having the breakfast, it was time to get to our resort which was around 4 to 5 hours’ drive from Cochin international airport and an hour’s drive away from Munnar. On the way there are many adventure parks, we stopped at one of them & enjoyed few adventure activities like rope crossing, shooting, 12D movie, visited haunted house & many more. It was an amazing experience with the temperatures starting to drop & cool breeze blowing as we kept gaining more height. We reached the resort in the evening & mind you it was one of the best locations I have ever been to. Picturesque road with a breathtaking view of Ponmudi lake from the balcony, it was just what one can ask for after the full day of travelling.

Ponmudi Lake:

One of the most beautiful lakes one can find is the Ponmudi lake situated in the Idukki district of Kerala. Surrounded by Western ghats, it is a treat to the eyes.

Ponmudi Lake

Idukki is the second largest district in terms of area however it has lowest population density owing to major part being covered with dense forests. 

The dam is constructed across a tributary of Periyar river, which is the longest river in Kerala. This project is one of the major sources of electricity in Kerala with an installed capacity of 30 MW.


Next day started with an early morning jeep safari & a small trek to the lake guided by a local resident.  

Ponmudi Lake

He took us through the spices & coffee plantation on the way. The fresh morning breeze & calmness of lake water seemed like a stage set for nature's melody. On the way back we had black coffee at his home & returned to resort rejuvenated & with lot of knowledge about the spices & things we eat daily but have no idea how they are grown & harvested. 

"The fresh morning breeze & calmness of lake water seemed like a stage set for nature's melody."

After the breakfast, it was time to explore the tea plantations on the magnificent hills of Munnar.  The anticipation was high and so was the excitement.

Munnar:

Tea Plantation, Munnar

An hour’s drive and we were in the lap of amazing hills of Munnar. Known for its tea plantations, it is one of the most visited hill stations in the southern part of India. Apart from huge tea plantations, you get to see breathtaking landscapes & get to enjoy a pleasant weather. The well-maintained roads make the drive through the tea gardens an unforgettable experience.  Many viewpoints have been created where you can click pictures and have a walk through the tea gardens. There are many tea museums which one can visit & get some deep dive into the process of manufacturing of tea. And yes, you can buy the aromatic tea directly from the factory for yourself.  Other attractions around include a well-maintained flower garden, Mattupetty Dam, Echo point, Top station and many more.

Flower Garden, Munnar

Tea Museum, Munnar

Other attractions around include a well-maintained flower garden, Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, Top Station and many more. 




Thekkady:

Tiger Reserve, Thekkady

Third day and we were off to Thekkady. If you love forests, wild life, grass lands, Thekkady is the place to be. Situated near the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, the place is famous for its dense forests & savanna grass lands. Herds of elephants, tigers, sambar and Nilgiri langurs add to the magnificence of the place. On the way from Munnar you can find many spice gardens.  From cardamom plantation to different type of peppers to coffee plantation, you get a vast variety in there. Kerala is also famous for its traditional ayurvedic treatments. Many people across the world use these traditional cure techniques and the ayurvedic medicines from Kerala. You can find many ayurvedic centers in Thekkady.

Jeep Safari, Thekkady

Cooling Down The Gentle Giant

If you love off-roading, Jeep safari is a must to have through the adventurous routes and sprawling grasslands. You can also enjoy elephant rides.




Alleppey:

Alleppey Backwaters

The last day of our trip was reserved for the land of backwaters. Alleppey known for its backwaters is commonly the last stop for people visiting Kerala. The place is situated around 4-5 hours’ drive from Munnar. One can enjoy boating in the widespread backwaters or even can book houseboats for night stays. The place is also the access point for one of the famous boat races known by the name Nehru Trophy Boat Tri Race. The race is conducted on second Saturday of August every year and is a famous tourist attraction. So, if you are planning a trip to Kerala, do spare one or two days for Alleppey. It is around 2-3 hours’ drive from Alleppey to Cochin international airport. 

Beaches in Kerala

When we left from Alleppey to Cochin airport, I was just thinking about how amazing the trip was. And then our driver stopped at one of the beaches on the way. The trip was not over yet, it still had the gorgeous final touch of breathtaking Arabian sea coastline to an already fascinating trip.  There are number of beaches along the coastline, one can stop & enjoy the sun & the mesmerizing sound of the waves.

"The trip was not over yet, it still had the gorgeous final touch of breathtaking Arabian sea coastline to an already fascinating trip."

All in all, Kerala presents a complete package for the tourists. Start with a climb to the magnificent mountains of Munnar laden with huge tea gardens, go through the wilderness & spice gardens of Thekkady, boat on the beautiful Alleppey backwaters & enjoy the amazing coastline of Arabian sea. You will love each and everything about God’s own country.

Leaving you with few more shots from the trip :)

You can also visit my journey with photography at:

National Geographic Profile - Neeraj Sharma