God's Own Country

I had an opportunity to visit Kerala's ERNAKULAM with my fellow colleagues Sri Ashok Jivaragi, Sri Shashidhar, Sri Venkatesh, Sri James Tharakan, Sri Swaroop
 

Left Bangalore at 5-15 pm by Ernakulam Express on 11th Oct 2012  and reached Ernakulam by 5-00 am morning and stayed at CPWD Guest House

on 12th morning we decided to visit Athirapally falls, enroute we had a nice breakfast, appam, idle vada etc  reached Athirapally falls 

Athirappally is an 80ft high waterfall which literally takes your breath away. Starting calmly from the high ranges, and crashing through gorges overhung with trees, this waterfall is one of the best places in India to re-capture a real sense of the classical idea of the “Picturesque”. It is not just calm and sweet, but something wild and natural. i took some snaps over there and then moved towards to have a full view of falls down some 2 kms had a nice full view of the falls stayed for some time enjoyed the beauty of the nature and from them came up had some tender coconut and moved towards Vazhachal Falls

The following are the detailed Information about my Travelogue with pics and videos 

Kerala, a naturally stunning tropical paradise, a shiny gem of India tourism- a place you must see in India.

Kerala is a thin strip of land nested between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats. One of the India’s most beautiful and successful states, Kerala has stunning natural scenery, with a large network of lakes, rivers and canals that make the majority of the tourist attractions

Facts:

Capital: Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
Language: Malayalam, English, Hindi (National Language)
Location: South west tip of the India's main land south India
Weather: Tropical
Summer: February - May (24 - 33 degree Celsius)
Winter: October - January (22 - 28degree Celsius)
Monsoon: June - September (22 - 28 degree Celsius)
High Season: December - May
Population:  20.01 Million
Beaches: Kovalam, Varkala, Cherai, Alleppey, Kappad, Shanghumugham, Thirumullavaram and Bekal
Wildlife Sanctuaries: Periyar, Tekkady, Aralam, Parambikulam, Wayanad, Idukki, Silent Valley, Thattekad, Eravikulam, Chinnar, Peppara, Peechi-Vazhani, Neyyar and Kumarakom
Hill Stations: Ponmudi, Peermade, Thekkady, Munnar, Wayanad and Devikulam

Athirappilly Falls

Athirappilly Falls is situated in Athirappilly panchayath in Thrissur district of Kerala, on the southwest coast of India. Located on the west-flowing Chalakudy River near the Vazhachal Forest Division and the Sholayar ranges, this 24-metre (80 ft) waterfall and the nearby Vazhachal Falls are popular tourist destinations. It is nicknamed "The Niagara of India". Controversy about a state-proposed hydroelectric dam on the Chalakudy River above the waterfalls began in the 1990s and has continued through 2011.

Swaroop, Venkatesh, James and Shashidhar

The railway station nearest Athirappilly Falls is 30 kilometres (19 mi) to the west in Chalakudi Railway Station, and the nearest airport is Kochi International Airport, about 55 kilometres (34 mi) southwest of the waterfall and 58 kilometres (36 mi) south of City of Thrissur. Athirappilly is easily reachable from Chalakudy by taxi or by bus from the Chalakudy private bus terminal. Athirappilly is situated on the highways connecting Tamil Nadu and Kerala, amidst thick forest, so night riding is not advised. The journey from Chalakudy to the Athirappilly Falls passes through a landscape of winding roads, small villages and lush green trees. Visitors can reach the top of the waterfall via a paved path that leads through thick bamboo clusters. A steep narrow path also leads to the bottom of the falls. The falls attract visitors from across India, especially during the monsoon months (June–September). About 7 million tourists visit the falls and the Vazhachal picnic spot each year.

Dos and Dont's

• The best time to visit Athirapally is just after the monsoon season, when the waterfalls would still be in full force. September to February is the ideal period to visit.
• Visitors are advised to refrain from feeding animals as the waterfalls are plastic-free zones.
• Swimming in the falls is prohibited too, as it can be very dangerous.
• You can visit the waterfalls only between 8 am and 6 pm everyday.
• Consumption of alcohol or smoking is strictly prohibited.

Vazhachal Falls

Vazhachal Falls is a rushing watercourse in the Chalakkudy River in the Thrissur district of Kerala, South India. It is located 36 km from Chalakkudi and 5 km from Athirappilly Falls. The riparian forests of the Chalakudy River have revealed the existence of a thick riparian vegetation of more than 10 metres width for a distance of 10.5 km downstream from Peringalkuth, covering an area of 58.5 hectares. Out of this, 26.4 hectares lie within the Vazachal area, including three large islands densely covered by riparian forests.Chalakkudi is the nearest railway station and Athirappilly is the nearest bus station.

Kochi Fort

Allepey 

Allepey is a town in Alappuzha District of Kerala state of southern India. A town with picturesque canals, backwaters, beaches, and lagoons, it is also known as Venice of East due to its striking resemblance to the European port city ov Venice. Alappuzha has a lighthouse, which is a major tourist attraction as well hosts the world famous Nehru boat race also sometimes referred as snake boat race,it is primarily famous for its long boats which are powered by an army of men.

It has become an important attraction nowadays with both inbound as well as domestic tourists thronging to Allepey to witness this boat race as well as to cruise in the peaceful backwaters of Allepey in a traditional Kerala houseboat.It has also become an important centre for Ayurvedic tourism as well as medical tourism.

Kettuvalloms or Houseboats (Riceboats) are country boats that were used in the early days for the transport of goods from the isolated interior villages to the towns. With the advent of roads, bridges and ferry services, gradually the Kettuvalloms went off the scene. Now these kettuvalloms are back again as a major tourist attraction. A ride on a Kettuvallom is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters.

Houseboat

A house boat is about 67 feet in length and has a width of around 13 feet in the middle. The materials that go into the making are all local and Eco friendly bamboo poles, coconut fiber ropes, bamboo mats, coir carpets etc. The main wood used is "Anjili". The house boats have fully furnished single and double rooms with sundeck, private balcony with comfortable chairs, kitchen and toilet with WC. In addition there is also separate rest room for the crew. Traditional lanterns are used as lights. The crew includes a chef and two oarsmen. The cuisine is traditional Kerala flavour with the local specialities; delicious fish and prawns. There are single bedroom houseboats for two people and two bedroom houseboats for four people.

Cost includes

Houseboat Day cruise in AC/Non Ac Houseboats  from 1130 hrs to next day morning 09 am

Welcome Drink

Lunch (veg/Non Veg-)

Evening Tee with snacks

Dinner

Itinerary

Guests can check in at 1100 hrs, we will welcome you with fresh tender coconut water/Juice and start cruise after a short briefing introduction, relax and enjoy the canals and rivers and backwater, at 1330 hrs houseboat will stop for lunch, with lavish menu of traditional kerala cuisine 1500 hrs it will continue its cruise covering beautiful rivers and canals with palm trees and small houses near to it, villages paddy fields, churches, etc, you can get out and get an experience of Toddy( soft liquor made from Coconut it is safe pure and sweet, 

Houseboat day cruise in kerala backwaters will be memorable with the mind-blowing view of canal systems and endless lagoons, Paddy fields, rivers joining the backwater, small houses on small stretch of land. There are villages in allover these backwater but the land area is very small, The view of backwater birds, people working in paddy fields, toddy taping, fishing in backwater or people using small canoes as mode of transportation, Big houseboats, Alleppey Houseboats, motorboats country made boats used by tourists, small resorts, heritage homes are specialty of this area

Note : Since this beauty of Alleppey Houseboats well know all over the world and really a unique experience, we request you help us to keep the beauty of the are by not throwing waists or plastics in water, keep it clean so that our next generation can enjoy the same backwater in next centaury also.

Boat Jetty Office

Five Star Hotel near Boat Jetty, Allepey

Lunch at Boat House Veg and Non-Veg

Left Ernakulam by Ernakulam Express by 5 pm it was heavy raining till we reach Bangalore on 15th Oct 2012, I thank all who helped in this tour with memorable moments

Special Thanks to

Mr.Sharieef, CPWD Guest House

Mr.Anwar, Alleppey

Mr.Anas.A, Venicetour, Boat House [9895521335/9072466663]

Mr. Francis,Chiyang Restaurant, Banerji Road, Ernakulam, Kerala 680018-0484-2395346