Kottayam

Kottayam, a premier commercial town, with palm fringed backwaters of Vembanad Lake and vast paddy fields of Kuttanad to the west and to its east the scenic part of Western Ghats with rubber, tea, coffee, pepper and cardamom plantation. Kottayam is an important centre of education, having led the country in achieving total literacy.

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Tirupati

Reputed to be one of the oldest and most venerated holy shrines of the Hindus, Tirupati is the abode of Lord Venkateshwara (Balaji).  The main temple is ensconced in the seven hills - Tirumala (13 Km.) and the town at the foothill is known as Tirupati.

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KOLLAM (QUILON)

A prosperous commercial town, Kollam lies on the Ashtamudi Lake heavily fringed with coconut groves. In ancient times, Phoenician, Persian, Arab, Greek, Roman and Chinese ships touched the port here. Kollam figured prominently in the early history of Christianity in India. The present day Kollam is famous for it's varied modern industries, cashew nut processing and research, fisheries, etc.

PLACES OF INTEREST

• Backwaters

  

 

•  Picnic Village - housing an Adventure Park, a Tourist Boat Club and Children's Traffic Park
  
• Thangassery (5 KM) – A seaside village known for the ruins of the Portuguese/Dutch Fort and a 18^th century church and a light house
  
• Thirumullavaram Beach (6 KM)
  

EXCURSIONS

Kundara (13 KM): Kundara is famous for its ceramic and aluminium factories

Chavara (16 KM): Chavara is the site of an Indo-Norwegian fishery project

Valikavu-Mata Amritanandamayi Ashram (20 KM): The residence and Headquarters of Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, one of the India's gurus is situated at Amritapuri near Valikavu. The Ashram is accessible both by road and boat. Tel: 0476-621279 / 897578

Sasthamkotta (29 KM): An important pilgrim center and it has the largest fresh water lake in Kerala

Ochira (34 KM): The Parabrahma Temple here is dedicated to the Universal Consciousness

Varkala (39 KM): A seaside town and a pilgrim center.

Accom (STD Code: 0472): Taj Garden Retreat, Tel: 603000. Fax: 602296. (Tariff: Sgl.Rs. 2300-2400/- & Dbl.Rs. 2900-4000/-), *Preeth Beach Resort**, Tel: 600942 (Tariff: Rooms Rs. 500-800/- & Cottage Rs. 750-2500/-), Hilltop Ayurvedic Beach Resort, Tel: 601237 (Tariff: Rs. 400-900/-), Sea Pearl Chalet, Tel: 605875 (Tariff: Cottage Rs. 1000/-), Hotel Sky Lark, Tel: 602107 (Tariff: Rs.150-500), Thiruvambadi Beach Retreat, Tel: 601028 (Tariff: Rs.500-950/-), Govt. Guest House, Tel: 602227 (Tariff: Rs. 100-500/-), Sivagiri Guest House, Sivagiri Mutt, Sivagiri, Varkala

Thenmala (66 KM): It is a damsite covered by dense forest, rubber and tea plantations. An Eco Tourism Development Project is under implemetation here

Ariankavu (70 KM): Ariankavu is a pilgrim centre with a temple dedicated to Lord Sastha (Ayyappa)

Palaruvi Waterfalls (75 KM): A picnic spot, located 5 KM from Ariankavu. Accom: Hotel Aaram (KTDC), Tariff: Rs. 150-300/-

Alappuzha (87 KM): Alappuzha is the center for backwater cruises in Kerala

Courtallam (104 KM): A charming health resort, Courtallam is located in Tirunelveli Dist of Tamil Nadu. There are 9 important waterfalls in Courtallam. The best season is from July to Sept. Acco:Hotel Tamil Nadu (TTDC), Tel: 04633-22423, M'bai Contact Tel:4110118 (Tariff: A/c. Dbl. Rs.700/-, Non A/c. Rs.400-450/-).

Palaruvi Waterfalls (75 KM): A picnic spot, located 5 KM from Ariankavu. Accom: Hotel Aaram (KTDC), Tariff: Rs. 150-300/-

Alappuzha (87 KM): Alappuzha is the center for backwater cruises in Kerala

Courtallam (104 KM): A charming health resort, Courtallam is located in Tirunelveli Dist of Tamil Nadu. There are 9 important waterfalls in Courtallam. The best season is from July to Sept. Acco:Hotel Tamil Nadu (TTDC), Tel: 04633-22423,

Mumbai Contact
Tel:4110118 (Tariff: A/c. Dbl. Rs.700/-, Non A/c. Rs.400-450/-).  

GENERAL INFORMATION

Area        : 16 Sq.KM            Altitude    : Sea Level.

Temperature    : Summer    Max: 35.0 Deg.C.    Min: 25 Deg.C.

         Winter    Max: 33.5 Deg.C.    Min: 24 Deg.C.

Rainfall    : 279 Cm.

Season    : October to March.        STD Code    : 0474.
 

TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATION

Air    : The nearest airport Thiruvananthapuram (71 KM) is connected by Indian Airlines and private airlines with major cities in India. Fare: Mumbai-Thiruvananthapuram: Rs. 6700 (Y) & Rs. 9920/- (J)

Rail    : Kollam is connected by rail with major cities and towns in the country. Fare: Mumbai-Kollam II A/c. Rs. 1997/- & II Class: Rs. 461/-.

Road    :     Motorable roads connect Kollam with Alappuzha 87 KM, Guruvayur 258 KM Idukki 239 KM, Kaladi 187 KM, Kanniyakumari 160 KM, Kochi 150 KM, Kottayam 106 KM, Kottayam 106 KM, Kozhikode 372 KM, Munnar 282 KM, Palghat 310 KM, Sabarimala 177 KM, Thekkady 220 KM, Thrissur 229 Km and Thiruvananthapuram 72 KM

Conducted Backwater Cruises

Alleppey Tourism Development Council (ATDC) & District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) operate backwater cruises from Boat Jetty, Kollam to Alappuzha (Dep: 1030 hrs. Daily, Fare: Rs. 150/-); Alumkadavu (Dep: 1030 hrs. Daily, Fare: Rs. 100/-); DTPC Backwater Village Cruise (Timings: 0900-1330 hrs. & 1400-1830 hrs. Fare: Rs. 250/-); Canal Cruise to Monroe Island (Timings: 0900-1300 hrs., Fare: Rs. 300/-). DTPC also operates exclusive house boat holiday packages.

 

ACCOMMODATION

(* Hotels approved by the Dept. of Tourism, Govt. of India)

                        Single        Double

*Aquaserene ***            Cottage    --        Rs. 3600-3800/-

South Paravoor, Tel: 512410-17, Fax: 512104.

*Hotel Sudarshan**                    Rs. 200-450/-    Rs. 300-500/-

Parameswar Nagar, Tel: 744322. Fax: 740480.

Ashtamudi Resort            A/c.        Rs. 2150/-    Rs. 2800/-

Chavara South P.O., Tel: 0476-882288. Fax: 882470.

Hotel Central Park            Non A/c.    Rs. 225/-    Rs. 250-850/-

Kadappakada, Tel: 749287. Fax: 749287.

Lake Sagar Resort                    --        Rs. 300-500/-

Paravoor, Tel: 514300. Fax: 750170.

Hotel Sea Bee            Dlx.        --        Rs.1100/-

Jetty Road, Tel:744696, Fax:744158.Reg.        Rs. 200/-    Rs. 300-600/-

Other Hotels

Tariff of the following hotels range from Rs.100-300/- for a Single room and Rs.200-500/- for a Double room.

Aiswarya Lodge, Main Road, Tel: 750214/15, 750384/85; Hotel Ambadi, Beach Road, Tel: 748243; Hotel Karthika, Chinnakada, Tel: 751821-30; Prashanti Hotels, Beach Road, Tel: 742292/94; Safire Tourist Home, Paikada Road, Tel: 751006; Shine Tourist Centre, Iron Bridge Road, Tel: 752452; Shree Uma Maheshwara Tourist Home, Main Road, Tel: 743712; Sika Lodge, Chinnakada, Tel: 750096;

Other Accommodation

Yatri Niwas (KTDC), Ashramom, Tel: 745538 (Tariff: Sgl. Rs. 165-385/- & Dbl. Rs. 220-440/-), Govt. Guest House, Tel: 742630 (Tariff: A/c. Rs. 200-500/- & Non A/c. Rs. 100-150/-), PWD Rest House, Kollam, Tel: 742838.