Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of the state of Kerala, is a beautiful seaside city built on seven hills. The city gets its name from the word, Thiruvananthapuram meaning the abode of the sacred serpent Ananth, on which Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the Hindu trinity, reclines.
PLACES OF INTEREST
Akkulam Boat Club (Timings: 1000-1700 hrs.);
Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple: The temple is open only to Hindus and dress regaulations are strictly enforced, men in Dhoti and women in Saree and blouse(Timings: 0415-0515hrs., 0645-0730 hrs., 0830-1030hrs., 1130-1145hrs., 1715-1930 hrs.);
Kandiyar Palace; Observatory; Secretariat; Shankhumugham Beach; Veli Tourist Village (for water sport facilities)-Timings: 0800 to 1800 hrs.;
The Kanakakunnu Palace; The Zoological Gardens/Zoo (Timings: 1000-1700 hrs. Closed on Mondays. Entry Fee: Adult Rs. 4/- & Child Rs. 2/-).
MUSEUMS / ART GALLERY / PLANETARIUM:
Chacha Nehru Children’s Museum (Timings: 1000-1700 hrs. Closed on Mondays);
Kuthiramalika (Puthenmalika) Palace Museum (Timings: 0830 –1230 hrs. & 1530-1730 hrs. Closed on Mondays. Entry Fee: Adult Rs. 5/-, Child Rs. 3/- & Foreigners Rs. 20/-);
Sri Chitra Art Gallery (Timings: 1000 hrs. to 1700 hrs. Closed on Mondays & forenoon of Wednesdays. Entry Fee: Adult Rs. 5/- & Child Rs. 2/-);
The Government Art Museum/Napier Museum (Timings: 1000 hrs. to 1700 hrs. Closed on Mondays and forenoon of Wednesdays.);
Science and Technology Museum (Timings: 1000 -1700 hrs. Closed on Mondays);
Priyadarshini Planetarium (Show Timings: 1030, 1200, 1500 and 1700 hrs. Entry Fee: Adult Rs. 10/- & Child Rs. 5/).
GENERAL INFORMATION
Area : 75 Sq.Km. Altitude : Sea Level.
Temperature : Summer Max: 36.2 Deg.C. Min: 20.6 Deg.C.
Winter Max: 35.0 Deg.C. Min: 18.0 Deg. C.
Rainfall : 170 Cm. (May to November).
Season : October to March. STD Code : 0471.
TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION
Air : Thiruvananthapuram is connected by Air India, Indian Airlines and private airlines with important cities in India.
Fare: Mumbai-Thiruvananthapuram Rs. 6700/- (Y) & Rs. 9920/- (J)
Rail : Thiruvananthapuram is connected by rail with all major cities and towns in India. Fare: Mumbai-Thiru'puram II A/c. Rs.2051/- & II Class: Rs. 473/-
Road : Thiruvananthapuram is connected by good motorable roads with Alappuzha 159 Km., Aluva 243 Km., Bangalore 712 Km., Changanassery 142 Km, Chennai 784 Km., Guruvayur 331 Km., Kanniyakumari 88 Km., Kochi 222 Km., Kodaikanal 379 Km., Kollam 72 Km., Kottayam 160 Km., Kozhikode 446 Km., Madurai 417 Km., Mangalore 633 Km., Mumbai 1613 Km., Munnar 302 Km., Mysore 643 Km., Palakkad 383 Km., Periyar (Thekkady) 253 Km., Thrissur 303 Km. and Varkala 55 Km.
CONDUCTED TOURS
Kerala Tourism Development Corpn. Ltd. (KTDC) organises the following tours from Tourist Reception Centre, Thampanoor, Thiruvananthapuram, Tel: 330031.
City Tour - Full day: Timings: 0800-1900 hrs. (Daily). Fare: Rs. 190/-.
Covers Sri Padmanabaswamy Temple, Neyyar Dam (Only on Monday), Veli Lagoon, Kovalam Beach, Marine Aquarium, Napier Museum, Art Gallery (except on Mondays) and Planetarium, Puthenmalika Palace Museum and Zoo.
City Tour-Half Day: Timings: 1300-1900 hrs. (Daily except Wednesday) & 1400-1900 (on Wednesday). Fare: Rs.95/-
Kanniyakumari Tour: Timings: 0730-2100 hrs. (Daily). Fare: Rs. 275/-
Covers Kovalam Beach, Padmanabhapuram Palace (closed on Mondays), Suchindram Temple and Kanniyakumari.
Ponmudi Tour: Timings: 0745-1900 hrs. (Daily). Fare: Rs. 195/-. Covers Golden Valley, Neyyar Dam and Ponmudi
KTDC also organises tours to Thekkady (Dep:0630 hrs. every Saturday except last Saturday of the month and returns next at 2100 hrs. Fare: Rs. 370/-); Munnar & Kumarakom (Dep: 2130 hrs. on Wednesday and returns at 1900hrs. on Saturday, Fare: Rs. 475/-.); Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala (Dep: 2130 hrs. and returns at 2130 hrs. the next day. The tour is operated on last day of every Malayalam month and every day during Mandala Pooja and Makaravilakku season i.e from Nov. to Mid-Jan.) and to Kodaikanal, Rameshwaram, Courtallam, Bangalore, etc. The fares do not include boarding and Lodging charges.
ACCOMMODATION
(*Hotels approved by Department of Tourism, Government of India.)
Single Double
*The Muthoot Plaza***** Std. Rs.1795-2195/- Rs. 2500-2900/-
Punnen Road, Tel:337733, Fax: 337734
*Fortune Hotel The South Park**** A/c. Rs.2150-3000/- Rs. 2500-3350/-
M.G. Road, Tel: 333333 Fax: 331861.
*Hotel Saj Lucia**** A/c. Rs. 1575-2025/- Rs. 1950-2850/-
East Fort, Tel: 463443. Fax: 463347.
*Hotel Pankaj*** A/c. Rs.1350/- Rs. 1700-2900/-
M.G. Road, Tel: 464645. Fax: 465020.
*Ariya Nivas Hotel** A/c. Rs. 550-950/- Rs. 650-1000/-
Aristo Jn.,Tel:330789. Fax:330423.Non A/c Rs. 500/- Rs. 600/-
*Hotel Silver Sand* A/c. -- Rs. 700-800/-
Thampanoor,Tel:460942.Fax:478230NonA/cRs. 250/- Rs. 350-500/-
Other Hotels
Hotel Amritha, Thycaud, Tel: 323091 [ Tariff: A/c. Rs. 690-750/- & Non A/c. Rs. 350-400/-]; Beach & Lake Resorts, Pozhikara, Tel: 382086 [ A/c. US$ 65-75/-]; Hotel Highland, Thampanoor, Tel: 333200/416 [Tariff: Sgl. Rs.350- 740/- & Dbl. Rs. 450-900/-]; Hotel Horizon , Aristo Road, Tel: 326888 [ Tariff: A/c. Sgl. Rs. 1300 & Dbl. Rs. 1600/-], Jas Hotel, Aristo Junction, Tel: 324881 [ A/c. Sgl. Rs. 1000-1600/-, Dbl. Rs. 1200-1800/- & Non A/c. Rs. 600-750/-]; Hotel Jazeera, Pazhaya Road, Tel: 446582/586 [Tariff: A/c. Dbl. Rs. 800/- & Non A/c. Dbl. Rs. 300/-], Hotel Keerthi, Thampanoor, Tel: 325650 [Tariff: A/c. Dbl. Rs. 510-775/- & Non A/c. 225-250/-]; Hotel Lagoona Davina; Pachalloor, Tel: 380049 [ Tariff: Non A/c. Dbl.Rs. 2900-5500/-]; Hotel Oasis; Palayam, Tel: 333223 [Tariff: A/c. Dbl. Rs.700-1450/- & Non A/c. Dbl.Rs.400-500/-]; Hotel Regency, Thampanoor, Tel: 330377 [ Tariff: A/c. Sgl. Rs.300-600/- & Rs. 475-850/-]; Hotel Residency Tower, Press Road, Tel: 331661 [Tariff: Std. Sgl. Rs.1600-2000/- & Dbl. Rs. 1950-2350/-]; Hotel Safari, Overbridge, Tel: 477202 [Tariff: A/c. Rs. 500-550/- & Non A/c. Rs.185-300/-]; Hotel Thamburu International, Aristo Jn., Tel: 321987 [ Tariff: A/c. Dbl. Rs. 800-1100/- & Non A/c. Dbl. Rs. 400-800/-].
Other Hotels
The tariff of the following hotels ranges from Rs. 200/- to Rs. 500/- for a single and Rs.300/- to Rs. 700/- for a double room.
Alankar Lodge, Medical College, Tel: 447156; Hotel Arulakom, Overbridge, Tel: 330488; Ashish Tourist Home, Medical College, Tel: 448233; Ayswarya Tourist Home, Thampanoor, Tel: 330466; Bright Tourist Home, Near Ayurveda College, M.G. Road, Tel: 474655; Hotel Chola International, Aristo Junction, Tel: 334334; Divya Tourist Inn, Airport, Tel: 500394; Hotel Ganesh, Near GPO, Tel: 461070; Gemini Tourist Home, Medical College, Tel: 445642. Green Land Lodging, Thampanoor, Tel: 323485; International Tourist Home, Press Road, Statue, Tel: 332943; Jaibharath Tourist Home, Statue, Tel: 330456; Kitson Tourist Home, Airport, Tel: 500998; Hotel Libra, Medical College, Telefax: 445581; M.G.M. Tourist Home, Pattom, Tel: 540287; Hotel Navaratna, Statue, Tel: 333494; Philips International Tourist Home, Ulloor, Medical College, Tel: 445282; Hotel President, S.S. Koil Road, Thampanoor, Tel: 330305; Samrat Hotel, Thakaraparambu Road, Tel: 463314; Sangam Tourist Home, Thampanoor, Tel: 321328; Sangeetha Tourist Home, Thampanoor, Tel: 325296; Sreevas Tourist Home, Thampanoor, Tel: 331641; Hotel Sukhvas, Manjalikulam Road, Tel: 331967; Thampanoor Tourist Home, Thampanoor, Tel: 330119; Vijai Tourist Home, Manjalikulam Road, Tel: 331727.
Other Accommodation
*Mascot Hotel (KTDC)***, Mascot Square, Tel: 318990. Fax: 317745 [ Tariff: A/c. Ord. Sgl. Rs. 995/-, Dbl. 1195 A/c. Suite Rs. 2395/-]; Hotel Chaithram (KTDC), Thampanoor, Tel: 330997, Fax: 331446 [ Tariff: A/c. Rs. 850-1250/- & Non A/c. Rs. 500-700/-]
Govt. Guest House, Tel: 320869 [ Tariff: A/c. Sgl. Rs. 200-400/-, Dbl. Rs. 350-500/- & Non A/c. Sgl. Rs. 100/-, Dbl. Rs. 150/-]; PWD Rest House, Thycaud, Tel: 323711; Yatri Nivas, Thiruvananthapuram, Tel: 324462; Railway Retiring Rooms, Trivandrum Central; Youth Hostel, Near Boat Club, Veli; YWCA Guest House, M.G. Road, Tel: 446518; YMCA Guest House, Palayam, Tel: 330477.
EXCURSIONS
Thiruvallam (10 Km.): A serene backwater stretch en-route to Kovalam; Aruvikkara (16 Km.): It is a picnic spot and a pilgrim center.
KOVALAM (16 Km.)
A sheltered bay endowed with unusual beauty. This natural bay is a safe-pool free from high waves and surges. The beach resort here, is of international standard. Facilities available at the beach include Ayurvedic massage, yoga and water sports.
Accommodation (STD Code: 0471)
(*Approved by the Department of Tourism, Government of India)
Single Double
*Ashok Beach Resort(ITDC)***** A/c. Rooms Rs. 4600/- Rs.6000/-
Vizhinjam, Tel: 480101. Fax: 481522.
*Somatheeram Ayurvedic – Dlx. Suite -- Rs. 6000/-
Beach Resort (Heritage) Dlx. -- Rs. 5000/-
Chowara, Tel: 481601, Fax:480600.Cottages -- Rs. 1700-3000/-
*Surya Samudra Resort (Heritage) Cottage -- US$ 80-200
Pullinkudi, Tel: 480413, 481824. Fax: 481124.
Other Hotels
*Udaya Samudra Beach Hotel***, G.V. Raja Road, Tel: 481654; [ Tariff: A/c. Dbl. Rs. 2900-3900/-]; *Bright Resorts**, Tel: 481190 [Tariff: A/c. Dbl. Rs. 2000-3900/-]; *Kadaloram Beach Resort**, G.V. Raja Road, Tel: 481116-9 [ Tariff: A/c. Cottage Rs. 2200-3000/-]; *Nikki's Nest**, Pulinkudi, Tel: 481822[ Tariff: US$ 65-150]; *Coconut Bay Beach Resort*, Vizhinjam, Tel: 480566 [ Tariff: A/c. Rs. 2500/- & Non A/c. Rs. 2100/-]; *Hotel Manaltheeram*, Chowara Beach, Tel: 481610 [ Tariff: Cottage Rs. 2500-3200/-]; *Sea Face*, NUP Road, Tel: 481591[ Tariff: A/c. Rs. 2200-3000/-]; Abad Palmshore Beach Resort, Light House Road, Tel: 481481[ Tariff: A/c. Cottage Rs. 1900-3000/-, A/c. Room Rs. 1700-2000/- & Non A/c. Rs. 1200-1700/-]; Best Western Swagath Resort, Tel: 481148/9 [A/c. Rs.1700-2600/- & Non A/c. 1150-2050/-]; Ideal Ayurvedic Resort, Chowara, Telefax: 481631 [ Cottage/Dlx. Rs. 1500-2200/-]; Hotel Marine Palace, NUP Road, Tel: 481428 [ A/c. Rs. 2000-3300/- & Non A/c. 1500-1750/-]; Rock Holm, Tel: 480606/306 [ A/c. Dbl. 1500-3500 & Non A/c. Dbl. Rs. 1250/-]; Santhatheeram, Beach Road, Tel: 481972 [ A/c. Dbl. Rs. 2000/- & Non A/c. Dbl. Rs. 1200/-].
1.The tariff of the following hotels ranges from Rs. 600/- to Rs.1500/- for a room.
Hotel Aparna, Light House Beach,Tel: 480950 / 951; Green Park, Samudra Beach, Tel: 481245; Hilton Beach Resort, Vizhinjam, Tel: 481995;Hotel Mery Land, Hawah Beach, Tel: 481440; Hotel Mini House, Kovalam, Vizhinjam, Tel: 485198; Moonlight Tourist Home, Nup Road,Telefax: 480375; Pappukutty Beach Resort, Light House Beach, Tel: 480235; Hotel Peacock, Light House Beach, Tel: 481395; Raja Hotel, Kovalam, Tel: 480355; Hotel Samudra Tara, Light House Beach, Tel: 481608; Sandy Beach Resort, Light House Beach, Tel: 480012; Sea Flower Home, Light House Beach, Tel: 480554; Hotel Sea Weed, Light House Beach, Tel: 480391/791; Varma’s Beach Resort, Light House Beach, Tel: 480478; White House, Light House Beach, Vizhinjam, Tel: 483388.
2.The tariff of the following hotels ranges from Rs. 200/- to Rs. 500/- for a room.
Apsara Beach Cottage, Light House Beach, Tel: 480507; Eden Seaside Resort, Light House Beach, Tel: 481749; Green Valley Cottage, Avaduthura; Tel: 480636; Hotel Park Lane, Light House Beach, Tel: 480058; Patric Villa, Avadhuthura, Tel: 485108; Sea Side Cottages, Light House Beach, Tel: 481937. Hotel Sea View Palace, Light House Beach, Tel: 481599; Hotel Surya, Light House Beach, Tel: 481012.
Other Accommodation
*Hotel Samudra(KTDC)***, G.V. Road, Tel: 480089. Fax: 480242 (Tariff: Dlx. Sgl. Rs. 2650/- & Dbl. Rs. 5000/-) Govt. Guest House, Kovalam, Tel: 480146 (Tariff: A/c. 200-500/- & Non A/c. Rs. 100-150/-)
Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave (17 Km.): There are rock cut sculptures of the 18th century in the cave temple at Vizhinjam near Kovalam Beach;
Koyikkal Palace at Nedumangad (18 Km.): This ancient palace dates back to the 15th century;
Neyyar Dam (29 Km.): It is a picnic spot with a dam and a lake with landscaped gardens. Facilities for boating and mountaineering are available. Places of interest nearby are Lion Safari Park, Snake Park, Crocodile Farm, Fish, Pond, etc. The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Ashram is situated here. Accommodation: Agasthya House (KTDC), Tel: 0471-272160 (Tariff: Non A/c. Rs. 300-350/- & Dormitory (6 beds) Rs. 600/-).;
Agasthyakoodam (30 Km.): Part of the Sahyadri range of mountains, Agasthyakoodam is the second highest peak in Kerala at a height of 1890 metres above the sea level. Teeming with wildlife, the forests of Agasthyakoodam abound in rare medicinal herbs and plants and brilliantly hued orchids. A bird watcher's paradise, this legendary mountain is accessible by foot from Kotoor, near Neyyar Dam, as also from Bonacaud. Prior permission is required for trekking in this area from the Wildlife Warden, Forest Department, PTP Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram. Trekking season is from December to April;
Poovar (35 Km.): A serene backwater resort with an unspoilt beach. Accom: *Poovar Island Resort*** (A Sarovar Park Plaza Hotel) Tel: 212068. Fax: 212092. Tariff: Rs. 1990-3990/-, Wilson Beach Resort, Tel: 212063/64, Fax: 210019. Tariff: A/c. Cottage Rs. 2000-2700/-;
Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary (50 Km.): This sanctuary spread over 53 Sq.km on the Western Ghats, is accessible from Vithurai, which is on the way to Ponmudi.
Padhmanabhapuram Palace (54 Km.): A palace with elaborate woodwork, it was the ancient seat of the Tranvancore rulers. It contains relics of historical and artistic value. Timings: 0900 hrs. to 1700 hrs. (Closed on Mondays).
Varkala (55 Km.)
Varkala, a sea side town and a pilgrim centre is famous for a temple dedicated to Janardana (Lord Vishnu), which is believed to be more than 2000 years old. 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.
Ponmudi (61 Km.): A hill station at an altitude of 915 metres above sea level. It is also a popular health resort and picnic spot. Acco: Govt. Guest House, Tel: 0472-890230 (Tariff: Rs. 300-600/-);
Nagercoil (68 Km.): Situated 19 Km. from Kannyakumari in Tamil Nadu, Nagercoil is famous for the temple of Nagaraja (Serpent God);
Kollam (72 Km.): This sea-side commercial centre is famous for backwater cruises;
Suchindram (74 Km.): The Thanumalayan temple at Suchindram in Tamil Nadu is a repository of art treasures. This unique temple is dedicated to the Trimurthi - Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma.
KANNIYAKUMARI (86 Km.)
At the southernmost tip of India, where the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal meet, lies Kanniyakumari, an important pilgrim centre in Tamil Nadu. Kanniyakumari is famous for its spectacular sunrise, sunset and moonrise especially on full moon days. The beach itself is a beautiful sight with multi-coloured sands. The places of interest in Kannyakumari are the Kannyakumari Amman temple, the Gandhi Memorial and Vivekananda Rock Memorial.
Accommodation Single Double
Hotel Tamil Nadu (TTDC) A/c. -- Rs. 1700/-
Near to Sea Shore Dlx. A/c. -- Rs. 1200/-
Kanniyakumari A/c. -- Rs. 750/-
Tel: (04652) 346257/58, 346425/28. Non A/c. -- Rs. 550/-
Fax: 346030.. Dormitory (per bed) Rs. 50/-
Reservations :
The Sales Counter, Tamil Nadu Tourism Dev. Corpn. Ltd. (TTDC), 4, E.V.R. Salai, Opp. Central Rly Stn., Chennai - 600 003. Tel: 5389132, 5382916, 5360294. Telefax: 5361385. E-mail: ttdc@md3.vsnl.net.in Website: www.tamilnadutourism.com
For reservation of KTDC accommodation, contact:-
Central Reservations, Kerala Tourism Dev. Corpn. Ltd. (KTDC), Mascot Square, Thiruvananthapuram, Tel: 0471-316736. Fax: 314406. E-mail: ktdc@vsnl.com Website: www.ktdc.com
TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES
Indiatourism Tourist Information Counter, Thiruvananthapuram Airport, Tel: 501498; Tourist Facilitation Centre, Dept. of Tourism, Govt. of Kerala, Park View, Tel: 321132; Tourist Information Centre, Railway Station, Thampanoor, Tel: 334470;
Tourist Reception Centre, KTDC, Thampanoor, Tel: 330031;
Tourist Facilitation Centre, KTDC, Kovalam, Tel: 480085;
KTDC, C/o. Kairali Emporium, Nirmal Bldg., Nariman Point, Mumbai.
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