Located in Kerala’s verdant Western Ghats, with scenery ranging from woody grasslands and marshy wetlands to evergreen forests, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best places in southern India to observe the region’s unique flora and fauna at close range. Expect rich bird life—including hornbills and kingfishers—and dozens of mammals, from sambar deers to the elusive Bengal tiger.
Home to around 40 Bengal tigers, the densely wooded Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala’s Western Ghat region is part of Periyar National Park, known interchangeably as Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Named after the Periyar River, the biodiverse park is also home to sambar deer, otters, bison, herds of elephants, and bird life such as egrets, hornbills, and herons.
Fort Kochi (Fort Cochin) is an historic district and a main draw for tourists in Kochi (Cochin). It’s a charming neighborhood full of colonial-era homes (many of which have been converted into boutique hotels), lovely old houses of worship, charming shops and markets, and the city's famous Chinese fishing nets that flank the harbor.
The star attraction of Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, this tranquil manmade lake dates back to the turn of the 19th century, when a dam diverted the Periyar River. Today, Periyar Lake serves as a popular drinking and bathing spot for many of the sanctuary’s resident animals, including elephants, otters, sambar deer, bison, and wild boar. You can also spot plenty of bird species here.
Located in the lush town of Thekkady, the Green Park Ayurvedic and Spices Plantation is dedicated to all things Ayurveda. India’s traditional form of ancient medicine relies on nature-based healing and a variety of plants for medicine and oils, many of which are grown right here in this tranquil medicinal garden, along with cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, and more.
Built in the early 1950s, not long after India’s independence, this gravity dam is a major source of hydroelectric power in Kerala. Matupetty Dam sits on Mattupetty Lake, a greenery-flanked reservoir that provides year-round refuge to birds and animals. You can walk or drive across it; lookout points provide pretty views.
Located in Kerala’s Wayanad region, the Edakkal Caves are famed for the archaeologically important petroglyphs found inside. The caves themselves are formed by a boulder that’s wedged between two other large boulders, so it’s not technically a cave, but rather a shelter. Visitors come to see the fascinating carvings of humans and animals, and to admire the views of the Ambukuthi Mala Hills.
If dams are among your travel interests, you’re unlikely to find one more interesting in the state of Kerala than Banasura Sagar, a marvel of earthen engineering built across a tributary of the Kabini River—and a tourist go-to in its own right. Travelers visit to hike through the forests of the Banasura Hills, and try various outdoor activities from boating to camel riding.
The Kochi branch of South India’s Wonderla Amusement Park chain has state-of-the-art land and water rides for all ages, plus live shows daily. Highlights include two wave pools, a 120-foot-high (37-meter-high) vertical-drop ride, and India’s first reverse looping roller coaster. The water park is a popular way to cool off when the weather’s hot—which it often is in Kochi.
Located in the Kazhakuttom area of Thiruvananthapuram, the Magic Planet Theme Park is dedicated to magic in its many forms. It explores the historical, scientific, mathematical, and psychological aspects of magic through performances of street-style magic, comedy magic, illusions, puzzles, and more.
One of India’s major seaports, Kochi’s harbor is up there with the world’s most scenic waterways, providing one of the few all-weather safe harbors on India’s west coast. In the center of the harbor, between Fort Cochin’s promontory and the mainland, is man-made Wellington Island, the area’s main seaport and transport terminal.
