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Love offbeat locations? Here are the 10 from Kerala that allure!

If you are the one who loves to explore and enjoy raw beauty, explore the below ten offbeat destinations with us for an unparalleled experience and an

VLO Content Crew

Offbeat Locales

It is not unusual to get distracted with mentions of walking down cliché tours and cheering through the charted territory. The allure of the uncharted is unmissable and captivating. And the ones in Kerala are so captivating, undiscovered yet teeming with life. Kerala is too much associated with places like Munnar, Thekkady, Cochin, Kumarakom, and Kovalam and its popular beaches, known hill stations, familiar wildlife sanctuaries, and Ayurveda resorts.

However, there are other places that offer exciting adventure/travel opportunities amidst the pristine beauty of nature. These less known places in Kerala give the opportunity to break free from the repetitiveness of visiting the same tourist spot, away from crowds to unwind and recharge yourself.

If you are the one who loves to explore and enjoy raw beauty, explore the below ten offbeat destinations with us for an unparalleled experience and an awesome vacation in Kerala.

The scenic Kumbalangi backwaters • PC: Jais Jose

"However, there are other places that offer exciting adventure/travel opportunities amidst the pristine beauty of nature. These less known places in Kerala give the opportunity to break free from the repetitiveness of visiting the same tourist spot, away from crowds to unwind and recharge yourself. "

Marari Beach, Alappuzha

Rated as one of the world’s top five Hammock Beaches by National Geographic, Marari Beach in Alappuzha District of Kerala is an ideal destination for holidaying with family or friends. The name ‘Marari’ arises from 'Mararikulum', a local fishing village on the Arabian Sea Coast. This beach is gorgeous and eternal with a rare showcase of diversity where coconut palm trees and golden sands attract your core. The beach is an emblem of simplicity, beauty and harmony.

The location is well connected by a railway station in Mararikulam. It is also well connected by road. NH 47 passes through S.L.Puram, which is 5 km to the east of Mararikulam. Nearest airport is Cochin International Airport. Regular cabs and autos are available from outside the station for Marari Beach.

Edakkal Caves, Wayanad

Rich with pictorial writings estimated to date to at least 6,000 BCE, the Edakkal Caves display proof of the presence of a prehistoric civilization or settlement in this region. There are traces from history which suggest that the caves were inhabited multiple times at different points in history. The caves showcase drawings that range over periods from the Neolithic as early as 5,000 BC to 1,000 BCE. The youngest group of paintings has been in the news for a possible connection to the Indus Valley Civilization. All these combine to make the caves a mysteriously attractive place.

The caves are situated at remote location at Edakkal, 25 km from Kalpetta in the Wayanad district of Kerala and are 1,200 m (3,900 ft) above sea level. Getting a foot on the caves require trekking of about an hour. However, the excitement clubbed with the untouched beauty is going to leave a mark on anybody.

Kundala, Idukki

Kundala is situated on the way to Munnar. However, often travelers miss this town due to lack of information and preoccupation of visiting more renowned locations. And by all means this has been blessing for the picturesque town as it has remained untouched leaving it for Mother Nature to nurture. Boating is allowed in the manmade Kundala Lake while green tea plantations and the artificial dam, Sethuparvathipuram Dam, adds to adventure.

The nearest railway station is Aluva, via Aluva-Munnar Rd, about 133 km; Kottayam, via Main Central Rd, about 154 km. Cochin International Airport is about 132 km away from the location.

Kumbalangi, Kochi

Situated in the suburb of Kochi in the district of Ernakulam, Kumbalangi is an island-village spreading about 16 square km area. The village is famous for fishing with over 100 Chinese nets in the backwaters. Fishermen often display various fishing techniques for the tourists. Mangroves separate the land from the water, providing a breeding ground for prawns, crabs, oysters and small fishes.

The village is well connected by road to the mainland with local transport options while the Ernakulam Railway Station is located about 15 kms away.

Clockwise from L to R: A Silent Valley tea plantation worker at work, Panoramic view of Kundala lake, Walkway of Banasura Sagar Dam & Valiyaparamba beach view • PC: David Curtis, Madhu Sanchari, Lokesh Venkatashiah & Sushanth Kurunthil

Areekkal Waterfalls, Kochi

Areekkal Waterfalls is a must see gorgeous place near the city of Kochi. The waterfall is beautifully surrounded with trees. Always be ready to welcome the Rain Gods and they arrive here often without a warning! However, the uncertainty and the beautiful nature makes it an unavoidable attraction point. If you are planning a visit to this waterfall, the best time is the monsoon season as it is more beautiful during this season.

The location is only about 35 kms away from Ernakulam-Thodupuzha road. Areekkal falls is within one hour travel from Kochi.

Silent Valley National Park, Palakkad

Located in the Nilgiri hills, within Mannarkkad of Palakkad District, this region is one of the blissfully undisturbed tracts of South Western Ghats mountain rain forests and tropical moist evergreen forest in India. The region is locally known as “Sairandhrivanam”, which in Malayalam means Sairandhri’s Forest. Sairandhri is Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas in the epic Mahabharata, who disguised herself as Sairandhri, the maid of a queen named Sudeshna, while her family was in exile. The Pandavas after being deprived of their kingdom wandered south, into what is now Kerala, until one day they came upon a harmonious valley. Beside that river, in a cave on a hill slope, the Pandavas halted. The region is home to the largest population of lion-tailed macaques, an endangered species. You may also see elephant, leopard, tiger, Nilgiri thar, and Malabar giant squirrel. The region is full of life with rare birds and there are at least 34 species of mammals with several endemic species.

The nearest railway station is Palghat Junction (Palakkad). From Palakkad, go to Mannarkkad, and from there to Mukkali. Both places are well connected by private bus service. Entry into the valley is allowed only from 8AM to 2PM, as you need about one and a half hours (each way) to go to the valley and come back. Tourists are not allowed to stay in the valley. They must come back to Mukkali by evening.

Valiyaparamba Backwaters, Kasaragod

One of the popular and the third largest backwater destinations in Kerala, Valiyaparamba Backwaters is the place where nature falls in love with itself. Valiyaparamba backwaters are one of the most picturesque backwaters where you can have a boat cruise in traditional 'Kettuvallam' (houseboat). The extremely pleasant weather, coconut lagoons, widest flocks of sea birds, provides a greater canvas for the travellers.

Nearest railway station is Payyanur, which is about 9 km away. Nearest airport is Calicut International Airport, which is about 175 km away.

The iconic 13 Kannara(Eyes) Bridge constructed by British in 1901 • PC: Prashanth Mahadevan

Muzhappilangad Beach, Kannur

One of the most beautiful yet not often visited places in the state, the Muzhappilangad Beach in Kannur is the only drive-in beach. The beach is featured among the top 6 best beaches for driving in the world in BBC article for Autos. The beach is about 5 km long and curves in a wide area providing a good view of Kannur on the north. Beachgoers are allowed to drive for a full 4 km directly on the sands of the beach. The beach is bordered by black rocks, which also protect it from the stronger currents of the ocean.

Nearest railway station is Kannur (Main Station), which is about 16 km; and Thalassery, which is about 12 km. Nearest airport is Calicut International Airport, at about 102 km distance.

Banasura Sagar Dam, Wayanad

It is the largest earth dam in India and the second largest of its kind in Asia. The dam is made up of massive stacks of stones and boulders. The Dam is named after Banasura, the son of Mahabali who as per local Hindu mythological belief was a much respected king of Kerala. The location is ideal for trekking and speed boating. The Banasura Hill Resort, located about 20 km from the dam, was rated as Asia’s largest Earthen Resort by BBC. Speed boat ride, in particular, is an exciting experience and should not be missed.

The Banasura Sagar Dam is located 21 km from Kalpetta, in Wayanad District of Kerala in the Western Ghats.

Thenmala, Kollam

The first planned eco-tourism destination in India, Thenmala is becoming popular with each passing day. The place is popular for boating on the lake, a rope bridge, trekking, mountaineering, biking and a musical fountain. Palaruvi, a nearby waterfall, is a prime attraction. Also nearby is a deer rehabilitation center where visitors can see deer in a forest setting and can see a traditional tree house used by forest dwellers.

Thenmala is approachable both from Trivandrum and Punalur by road. The Nearest railway station is Punalur.

VLO Content Crew
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2018-11-10
2203 days ago

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Our content team is on the never ending quest of bringing quality travel based reading for the discerning traveler in you. We publish articles that are useful for a traveler to take a informed decision. You can reach us at travel@virginlocales.com.

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