Things to do in Kottayam

Besides being the perfect conduit between Kerala’s most interesting places and home to its famous backwaters, Kottayam is a region rich in history and culture. No wonder it is one of Kerala’s most alluring destinations for travellers.

1. Enjoy some religious sightseeing

Kottayam is speckled with centuries-old churches, temples, and mosques. The most notable amongst these are two churches known as Valiyapalli and Cheriyapalli, near Kottayam town. Built in the 16th century, these churches are distinct in character. While Valiyapalli has rare antique carvings, murals and West Asian architecture, Cheriyapalli depicts Biblical themes but also features temple architecture. On the banks of the river Meenachil, you’ll find the Thazhathangady Juma Masjid. This mosque is over 1000 years old and is richly embellished by carvings and murals. Two important temples dedicated to Lord Shiva are the Vaikom Temple and Thirunakkara Shiva Temple. Besides their traditional architecture, these temples also attract people for their festival celebrations which are unique and moving.

church in Kottayam

2. See the backwaters

One of Kottayam’s most precious offerings is Kumarakom. Home of the backwaters, this area is famous for its serene cruises, divine landscapes and greenery. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and Pathiramanal Island are true delights for bird-watching enthusiasts as they attract migratory birds from as far away as Siberia and the Himalayas. Here you can also find countless reliable centres that will treat you with a relaxing Ayurvedic massage, a delightful way of starting your day.

Backwaters in Kottayam

3. Take a road trip

From languid backwaters to the majestic Western Ghats, Kottayam is a region which offers stunning natural beauty in a variety of forms. To experience Kottayam’s glory at its mesmerising best, rent a car. A drive on the stretch connecting Kottayam to the Periyar Sanctuary offers you Kottayam’s finest and most untouched landscapes. You’ll find yourself embraced by sky-high palm trees and plantations, convincing you that you’re in an artist’s masterpiece.

4. Visit the cave temple

Ayyappara is a cave-like temple, which is revered by people as a place of enormous historical and religious importance. This mythological place is believed to have sheltered the Pandavas during their exile and it attracts thousands of believers from far and wide, all year round. Located 2000 feet above sea level, Ayyappara is also popular amongst tourists for its splendid sunsets.

Caves in Kottayam

5. Get close to wildlife

An eternal favourite amongst travellers is the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, located a couple of hours from Kottayam. This expansive sanctuary is the home of many enchanting animals. Here, herds of elephants are often seen strolling by, and creatures including exotic birds, bison and wild boar are found. A cruise takes you along the divinely beautiful Periyar River as it bisects the sanctuary’s majestic mountains. A heavenly way of taking in the sights is by bamboo rafts, and camps can be set for the outdoorsy travellers. Owing to its idyllic beauty, it has long been a favourite amongst both amateur and accomplished photographers.

Wildlife of Kottayam

6. Trek through ‘God’s own country’

Love walking? Wagamon and Peermed are the ultimate hiking destinations in Kottayam. While Peermed is a popular hill station perched at an altitude of 1066 meters, Wagamon is 60 kms from Kottayam and offers delightful landscapes that can be scaled with ease.

Trekking Kottayam

7. Feast with a local family

Like most other parts of India, Kerala has its unique cuisine. The truly authentic way of experiencing the real local flavours is by staying with a friendly Kerala family in a Kottayam homestay. They will serve dishes from recipes perfected over time by past generations. The best part is, if you are lucky, you will be served vegetables that you helped pick or seafood that you caught with your own hands.

Feast in Kottayam

8. Marvel at the toddy tappers

Toddy is Kerala’s potent and locally produced alcohol. It has a very unique taste and is the perfect accompaniment to an authentic, local meal. The drink’s basic ingredient is actually collected by firm-footed men who effortlessly climb up towering trees and tap them. The process is as dangerous as it looks and very unique to the state. These nimble toddy tappers have become increasingly hard to find in the recent years, but with some inside information from your Kerala homestay host you should discover where to find them.

Toddy - Farmer

9. Join the festivities of Changanassery

During the festival of Deepam, people flock in large numbers to the beautiful town of Changanassery. The festival of lamps, named after the town’s old moniker ‘Town of five fire lamps’, is celebrated here every year between November and December. It’s less than 25 kms from Kottayam and also famous for the Thrikkodithanam temple, which is embellished with intriguing 18th century inscriptions.

Festival Kottayam

Things to do in Shimla

Simla, also known as Shimla, was the Summer Capital of the British. And here we bring you nine things that make it a capital experience, even today.

1.Jai ho!

Simla is filled with countless important and revered temples. But Shri Sankat Mochan is the only famous temple complex in Simla. It is filled with many smaller temples which are dedicated to a number of Hindu Gods. If you’re lucky, you might even be invited to join a wedding and see the traditional ceremonies being performed.

2.Monkey around

Arguably the most popular temple in Simla is a Hanuman temple called Jakhoo. Located on Jakhoo Hill, which is two kilometers away from Simla and is the hillstation’s highest peak. The temple naturally offers some of the most wonderful vistas of the town below and of the majestic, snow-clad Himalayas. At the temple you’ll also find countless mischievous but harmless monkeys who will happily take food from your hands.

Monkeys-around-Shimla

3.Meet the Mall

Simla’s Mall Road is where everyone hangs out to just walk around, shop for souvenirs and indulge in some people watching. The Mall also has a number of good restaurants, cafes, and bars. If you’re in the mood you can catch a Bollywood masala flick, then catch a show at The Gaiety Theatre.

Mall-Road-Shimla

4.At the door of The Christ

The Mall’s Ridge Road is an important rendezvous for people. But it’s also where you will find the 2nd oldest Church in North India. Simply called Christ Church, it has a majestic aura and fascinating architecture. Beautiful stained glass windows embellish the interiors of the Church and it attracts people of various faiths and religions.

Christ Church Shimla

5.Join the celebrations

Almost all year round, tourists can observe and even participate in Simla’s simple but enchanting festivals, which are filled with feasts, music and dance. Some of the important festivals are Lavi, The Summer Festival, Rohru, Halog and The Winter Sports Festival.

Band Baja Barat Shimla

6.A lesson in history

The Shimla State Museum opened back in 1974 with the mission to preserve the state’s cultural and historical wealth for future generations. Here, visitors can see many important artifacts such as miniature Pahari paintings, sculptures, traditional costumes, and jewelry.

Shimla State Museum

7.Go away for the day

If one wishes to go on day trips outside of Simla, then there are plenty of good options available. Amongst them, Cheil is favoured by a lot of people. It was the summer capital of Maharajas and has the world’s highest cricket pitch. But for golf-lovers the ideal location is the famous Naldehra Golf Club, in Naldehra. Another favorite spot for sports lovers is Kufri. This is the capital of winter sports in India and even has a small zoo, which is home to many indigenous animals.

Garden in Shimla

8.Be a Sport

For those who love sports, the place to be is Annandale. The place is less than four kilometers from The Ridge and is known as the playground of Simla. It stands at a height of over 6,000 feet above sea level from where you can enjoy panoramic sights of the region and join a game of cricket, polo or frisbee.

9.Hold the fort

Arki isn’t very near Simla but it’s a site historically-rich, which must be visited by people who can spare the time. About 50 kilometers away from Simla in Arki you can find an 18th century fort, which is a one of its kind monument in the region.

Arki Fort Shimla

Things to do in Coonoor

Located at a height of 1,856 metres, Coonoor is a small tea garden town and an enchanting hill station. Here we bring you 10 Coonoor things to do that will enable you to make the most of this jewel nestled in the Nilgiri mountains

1. See Sim’s Park 

Sim’s Park sits in a deep ravine. By navigating its meandering paths you can reach the park’s higher peaks. Its most wondrous offering is its wealth of shola trees and the other innumerable varieties, sporadically planted all over. In full bloom, this randomness creates a vibrant and unreal effect. The park is also famous for affording great views to many of Coonoor’s popular tourist spots such as Lamb’s Rock, Dolphin’s Nose and Lady Canning’s Seat.

Sims-Park

2. Take the toy train

Nilgiri’s famous toy train is one of the most popular Coonoor things to do. The charming train started operating over a century ago and, considering the terrain of the region, it is rightfully considered an engineering marvel. The blue-cream train oozes old world charm with delightful wooden coaches and large windows that provide enchanting views. It’s called a toy train because it’s so slow that you can high-five the children outside as it moves. It stops every hour and so you can easily hop in and out for a short photo session. A ride on the usually crowded train should be considered a rare experience rather than treated as a functional mode of transport.

Toy-Train

3. Bird watching and listening

Coonoor’s calm and quiet is not just appreciated by peace-seeking tourists but also exotic birds. Here, you can find many songbirds such as nightingales, babblers, larks and robins, who serenade you with their mesmerizing harmonies.

Bird-Watching

4. Pick the fruits 

Coonoor’s Pomological Station is a feast for those interested in horticulture. Many varieties of fruits are grown here for research purposes. Here, one can also purchase fresh apples, plums, apricots and much more. Freshly made fruit jams are produced on a small scale and are delicious gifts for those back home.

Fruit Picking

5. Tour the silk station

A visit to the Silk Rearing Station is a great way to learn the intricacies of Sericulture. On special request you can get a complete tour of the process and see how the famous Indian silk is made. However, do note that the process involves boiling silkworms alive, so it may not be for everyone.

Silk

6. Enjoy the falls

The Law Falls are located 7 kilometers from Coonoor and make for a lovely picnic spot. The divine Falls drop from a height of almost 200 feet and what adds to the charm of the area is that it is enveloped by majestic Shola trees.

Waterfall

7. Get some fantastic views

A short drive from Coonoor is a destination called Lamb’s Rock. The tourist spot is a favourite of visitors because it offers divine views of Coimbatore. Just a little further away from Lamb’s Rock is Dolphin’s Nose. The viewpoint is quite simply named after a massive rock, which resembles the face of a Dolphin.

Sun-set

8. Share a point of view

Lady Canning’s Seat is just 9 kilometers from Coonoor. It is so named because the wife of Viceroy Canning loved to sit and marvel at the vista. Here you can find a small residence, which you can explore or just use to rest for a bit. From this destination you can soak-up the enchanting views of the endless tea estates that surround you as well as gaze at the plains

Valley-view

9. Drive to Droog

To reach the Droog, one has to drive 15 kilometers from Coonoor and then take on a 3 kilometer long trek. The Droog serves as a popular picnic spot but it also has great historical significance. The destination once served as an outpost for the great Tipu Sultan. It stands proud at an elevation of 6,000 feet and due to its location it offers incomparable views of the surrounding plains.

Droog Drive

10. Day trip to Masinagudi

Masinagudi is a great place to see elephants languidly strolling by, sharing the roads with cars, pedestrians and trucks. The destination is less than 20 kms from Coonoor and the drive is infested with hairpin turns. Trekking is the best way to explore Masinagudi’s beautiful vistas. There are innumerable charming makeshift snack stalls, which serve as great places to take a break and dig into the local delicacies.

Elephant-in-Masinagudi

Things to do in Nainital - North India’s most popular and famous hill stations

Nainital is one of North India’s most popular and famous hill stations. And here are 11 ways in which you can make the most of this land of the nine lakes.

1. Lake lovers

Nainital’s most popular feature are its numerous lakes, making boating a popular pastime. You can opt for a paddle boat, where you do all the work, or a languid ride on a row boat, operated by the boat’s owner. For those skilled at sailing, sailboats are easily available for rent as well. You can hire any of these options for as long as you want. Bargain over the price – it’s common.

Beautiful Lake Nainital

2. The height of beauty

As you enjoy the panoramic vistas of the city below, the Naini Cable Car takes you up to Snow View, a beautiful viewpoint located 7,500 ft above sea level. The popular tourist spot offers enchanting vistas of the Himalayan range. Be sure to grab a cup of hot chai and some steaming pakoras from one of the food stalls before you leave.

The Height of Beautiful Nainital

3. Hello Himalayas

There’s a viewpoint is located between Nainital and the town of Kilbury. It’s proudly perched at an impressive height of 2300 meters and offers wonderful views of the majestic Himalayas. It is one of the lesser known viewpoints around Nainital. It’s worth seeking out, away from the crowds and chatter.

4. A walk to remember

The best place to enjoy a trek or walk in Nainital is Thandi Sadak or Cold Street. It’s a lovely spot to find solitude and has a romantic ambiance. Your walk will be lined by tall, lush pines, deodars and oaks. During summer and fall, your walk will be set to the sweet sound of chirping birds and the gentle breeze rustling through the leaves.

A walk to remember in Nainital

5. Test of the terrain

Naina Peak is the highest peak in Nainital and obviously provides unmatched vistas to those who can take on the intense journey. Even the most skilled hikers find the journey daunting but the company of cheery rhododendrons, soaring deodars and lush cypresses is a welcome distraction. If you have persevering feet, then the peak rewards you with a magnificent bird’s eye view of Nainital, the Himalayas and the Terai region. Given the right season you can enjoy a 360 degree view of snow-cloaked Himalayas.

Nainital Valley

6. In the company of fish

Bhimtal has long been one of the most popular day trips from Nainital. A 22 kilometre long journey will take you to this small but popular island. Nainital’s authorities recently replaced Bhimtal’s overcrowded restaurant with an enchanting aquarium, which houses a variety of fish from all over the world such as South Africa, Mexico and China.

Duck swiming in Lake Nainital

7. Let’s celebrate

All year round, vibrant festivals can be observed in Nainital. Whether or not you understand their historic and religious importance, they’re always fun to participate in. Most of the festivals are all about building community spirit and are filled music, dance and colours, as well as delicious local specialties.

Kids celebrate with painting

8. Putting green

Golf has arrived in Nainital. The 9-hole course is fun, simple to master and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It’s a great way to bond with the family while honing your putting skills.

Valley view

9. Horsing around

An interesting way to explore Nainital is on horseback. If you can’t ride well, the horse’s owner will accompany you. Pony rides are available for children.

10. Shopping

In Nainital you’ll find inexpensive, locally produced, and usually handmade merchandise. It is very popular for its unique and interesting candles. From a glittering Christmas tree to a jolly Buddha with a wick sticking out of his head, you’ll find lots of choice when it comes to souvenirs.

11. A day away

Nainital is surrounded by lakes that are getaways in their own right. One of such places is Sat-tal, which literally means “seven lakes.” It is one of the places around Nainital that have not been overwhelmed by commercialization and crowds. The other option is called Naukuchiyatal. This is a small and beautiful lake which has nau (nine) corners. It is just four kilometers from BhimTal and enveloped by lush green hills. The perfect place to be with yourself and your thoughts.

Boating in Nainital Lake

Inspired? Take a look at our Nainital homestays and book yourself a break.

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