Regionally termed as ‘kettuvallams’ or tied – boats, these hand-crafted boats are built with strong planks of wood probably with jack wood. These wooden planks are tied together with coir ropes and polished with fish oil, encompassing almost 85 feet, these floating houses accommodates 2 to 10 people in it. During the olden days, these houseboats were used to transport all the agricultural products to the seaports of Kerala – Alappuzha, Kollam and Kochi. That’s why these houseboats were also called as ‘Rice Boats’.  Today, houseboats are the star attraction of Kerala. Most of the travellers visit Kerala to experience a trip in this ‘floating paradise’, because it offers you with all sabbaticals that you get in a five star hotel!

You will be amazed to know that not even a single nail is used during the construction of these leisure arks. After joining it with ropes, these arks are coated with a corrosive black resin made out of boiled kernels of cashew nuts. The other raw materials which are included in the making of this vessel are bamboo mats, carpets, bamboo poles and all other furniture. If this vessel is carefully handled, it will last for generations.

There are huge houseboats which are 108 feet long and 19 feet wide. In a houseboat, there are three crew members who assist us throughout our journey, they are: – a driver, a chef and a cabin manager.  Nowadays, as houseboats of Kerala are raising the graph of tourism in ‘God’s Own Country’, many changes have been made in the décor of the boat by bringing many new luxury items, so that travellers can have a happy journey through the waterways of Kerala. To increase the level of comfort, we have warm living rooms, bedrooms, a kitchen, modern toilets and even an opulence balcony to view the colourful nature.

The advanced houseboats have swimming pools, ayurvedic spas, houseboats for arranging conferences and business meetings, double – deck houseboats and also houseboats that are driven by females. Some houseboats are driven by local drivers but the advanced one has engines. We can also have a train of boats by joining two or more boats together, which is normally used for groups of voyagers.

Kerala houseboats are distinct from all other houseboats in the world. It’s like a chocolate in a new, glittering and fancy wrapper!!!  We have some exclusive houseboat tour packages for you that will enable you to get high on the waves of Kerala like Houseboat Holidays, A Toast to the Coast, Honeymoon Packages, Lake Placid and many more , which are waiting only for you. Have a memorable experience with these enticing vessels that will take to a dream world!!!

The medical system of Ayurveda originated in India over five thousand years ago. The Literal meaning of Ayurveda is the knowledge of life. Ayurveda has gained global popularity and has now been accredited by World Health Organization. Though the actual emergence of Ayurveda is concealed in the mists of past time, Kerala is considered to be the land where it evolved into an internationally acclaimed medical system. Kerala is praised for the best Ayurveda treatments in the whole world.

Lord Dhanvantari is the God of Ayurveda. Mythology claims that this science of healing originated in the cosmic conscious of God Brahma – the creator. Ayurveda is the branch of ‘Atharva veda’. “Atreya Samhita”, is considered to be the oldest medical book in the world. Ashtavaidyans are believed to the traditional ayurvedic physicians who received the secret of treatment directly from Lord Brahma. Nowadays, there are hundreds of Ayurvedic centres, Spa, Ayurvedic resorts in every corner of Kerala, so that we can give Ayurvedic treatment and that refreshing experience to each and every guests who arrive to the ‘God’s Own Country’.

]]> http://www.indusholidays.in/2010/05/ayurveda/feed/ 0 http://www.indusholidays.in/2010/05/indus-ayurveda-health-packages/ http://www.indusholidays.in/2010/05/indus-ayurveda-health-packages/#comments Mon, 24 May 2010 07:44:24 +0000 admin http://www.indusholidays.in/?p=3291

REJUVENATION (7 – 14 Days)

Rejuvenation therapy bestows an individual with longevity, intellect, excellent memory, positive energy, youthfulness, clear voice and strengthens the sensory and motor organs. In short, it will refresh your youthfulness and recharges you with positive energy. This treatment includes body massaging with hand as well as foot after applying concentrated oil and cream. It includes internal rejuvenative medicines and medicated steam bath, stretching from 90 minutes to 2 hours per day for 7 to 14 days.

RELAXATION (3 – 5 – 7 Days)

This therapy is suitable for those guests who would like to enjoy holidays as well as undertake health promotion activities such Ayurveda and Yoga. This treatment includes general body massaging with concentrated oils and medicated steam bath, along with Pizhichil, Njavara kizhi and so on. Health drinks will be given twice daily. This therapy is scheduled for 3 or 5 or 7 days.

DE – STRESS (7 – 14 days)

This treatment is recommended for those suffering from mental and physical stress, insomnia, lack of concentration, headache and general weakness. This treatment is an absolute stress reliever with a combination of Ayurveda, Yoga, Meditation and holistic touches. Purifying your body and mind is ideal for those who work on computers for long hours, travel frequently and work late in night.

BODY IMMUNIZATION / ANTI – AGING (14 – 28 Days)

This therapy aims at keeping the enzymes in the tissue cells in their normal functioning condition, revitalizing cells. The nerves and bones are kept soft and treated soothingly. Your mind gets tranquilized. This will prevent the process of aging and make the individual free from diseases even during advanced ages. It includes a combination of main treatments in Ayurveda, yoga and also very special ayurvedic medicines.

SLIMMING (14 – 28 Days)

A unique health programme with herbal oil massages and ayurvedic medicines will help you to decrease your weight and make you slim – n – trim. A special ayurvedic diet is advised during this period, which the patient has to follow.

BEAUTY CARE (7 Days)

There is a special beauty therapy which will cure you from all your beauty problems like pimples, wrinkles, acne, sagging of skin, falling of hair and many other dilemmas. The medicated oil applied on your skin, nourishes and cleanses the tissues which will make our complexion glowing and youthful, smoothening and bright. The eye care treatment helps in relieving eye strain.

SPINE PROTECTION (14 Days)

This is a special therapy for your spine problems. This treatment will make your back muscles strong and prevent from deterioration of bones. It can also prevent nerve compression. This treatment is extremely good for spondylosis, post traumatic problems, sports injuries etc. This therapy is given under the supervision of a physician.

What is special about Indus Ayurvedic Health packages?

We have a team of professionals in Ayurveda, who have carefully evaluated the facilities available, quality of the staff and treatment standards of various traditional ayurvedic houses, ayurvedic resorts and speciality hospitals and selected few of them for inclusion in our programme. We have entered into tie – ups with those authentic organizations that practice incredible Ayurveda and possess accreditation from Kerala Government and also have an excellent record of services done. Depending on the standard of accommodation and other facilities offered at the traditional Ayurveda houses or resorts or speciality hospitals, we have classified the Health Packages under 3 categories namely:

• Economy (3*)

• Deluxe (4*)

• Luxury (5*)

All the three categories follow identical standards in the Ayurvedic treatments offered.Considering Kerala’s unique features, we offer you 3 exquisite choices for selecting the location for your revitalizing Ayurveda treatment:

• Beaches

• Backwaters

• Hill Stations

Once when you have decided your Ayurvedic healthcare package, please let us know your preferred location. INDUS will take care of all your requirements by finalizing everything in consultation with you.

NOTE: All health care packages need to be booked well in advance.

Packages that we provide are inclusive of:-

• Welcome drink on the arrival

• Accommodation in Villa / Cottage / Deluxe room

• All meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner – vegetarian only

• Personal Lifestyle and Fitness Evaluation

• Complimentary Yoga sessions daily morning

• Free use of indoor and outdoor facilities

• Pickup from Airport / Railway Station and drop back

Thanks to the ancestors, who invented this exclusive method of treatment which can thoroughly uproot all diseases from the human body. Ayurveda has the answer to almost every ailment known to man. It not only cares for the affected part but for the entire body. Purely natural, its regimens are absolutely free of side – effects. Perfected over centuries of hard work, they are ageless. Ayurveda has remedies even for those ailments that defy time and modern understanding.

We guarantee you that Indus Holidays will provide you with the best Ayurvedic packages, so again when you think of Ayurvedic treatment, you will think of Indus Holidays!!!

]]> http://www.indusholidays.in/2010/05/indus-ayurveda-health-packages/feed/ 0 http://www.indusholidays.in/2010/05/kerala-cuisine/ http://www.indusholidays.in/2010/05/kerala-cuisine/#comments Fri, 21 May 2010 10:34:23 +0000 admin http://www.indusholidays.in/?p=3278 Tongue-tickling culinary delights

The cuisine of Kerala is linked in all its richness to the history, geography, demography and culture of the land. Kerala’s Hindus are vegetarian by religion and because Kerala has a large population of Muslims and Christians that are predominantly non – vegetarian, Kerala cuisine has a multitude of both vegetarian and delicacies prepared using meat, fish and prawns.

In recent times, influence from other parts of India is more visible, but the dishes are mostly those that have a unique Kerala character through adaptation. Coconuts grow in profusion in Kerala, and consequently grated coconut and coconut milk are widely used in dishes and curries as a thickener and flavouring ingredient. Kerala’s long coastline, numerous rivers and backwater networks and strong fishing industry have contributed in much sea food dishes like fish, prawns, crab, conch etc. Rice, along with tapioca (cassava), is the main ingredient used in many Kerala food assortments. Having been a big exporter of aromatic spices for thousands of years, it is not surprising that black pepper, cardamom, cloves, ginger and cinnamon play a big part in Kerala’s dishes. These spices lend the subtlety which becomes the hallmark of the cuisine.

Tamarind is another ingredient used in many preparations, especially in fish curries and in the vegetarian sambar and thiyal (Kerala curries).

Kerala   is the  homeland  of many  legendry festivals in the world.     These grand festivals    and   feasts transcend regional and religious profiles. The main aspect that stands out through different ceremonies and rituals is the thread of harmony and oneness.    Traditional practices are sill followed with the same spirit to maintain the culture of the state.

As the symbol of unity, all the festivals of India are celebrated with much pomp and  pageantry  but besides these festivals, Kerala has some extraordinary local traditional festivals which will truly entice you with its uniqueness   and    colourfulness.    The    festival    season    begins in the month   of   August – September, locally known as ‘Chingam Masam’.

From    August   onwards     ‘God’s Own Country’ witnesses an astounding fusion of festivities that are matchless in their    grandeur and    unrivalled in their splendour. Here, each festival is a legend in itself. Behind all festivals, there are some mysterious myths or stories that capture the spiritual awareness of the natives and eventually became festive celebrations.

The festival has a deep relation with the geographical conditions of Kerala. As we know that ‘Chingam Masam’   is    the month  of harvesting, we enjoy the happiness of this season by celebrating the  Onam festival, which is regarded   as    Malayali’s Own Festival.     From    the lush     paddy fields,     serene  backwaters, gushing rivers, sprawling coconut grooves, bucolic villages to the intricately built edifices of illustrious temples, Kerala is the right background for elaborate festivals that attracts not only thousands but billions of travellers from India as well as abroad. This season, plan a visit to Kerala and enjoy tension free festival holidays!!!

Thenmala    decodes into a lyrical sounding of ‘Honey Hills’, as “Then” means honey and “Mala”  means hillock. The honey collected from Thenmala forest region is of rich quality and of high medicinal value because    of    the   unique floristic composition   of the forests.    Thenmala,   a    region   placed  72 kms from Trivandrum, is a small village on the eastern side of Quilon (Kollam) district was being promoted as first planned ecotourism destination in India.    The    Department of Tourism in the Government  of India, has taken steps to give focused attention to ecotourism in the State.     As   a  result, a project for the first   planned    ecotourism    destination     (Thenmala Ecotourism Project)    has been  formulated.
The    mantra    of   the   Thenmala   Ecotourism    Promotion    Society (TEPS)    is  to   understand    and   appreciate     the       environment     without    causing      any    disturbance    to     the    balance   of  the    eco – system. Various zones have been    created by    TEPS so that tourists are spreaded over an area and the environment is not burdened.  “Thenmala Ecotourism” has been  conceived as a first   planned ecotourism destination in India and the initial stages of implementation is completed.
Attractions

Culture Zone

The    main   highlight    of    the   cultural  zone is the Musical Fountain. It is a synchronized   open – air rhythmic ballet of water,    sound and light.  The musical fountain literally dances to   grooving   songs. Minimum 20 audiences are required for a show.

There   is    an    Amphi – theatre for folk art and other cultural performances. The women of this region have shopping stalls selling forest products, handicraft items and much more.

Leisure Zone

The leisure zone includes the area of the canal downstream between Kallada dam and the bridge. It has a huge pathway, sway bridge and garden with beautiful sculptures.    Take a leisure walk on the pathway along the river front and relish the charm of Thenmala hills. A forest hike leads to the sculpture garden which has magnumopous statues. There are also deep woods for soft   trekking and biking programmes which extends from two to four hours.

Nakshatravanam (Star Trees)

There  is a nursery of trees that is considered sacred to the   27 constellations,    located   inside one   of the zones. This is an innovative way of caring for the environment. Visitors can take back   a  sapling  of the tree relevant to their birth star. This project is based on the ancient   belief   that it is  auspicious for one to    plant   a    tree corresponding to   one’s asterism .    Once you buy the sapling of your lucky tree, pictures of the tree at different stages of its growth will be sent to you. There is even a software the will help you to find your group of stars and the corresponding tree.   

Deer Rehabilitation Centre

Here, we can see sambar, spotted and barking deer. These animals are fed and restored in a fenced area. There is also children’s eco – park with swings and treetop huts.    You  can also walk along the banks of the Kallada River by the side of the enclosure. 

Rock shelter

This is    a   cave that was inhabited during the    pre  -  historic age. This cave has rock engraved designs similar to Edakkal cave dating back to the Mesolithic age.    Microliths,   small stone tools made of milky white quartz, can also be seen in the ground around the shelter.

Spiritual Tour

There   is an   eco-tourism trip for religious people, connecting the Ayappa  temples in the region.    You can see Lord Ayappa in three different incarnations in three different temples.   These   three shrines of Lord Ayappa are seen in temples of Kulathupuzha, Aryankavu and Achankovil,    which  falls withi n the project area. The temple of Aryankavu depicts Lord Ayappa as a bachelor.    In the  Achankovil temple, you can see Lord Ayappa as Dharmasastha with his consorts, Poorna and Pushakala. Though originally constructed by the Raja of Pandalam, the present day structure of Sree Dharmasastha was made by the Raja of    Kottarakkara.          A   unique    feature of this   temple is    the    feeding   of   fish.    The   Vishnu   Mahotsavam, celebrated in the month April – May, is the most important festival.

Adventure zone

If you   are adventurous, the adventure zone presents a multitude   of   activities    like     trekking,   bird watching, mountain biking and rock climbing. An elevated walkway; a wooden stairway at  120 metres above sea level, climbs tree- canopy level to the Thiruvananthapuram – Chenkotta Road. There is also a Lotus Pond that showcases different forms of aquatic plants. Arm yourself with a   pair of   binoculars and you can see a host of birds. At the end of the pathway, there is a sheer rock face for   climbing  and rappelling. Ropes are tied at great heights across the river for    audacious river activities.    This    zone tests your physical prowess. 

Boating in the reservoir

Take   a   battery powered   vehicle   ride from   the   facilitation centre.   It   you opt for early   morning   or   late evening boat ride, you will see herds of elephants ambling along the wooded waterfront.
Way to Thenmala

Location: Situated in Kollam district, it is adjacent to the Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary.

Road: Thenmala is at equal distance form both the cities, Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam. It takes two – hour drive to reach this wonderland. There are regular buses from Kollam, Kottarakkara and Punalur.

Rail: Thenmala has a metre gauge. The nearest gauge station is Kollam, which is about 66 kms away.
 
Air: The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, at 80 kms distance.

You   can   see   herds of elephants   ambling up and down the hill slopes, frolicking in water  and  coming down to the shore for a drink. Herds of gaur, sambar and wild boar can often be spotted in the   distance gazing in the grasslands. The Periyar Valley, a great place for animal lovers, bird watchers and trekkers, is also a holiday option for families.

The    unique    aspect that makes the growth   of  Periyar Tiger Reserve successful is the initiative taken   by the government to involve the natives of the region in the project. The local villagers,   ex- pilferers and groups of women living on the fringes of the forest protect and preserve the forest. Till today, they have been successful in their efforts.

Most    of    the   eco tourism   programmes of the forest department are geared towards protection and conservation. Ex- pilferers have become guides and protectors.    A women’s group called ‘Vasantha Sena’, make voluntary patrols into the forests. They contribute to forest protection by reporting   the day-to-day happenings and  registering with the authorities any sign   of   encroachment or   poaching. When the India Eco Development Project came to an end in 2004, a charitable society   comprising of officials and citizens formed the Periyar Foundation in 2005.

The evergreen grasslands with deep woods are enormously found in this area.    Here we have the  rare Podocarpus Wallichiana plant, which is known as South Indian conifer.   There is a horde   of   activities developed for adventurous trekkers and ecologists.

A walk to see the Adorable Nature

 A   walk    towards the nature or guided day trekking through the best trails in the area is a  memorable experience.    You     will be escorted by   trained guides cum trackers who provide us with information about the forest. The tramp crosses many  deciduous and evergreen forests which are infused with the soggy land. This activity allows us to be very near to Mother Nature. It is a three hour trekking.

Trail to Periyar Tiger Reserve

This   activity  has trudging and camping where poachers act as guides because they are   quiet  familiar with the corners of the forests. Apart from assisting trekkers to the camp and cooking food,   they   also enlighten us about the biota of the Reserve. There are minimum camping facilities, so the trekkers   are expected to bring their travel kits.   The    most  attractive feature of this programme is the  prohibition  and apprehension of the illegal activities in the forests. 

bamboo groves, thatched seminar hall, Bamboo Rafting, Night Camping, forest cottage, farming, bullock carts, Jungle Inspection, Kumily
 
 

Bamboo Grove

You will be exposed to typical tribal hovels which are built in bamboo groves. The forest department conducts various activities for nature – lovers.     There   is   a    thatched   seminar hall where different programmes are coordinated.

Bamboo Rafting

This plan is conducted from morning till evening. It consists of trekking and rafting through some of the copious forest belts of Periyar Tiger Reserve. It is two hours trekking and one and half hours   of rafting. During this programme, we get a real picture of the dense forest and a great chance to spot big animals.

Night Camping

Visitors who visit to the camp can stay in the forest cottage at Kokkara. You can watch the surroundings coming alive with twitter of the birds.

Old Disclosures
You have the opportunity to visit various farmlands in Periyar, where you get information regarding the old methods of farming like using of bullock carts for ploughing.

Jungle Inspection

Travellers also get a chance to help the forest department in preserving these animals, birds and precious forest.
Way to Periyar

Location: Situated on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, Periyar Tiger Reserve is about 4 km from Kumily town.   Timing: 6 am to 6 pm

Road: Fortunately, Thekkady can be easily approached by road. Thekkady is just 5 km from Kumily on NH 220. Kumily’s Bus Terminal has regular buses to all the major cities in Kerala. Thekkady is on SH 19, connecting Munnar to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Rail: The nearest railway station is the Kottayam Railway Station, which is 114 kms away.

Air: The nearest airport is the Madurai Airport (145 kms), then it is the Cochin International Airport (190kms) at last it is the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (275 kms).

Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary in Nelliyampathy claims of the first ever scientifically managed teak plantation   and    the famous Kannimara teak tree,   which is the world’s tallest and oldest teak tree. Apart from the surprising  array   of    flora and    fauna,   this sanctuary offers challenging hill ranges for trekking and vast lakes for boating.    Parambikulam   is a great birding  retreat too and was known to be the favourite haunt of the legendry ornithologist, Salim Ali.
Parambikulam   is   a   hiker’s cloud nine. With its diversity of habitats spread   all  across the  sanctuary, Parambikulam offers an infinite range of hiking combinations like Soft trekking,   Medium  trekking and Tough trekking. These are differentiated on the basis of their length, duration and   difficulty  of terrain. Trekkers are escorted by trekking guides who will brief them about the flora and fauna.

Consorted Hiking Activities

Soft Trekking
Elephant Song Trail: – It is 6 kms trekking and the trekking starts from Anappady – Karian Shola and back to Anappady.

Peacock Trail: – It is 6 kms trekking and the hiking starts from Anappady – 4000 point – Seechali Vayal – Thunacadavu.

Flying Hooves: – Trekking length is 8 kms from Parambikulam dam site – Kothala – crossing Parambikulam River – tramway line and then back to Parambikulam.

Kannimara Trail: – Trekking length is 8 kms from Thunacadavu – teak plantations – Kannimara vayal – Kannimara teak – Thunacadavu.

 Medium Trekking
Tarantula Trail: – It is 10 kms trekking and the journey begins from Parambikulam – tunnel entry – evergreen forests – Vengoli viewpoint – rock point – Thunacadavu.
 
Bison Trail: – Trekking length is 10 kms from Anapaddy depot – TP block 1 – Chettivara – Seechali – 4000 point and then back to Anappady.

Dr. Salim Ali Trail: – it is 12 kms trail from Parambikulam dam site – tramway – Kuriakutty, back to Parambikulam.
Tough Trekking
Sundew Trail: – it is 12 kms trail from Parambikulam – Earth Dam – Teak plantations – bamboo break – evergreen forests – grassland – Karimala Peak – Kalyanathee – Parambikulam.

Amphibious Trail: – Its 20 kms hike which begins from Parambikulam – Tunnel entry – waterfall – Alamaram – Velayudhankai – return back to Parambikulam through Bamboo raft.

Hornbill Trail: – the length of the trail is 20 kms which starts from Anappady – Karian Shola – grassland – Pandaravaramalai Peak – return back to Anappady through inter state boundary.
Adventure Trekking

Needle Peak Trail: – Trekking length is 20 kms from Keerappady – Valley – Naikarkadu – Kuchimudi peak – back to Keerappady.
Rocky Ridge Trail - Trekking length is 25 kms from Parambikulam coupe road – Vengoli peak – Rocky Ridge – inter state boundary – TP block 1 – Anapaddy.

Way to Parambikulam

Location: Parambikulam Sanctuary is located in Chittur Taluk of Palakkad district.

Road:  It is 39 kms from Pollachi and 98 kms from Palakkad and 102 kms from Kochi.

Rail:    The nearest railway station is at Palakkad Railway Station.

Air:      The nearest airport is Coimbatore International Airport.

Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary has a rugged terrain interspersed with gushing brooks, gentle slopes and meadows. The Neyyar River originates from the Agasthya Peak, which is enclosed by an irrigation dam called Neyyar Dam. The Agasthya mountain range supports a wide variety of plant   species;   including some valuable medicinal plants and the diversity of its flora along with a variety of forest types make it an ideal gene pool reserve. The divergent forests range from tropical evergreens, mixed deciduous and southern hill forests to sub – tropical savannahs and reed breaks.
The    courageous    and    fascinating     activities    arranged   here     are boating, trekking and Crocodile  watching.     There is a Crocodile Protection  Centre where crocodiles  are looked after.       A medicinal garden near the Crocodile Protection Centre has 180 varieties of   plants.    The Boat    Club coordinates boat rides that would take visitors at least from 2-6 islands which are   easily  traversable.    En voyage, from here you can spot pachyderms,   sambar and  the    surmounting   Agasthya    Mountains.  The most audacious and trilling experience is the safari at the Lion Park.    The    bird  watchers can have an exciting vista of    innumerable  birds. You can hike towards the lofty    Agasthya Peak with the prior permission from the Forest Department. 
Way to Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Location:       This    sanctuary    is   located 30 kms east of Thiruvananthapuram through Kattakakda.

Road: Neyyar Sanctuary 21 kms east of  Thiruvananthapuram city and it is well connected with cities.

Air: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is the nearest airport which is 38 kms away.

Rail: Thiruvananthapuram Railway Station is the nearest station to Neyyar which is 30 kms away.

Drastically    different from modern    cities is   the town of   Konni, which lies at a dozen kilometres from Pathanamthitta   district.     It is also    the main    entry point to the    dense forest bordering the district. Earlier,    wild    elephants    caught    from    the    forests   were brought   here   and put into a cage known as ‘Aanakoodu’ and they were trained and tamed for work. Due to the prevalence of pachyderms, many houses    in    this   region    were    previously built on raised wooden  stilts that have now been replaced by concrete beams.

Konni is blessed with a popular centre for elephant training. Elephant training dates back to early years when the Maharaja of Travancore reigned here. But today this practice of taming catches  the attention of tourists who are very fond of these gentle giants who can be incredibly sociable.

Konni is mainly an agricultural terrain which is rich in cash crops and also very established for its royal elephant ride and Aanakoodu. This elephant training centre is a haven for the elephant enthusiast. Built in1941, it is one of the oldest elephant training centres in India. It is very interesting to    watch the way these elephants behave here. In comparatively confined spaces    and  relatively new    kinships   among other elephants, these mighty heroes also learn how to interact with human beings.

You    can    also    see    baby    elephants  that are fed, bathed and trained. They are the star attraction of this place.       By   seeing them   playing and enjoying, every traveller becomes an admirer of this buddy chap.

Ecotourism in Konni

Here, we have an Elephant Museum which is a historical museum specifically based on   elephants.   The Elephant Camp acts as a bull’s-eye for ecotourism   activities.    Various locations nearby   has  also been developed as camp sites, which is approachable only through hiking. There are many trekking activities which takes place here.  Audacious trekkers who go for trekking    are assisted by   trained   guides.    The eco –     tourism    provides a half    –    day trek to the    forests    like    Kurichi,    Chayarpandy  and  many more. Peruvally region near the Kallar River is an enchanting place for relaxation.

There   is    also    a   one   day hike to points like Kattathi, Kottampara and Aluvamkudy.      Then we have refreshing programmes for you, which are    deep inside   the   forest of     Manalar   -Kumbhavurutty    at Achankovil that can be reached by two days of trekking.

 Way to Konni

Location: This wonderful forest region is located in Pathanamthitta District.

Road:       It is about 10 kms distance from Pathanamthitta.

Rail:         The nearest railway station is Chengannur Railway Station, which is about 35 km away.

Air:           Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is 110 km away and Cochin International Airport is 165 km away from Pathanamthitta.