KOTTAYAM

Kottayam India's first city to achieve 100% literacy is a city in Kerala and the administrative capital of Kottayam district. Kottayam is situated in the basin of the Meenachil River and in the basin of the Vembanad backwaters, which are formed from several streams in the Western Ghats in Idukki district. It flows through Kottayam district and joins Vembanad lake. Kottayam is bordered by the lofty and mighty Western Ghats on the east and the Vembanad Lake and paddy fields of Kuttanad on the west.

 The city is an important trading center of spices and commercial crops, especially rubber. Most of India's natural rubber originates here.
 

How to Reach Kottayam?

By Air
The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport which is at a distance of 90 km to the north and can be reached by the Changanassery-Alappuzha road and also via Ettumanoor and Kumarakom.

By Train
Kottayam railway station is situated in the heart of the town and lies on the busy rail route between Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam served by several long distance trains connecting most major cities in the country.

By Road
Kottayam is well connected to other cities like Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha (Alleppey), Bangalore, Coimbatore by road.
 

By Boat

Frequent ferries (run by the Kerala State Water Transport Corporation) from Alappuzha (Alleppey) run throughout the day. Plying through the backwaters, it takes approximately two hours to reach Kottayam. This is the cheapest mode of travel in the state, though not the fastest.
 

Distances from Kottyam

Trivandurm - 150km         Wagamon - 64 km

Kumarakom - 13 km          Alleppey - 46 km

Sabrimala - 60 km            Kochi - 64 km

Ernakulam - 59 km            Thekkady - 108 km

Varkala - 120 km              Guruvayur - 150 km

Kovalam - 172 km             Coimbatore - 250 km

Mahe - 311 km                 Kollam - 106 km

Must See in and around Kottayam

Kumarakom - Kumarakom is a small village 14 km.west of Kottayam which gained national and iternational importance with the visit of then Prime Minister of India, Mr. Atal B. Vajpayee in December 2000. Kumarakom is a paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interepersed with enchanting water ways and canals adorned with white lillies....more

Vembanad lake - Kottayam has a vast network of rivers and canals which empty into the great expanse of water called the Vembanad Lake. Here you will find traditional cargo boats called Kettuvallams (Houseboats) with all basic facilities like kitchen, toilet, bathrooms, sit outs moving around the waters gracefully. For booking a Kumarakom houseboats www.kumarakomhouseboats.in
 

Ettumanoor - At a distance of 15 km from Kottayam lies this ancient Shiva temple. Wall paintings in the temple are thousands of years old. The temple is also famous for its seven and a half golden elephants, a sequence of seven large and one small statues of elephants.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary - Another attraction of Kumarakom is the Bird Sanctuary spreading over 14 acres of land. Located on the banks of  Vembanad lake, the sanctuary is a favorite haunt of migratory birds like the Siberian stork, egret, darter, heron and teal. Local birds like the water fowl, cuckoo, owl and water hen other common varieties like the wood pecker, sky lark, crane and parrots can also be spotted here. 91 Species of local and 50 species of migratory birds are found here. Best time to bird watch is June-August and migratory birds during November- February.

Elaveezhapoonchira - Elaveezhapoonchira is a hill station near Melukavu Mattom, 60 km from Kottayam. Located among three beautiful hillocks Mankunnu,Kudayathoormala and Thonippara, Poonchira is a beautiful place to see the sunrise and sunset.

Kurisumala - 3 Km from Vazhikkadavu is this renowned Christian pilgrim centre on top of a hill. On the eastern side of the hill is Murugan mala, home of a rock cut temple dedicated to Murugan ( son of Lord Siva).

Bharananganam - Bharananganam located on the banks of Meenachil river, 5 km east of Pala in Kottayam district is a important pilgrimage place. This small town is known as Lisieux of India after the birthplace of St. Theresa of Lisieux in France, The thousand year old St. Mary's Church here is one of the famous pilgrim center as it holds the mortal remains of Saint Alphonsa (1910–1946).Saint Alphonsa is the first person to be conferred sainthood from the Kerala Church.

Poonjar Palace - Poonjar Palace in Meenachil taluk was the Palace of Poonjar Royal family, one of major principalities of Travancore Kingdom. It was home of one of Kerala's famous prince, Prince G.V Raja now famous for its collection of antiques.
 

St. Mary's Church (Known as Cheria Palli -the Little Church) - This church belongs to the Malankara Orthodox Church was built in 1579 by the Raja of Thekkumkur for his Christian subjects. The interior murals, painted using vegetable dyes, depict Biblical themes.

Wagamon - Situated 64 kms. from Kottayam, this enchanting hill station at an elevation of 1100 meters above sea level is a trekkers paradise. This enchanting hill station on the Idukki -Kottayam border dotted with tea gardens and meadows. more
 

Rajasthan Holiday Packages

Royal Rajasthan (14 days)	Forts and Palaces tour (21 days)
Rajasthan with Golden triangle (16 days)	Rajasthan Cultural Tours (16 days)
Pushkar Fair Tours (19 days)	Rural Rajasthan Tour (12 days)