The Trip, rather fittingly, concludes its Honeymoon Special in God's Own Country. With loads of options, great food and a surreal-like atmosphere, Kerala promises you a breathtaking blend of mystique, natural wonders and rich culture

Escape to god's own country

A paradise for honeymooning couples, Kerala offers some of the best romantic destinations, to suit every whim. From quiet walks along Munnar's tea estates to Kovalam's secluded bay and the charming backwaters of Alappuzha and Kumarakom, Bindhu and Radhakrishnan Unny have spread out itineraries that will leave you spoilt for choice

Hills
Munnar
Tea tales and misty peaks

Munnar, nestled in the southern ranges of the Western Ghats gets its name from its unique location at the confluence of three streams, Kundala, Muthirapuzha and Nallathanni. This magnificent hill station in Kerala is a heaven for honeymooners. 'Mun' is derived from 'Moonnu', meaning three and 'Aar', which means river (in Malayalam). Enjoy the blue sky and rolling hills as you traverse its winding roads. Keep an eye for wildlife to spot, if you get lucky. Breathe in the nippy air enriched by the tea bushes as you walk through Munnar's sprawling tea plantations. Chat up with the many tea pickers who deftly pluck the fresh leaves and buds. Pose for a photograph with these hard-working women. Is there a better way to spend your first day at this charming hill station that retain memories of its colonial past?
Pleasantly cool during most of the year, chilly in the winter, and all-drenched in monsoons, Munnar has many attractions around it. You would need at least three days to cover this region. Head first to Mattupetty, famous for it storage masonry dam and beautiful lake. You can go on a pleasurable boat ride in the lake, while soaking the splendour of the hills and woods. The Shola forest around Mattupetty is also a good place for birding. Further north is the scenic vantage point, Top Station, the highest point on the Munnar-Kodaikanal road, offering a panoramic view of the neighbouring state Tamil Nadu. On the way back from Top Station, stop at the Echo Point, yell the name of your partner and you will hear the mountains repeat it.
Next up, try spotting the endangered Nilgiri tahr (ibis) that roams the undulating grasslands and climbs the peaks of Eravikulam National Park (5km from Munnar town). Or chase rare butterflies and watch birds who've made the park their home. This beautiful park is also a great place for trekking, if you like adventure. South India's highest peak, Anamudi (8,842ft above sea level), is located inside the park. With permission and guides from the forest authorities at Eravikulam, you can trek up to the peak, which is an easy trek through grasslands. Or else, enjoy the view from the ground level.
Another scenic spot is the waterfalls at Chinnakanal, popularly called the Power House Waterfalls. Here, water cascades down a steep rock 2,000m above sea level. The Anayirangal Dam with its reservoir is a little ahead of Chinnakanal. Surrounded by evergreen forests and tea estates, a trip to the reservoir is memorable. Once in a while, many places within Munnar get covered in a blue carpet of neelakurinji flowers. A plant endemic to this part of the Western Ghats, the neelakurinji blooms once in twelve years. If lucky, the flowering season of a bunch of such plants might coincide with your visit. Check with locals to guide you to these parts.
With its expanse of tea plantations, Munnar is proud of its rich legacy of tea. After drinking in the limitless natural beauty, take a look at the interesting aspects on the origin of tea plantations in Munnar, at its Tea Museum. This museum, located at the Nalalthanni Estate (owned by Tata Tea), has curios, photographs and machineriesu00a0-- eager to narrate their fascinating stories.
How to reach
Take a flight or train to Eranakulam (Kochi). Munnar is about 130km from Kochi
Where to stay
The Tall Trees Resort - Tariff: Rs 5,400-2,2500; Call: 04865 230641/ 230331
Forest Haven Resorts - Tariff Rs 2,400-4,000; Call: 04864 278401/ 278096
Spring Dale Resort - Tariff Rs 1,050-3,000; Call: 04865 264268/ 264388
Where to shop
Tata Tea sales outlet:- tea and dry fruits
Tata Tea's Shristi Welfare Centre: strawberry (seasonal) and spices
Where to eat
Rapsy Restaurant, Main Bazaar: Kerala porotta, non-veg dishes and biryani
Saravana Bhavan, MG Road: South Indian veg
Guru Bhavan, Tea County Road: South Indian snacks

Backwaters
Alappuzha
Charmed views from a houseboat

Tourists enjoying a joyride in a houseboat near Alappuzha.Pic/AFP Photo

With its combination of Arabian Sea on the west and a network of canals, lagoons, and rivers crisscrossing the town, Alappuzha pulls all stops to ensure that honeymooning couples relish a memorable time. In two to three days, you can explore these waterways and treat yourself to untouched natural beauty. Nicknamed The Venice of the East for its past trading activities and striking similarity to Venice's landscape, Alappuzha is world famous for its pulsating boat races, scenic backwater holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry.
If you are a beach lover, relax on the Alappuzha beach; you can walk past its shores, soak in the sea breeze or swim together in clear blue waters. You can also indulge in a variety of water sports, including surfing and parasailing or go for a spin on water-scooters and high-speed boats. A word of advice - explore Alappuzha town by road before sailing on its backwaters because after you experience the magic of its backwaters, you might not savour the townscape. You can opt for a leisurely cruise on the Punnamada Kayal (lake), along the canals covered with mauve-coloured water hyacinths.
You will be rewarded with awesome views of coconut palms bordering the canals and paddy fields in the middle of the lake. These below-sea-level fields are man-made islands reinforced with mud walls. You get to spot a variety of migratory birds at Kuttanad, known as the rice bowl of Kerala. Named QST & R Block Kayals, the latter is famous for the fresh toddy (local drink extracted from either a coconut tree or a palm tree flower). Take a sip and enjoy this unforgettable, somewhat heady experience. You might also want to try your hand at fishing here. You can choose one of the daily backwater trips, including the Kuttanad boat cruise, the village tour in a rowboat, the Alappuzha-Kollam-Alappuzha cruise, to see the nearby attractions and return to Alapuzzha town to relax in your sea-facing room by the beach.
Or take a luxury cruise that can extend from three to six days. If you have had enough of Alappuzha, check into a houseboat to Kumarakom on the banks of Vembanad Lake, which is another famous backwater destination.
How to reach
Take a flight to Kochi or Thiruvananthapuram. Alappuzha is about 85 km from Kochi and 150 km from Thiruvananthapuram. Or take a train to Ernakulam (Kochi) or Alappuzha
Where to stay
Marari Beach Resort - Tariff: Rs 7,400-13,000; Call: 0478 2863801/2863803
Kayaloram Heritage Lake Resort - Tariff: Rs 4,000-8,000; Call: 0477 2232040 / 2231572
Tharavad Heritage Resort - Tariff: Rs 1,000-2,500; Call: 0477 2244599 /09846144599
Where to shop
Many local shops sell coir products made in Alappuzha. Also look out for fresh herbs and locally available spices including Kerala's famous black pepper
Where to eat
Hassan's Family Restaurant, - Veg and non-veg fare
Halai's Fried Chicken- Chicken Biryani
Himalaya Bakery - Pastries, Savouries and Sweets

Kumarakom
Lake side luxury

An all-woman team celebrate after completing the famed snake boat
races along Kerala's backwaters, held every year during the festival of
Onam Pic/AFP Photo

Enchanting wilderness coupled with magnificent backwaters in Kumarakom makes for an idyllic setting for a laidback honeymoon. Formed by a cluster of islands in the Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is where you can actually listen to chirping birds while sipping on a charmed existence in a houseboat. Keep aside two days to savour the natural beauty of this place. Take a two-kilometre walk inside the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuaryu00a0-- a serene walk amid lush green forest listening to the cacophony of birds as they frolic in the waterbodies. Spot a few perched on treetops but a closer look isn't possible as the waterbodies lie in the middle of forest and are not accessible. For a better bird-watching experience, take a boat ride around the islands.
Birds including egrets, herons, waterfowls, darters, teals, waterfowls, and wild duck can be spotted here. Between November and February, these are joined by flocks of migratory birds, including the Siberian Stork.
Do not miss the houseboat cruise, canoeing and fishing at Kumarakom. These boats move on the tranquil Vembanad Lake and its network of canals. Houseboats may also stop in the middle of the lake, where you can opt for a safe swim with your partner.
Alternatively, stay in one of the many resorts on the lake's bank. Most resorts have cottages beside small canals. Don't miss a chance to dig into the delicious freshwater fish Karimeen (Pearl Spot fish, a specialty of Kumarakom) and tapioca or shrimps and prawns. For more of this kind of fun, head to Pathiramanal, a green piece of land in the middle of Vembanad Lake. Only accessible by boat, Pathiramanal is another avian paradise for local and migratory birds.
How to Reach
Take a flight to Kochi. Kumarakom is about 90km from Kochi. Or else take a train to Ernakulam (Kochi) or Kottayam. Kumarakom is just 16 km from Kottayam
Where to stay
Vivanta by Taj , Kumarakom - Tariff: Rs 14.500-38,000; Call: 0481 2525711-16 / 2524371
Waterscapes (KTDC) - Tariff: Rs 4,000-10,000; Call: 0481 2525861/ 2524258
Tharavadu Heritage Home - Tariff: Rs 750-2,200; Call: 0481 2525230 / 09447152447
Where to eat
Ettukettu, Kumarakom Lake Resort - Syrian Christian cuisine
Ashadom, Ashadom Holidays & Resorts - Veg and non-veg fare
Waterscapes, Waterscapes Resort - Veg and non-veg fare

Beach
Kovalam
For a dip into seaside seclusion

After your hectic wedding, unwinding by beautiful beaches of Kovalam can be the perfect soothing honeymoon. Even two days is sufficient to enjoy Kovalam to the fullest. Leisure options are aplenty at Kovalam beach, which consists of three adjacent crescent-shaped beachesu00a0-- each at walking distance from the next. Enjoy swimming and bathing in the beautiful bay of calm waters formed by a huge rocky promontory. If you want a bit of adventure try out several water sports on offer along its beaches, including kayaking, water skiing and surfing.u00a0To enjoy a peaceful sunrise or sunset, set out for a catamaran cruise in the Arabian Sea. You could request local fishermen for a lazy sailboat ride.
Sunbathing on the beach is a quick way to get tanned, but be generous with the sunscreen as the tanning action of the tropical sun is quite fast. Or else, relax under the shade of coconut palms bordering the beach or walk barefoot on the soft sands. Rejuvenate by enjoying a relaxed massage at one of the approved Ayurvedic health centres near the beach.
Sumptuous seafood is another attraction of Kovalam. Dig into fresh catch including lobsters and jumbo prawns. Of the three beaches in Kovalam, the Lighthouse Beach is the most popular. You can enjoy a good view of the lush surroundings from the Vizhinjam Lighthouse. At nightfall, the projected light from the lighthouse creates a romantic ambience on the shoreline.
Watching the sunset at its full splendour at the Hawa Beach or Eve's Beach shouldn't be missed. At Samudra beach, relax in the lap of nature and relish the tranquil and serene atmosphere. Make the most of your trip to Kovalam by visiting the nearby attractions, too. At the confluence of two rivers, Killiyar and Karamanayar, is Thiruvallam backwaters. You can explore this idyllic backwaters in a canoe or houseboat.
There's plenty of landscape to keep you engaged throughoutu00a0-- emerald paddy fields, flocks of water birds, water lilies and lotus flowers growing abundantly. During the cruise, sail around the beautiful Veli Lagoon. A narrow sandbar that separates the lagoon from the Arabian Sea is the Veli Tourist Village, with a waterfront park, floating bridge and water sports facility.
How to reach
Board a flight or train to Thiruvananthapuram. Kovalam is about 16km from the state capital.
Where to stay
The Leela Kempinski Kovalam Beach - Tariff: Rs 8,500-5,5000; Call: 0471 2480101 / 2481522
Samudra (KTDC) - Tariff: Rs 3,100-9,900; Call: 0471 2480089/2481412
Seaside Hotel Rockholm - Tariff: Rs 1,750-5,000; Call: 0471 2480306/2480406
Where to shop
Kovalam does not offer anything unique other than the showpieces made of seashells. Several shops and hawkers sell a variety of merchandise.
Where to eat
Seashore, Hawa Beach - seafood platter
Garzia: Lighthouse Beach - seafood and traditional southern Indian food
Suprabhatham: Lighthouse Beach - vegetarian fare
What to see
Hawa beach
Samudra beach
Thiruvallam Backwaters
Veli Lagoon