VOYAGE THROUGH KERALA - HOUSE BOAT

Kumaar Holidays

No.42, Majestic Colony Main Road,

Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087.

Cell: 78109 86933 / 78108 96933 / 93810 61000

E-mail: kumaarholidays1@gmail.com

Website: www.kumaarholidays.com

Have you ever gone cruising in a houseboat on the backwaters of Kerala? If you haven't, make sure you do. This one is really a wonderful and unforgettable experience!

Present day houseboats are huge, slow moving exotic barges used for leisure trips, and are in fact reworked version of kettuvallams of olden times. The original kettuvallams were used to carry tons of rice and spices. A standard kettuvallam can hold up to 30 tons from Kuttanad to the Kochi port.

The kettuvallam is held together with coir knots. Not even a single nail is used during the construction of the boat.. The boat is made of planks of jack-wood joined together with coir. This is then coated with a caustic black resin made from boiled cashew kernels. With careful maintenance, a kettuvallam can last for generations.

A portion of the kettuvallam was covered with bamboo and coir to serve as a restroom and kitchen for the crew. Meals would be cooked onboard and supplemented with freshly cooked fish from the backwaters.

When the modern trucks replaced this system of transport, some one found a new way that would keep these boats, almost all of which were more than 100 years old, in the market. By constructing special rooms to accommodate travelers, these boats cruised forward from near-extinction to enjoy their present great popularity.

Now these are a familiar sight on the backwaters and in Alappuzha alone, there are as many as 500 houseboats.

While converting kettuvallams into houseboats, care is taken to use only natural products. Bamboo mats, sticks and wood of the areca nut tree are used for roofing, coir mats and wooden planks for the flooring and wood of coconut trees and coir for beds. For lighting though, solar panels are used.

Today, the houseboats have all the creature comforts of a good hotel including furnished bedrooms, modern toilets, cozy living rooms, a kitchen and even a balcony for angling. Parts of the curved roof of wood or plaited palm open out to provide shade and allow uninterrupted views. While most boats are poled by local oarsmen, some are powered by a 40 HP engine. Boat-trains - formed by joining two or more houseboats together are also used by large groups of sightseers.

What is truly magical about a houseboat ride is the breathtaking view of the untouched and otherwise inaccessible rural Kerala that it offers, while you float! Now, wouldn't that be something?

KEEP CALM AND LISTEN TO THE BACKWATERS

Kumaar Holidays

No.42, Majestic Colony Main Road,

Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087.

Cell: 78109 86933 / 78108 96933 / 93810 61000

E-mail: kumaarholidays1@gmail.com

Website: www.kumaarholidays.com

LOCKHART GAP - MUNNAR

KUMAAR HOLIDAYS

No.42, Majestic Colony Main Road,

Valasaravakkam, Chennai-87

Cell: 78109 86933 / 78108 96933 / 93810 61000

E-mail: kumaarholidays1@gmail.com

Website: www.kumaarholidays.com

Exploring the hills of Munnar is marvelous. Numerous trekking trails, from short ones to long ones, are an attractive feature of the hill station. Lockhart Gap is one such point in Munnar known for its winding trails leading to scenic heights. Don’t miss a trek at the Lockhart Gap during your Munnar visit.  

The hilltops here offer some amazing sights of valleys and plantations. And the sights would be much prettier during evenings when the whole surroundings get illuminated in the orange glow. 

Lockhart Gap is about 13 km away from Munnar. 

Lockhart gap is an ideal spot for adventurous tourism and trekking. Located 13 km away from Munnar the mist clad hills and the lush greenery makes this place very attractive. The panoramic view of this place makes it a worth to visit.

 Welcome to the different world

KUMAAR HOLIDAYS

No.42, Majestic Colony Main Road,

Valasaravakkam, Chennai-87

Cell: 78109 86933 / 78108 96933 / 93810 61000

E-mail: kumaarholidays1@gmail.com

Website: www.kumaarholidays.com

LOVELY LAKES OF MUNNAR

KUMAAR HOLIDAYS

No. 42, Chowdary Nagar Main Road,

Valasaravakkam, Chennai-87

Cell: 78109 86933 / 78108 96933 / 93810 61000

E-mail: kumaarholidays1@gmail.com

Website: www.kumaarholidays.com

ELEPHANT LAKE

Ayamkulam Lake or Elephant Lake or Elephant Arrival Lake or Anayirangal is a place frequented by tourists visiting Munnar. Elephant Lake or Anayirangal is an idyllic picnic location which has a dam and a reservoir.

Elephant Lake or Anayirangal is located nearby Tata Tea Plantations in Munnar, at a distance of about 22 km from Munnar.

The Elephant Lake is a picturesque location surrounded by tea plantations, evergreen forests, rolling grasslands and hillocks. Tourists interested in photography can capture the panoramic view of the calm waters of the reservoir with the backdrop of dense Tata tea estates and clouds.

The Elephant Lake or Anayirangal is named so since herds of wild elephants arrive here from the dense forests of Munnar to drink water. It is very common to spot a herd of elephants by the waters of Elephant Lake. Tourists maintain a safe distance from the elephants as it is very dangerous to disturb.  Located close to the tea plantations, the Elephant Lake was named so, due to the number of elephants that came here to drink water. Even today, set amidst picturesque landscape, the beautiful lake is perfect to go boating and enjoy a day of fishing.

KUNDALA LAKE

Kundala is an idyllic place in Munnar located on the way to Top Station or Top Slip.  Surrounded by rolling hills and valleys of dense forests, Kundala is known for the Kundala Arch Dam or Sethuparvati Dam and Kundala Lake.  

Kundala is situated about 27 km from the town of Munnar at an altitude of 1700 m above sea level. Tourists often go to the top of Kundala Dam to have a panoramic view of the catchment area of the Dam. Kundala Dam, which was built in 1946 for Pallivasal Hydro Electric Project, is considered as Asia’s first Arch Dam.

Tourists visiting Kundala Lake often go for a ride in Kashmiri – Shikara boats. Pedal boats are also available at Kundala Lake.

The Golf Course ground and Kundala Tea Plantations are also in the vicinity of Kundala Dam and Lake.

Make your heart like a lake

With Calm, still surface, 

and great depths of kindness

KUMAAR HOLIDAYS

No. 42, Chowdary Nagar Main Road,

Valasaravakkam, Chennai-87

Cell: 78109 86933 / 78108 96933 / 93810 61000

E-mail: kumaarholidays1@gmail.com

Website: www.kumaarholidays.com

PLEASING PEERMEDU, KERALA

Kumaar Holidays

No. 42, Chowdary Nagar Main Road,

Valasaravakkam, Chennai-878

Cell: 78109 89699 / 78108 96933 /93810 61000

E-mail: kumaarholidays1@gmail.com

Website: www.kumarholidays.com 

Peermedu is a lovely hill station located about 40 km from Kumily, Idukki district in Central Kerala, at an altitude of 915 m above sea level. It is an ideal retreat in the Western Ghats and a choice break for tourists en route to the Periyar Tiger Reserve. This famous plantation town, takes its name from Peer Mohammed, a Sufi saint and close associate of the erstwhile royal family of Travancore.  

Wide vistas of tea, cardamom, rubber and coffee plantations interspersed with silver cascades, sculptural rocks, meadows and mist-cloaked hilltops make Peermedu an unforgettable experience. The summer palace of Rajas of erstwhile Travancore is today an important monument here.The summer residence, now converted into a government guest house under the Department of Tourism, offers comfortable accommodation.

Peermede and its surroundings are suitable for trekking, cycling and horse riding. Kuttikanam a place for adventure tourism and trekking is just 3 km from Peermede. Another attraction here is Thrissanku Hills, about 4 km away. The rolling hills, the lovely landscape and the gentle breeze make this a choice spot for long walks. The hills offer a breathtaking view of the sunrise and sunset.

 

HAPPINESS COMES IN MANY FORMS ...

IT'S OK TO LET YOURSELF BE HAPPY

Kumaar Holidays

No. 42, Chowdary Nagar Main Road,

Valasaravakkam, Chennai-878

Cell: 78109 89699 / 78108 96933 /93810 61000

E-mail: kumaarholidays1@gmail.com

Website: www.kumarholidays.com 

ERAVIKULAM NATIONAL PARK - MUNNAR

KUMAAR HOLIDAYS

NO. 42, Chowdary Nagar Main Road,

Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087

Cell: 78109 86933 / 78108 96933 / 93810 61000

E-mail: kumaarholidays1@gmail.com

Website: www.kumaarholidays.com

Eravikulam National Park is a 97 km² national park located along the Western Ghats in the Idukki district of Kerala in India, between 10º05'N - 10º20'N latitude and 77º0'E - 77º10'E longitude. See:map

Eravikulam National Park is administered by the Kerala Department of Forests and Wildlife, Munnar Wildlife Division.

Geography:

The main body of the park consists of a high rolling hill plateau with a base elevation of about 2,000 m. The terrain consists of high altitude grasslands interspersed with sholas. Anamudi (2695 m, the highest peak in India south of the Himalayas is inside this park. Many perennial streams criss-cross the park. They merge to form tributaries of the Periyar river and Chalakudiyar River on the west and the east flowing Cauvery River in Tamil Nadu. See: Lakkom Water falls is in this region.

Flora

Three major types of plant communities are found in the Park - grasslands, shrublands and forests. The terrain above 2000m is covered primarily by grasslands. However, there are numerous small patches of forests in hollows and gullies in these areas. The deeper valleys are extensively forested. Shrublands predominate along the bases of the cliffs and interspersed in rocky slab areas. The antibacterial Eupatorium glandulosum is found here.

Fauna:

Twenty six species of mammals have been recorded in the park including the largest surviving population of Nilgiri Tahr, estimated at about 750 in number. The other ungulates are Gaur, Indian Muntjac and Sambar Deer. Golden Jackal, Jungle Cat, Wild dog, Dhole, leopard and tiger are the main predators. Some little known animals such as Nilgiri langur, Stripe-necked Mongoose, Indian Porcupine, Nilgiri Marten, small clawed otter, Ruddy Mongoose, and Dusky palm squirrel are also found. Elephants make seasonal visits.

132 species of birds have been recorded which include endemics like Black-and-orange Flycatcher, Nilgiri Pipit, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, White Bellied Shortwing, Nilgiri Verditer Flycatcher and Kerala Laughingthrush.

Endemic butterflies confined to the shola-grass land ecosystem like the Red Disk Bushbrown and Palni Four wing are among the 101 species in the park.

19 species of amphibians have been recorded in the park.

New species of frog found

A new bright reddish-orange-coloured frog with multiple glands and extremely short limbs has been discovered in the Eravikulam National Park. The newly discovered species is restricted to less than three km² on the peak of Anamudi and deserves immediate conservation priority, scientists S.D. Biju of Delhi University and Franky Bossuyt of the Free University of Brussels said in Current Science. The frog has been assigned the name Raorchestes resplendens. This frog, as compared to all other members of the genus, has multiple prominent glandular swellings: laterally behind the eyes, on the side of the dorsum, on the anterior side of the vent, on the dorsal side of the forearms and shanks, and on the posterior side of tarsus and metatarsus. Additional distinguishing characteristics include the colour of the iris (which is bright red), and extremely short leg

Visitor Information

Trekking route in Eravikulam National Park:

Private vehicles are not allowed within the park. You can park your vehicle in the parking area by paying a nominal fee and enter the buses. Six mini-buses are operated by park staff as part of the visitor-management programme as well as a pollution-control measure.

In peak season, there are long queues for getting the buses in Eravikulam national Park. So you should reach at least before 830 AM for a comfortable journey to the park. Tickets are issued till 430 PM. INR 65 is charged per head as an entry fee for Indian nationals. Foreign nationals are charged INR 245 per head. Of this amount, INR 75 goes towards the mini-bus. The remaining amount helps the park infrastructure.

The mini-bus takes you on a 30 min. ride up the hills along a scenic view. The bus ride ends at a small photo gallery, a store and has passenger conveniences. From there, visitors are encouraged to take a short trek of around 1.3 km (25-30 min.) to a vantage point. The trek has splendid views of the nearby hills and lets you observe the steep face of the mountain. Once you are back from the trek, return buses take you down the hill to the park entrance.

Littering is banned inside the park. A well formed security wing is working to protect the park day and night. The park is accessible from Kochi (Kerala) and Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) airports, which are located at about 148 km and 175 km respectively. Munnar is the nearest town (13 km), well connected by roads from Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The nearest railway station is Aluva in Kerala (120 km from Munnar) and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu (165 km.)

NATURE

Just Ahead 

KUMAAR HOLIDAYS

NO. 42, Chowdary Nagar Main Road,

Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087

Cell: 78109 86933 / 78108 96933 / 93810 61000

E-mail: kumaarholidays1@gmail.com

Website: www.kumaarholidays.com

 

CLINT MEMORIAL INTERNATIONAL PAINTING COMPETITION BY DEPARTMENT OF KERALA TOURISM

Clint Painting competition

Submit your painting 

on or before  31st May, 2014

KUMAAR HOLIDAYS

No. 42, Chowdary Nagar Main Road,

Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087

Cell: 78109 86933 / 78108 96933 / 93810 61000

E-mail: kumaarholidays1@gmail.com

 Website: www.kumaarholidays.com

Edmund Thomas Clint was the only son of M.T. Joseph and Chinnamma Joseph of Kochi, Kerala. Despite suffering from a serious kidney condition from the age of two, he completed more than 25,000 pictures in the short 2522 days that he lived.

Clint used every medium: chalk, crayons, oil paints, and water colours to create drawings and paintings that depicted the world as he saw it. His body of work shook art admirers and critics who were astounded by his maturity and convinced of his artistic genius. 

Clint passed away a month short of his seventh birthday leaving behind a treasure trove of art work. He had the unique ability to understand how people felt, and drew inspiration from these powerful emotions. Despite his young age, Clint created art that depicted intense themes like death, solitude, and love. In addition to being an artist, Clint was also a voracious reader. He was drawn to the drama of epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana and was keen on listening to adventure stories like Robinson Crusoe. His mind grasped every detail described in these stories and then expressed them as a colorful canvas. 

Clint's father was an ardent fan of the Hollywood actor, Clint Eastwood, and gave his son the actor's name. After Clint passed away, Sivakumar, renowned documentary film maker from India, made a documentary on the young artist's life and work. The film was shown at international film festivals and Clint Eastwood saw the documentary in Brazil. The actor was so touched by the story of Clint that he sent a message of condolence to Clint's parents and expressed sorrow at the child's untimely demise. 

 Win a trip to beautiful Kerala from any part of the world!

We invite you to participate in the Clint Memorial International Children's Painting Competition for children between the ages of 4-15 years. The competition is open world-wide, and is organized by Kerala Tourism in memory of the child prodigy, Edmund Thomas Clint, whose memorable works are displayed in the gallery.

Many exciting prizes are available for winning entries. And grownups, don’t be disappointed, there’s something on offer for you as well. For promoting this competition, or for serving as a volunteer, you have a chance to win travel trips and other fun prizes.

 

Talent hits a target

no one else can hit;

Genius hits a target

no one else can see. 

 

KUMAAR HOLIDAYS

No. 42, Chowdary Nagar Main Road,

Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087

Cell: 78109 86933 / 78108 96933 / 93810 61000

E-mail: kumaarholidays1@gmail.com

 Website: www.kumaarholidays.com

MEENULI or MEENULUYANPARA

KUMAAR HOLIDAYS

No. 42, Chowdary Nagar Main Road,

Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087

Cell: 78109 86933  / 78108 96933 / 93810 61000

E-mail: kumaarholidays1@gmail.com

www.kumaarholidays.com

 

Meenuli is the one of the nature filled place in Munnar district .Meenuli is also called as Meenuluyanpara. It is mainly prominent for massive rocks that covers an area of about 500 acres and 2 acres of land is covered with evergreen forest. It is the lovable place for the adventure lovers. It is an ideal place for trekking and mountaineering. You can also take walk from Pattekkudi located in Vannappuram Panchayat which gives a thrilling and excitement experience. From the top of this rock you will be able to view the beauty of Bhoothathankettu, Lower Periyar Area, harbour of Cochin, some part of the Thrissur district and even some places in Ernakulam

 Meenuli is a popular travel spot lying within the proximity of Munnar hill station. It is a much sought-after destination for trekking and mountaineering. Nature has manifested itself through wondrous forms in this location. The fame of Meenuli rests on two major attractions within: a huge rock and an evergreen forest.

  

In Meenuli an extraordinarily huge rock is spread over more than 500 acres. One can get glimpses of Lower Periyar and Bhoothathankettu from this massive rock but that is not the end to it: on the top of the rock is an evergreen forest in two acres. The green stretch of forest on the rock attests to nature’s craftsmanship.

Meenuli caters to the adventure spirits of those who love Trekking and rock climbing. This place is a not-to-miss destination for those who are into mountaineering. It is advisable that travelers store enough food and water in their backpacks.

 

There is no Wi-fi in the forest

but I promise, 

you will find a better connection

KUMAAR HOLIDAYS

No. 42, Chowdary Nagar Main Road,

Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087

Cell: 78109 86933  / 78108 96933 / 93810 61000

E-mail: kumaarholidays1@gmail.com

www.kumaarholidays.com