Kottayam District, Kerela
Location: Kottayam shares boundary with Alleppey district in the west and south, Pathanamthitta district in the south, Idukki district in the east and Ernakulam district in the north.
District Headquarter: Kottayam town
Distance: Around 616 km from Bangalore, 760 km from Chennai, 266 km from Coimbatore, 1904 km from Mumbai, 2421 from Kolkata, 476 km from Mysore, 1556 km from Hyderabad, 225 km from Kodaikanal, 96 km from Kollam, 161 km from Thiruvananthapuram
Journey time: Around 8 hrs from Bangalore, 2.5 hrs from Thiruvananthapuram
How to reach there: By train, bus or private vehicle. Nearest airport at Nedumbassery.
Route: 1. Bangalore – Hosur road – Krishnagiri – Dharmapuri – Salem – Madurai – Teni – Kumily – Kottayam
2. Bangalore – Hosur road – Krishnagiri – Dharmapuri- Coimbatore–Palaghat-thrissur – Ernakulam(cochin)- Kotayam
Where to stay:
1. Orchid Residency
Pulimoodu Junction,
Kottayam, Kerala,
India – 686001
E-mail: mail@orchidresidency.com
Telephone: +91 481 2563141, 2564141, 2565141
Fax: +91 481 2564343
Website: http://www.orchidresidency.com/
2. HOTEL ARCADIA
TB Road, Kottayam,Kerala, India
Tel: +91 481 2569999, Fax: +91 481 2569999
E-mail: info@arcadiahotels.net, sales@arcadiahotels.net
Website: http://www.arcadiahotels.net/
3. Hotel Aida
M.C. Road, Kottayam
Kerala – 686 039, India.
Tel: +91-481-2568391
Fax: +91-481-2568399
E-mail: aida@asianetindia.com
Website: www.hotelaidakerala.com
Budget Hotel:
1. Hotel Anjali Park
K.K Road, Kottayam,
Kerala,India
Phone : 0481 – 2563661/2563668.
Fax : 91-481-2563669
E-Mail:: anjalipark@gmail.com
Website: http://www.hotelanjalipark.com
2. Whispering Palms Resort
New Nazarath Road
Where to eat: Coming soon
Language spoken: Malayalam, Hindi and English spoke and understood to an extent.
Kottayam was earlier ruled by independent local kings but later came under the rule of the princely state of Travancore. Kottayam district was formed in July, 1949. It is a major center of print media and education. Kottayam town was the first to achieve 100% literacy in India in 1989. It is located on the bank of Meenachil River and basin of Vembanad backwaters. It is also an important trading center for rubber.
What to See:
1. Kumarakom: Kumarakom is a small village located around 14 km away from kottayam town. It comprises a group of islands. Surrounded by backwaters it offers unimaginable beauty in the form of mangrove forests, paddy fields, coconut groves, boat rides etc. A stay at the Taj Garden Retreat, would be an amazing experience. Kumarakom hit national and international headlines when then Indian Prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited here in December 2000. Kerala State Tourism Development Corporation also runs cottages here.
2. Vembanad Lake: The huge Vembanad Lake is around 84 km in length and 14 km in width. Ride or stay on the popular house boats are a must here. In Vembanad Lake there are some beautiful islands along with Pathiramanal ( Midnight sand in Malayalam). Along the periphery of the lake, there is a bird sanctuary. It features over 91 species of birds including both local and migratory birds. The best time to bird watch is June-August and migratory birds during November-February. A cruise along the Vembanad Lake is the best way to experience the sanctuary.
4. Elaveezha poonchira: Elaveezha poonchira in Malayalam means a valley where leaves do not fall. poonchira valley is located around 60 km away from Kottayam town and is surrounded by three hills Mankunnu, Kudayathoormala and Thonippara. The kerela tourism department is developing this place as a trekking spot.
5. Poonjar Palace: The Poonjar Palace is located in Meenachil taluk. It features old artifacts of Kerela and beautiful sculpture like rock cut lamps. Nearby you can see a replica of Madurai Meenakshi temple.
6. Wagamon: Wagamon is small but beautiful hill station on the Kottayam – Idukki border. The maximum summer temperature is in between 10 – 23 degree. Located around 65 km away from Kottayam, it is around 1100 meters above sea level. Good for trekking and one can see tea estates, pine forest, shola forests among others.
7. Vaikom: Vaikom also know an southern Kashi, is famous for Vaikom Mahadeva Temple.
