Kumarakom, 45-minute drive from Pala, is set in the backdrop of Vembanad Lake—the largest freshwater lake in the state of Kerala. This Is a noted tourist place for the backwater tourism. One of the joyful experiences you can have with your friends and family in Kumarakom is taking a trip in houseboat with spicy and freshly- cooked Kerala food. You can enjoy the most delicious Kerala food items such as “Appam with Duck Roast”, “karimeen pollichathu” etc that amazes all kinds of visitors. Other attractions in kumarakom are ayurvedic massage and bird sanctuary. Ayurvedic massage gives a soothing effect for your body and soul. It’s a home to wide variety of flora and fauna. Many species of migratory birds visit in the Kumarakom bird sanctuary throughout the year. This is why kumarakom is famsously known as bird watcher’s paradise.The Vembanad Lake, the largest backwater in Kerala, is habitat for many marine and freshwater fish species and it teems with Karimeen (Pearl spot also known as Etroplus suratensis) shrimp (Metapenaeus dobsonii) common name Poovalan chemeen. The bird sanctuary extends over 14 acres (57,000 m2). If you are lucky you will chance upon a Siberian Crane, a special visitor during the migratory season.It is a very beautiful place to live.
Thekkady,4.5 hour drive from Pala, is a place for the people who love wildlife tourism. It is the showcase of wildlife of Kerala. People who visit thekkady can enjoy the wild beauty of nature. This forest contains most of the wild animals from Indian elephant to the great Indian tiger. In this reservoir area commonly we can see the elephants, deer, boars, bison and lion tailed macaques. If you are lucky enough you can see other animals like tiger and leopard .The tourism department offers trekking right into the heart of the forest either on foot or atop elephants for the tourists who love adventure. If you are more adventurous ,you can take the road from Moozhiyar to Thekkadi via Gavi winding through the thickest forests of Kerala. Elephants are a common sight on this path. Boating through the lake is a very pleasant experience and you can observe many water birds at close range. This place is ideal for wildlife photography.
Cochin,1.30 hour drive from Pala, is one of the most famous tourist places in Kerala. It is connected by air, road and rail to all major places. Cochin offers many places of interest to tourists. The ride through the lagoons in Kerala style houseboats is an unforgettable experience. The famous Bolgatty Palace and the Jewish Synagogues are situated on the banks of the lagoons. There are also places of pilgrimage like the Santa Cruz Basilica and the St.Thomas Church at Malayattoor. The Thripunithura Palace is one of the biggest of its kind in the whole of Kerala. The Chinese fishing nets in the lagoons are an enchanting sight. Cochin also gives you great opportunities for shopping.
Vagamon is an enchanting hill station in the district of Kottayam. Main attraction in the Vagamon is the hillocks stretching over a large area with only grass and a beautiful lake among the hillocks. Vagamon is an ideal adventure spot for tourists and tourist can experience the greenery of nature here. During the winter, the hillocks are covered with thick mist. It is a beautiful picture of nature and it’s a must visit tourist spot. This is an ideal place for romantic couples. The kurishumala church is a famous pilgrim place in vagamon. The church is situated on the top of the hill and the trekking to the church is a really adventurous and pious experience.
Wayanad, a six-hour drive from Pala, shows you the bright greenery of nature undisturbed by men. The mountains, the winding lanes and the thick forests on either side give you a heavenly experience. In the Muthanga wildlife sanctuary at the heart of Wayanad, animals like the Indian elephant, spotted dear, bison are easily spotted in their natural habitats. Other animals like tiger and leopard can also be seen if you are lucky. The Edakkal caves bear paintings dating back to some 4000 years ago. The Bamboo forests are an excellent picnic spot. For the adventurer, trekking in Muthanga,Edakkal and Pakshipathalam can be a lifetime experience.
Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha temple is the famous Hindu pilgrimage centre with an estimated 45-50 million devotees visiting every year. Temple is situated on the hill top named sabarimala in the Pathanamthitta district.Sabarimala is the symbol of love, equality and devotion. Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha temple is one of the few Hindu temples in India that is open to all faith. The temple attracts pilgrims from all part of the country and abroad. Devotees who visit Sabarimala will also visit the malikappuram Temple and Vavar shrine.Sabarimala is 1.41hour drive from Pala.
Bharananganam,7-minute drive from Pala, a small town in Kottayam district on the bank of Meenachil River is an important pilgrim centre in South India. The town is 5 kilometers from Palai.The famous Saint Alphonsa’s tomb and St. Mary's Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church is located in Bharananganam. There is a museum adjacent to the convent chapel where the personal belongings of the Saint are well preserved.Other major attraction in bharananganam is the Sreekrishna swami temple and Assisi Asram. Bharananganam is known as Dakshina Guruvayoor because of the presence of the Sreekrishna swami temple. Bharananganam and surrounding places are bestowed with natural beauty due to hilly areas and lot of vegetation.
