Kovalam, Kerela
Overview
"Kovalam” is considered the Goa of the South. With beaches suitable for swimming and a lot of resorts that offer nice Arabian sea views, Kovalam is a perfect beach holiday destination and is generally opted for a long weekend getaway by travelers. It is often visited by travelers who are seeking peace & tranquility as well as those who want to explore the adventure side of them.
Lighthouse beach : It is named after the high light house which is located towards the southern end of the beach. It has many restaurants and pubs by the beach along with mid-segment hotels. While swimming, surfing, parasailing and paragliding are some of the options which will keep adventure seekers busy, romantic walk through the clean golden sandy beaches will mesmerize the couples.
Hawa Beach : It lies opposite to the lighthouse beach. With rows of palm grooves, this beach sets the mood for a perfect beach outing. While early morning witnesses fleet of native fishermen returning with their fresh catch, afternoons are dedicated to enthusiast travelers irrespective of their age and nationality. Travelers should keep in mind that the currents in this beach are stronger than any other beach in Kovalam.
Samudra Beach : It lies on the north end of Kovalam, isolated from other beaches by a huge ridge. This beach is never flocked by crowd and is often visited by travelers who want to just enjoy the sheer beauty of nature. The virgin and tranquil samudra beach is the best location to watch a sunset or a sunrise with your beloved.
Best time to visit : November to April
Although the months of May to October are when Kovalam gets the monsoon showers, it presents a unique opportunity to witness Kovalam's natural beauty. A lot can be done even during this offbeat season !!
Travel Options
Kovalam does not have an airport. However, the nearest accessible airport is at Trivandrum which is around 15 kms away by road. Many budgeted airlines fly into Trivandrum which will not be heavy on your pockets. We will arrange for an airport pickup / drop for a comfortable and hassle free journey.
The nearest railway station is at Trivandrum which is at a distance of 11 kms from Kovalam. From the station, we will arrange transport for you to reach your destination.
Kovalam is an ex-Trivandrum / ex-Kollam / ex-Kottayam / ex-Cochin getaway by road. State run or private buses, plying from various towns in Kerela, Karnataka & Tamilnadu are cost effective ways to reach Kovalam by road. Pickup / Drop from bus stand will be arranged by us.
We will arrange the entire transport to/from home to Kovalam in a private vehicle driven by a trustworthy driver. However you always have an option to self drive. Unless you are based out of Kerela, self drive to Kovalam might be hectic for a short break. Drive to Kovalam from Bangalore & Chennai is almost 750 kms (11 hrs) !!!
Itinerary - 3N/4D
Day 1 - Enjoy the sea breeze
Once you reach Kovalam, we will guide you to the resort (incase of selfdrive/cab) else we will arrange a pick up from the nearest rail station/bus stand. Check in to a sea facing hotel room and refresh yourself. You can always lay back and order a room service for your lunch or walk down to the lighthouse beach to explore the wide range of restaurants serving lipsmacking delicacies. (5 mins walking !!)
Fusion Restaurant & coffee bar - Lighthouse Beach (Non - Vegeterian's paradise) - You can't miss the Chicken Kappa & the delicious chicken cooked in Banana leaf.
Suprabhatham Restaurant - Lighthouse Beach (Veggie Heaven ) - The coconut rice and the ceylon bread is to die for. A pot of cardamon tea is a must try.
Post lunch, you can relax at the resort or head out to explore the lighthouse beach. You will feel serene, while enjoying the seabreeze and glancing at the boats.
-
Get into the shallow waters and feel the water nimble at your feet.
-
You can also rent a beach bed and umbrealla from the shacks on the beach for a very minimal fee (approx. Rs 50).
-
You should not miss out climbing the 142 steps of the lighthouse which gives a panaromic view of the endless blue sea and the beautiful Kovalam beach. Witnessing the sunset from the top of the lighthouse is an out-of-the-world experience.
-
Try out the local tit bits at the beach stalls.
Lighthouse opens to visitors every day from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Entry fee : Rs. 10 per person, Rs. 3 per child and Rs. 20 for camera.
Post sunset, head to your resort where a pre-booked ayurveda massage session awaits you. (Duration - 1 Hour)
After a rejuvenating and relaxing ayurveda treatment you can laze around in the resort.
For dinner you can either chsose to have it at the beach shacks or at the restaurant in the resort. We can also arrange a special family dinner or an exclusive romantic candle light dinner with your beloved .
Stay overnight in the resort.
Day 2 - Explore Poovar backwaters
Wake up early and walk through the golden sands of the crescent shaped Hawa beach which is only a 8 mins walk from the lighthouse beach. Enjoy the sound of the roaring waves, watch the local fishermen return with their fresh catch and if you are lucky try to collect some sea shells.
Post morning walk, you can return to the resort for a sumptous breakfast. We will arrange for a car which will take you to the Poovar backwaters where you can explore the untouched scenic beauty of the island.
- - You can try a motor cruise which will float through the narrow canals of the mangrove trees making its way to the estuary (Duration - 2 Hours)
- Try out the exclusive leela backwaters floating restaurant for a 360 degree view of the backwaters & some of the lipsmacking delicacies.
Meanwhile, the car would be waiting for you to complete your boating cruise to take you to the town of Vizhinjam (Duration 30 mins Drive)
-
You can visit the marine aquarium, where you will see wide varieties of rare aquatic species. This includes lionfish, surgeonfish, clownfish, squirrelfish, piranhas, giant turtles, moon wrasse, butterfly fish, triggerfish and sharks.
-
You can then visit the rock - cut temple of 18th century. The outer wall of the cave depicts half-complete relics of the Hindu God Shiva with goddess Parvathi. You will be surprised to see the detailed artwork and the fine sculptures of the temple.
For both Aquarium & Temples : Opening Hours : 09:00 AM to 05:30 PM (Temple closed on Monday)
The car would then take you back to the lighthouse beach where you can indulge in shopping souveniers, traditional handicrafts & handlooms. You can also explore the various stalls for beach wears, hats, sarongs, sea shell artifacts and various other knit knacks.
Before leaving for the resort, do not forget to stop by the German Bakery to exercise your taste buds.
You can't miss the bread with herb cream and the freshly baked croissants !!
After a long day, get back to the resort and unwind at the swimming pool or in the comfort of your sea view room.
For dinner, you can either have it at the resort or walk down the shacks on the beach, which would throw a varied platter of cuisines for your mouth watering palette. In order to try some authentic Kerala delicacies, you can visit the more popular Malabar Cafe (10 mins walking)
Do not forget to try Fish Pollichathu / Grilled Prawns / Fish Tikka / Crab Roast / Tiger Prawn Kadai / Fish in Banana Leaf / Veg Jalferezi & the signature dish - Lemon Sugar Pancakes
Stay overnight in the resort.
Day 3 - Follow the nature trail
After having your breakfast at the resort, leave for the Samudra beach, in the car arranged by us. Walk across the calm shores of the beach. After spending about an hour at the tranquil beach, you can hop into the vehicle & start your journey towards the thrilling Neyyar Dam (Duration - 1 Hr Drive)
Neyyar Dam Park is located between Kerala & Tamil Nadu, this sanctuary offers one of the best opportunity to observe a large variety of flora & fauna. Its a very popular picnic spot with view of the whole western ghats. The place is quiet and full of greenery. The natural scenery is breathtaking.
Forest department also conducts boat cruises through the Neyyar Dam reservoir which is really a rejuvenating experience. There is also a park near to the dam. Neyyar Dam can offer a calm and enjoyable visit to tourists.
There are a lot of activities which will keep you busy !!!
-
You can rent a boat and discover the beautiful lake with many islands. If you are lucky, you can spot a tiger on the other side of the river.
-
You can hop into the forest department's boat which takes you for a lion safari. The ride in the boat will give a panaromic view of the forest & the lake.
-
The canter safari thereafter will take you through the forest for lion safari. The lion safari is the highlight, where you could see them in wild, as close as 2 feet, of course inside the safety of the van.
-
You can explore the crocodile breeding farm, elephant zone, deer park and well maintained aquarium with colorful fishes.
-
Kerala's second highest peak, Agasthya is also located in this park and is a marvellous place to get some mind-blowing views and click pictures.
Lion safari Entry fee : Rs. 250 per person , Rs. 125 per child (5 to 12 years) , Rs. 5 per child (below 5 years)
Timings : All days of the week except Monday ( 09:00 AM - 04:00 PM )
For lunch, you can try the KTDC restaurant within the park. However, owing to limited eating options at the Neyyar dam it is always good to carry a lunch pack from the resort or pack your lunch on the way.
After an eventful day at the dam, you can head back to your resort and relax. In the evening watch the sunset from your hotel room while sipping onto some coffee.
For dinner, you can hop into a cab / auto rickshaw to try authentic Kerela cuisine at Sanjeevni Restuarant, Samudra beach. The restaurant has a rustic feel to it with a sand floor & views over the beach. Its beachfront does not have direct vehicle access. Best option is to take the cliff top path next to KTDC Samudra. When you reach the back entrance to KTDC, follow the path to the left which leads up a rocky escarpment to the restaurant (One of the best restaurant in Kovalam) (Duration 15 mins drive).
Do not forget to try Tandori Fish/Chicken Mint Kebabs/Malai Kofta/Kerela Vegetable Biryani
Spend the last night of your trip by walking under the night sky, along the shoreline of the lighthouse beach reminiscing memories of the entire trip.
Stay overnight in the resort.
Day 4 - Leave for home destination
After your breakfast, head back to your room to prepare for your home destination (checkout at 12:00 P.M). We will arrange for a drop from the resort to the nearest airport / station / bus stand.
Our special travel itinerary will definitely create memories for you which you can relish forever.
Resort to Stay
Soma Palmshore offers you much more than just a beach vacation. A comfortable stay, a delightful cuisine, a rejuvenating experience of Ayurveda, a soothing effect of Yoga, an experience of the local tradition and culture and much more. You can check more about the resort on their website.
Travel Tips
-
The Tibetan Curio shops, Kashmiri & Rajasthani emporiums are the best places to buy handicrafts and fashionable clothes. Bargain is a must !
-
If you are looking for an alternative to Indian food, try eating at Molly's retreat restaurant.Try spaghetti bolagnase, chips & shepherd's spy.
-
Experience fine dining at Bait Restaurant - Taj Vivanta for a delightful sea food experience on the beach.
-
Do not forget to carry your sun screen lotions and sun glasses.
-
Hawa beach has very strong currents and swimming is not advisable.
Cost of Trip
Rs 24,999 approx. per couple ( All inclusive ) *
Add-ons - Customized Special Itinerary
You have the flexibility and freedom to add or remove whatever you like / dislike. If you have a higher budget you can choose to add more activities from the add-ons list below or if you’re budget is tight or would like more time to relax, you could remove a few activities from the itinerary above. Below are some of the add ons which can be added to your itinerary.
-
Kathakali Performance - It is a famous classical dance drama showing intense emotions through facial expressions.
-
Surfing / kayaking / parasailing / paragliding and other adventure sports are subjected to seasonality and sea conditions and are not available during monsoons.
-
Thiruvallam Parashurama temple - Located at distance of around 12 km from Kollam, this temple is dedicated to praise the glory of Lord Parashurama who is portrayed as a destructive reincarnation of Lord Vishnu.
-
Lunch & Dinner Houseboat Cruises at Leela backwaters .
-
Vellayani Lake Tour - It is renowned for its freshwater lake which looks mesmerizing during the time of moonlight. Boat rides on a traditional wooden catamaran, propelled by a bamboo ore by local fisherman can be arranged.
-
Karamana River - It is located at a distance of around 12 km from Kovalam, the Karamana River is a place where you can take delight to get panoramic view of backwaters.
-
Nishagandhi Dance Festival - A busy and varied weeklong schedule of classical dance forms such as Kathak, Mohiniyattam, Odissi and Bharathanatyam are performed at the pleasant Nishagandhi open-air amphitheatre. It happens in the month of Jan-Feb every year.
-
Food Festival - Experienced chefs from every state in India converge on Trivandrum to show off their skills and unique dishes from their part of the country. It happens in the month of Jan-Feb every year.
Inclusions *
-
3N/4D stay in Soma Palmshore resort with CP meal plan (Accommodation + breakfast).1st night dinner is also included
-
Rates applicable for 2 persons staying together, sharing the same room
-
Helputravel.in's service charge (15%) + Service Tax (as applicable)
-
Local transportation (car) & parking charges (as per itinerary only)
-
Entrance fees of all sightseeing places to be visited (as per itinerary only)
-
One 1 hour ayurveda massage session for couple
-
One candlelight dinner for couple
-
2 Hours motorboat backwater cruise at Poovar
-
Guide services
Exclusions
-
Transportation from your home / source destintion to the holiday destination
-
Video, film and professional camera fees
-
Insurance, gratuities, telephone calls, laundry, mineral water, soft & hard drinks, porterage (coolie charges) or any personal expenses
-
Any tour extensions unless specifically mentioned as part of the journeys
-
Additional sightseeing or extra usage of vehicle, other than mentioned in the itinerary
-
Any cost arising due to natural calamities like landslides, road blockage, political disturbances (strikes), etc.(to be borne by the client, which is directly payable on the spot)
-
Any increase in taxes or fuel price, leading to increase in cost on surface transportation & land arrangements, which may come into effect prior to departure
-
Any extra cost incurred on behalf of an individual due to illness, accident, hospitalisation, or any personal emergency
-
Anything which is not included in the inclusion
Terms & Conditions
-
Refund on cancellation depends upon concerned hotel / service provider's cancellation policy. Helputravel.in's service charge is Non-Refundable
-
Helputravel.in reserves the right to change / modify or terminate the offer any time at its own discretion and without any prior notice.
-
In case of unavailability in mentioned hotels, alternate accommodation will be arranged in a similar category hotel.
-
Package rates are valid for INDIAN NATIONALS only. Rates for FOREIGN NATIONALS to be provided on request.
-
Helputravel.in has taken due care and responsibility to verify and check all information on our website at the time of compilation, however, as this information is supplied by the relevant accommodation & tour / cruise operators, it accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracy or misdescription contained in the publications.
Illustration Disclaimer
-
The images, pictures, and illustrations found on this site are for illustration purposes only, and do not necessarily represent the exact experience, services, or ideas in the context they are found in. It is the buyer's responsibility prior to purchase to clarify with the seller (Helputravel.in), exactly what products and services are being provided for purchase
-
It is not the intention of this website to willingly violate copyrights or intellectual ownership in any way. If it is determined that a photo or image appearing on this site is copyrighted by others, it will be removed immediately. Kindly send us a notification to contacthelputravel@yahoo.com
Page Top
