The capital city of Kerala enjoys a very decent connectivity with other major South Indian cities. Vsitors can reach Trivandrum easily by boarding direct buses from cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Ernakulam, Mumbai, Thrissur, and Kozhikode.
Thiruvananthapuram has its own railway station which is well-connected to some of the major destinations across India. Trivandrum Central is also known to be the largest and the busiest railway station in the entire of Kerala.
Trivandrum International Airport is around 6km from the heart of the city and is the nearest airport to reach Trivandrum. The airport hosts a large number of flights from some of the major Indian as well as international cities. After arriving at the airport, visitors can hire private taxis or other vehicles to reach Trivandrum without any hassles.
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple stands tall in the Thiruvananthapuram, capital of Kerala in its decadent gold-plated glory. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the principal centres of worship in the dharma of Vaishnavism. Divya Desams are the holy abodes of the great Lord Vishnu, and the temple worships Lord Padmanabha- a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu. This divine temple is one of the very few temples in India where the entrance is only granted to people that practice the Hindu faith. The mystery and grandeur of the temple fill the air and leaves you awestruck in its magnanimous beauty. The premises of the temple echo tranquillity and every breath you take under the roof of this holy structure feels like a soul cleansing experience.
Located about 800 meters north east of the Napier Museum in the heart of Trivandrum city, Kanakakunnu Palace is one of the last architectural vestiges of the colonial era. The palace served as the main venue for royal banquets. Later Swathi Thirunal, one of Travancore’s popular rulers, refurbished the palace and constructed tennis courts in the premises. The Palace is visited by thousands of tourists every year. Such is the majesty of this palace that it is also frequented by several foreign tourists. Palace is known for its commendable architecture, which comprises of a red facade, traditional roof patterns and lovely designs. You must not miss this elegant beauty if you are in and around the city of Trivandrum.
Around 32 km from Thiruvananthapuram, one comes across 12,000 hectares of natural vegetation in the form of the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary. It offers a rare chance to view flora and fauna alongside numerous trekking options. People love going up the 1868m high Agasthyamala Peak which is a famous picnic spot as well. The exotic view should not be missed at any cost as the fragile slopes and flat meadows make for an enchanting sight. The Neyyar Dam nearby is also famous due to its many features, chief amongst them being a picturesque picnic spot for families, friends and solo-travellers alike. It boasts of a beautiful Watch Tower, a Deer Park, a Lion Safari Park and a Crocodile Rehabilitation.
Kovalam first received attention when the Regent Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi of Travancore constructed her beach resort, Halcyon Castle, here towards the end of the 1920s. Thereafter the place was brought to the public eye by her nephew the Maharaja of Travancore. The leisure options at this beach are plenty and diverse. Sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programmes and catamaran cruising are some of them. The beach complex includes a string of budget cottages, Ayurvedic health resorts, convention facilities, shopping zones, swimming pools.
is the oldest zoo in India continuing to exist in its original location in the heart of the temple city Thiruvananthapuram. This Zoological garden is unique in India for its breathtaking landscapes and luxuriant growth of vegetation. Royal look of lofty trees, towering bamboos, lush green landscapes give it a rare distinction of being one of the most beautiful zoos in South East Asia. Spread over 36 acres of land and located in the heart of the city it provides a respite for the people of Thiruvananthapuram as much it offers tourism and recreation for visitors reaching from outside Kerala and overseas.
In the heart of Thiruvananthapuram city lies the great Napier Museum and the Natural History Museum in the Museum compound, close to the Zoological park. The museum was established in 1855. In 1874, the old Museum Building was demolished and build a new Museum. It has its own natural air-conditioning system. The museum houses a rare collection of archaeological and historic artifacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings. It also contains the Sree Chitra Art Gallery, which contains works from Raja Ravi Varma and Nicholas Roerich, as well as examples of Mughal and Tanjore art.
Situated on a hill at an elevation of about 60 metres above sea level, this astronomical observatory offers exquisite views of the surroundings and the city as a whole. Beautiful roses can be found in the garden in front. It was built in 1837 and is part of the Department of Physics, University of Kerala today. The is fast developing as one of India’s most important astronomical centres with modern facilities like an 11-inch telescope, CCD camera, sun workstations, image processing facility and partnership with national programs.
Agasthyarkoodam is a 1,868-metre (6,129 ft)-tall peak of the Pothigai mountain range of Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the Western Ghats of South India. The peak lies on the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The peak of Agasthyarkoodam can be reached only by trekking up to it. Trekking is allowed based on strict guidelines and is open to pilgrims during January to mid-March. Trekking passes are issued by Kerala Forest Department from the district office at Trivandrum. The trekking route starts from Bonacaud.
Located 35 Kms from Trivandrum and 20 Kms from Kovalam, Poovar is a beautiful island which is surrounded by river called Neyyar. It originates from Agastyarkoodam Hills near Trivandrum and after flowing its long journey ends at Arabian Sea. The Poovar Island is surrounded by small canals and Neyyar river. This rivers and backwaters are rich in flora and fauna. While cruising though the Poovar backwaters one can easily spot water birds like Kingfisher, Brahminy Kite, Night Heron, Sea Egret, Black Darter, and many more.