Trivandrum City
Trivandrum or Thiruvananthapuram as is locally known, the capital of Kerala is a beautiful city to visit. One can be seduced by the panorama of beautiful landscapes, beaches and waterways, coconut palms and, of course, beautiful, friendly people.


Kuthiramalika
Kuthiramalika (Puthenmalika) Palace Museum built by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma - the King of Travancore, who was an art lover and a social reformer of that time. This rare specimen of workmanship in the traditional Travancore style of architecture also has exquisite wood carvings. The palace museum displays paintings and various priceless collections of the royal family and is located near the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple

Kuthiramalika which means Horse Bungalow takes its name from the roof beams which are carved to resemble the faces of horses. It has on display ornaments, personal effects and weapons of the former Kings the erstwhile princely State of Travancore.

It is a true specimen of Kerala's classical architecture. The palace with its excellent carvings and amazing architectural designs is itself a piece of heritage. The museum housed in it has a wide range of exhibits representing the erstwhile Travancore royal household.


Kovalam beach
Kovalam beach is located at sixteen kilometers south of Trivandrum city. It is only a hours drive from Trivandrum city. Kovalam is the most famous south Indian Beach due to its natural beauty and fine sand washed beach which makes sunbath on these silver sands possible.

Veli
An exciting place for picnics, the Veli Tourist Village is built near the Veli lagoon fringed with greenery and easily accessible by road. Veli is located 8 kms from Thiruvananthapuram city. The village provides an excellent atmosphere for relaxing. A beautifully landscaped garden and facilities for swimming, boating, etc, on the placid waters of the lake attract hundreds of visitors everyday.


Ponmudi
Ponmudi (meaning Golden Crown) is hill resort situated just 54km from Thiruvananthapuram, is an enchanting one for tourists. It is just one and a half hour's road journey from Trivandrum.

The main attractions at Ponmudi are Orchids and Deer Park which is only 3 kilometers away from the Ponmudi resort.

As one leaves the city behind, one enters the region of plantations - rubber, pepper, cardamom and tea. The change is abrupt. The tappers can be seen going about briskly gathering the milky fluid from rubber trees collected in coconut shells. Coconut thatch mats cover almost one half of the road, over which women spread black pepper for drying. One may come across a lone elephant ambling along carrying his mahout atop and his breakfast of coconut thatch in his trunk.

Tea estates at Ponmudi are not as big as those in the Munnar hills. Large water sprays shower the gardens. The 'mate', a septuagenarian shading himself with an umbrella, can be seen reading aloud the day's news to the pickers. The pickers, in response, either grunt indicating disapproval of the news item or remain silent in agreement.

Trekking to the north of Ponmudi Crest, one passes along a mini zoo, primarily of barasinghas, on the edge of the forest. Entering the forest, the verdant shades of green numb the senses. As does the avian orchestra. The brilliant red southern trongon dot the trees like flowers. The air is full with the loud raucous chuckling of heavy billed Malabar hornbills. The shrill notes of the blue-black Malabar whistling thrush add to the cacophony. Even the rare long-tailed paradise flycatchers flit gracefully from tree to tree. It is like an open aviary.



Akkulam
Akkulam Tourist village located about 10 kms from Thiruvananthapuram city is a beautiful picnic sport and well known backwater destination.

A beautiful picnic spot developed on the banks of Akkulam lake, an extension of the Veli lake, the Akkulam Tourist Village has boating facilities, a well equipped children's park and a paddle pool.



Peppara
Peppara well known for the Peppara wild life sanctuary is accessible from Vithurai on Thiruvananthapuram - Ponmudi road. This sanctuary with its rich fauna and birds is emerging as a big attraction to wildlife enthusiasts. It is spread over an area of 53 Sq. km. on the Western Ghats. This is dotted with large hills and numerous hillocks with forests and Eucalyptus plantations. Elephant, Sambar, Leopard and Lion tailed macaque are commonly seen.



Varkala
Varkala is located 45 kms from Thiruvananthapuram city is an important hindu pilgrimage center. Varkala is known for Papasnanam Beach and 2000 years old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple. Sivagiri is also the final resting place of Sree Narayana Guru, the great social reformer.

The 'Sivagiri Pilgrimage' is usually conducted between 30th December and 1st January every year. The Sivagiri Mutt - a religious retreat was founded by Sree Narayana Guru (1856 - 1928) the renowned philosopher and social reformer of modern Kerala. Even decades after the Guru breathed his last here in 1928, his Samadhi (resting place) continues to be thronged by thousands of pilgrims.

The Sivagiri Mutt is also the headquarters of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Sangham, a religious organization established by the Guru to propagate his concept of 'One Caste, One Religion, One God'.



Agasthyakoodam
Agasthyakoodam located in the Sahyadri range of mountains and is the second highest peak in Kerala. Located at a height of 1890 meters above sea level, Agasthyakoodam forest is abound in rare medicinal herbs and plants. This hill ranges is a bird watcher's paradise and is accessible by foot from Kotoor near Neyyar Dam.

The best season for tourists to visit Agasthyakoodam for trekking is December to April. Forest Pass has be obtained from the Wildlife Warden, Forest Department, PTP Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram for trekking.