5 Places To Visit Around Kochi

When you think of a weekend destination near Kochi, undoubtedly the first place that comes to your mind is Munnar. Including Munnar, Wayanad, Varkala, and all such places, there are a lot of popular destinations you can visit over the weekend. But we are here with a list of offbeat destinations you can drive to from Kochi.

The sheer number of interesting places to visit near Kochi will leave you spoilt for choice. Beaches, hills, forests, national parks, backwaters and more, Kochi has it all and at just a stone’s throw away from the city. You can drive off to the hippie Varkala, the famous-for-tea Munnar, the very picturesque Alleppey, the many beaches of Kovalam, the luxurious getaway that is Kumarakom or Kerala’s famous tiger den, Periyar National Park. Trivandrum and Wayanad too are just a drive away from from Kochi, perfect for a weekend away from the city.

* Gavi

Gavi was another sleepy little village till a Malayalam film shot there brought it to fame. It is located in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala and is one place you should head to if you want to disconnect from the world and take your time off. This ecotourism village and adjoining pristine forest region is well preserved and entry passes need to be procured from the Forest Check post before entering this green paradise.

* Silent Valley National Park, Palakkad

This tropical evergreen forest is truly a gem of Western Ghats region, which remains one among the few undisturbed tracts of land around. Located in the Nilgiri Hills, Silent Valley houses acres of pristine landscapes and a variety of flora and fauna. The region gets its name from the absence of noisy cicadas, which makes the region eerily silent compared to other forests. It is a haven for nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts and biologists. Head to Silent Valley and experience silence and peace like never before!

* Muzhappilangad Beach, Kannur

Muzhappilangad Beach is the longest Drive-In Beach in Asia. It is situated in Kannur district of Kerala and was featured among the top 6 best beaches for driving in the world in BBC (the only Asian beach on the list). There is a private island called Dharmadam Island south of the beach which you can easily walk to if the tides are low.

Apart from the beach there are several other popular spots you can visit in Kannur on your weekend trip. Also try out the Blue Mussel, a delicious seafood that is locally available, among many other.

* Kolukkumalai, Idukki

Kolukkumalai is the world’s highest tea estate and has a tea factory functioning at a height of 7,900ft above sea level. The village is located in Theni district of Tamil Nadu, bordering Idukki in Kerala and is only 32km away from the popular hill station of Munnar. Nestled in the Nilgirs, Kolukkumalai is less explored compared to other peaks. The view from anywhere in the village are equally breath-taking and refreshing.

* Marari

Marari actually falls somewhere between a popular destination and an offbeat beach town. Though it is well known and welcomes flocks of tourist, it is not as crowded as top popular beaches like Kovalam and Varkala. The best part about Marari is that you get to experience both the calm of the backwaters of Alappuzha and the swell of the ocean. It was rated as one of the best ‘hammock beaches’ in India by The National Geographic .There are fairly good accommodations available in the town, adjacent to the beach. But you can even make it a one day trip if you do not wish to stay back for the night, as it is only a short drive away from Kochi.