The rain in Kerala is not a storm to be weathered, but a blessing to be embraced, at least according to pluviophiles who frequent the state every monsoon season. The state's rich landscapes, hills, coastlines and backwaters come alive with verdant greenery and the melody of the monsoons during the rainy season. If you are one of those people who wish to discover Kerala's magical monsoon spectacle, here are 10 spots to include in your itinerary. It's also important to ensure that these spots are open on the day of your visit, as some of them can close down depending on the intensity of the rainfall and the accompanying rain alert on the day.
1) The mist-clad Munnar
Be it the tea gardens, Mattupetty Dam, Top Station, Eravikulam National Park or the numerous waterfalls here, you can enjoy their most beautiful self in the monsoon season. The pleasant weather makes your travel experience a lot better here. There will also be fewer tourists, which makes it easier to get slots for Ayurvedic treatments and stays at good resorts. Just make sure that you stay on designated pathways and are cautious while walking on slippery slopes. Follow the instructions of guides and guards to ensure safety. READ ALSO: What should Munnar tourists do if they encounter elephants?
2) The rejuvenated Alappuzha waters
Alappuzha's renowned waterways get a rejuvenated ambience during the monsoon season. The backwaters, beaches like Marari and Alappuzha, Vembanad and Punnamada lakes, islands like Pathiramanal and Kerala's rice bowl Kuttanad are at their tranquil best this season. A snakeboat cruise through waterways lined with coconut trees, while it drizzles, can be quite a romantic experience you remember for a lifetime.
3) Cloud-embraced Wayanad
It's one of the most verdant monsoon spots of Kerala and probably the most photogenic as well, this season. It even offers enough photo opportunities to click unique cloud formations you can enjoy. Soochipara waterfalls, Chembra Peak, Pookode Lake, Banasura Sagar Dam and Neelimala viewpoint are some of the best spots here to enjoy nature at its best during the monsoon season.
4) The Bahubali falls of Athirappilly
No trip to Kerala is complete without checking out the majestic Athirappilly and Vazhachal Waterfalls. While Athirappilly is the most famous as a shooting location that served as a backdrop to many movies like Bahubali, the location is also a biodiversity hotspot and a popular ecotourism destination. The sheer size and volume of the fall, especially in the monsoon season when it sprays mist all over the area, is a sight to behold.
5) A cool Kumarakom
This verdant village on the shores of Vembanad Lake becomes more active this time around, as both the vegetation and wildlife come alive with the cool monsoon weather. Migratory birds, many patches of blooming multi-coloured flowers like waterlilies, and houseboat cruises along its swelled-up waterbodies make it a paradise for those wishing to de-stress. The bird sanctuary and Kumarakom's Ayurvedic wellness centres are options that tourists can zero in on when here.
6) A verdant Thekkady
Located in the Idukki district of Kerala, the lush-green Thekkady, known for its forests and landscapes, become a mystical terrain during the monsoon season. It's an ideal time for wildlife sightings at its famed Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. If you want to be thrilled by how dams release excess water, head to Mullaperiyar Dam. Watch animals in their natural habitat as well, at the Periyar Tiger Trail. The aroma of spice plantations also fills the air here during the monsoons.
7) Enjoy the waves of Kovalam
It's a beach destination dotted with the famous Hawah, Lighthouse and Samudra shores, but that's not just what Kovalam offers in the monsoon season. It also lets you explore the diverse marine life at the Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium, watch fishing boats at work at the Valiyathura Pier, enjoy some spa therapies at its numerous wellness centres and even explore local markets. Monsoon adds a special ambience to each of these spots, promoting relaxation.
8) The emerald green Vagamon
A mystical veil of monsoon clouds covers Vagamon during this season, making it an ideal destination for the rainy season. Marmala waterfalls, the pine forest, Kurisumala, the meadows, its various viewpoints and tea gardens thrive this season, offering something for all kinds of travellers. It's also ideal for some simple nature walks, photography and meditation if those activities interest you.
9) Bekal's majestic beauty
The historically and scenically rich Bekal becomes a surreal sight during the monsoon season. The rain-washed Bekal Fort, the beach, the picturesque Nileshwaram town and the Valiyaparambu backwaters are a few spots that can let you enjoy Bekal at its best during the monsoon season.
10) The mist-shrouded Ponmudi
About 36 km away from the Thiruvananthapuram city, Ponmudi awaits visitors with its mist-kissed landscapes during the monsoon season. The glistening streams of the Golden Valley, the wildlife of Peppara Sanctuary, the cloud-covered hilltop, the refreshing Meenmutty Falls and the Echo Point are a few Ponmudi spots that can make your monsoon trip to the hill station, worthwhile. If you are an avid trekker, you can also see whether slots are open for the Agasthyarkoodam trek, which is a one-of-a-kind, adventurous experience. Read also: What should tourists be careful of while travelling during monsoon season?