Vembanad, Kumarakom, Pathiramanal,Ilaveezhapoonchira,Vagamon........................

Vembanad Lake
The vast network of rivers and canals of Kottayam empty into the great expanse of water called the Vembanad Lake. The Vembanad Lake is situated about 16 kms. from Kottayam town in Kumarakom. This enchanting lake has emerged as a prime picnic spot and a famous backwater tourist destination. This place provides boating, fishing and sightseeing experiences that are truly exhilarating. The serene lake comes alive during Onam with the spectacular snake boat races. It is very amazing to watch hundred of oarsmen in one boat, slicing their way through the waters to the fast rhythm of their own full throated singing. The Kumarakom Tourist Village provides houseboats cruises.

Kumarakom
Kumarakom is situated about 10 kms. from Kottayam. This idyllic rich green, sleepy little sub-tropical paradise is located on the banks of the Vembanad lake and interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals. The mangrove forests, lush paddy fields and coconut groves add to the beauty of this small water world. Traditional country crafts, boats and canoes floating leisurely on the backwaters are a sight to behold. Kumarakom is an enchanting picnic spot and a famous backwater tourist destination. This place provides boating, fishing and sightseeing opportunities. There are a number of resorts nearby which offers complete accommodation and activities like Ayurvedic massage, yoga, meditation, boating, fishing, angling and swimming, etc. The main attraction of Kumarakom is the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. This place is an ornithologist's paradise and a favourite place for migratory birds like water fowl, cuckoo, owl, duck, egret, darter, heron, teal and Siberian stork. A cruise along the Vembanad lake is the best way to view the bird life.

Pathiramanal 
According to mythology, a young Brahmin dived into the Vembanad Lake to perform his evening ablutions and the water made way for land to rise from below, thus the enchanting island of Pathiramanal (sands of midnight) was created. This little island on the backwaters is a favourite place for hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts of the world. The island lies between Thaneermukkom and Kumarakom, and is accessible only by boat.

Ilaveezhapoonchira
Skirting the Kottayam district are beautiful valleys of Ilaveezhapoonchira, spread over thousands of acres. Ilaveezhapoonchira means valley where leaves don't fall and is named so because the place has no trees. This beautiful picnic spot is located in the midst of beautiful hillocks near Kanjar. The verdant landscape is surrounded by three gigantic hills, each rising to around 3200 feet, and is an ideal place for trekking. During monsoons, when the valley fills up to form a scenic lake, this place unveils yet another beautiful slice of nature. This is also one of the best places in Kerala to enjoy both sunrise and sunset.

Vagamon
The enchanting hill station of Vagamon is situated on the Idukki-Kottayam border. This hill station is dotted with tea garden and meadows and soon will be one of the India's first ecotourism project. The breeding centre of the Kerala livestock Board is located here.

Hills....

Kuttikanam Idukki district,Kerala, India

A place for adventure tourism and trekking, or even a languorous, tranquil break. This picturesque plantation town washed in the fragrance of cardamom is surrounded by lush, green hills. Parunthumpara(in Malayalam:പരുന്തുപാറ) is a village in the Indian state of Kerala's Idukki District.Parunthumpara is a small village, located betweenPeermade and Thekkady. The word parunth in the local language means Eagle and para means rock. It is called Parunthumpara or eagle rock because of a large area around like an eagle.It is 6 km from Peermade, 25 km from Thekkady & 3 km From National Highway 220.( Kottayam Kumily road)

Munnar.........

Munnar is a hill station on the Western Ghats, a range of mountains situated in the Idukki district of the Indian state of Kerala.The name Munnar is believed to mean "three rivers",referring to the town's strategic location at the confluence of the Madhurapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundaly rivers.

The nearest major railway stations are at Ernakulamand Aluva (approximately 140 kilometres (87 mi) by road). The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, which is 105 kilometres (65 mi) away.

Munnar is famous for the wild orchids locally called Neelakurinchi which blooms once in 12 years. During this time the entire valley turns violet. It is also home to Nilagiri tahr, a rare breed of mountain goa. Munnar has a variety of attractions to feast your eyes like placid lakes, meandering streams, misty mountain peaks, sylvan valleys, rare orchids and wildlife. Plantation visits, treks, tea factory visits, cycling, boating, paragliding, day tours to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary etc. add to the excitement. Here you can also have a glimpse of gaur, langur, liontailed macaque, elephants and Nilgiri tahr that roam the stretch of grasslands or are seen climbing the pinnacles of the undulating hills

Echo Point 
(15 km from Munnar) This scenic place gets its name from the natural echo phenomenon here. Echo Point is on the way to Top Station from Munnar.

Tea Gardens

Rajamala is a lovely green paradise high up in the hills, home to the rare mountain goat ‘Nilgiri Tahr’. A part of the Eravikulam National Park, Rajamala is a 15-kilometer (9 miles) drive from Munnar. Anaimudi, the highest peak in South India at a height of 2695 meters (8983 feet) lies in the Eravikulam National Park. Interestingly, half the world population of the rare Nilgiri Tahr is concentrated in this region. The sanctuary is a steep hike up a winding trail where you could spot small herds of this exotic mountain goat grazing with gay abandon. As you trudge up, you will notice streaks of cloud float past you. The vegetation also grows closer and closer. Along the way, pause for a while to catch your breath and take some wonderful pictures. Other than Tahrs, Rajamala is also home to elephants, leopards, sambars, langurs, tigers, Malabar civets, barking deer and pythons. 

Mattupetty Dam, near Munnar in Idukki District, is a storage Concrete Gravity dam built in the mountains ofKerala, India to conserve water for hydroelectricity. It has been a vital source of power, yielding along with other such dams, huge revenue to the states. The large amount of perennially available water allows wild animals and birds to flourish.