Places to visit in

Kerala

Cheeyappara Waterfalls is a scenic multi-tiered waterfall located in the Idukki district of Kerala, India. It is an important natural attraction in the Western Ghats corridor and a popular stop on the route to Munnar. The falls contribute to local biodiversity by supporting riparian vegetation and acting as a scenic landmark that promotes regional ecotourism and small-scale local economies (tea/coffee plantations, roadside vendors).

Thusharagiri is a natural gem in the Western Ghats of Kerala, known primarily for its scenic waterfalls formed by the Chalippuzha River as it cuts through dense evergreen forest. The site is valued for its biodiversity, scenic beauty and as a destination for nature-based tourism and local recreation.

Valiyaparamba Backwaters (part of the Kavvayi estuarine system) is a significant natural lagoon and island landscape in northern Kerala's Kannur district. The area is important for its unique brackish-water ecosystem, rich mangrove stands and fishery-based local economy. Historically, the Kavvayi estuary nearby served as a local trade and fishing hub, connecting inland villages with coastal trade routes and contributing to the cultural identity of the Malabar coast.

Dharmadam Island (off Thalassery/Tellicherry, Kannur district, Kerala) is a small uninhabited islet known for its natural coastal beauty and local cultural context. The island forms part of the historic Thalassery coastline — an area with colonial-era trading history and rich Malabar culture. Dharmadam is valued more for its natural shoreline, scenic sunsets, and local maritime life than for built monuments.

Marayoor Sandalwood Forest is the only place in Kerala where wild Santalum album (Indian sandalwood) grows naturally. Ecologically it represents a rare dry deciduous and scrub forest mosaic within the Western Ghats rain-shadow region, supporting endemic and dry‑country species and adjoining the protected Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. Culturally and historically, the area contains Neolithic and megalithic sites (dolmens and stone burials), and is home to indigenous tribal communities (notably the Muthuvan people) who have traditional knowledge of the landscape and sandalwood use.