One of the leading trade capitals of the Old World, Kollam is the centre of the Country’s cashew trading and processing industry. Excellent by Macro Polo and lbnBatuta in glowing terms, this was once a famous port of international spice trade. Thirty percent of this historic town is covered by the renowned Ashtamudi Lake making it the gateway to the magnificent backwaters of Kerala. The eight-hour boat trip betwen Kollam and Alappuzha is the longest and most enchanting experience on the backwaters of Kerala. The momentous decision to introduce a new Malayalam era was convened at Kollam and hence the Malayalam calendar came to be known a Kollavarsham.
Ashtamudi Backwaters
So called because of its 8 arms or channels, Ashtamudi Lake is the gateway to the backwaters. Located in Kollam District the lake 16 km. long and the second larget in Kerala, finds its way into the sea through the Needakara estuary. The Kollam Boat Club provides boat rides on the lake as well as houseboat cruises.
Thirumullavaram Beach
( 6km. north of Kollam). Open 0500-1130hrs, 1600-2030hrs) This secluded beach is a beautiful picnic centre. About one and a half kilometer into the sea is the Nyarahcha Para, literally Sunday Rock, that can be seen from the shore at low tide. And near the beach is a Mahavishnu Temple.
Alumkadavu
(28 km. north of Kollam) Located by the north Kollam Backwaters, the village Alumkadavu is filled with the earthy scent of coir and wood on water. The beginings of boat building can be traced back to this place where every day except on Sundays, from 08000 to 1700hrs , you can watch the kettuvalloms being constructed. One can also visit coir-making units and earn all about how rope is made.
Thenmala
(66km. east of Kollam) Covered by dense forest, rubber and tea plantations. Thenmala was selected by the World TourimOrganisation as on the world’s best eco – friendly projects. It has a leisure zone with winding pathways, a sway bridge, a Sculpture garden and a board walk; a culture zone with an amphitheatre, a musical fountain as well as a Nakshatravanam (a nursery of trees considered sacred to the 27 constellations, located inside one of the zones. Visitors can take back a saplingof the tree relevant to their birth star); and an adventure zone that includes activites like treking, bird watching, mountain biking, rock climbing, rappelling and river crossing in addition there is the Deer Rehabilitation Centre (0600-1700hrs)as well as the shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary Only temporary visits are permitted to the interior of the reserve. A major attraction is the boating in the Shendurney Reservoir.
Palaruvi Water Falls
(75 km. from Kollam. Open 0800-1800 hrs) Palaruvi which means stream of milk makes its way down the rocks from a height of 30 ft. A much sought-after picnic spot, the scenic beauty of the place is enhanced by hills, valleys and waterfalls. The PWD inspection Bungalow and the KTDC Motel offer comfortable accommodation. Trekking to the waterfalls and bathing in the river are the two min activities here.