Kottayam is bordered by the lofty Western Ghats on the east and the Vembanad Lake and paddy fields of Kuttanad on the west. Kottayam is a land of unique characteristics. Panoramic backwater stretches, lush paddy fields, highlands, extensive rubber plantations and a totally literate people have given this district the enviable title: The land of letters, latex and lakes. This land also boasts the first Malayalam printing press which was established by Benjamin Bailey, a Christian missionary, in 1820 AD.

Kottayam is the ideal take-off point for visits to Peerumedu, Munnar, Idukki, Thekkady, Ernakulam and the temple city of Madurai

Kumarakom located 16 km away from Kottayam town, is one of well known tourist destination in Kerala. An enchanting backwater destination, Kumarakom offers visitors many other leisure options. Boating and fishing facilities are available at the Tourist retreats in Kumarakom. The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and is part of the Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres, is a favorite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian stork that live here in flocks are a fascination for visitors. The best way to watch the birds of the Kumarakom sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands.

This palm-green commercial town of Kerala is one of the finest natural harbors in the world from where ships set sail for foreign ports with different products of Kerala, like seafood, pepper, rubber and coir. Across the bridge into the old city, there are bastions and streets built by the Portuguese over 500 years ago. It was here in St. Francis Church that the body of Vasco Da Gamma was originally buried. The enormous fishing nets on the sea front of Cochin provide a charming view.

Idukki derived from the Malayalam word 'Idukki' meaning narrow gorge, was formed on January 26, 1972 carving out Devikulam, Peerumedu and Udumbanchola taluks from the erstwhile Kottayam district and Thodupuzha taluk from the erstwhile Ernakulam district.

Located in the southern part of Kerala, Idukki is a landlocked district spread over an area of 5019 sq.kms. Blessed generously by Mother Nature, Idukki offers diverse attractions like wild life sanctuaries, hill stations, spice plantation centers and mountain treks uses

Munnar is situated at a distance of 70 km from Idukki is 1600 meter above the sea level. This hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture-book towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town. Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala.

Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji. This flower which bathes the hills in blue every twelve years will bloom next in 2006 AD. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, which towers over 2695 m. Anamudi is an ideal spot for trekking.