Your Tour 
Backwaters of Kollam
Altitude: Sea levelArea: 1414.00 sq. km
Temperature: (Mean Max, Mean Min) Summer 35 deg C Winter 32 deg C, 20 deg C
Rainfall Annual: 299 cm
Best time to visit: August to March
Clothing: Tropical cottons
Languages spoken: Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi and English
Boundary: Arabian Sea on the west
This historic coastline district is located 71 km to the north of Thiruvananthapuram. One of the oldest ports on the Malabar coast, once it was a major international trading point. The district also has some interesting historic remnants and a number of temples built in the traditional ornate architectural style. The eight-hour trip between Kollam and Alappuzha is the longest backwater cruise in Kerala. Kollam is the center of the country's cashew trading and processing industry.
Place to visit
- Mayyanad: Located 10 km south of Kollam town, Mayyanad is noted for its shrines and temples. Among its nine temples, the most important is the Subramanya Temple at Umayanallor. This temple is said to have been consecrated by the great Hindu philosopher Sree Sankaracharya. Frequent bus service is available from Kollam to Mayyanad.
- Thirumullavaram Beach: Located 6 km north of Kollam town, this secluded beach is a beautiful picnic centre and has good bus connectivity with the town.
- Kulathupuzha: Located 64 km from Kollam town, Kulathupuzha is situated on a forest range on the Thiruvananthapuram-Shenkottai road. It is known for the Sastha temple which celebrates Vishu Mahotsavam in April/May as its most important festival. There are frequent buses from Kollam to Kulathupuzha. The Thenmala railway station is just 10 km from here.
- Picnic Village: This vast tourist complex, located at Ashramam along the backwater front, is the main centre of recreational activities in Kollam. A 200-year-old Government Guest House, an Adventure Park, a Tourist Boat Club, a Children's Traffic Park and a Yatri Nivas are all housed in this complex.
- Kottukal Rock Cut Cave Temple: Located 11 km from Chadayamangalam on the Thiruvananthapuram-Kottayam MC Road, this temple situated is an idyllic example of rock cut temple architecture.
- Rameshwara Temple: This temple has Pandyan influence in its design. Inscriptions in Tamil found here date from the 12th to the 16th centuries. A unique feature of this temple are the Vyala monster sculptures which give one the impression as it the sculptures are actually climbing up the stairs with their outstretched paws.
- By air: Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram (71 km)
- By rail: Kollam is an important railhead of the Southern Railways.
- By road: An excellent road network links Kollam to all major towns and cities in Kerala.
- By ferry: The ferry station is adjacent to the central bus station (3 km from the railway station).