Varkala, in the south Indian state of Kerala, is a picturesque tourist spot that enchants tourists with its fascinating cliffs, virgin beaches, and cultural heritage. It is one of the most beautiful sanctuary towns named the Pearl of the Arabian Sea; it has both glamorous natural and religious appeal and bohemian coastal vibe. This makes Varkala quite different from other beach destinations in India and a wonderful place to travel to if one is interested in both leisure and some action having its striking features from the red laterite cliffs tall and mighty standing along the Arabian sea coast.
The beauty of the Varkala is the North Cliff region which is the most energetic part of the town with blocks of restaurants, shops, and guest houses crowned on the cliffs studiously overseeing the sea. Further south of Varkala, another beautiful beach known as ‘Papanasam beach’ of miles long with golden sand and azure water invites any tourist to have a relaxed holiday.
However, Varkala has more than the beach to offer, as 2000-year-old Janardana Swami Temple and Sivagiri Mutt bear testimony to prostrate for this beach located in Kerala, attracting both nature lovers and pilgrims. Be it sunbathing and water sports or heritage walks and Ayurveda holidays, tourwings.com The Varkala trip packages include all the aspects of this bewitching place; you can be assured that you are going to have one of the most breathtaking journeys along the wonderful coastline of Kerala.
Best Season / Time to Visit Varkala
1. Pleasant winter as winter in this area commences in the month of October and ends in February.
It is largely remarked that the best time to visit Varkala is in the winter season, the period being December to February, the temperature conditions being between 22 and 32 degrees Celsius. It experiences a cool climate which, coupled with clear skies, is ideal for sun tanning, beach activities, sightseeing, and other outdoor activities. It is a season that favours activities such as sunbathing, swimming, and any water sports, in case there are some. The climate during this time of the year is also good and several tourists prefer to book Varkala tour packages for their revolutionary experiences of the Clifftop promenade and sandy Varkala beaches.
2. Monsoon which starts from the month of June and lasts up to September brings a gentle cool shower.
The monsoon in Varkala is a completely different kind of beauty from the usual sun and sand kind of beauty. Thus heavy rainfall often hampers beach-related physical activities; however, it engulfs the scenes with the greenish hue of nature. A look at the sky and having rain clouds especially over the Arabian Sea, and the noise of waves when they hit the rocks are some of the experiences to look forward to. This is a season that any Individual who prefers a noiseless and romantic atmosphere can choose to spend time on. Hence, most of the Varkala packages contain some indoor processes and ayurvedic treatments for relaxing this time of the year.
3. For some, the warm summer months of March to May might be ideal.
The climate of Varkala in summer is moderate varying between 25° C to 35° C. It is relatively warm during the day, although the sea breeze also sets in some time in the day. It’s the best time to have morning tours on the beach and afternoon watching the sunset on the cliff as well as experiencing the regional nightlife. The sea is quite calm and therefore those interested in water sporting activities can effectively explore the sea. Most of the resorts in Varkala have discount offers for sightseeing in the morning to avoid exposure to the sunlight and in the evening.
Top Attractions in Varkala
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Varkala Beach (Papanasam Beach)
Varkala Beach, or Papanasam Beach, is accredited as being the best of the lot. This golden sand, for as far as the eye can see, accompanied by towering red cliffs, provides a bracketing beach. It is considered that there is holy water in the sea and that rinsing them washes sins, Accordingly, this beach is called Papanasam, which means demising of sins. It is also for swimming, and water sporting activities as well as several other activities. It is also possible to have barbecues on the beach, which is also a great resource for sunsetting views and is thus a must-stop place when in Varkala.
The cliffs parallel to the shoreline of Varkala Beach are what makes Varkala different from other beach destinations in Kerala. This is a beautiful walking strip that was constructed along the coastline of the Arabian Sea and comprises shops, restaurants, and cafes. It is an excellent area for a walk, purchasing some souvenirs or just having a delicious dinner with a beautiful view. Most of the Varkala tour packages will involve taking a walk on the cliff with a guided tour that helps in discovering this energetic and beautiful location.
Sited closer to Papanasam Beach, Janardana Swami Temple is a 2000-year-old temple that is a major pilgrim centre and a chief place of tourists’ interest in Varkala. This is a temple devoted to Lord Vishnu and a lot of people visit this temple from every nook and corner of India. Similarly, for tourists: the see-through roof over the temple’s structure and the spiritual atmosphere of the place makes it a great object for visit for both religious people coming to pray and history lovers. This temple is one of the historical sites that visitors on Varkala sightseeing tours are usually taken to as the guide explains the historical background of the area.
Sivagiri Mutt is 3 Km away from Varkala beach and is the administrative centre of Sivagiri pilgrimage. This spiritual center was established by the great social reformer of the country Sree Narayana Guru and a large number of pilgrims visit this centre every year. It has historical and religious importance because of the quiet surroundings and the teachings of Sree Narayana Guru. There are many Varkala travel packages which may include a pilgrimage to Sivagiri Mutt to have a look into the social reformation movement and the religious Deity of Kerala.
Adventure Activities in Varkala
1. Water Sports
Being a beach destination, Varkala has crystal clear water and relatively less current, making water sports all the more interesting. Other related activities include but are not limited to parasailing, jet-skiing, and banana boat rides are activities that can be conducted for tourists. It offers more relaxed activities, for instance taking of stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking. The water sports that are mostly popular at Varkala Beach include Parasailing, Water Skiing, Wind Surfing, Snorkeling, and Scuba Diving etc.
2. Surfing
The place is in particular starting to attract people wanting to surf in recent years. The beach presents good waves especially for the new surfer and for those who consider themselves professional. Many companies that belong to the surf schools rent out equipment and give lessons to clients. The best time for surfing in Varkala is during the post-monsoon season when the waves are at their best. Indulging the interest it has gained popularity today, many Varkala tour packages include surfing lessons or sessions.
3. Yoga and Meditation
Yoga and Meditation also don’t usually fall under the bracket of adventurous activity and travel, but as the liberation of the mind and soul, they do present a kind of exhilaration of a different kind to the tourists in Varkala. Clifftop boasts a large number of yoga centres where one can attend classes with a view of the ocean. Be it the basic level classes to the complex yoga courses, one can avail anything that he or she wants. It is worth mentioning that in many hotels accommodating Varkala, the tour packages offer yoga and meditation.
Accommodation Options in Varkala
1. Clifftop Resorts
If you are planning to get a bird’s eye view of the city and the surrounding landscape and convenient access to other tourist places in Varkala, the clifftop resorts are the perfect option. Many of these properties have amazing sea views, mainly on the Arabian Sea, and sometimes the units are just a stone’s throw from the lively cliff periphery. Some of these resorts have been established with gyms, pools near the beach, bars, and restaurants with eye-popping sea views. Tourwings. com provides the option of many clifftop resorts in the Varkala tour packages that they have in store for their clients for those wishing to have a more luxurious experience with a breathtaking view of the landscape.
2. Beach Resorts
Whatever the case, the beach resorts in Varkala are quite distinct: many of them are right on the beach, sandwiched between the sand and the sea. Such accommodations like the Clafouti Beach Resort Varkala give the best of both worlds; comfort and the feel of the beach. Such consolidations usually contain tropical gardens, a beachfront dining hall, and a water activities centre. A beach resort enables guests to wake up and take a walk on the beach, especially in the morning. Variations of the same in the evening also apply similarly, they can be able to watch the sun setting right from the hotel.
3. Natural Beauty
Eco-friendly accommodations are available for tourists in Varkala as it is very conscious of environmental conservation. This includes; Eco-cottages and yoga retreat centers, which entail very little harm to the environment. Most of these properties are developed with the use of solar energy, organic materials, and products obtained from the surrounding community. The eco-stays afford closer contact with the nature of Varkala and are effective for tourists who want to have a spiritual touch to their vacations.
Sightseeing in Varkala
1. Kappil Lake and Beach
Being at a slight distance of 7 km lying to the north of Varkala, Kappil Lake and Beach can be taken as a less crowded place to relax. There is of course the approach of the lake to the sea that forms a beautiful environment, especially for photography. There are opportunities to have boat tours on the lake or just to spend time on the rather secluded strip of sand. Most of the Varkala sightseeing trips have Kappil on their list as this is quite far away from the beach strip.
2. Anchuthengu Fort
Anchuthengu Fort, or Anjengo Fort as it is popularly called, is a historical place situated about 12 km from Varkala. This building was constructed in the 17th century by the British East India Company and shed light on the colonial history of India. There is a lighthouse close to the fort that offers a good vantage point of the coast in the vicinity. This is a historical site and ideal for historians; normally, people recommend including it in their general Varkala travel itineraries.
3. Varkala Tunnel
Among Varkala tourist places, the Varkala Tunnel, built in the 1880s, is one of the major attractions of the area. This tunnel is a historical touchstone for transportation and is 924 feet long to transport the goods easily. The passageway is currently open for tourists as a structure explanation and history of its creation is also provided. A few of the popular Varkala tour packages do come with a visit to this interesting place and a peek at the industrial face of the place.
