Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)

Napier Museum & Art Gallery,
Location : Both Museum and Art Gallery are situated in the Napier Museum compound, right in the heart of the city, near the zoological park.
Visiting Hours : Open 1000 - 1645 hrs. Closed on Mondays, Wednesday forenoons, Jaunary 26th, August 15th, Thiruvonam and Mahanavami.
Napier Museum(Government Art Museum), named after the former Madras Governor General John Napier. Built in the 19th century, houses a rare collection of archaeological and historic artefacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings. The Sree Chitra Art Gallery features a rare collection of paintings by Raja Ravi Varma and Roerich among others, and fascinating works from various schools of art.
Getting there:
Nearest railway station : Thiruvananthapuram central, about 2 km.
Nearest airport : Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 6 km from the city.

Neyyar reservoir
Location: About 32 km from Thiruvananthapuram.
The Neyyar Dam is a popular picnic spot with a lake, formed by the dam across the Neyyar river A boat ride through the scenic damsight is irresistable for the visitors. Th dam is part of The Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary which is the habitat of over a hundred rare species of fauna including elephants, wild buffaloes, wild boar, porcupines, tigers and a variety of snakes.
Getting There:
Nearest railway station : Thiruvananthapuram, about 32 km away.
Nearest airport : Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 38 km.

Padmanabhapuram Palace
Location : In Thuckalay, 64 km from Thiruvananthapuram, situated in Tamilnadu, a neighbouring State.
Visiting hours :9:00 am to 5:00 pm on all days except Mondays.
A magnificent wooden palace of the 16th century, Padmanabhapuram Palace lies at the land's end of mainland India. This is the old palace of the Rajas of the erstwhile Travancore (1550 to 1750 AD) is a fine specimen of Kerala's indigenous style of architecture. The interiors are replete with intricate rosewood carvings and sculptured decor. The palace also contains 17th and 18th century murals. Durbar Hall with a shiny black floor specially made from a combination of egg white, jaggery lime, burnt coconut, charcoal and river sand, with many mangnificiant structures of artistic and monumental value , This still under the Government of Kerala's administration.
Getting There:
By Road 64 KM from Trivandrum
By Railway Thuckalay Railway station

Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary
Location:About 50 km from Thiruvananthapuram city enroute to Ponmudi, Thiruvananthapuram district, south Kerala.
The Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1938, is spread over an area of 53 sq. km. on the Western Ghats. The place is fascinating for thick forest areas, crystal clear streams and rocky terrains ideal for adventure expeditions. Elephants, sambar, leopard, lion-tailed macaque and cormorant are commonly seen here.
Getting there:
Nearest railway station : Thiruvananthapuram, about 50 km from the sanctuary.
Nearest airport : Thiruvananthapuram, about 56 km from the sanctuary.

Ponmudi
Location: About 61 km from Thiruvananthapuram city,south Kerala.
Altitude: 915m above sea level.
Ponmudi is a hill resort with narrow winding pathways and cool, green environs. It houses a beautiful array of mountain flowers, exotic butterflies and small rivulets, Ponmudi offers excellent opportunities for trekking.
Getting there:
Nearest railway station : Thiruvananthapuram central, about 61 km
Nearest airport : Thiruvananthapuram International Airport about 67 km