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The
Western Ghats
run along the length of
Kerala,
India
and there are a number of beautiful hill stations on these
beautiful ranges, which provide an alternative to the beaches
and backwaters of Kerala. Tourists can combine visits to all
these regions to see a complete picture of Kerala tourism.
Some of the best hill stations in Kerala are:
Munnar
Munnar is a very famous hill station located some 130 kms from
Kochi in the state of Kerala. The place lies towards the east, in central
Kerala and its borders coincide with that of Tamil Nadu state.
The hill station is situated mainly in one of the taluks of
Idukki district. One more famous hill station, Kodaikanal, lies
nearby, around 90 kms from Munnar.
 The
undulating terrain of Munnar are enchanting, with the low lying
hills covered with bright flower meadows and the spread out tea
plantations. The place is essentially a resort town. The beauty
of the place had long fascinated the Europeans and the place
used to serve as summer resort for the Britishers during their
occupation of the lands. The place is located at an average
altitude of about 1600 metres and contains one of the highest
peaks in
South India, Anamudi. The
altitude and the nearby
Arabian Sea accounts for the pleasant climate that prevails throughout the
year.
Munnar valley was developed by the Scottish planters in the
early 20th century. The tea plantations is an important feature
of Munnar. The plantations stand at heights from 4300 ft to 6100
ft above sea level. The Nilgiris, famous for the cultivation of
tea, was responsible for the introduction of the plantations at
Munnar, on hills popularly called Kanan Devan Hills.
Tourist Attractions in Munnar
Mattupetty
 The place is situated at a distance of about 13 kms from Munnar.
Mattupetty is famous for its cattle rearing farm and quality
bred live stock. The farm is located at a height of about 1700
metres and is further provided with a dam and a beautiful lake.
The place is a popular picnic spot.
Eravikulam
National Park
Eravikulam
National Park that provides home to Nilgiri Tahr, is located about
 15
kms from Munnar. This 97 sq kms stretch was declared as a
wildlife sanctuary in 1975 and later on in 1978 as a national
park. The place withholds great beauty, with grasslands and hill
tops dominating the landscape. The treks along these hillsides
are filled with action and adventure. One can go up to
Anamudi
Peak, on foot from
here.
Rajamala:
Located 15 km from Munnar, Rajamala is known for sightings of
the rare Nilgiri Tahr, an antelope-like creature, which is also
related to mountain goats and can be seen on the hills in this
region.
Lock Heart Gap : Some 13 kms from Munnar is present the
Lock Heart Gap, a place known for trekking. The Lock Heart Gap
provides for a pass in the mountain with some enticing treks and
routes. The
mountain view is splendid and one can feel on top of the
world.
Chithirapuram : Chithirapuram is a small resort town with
sprawling tea plantations all around. The place is provided with
tourist cottages and bungalows that make a visit worth it.
Attukal : Attukal is yet another attraction located at
Munnar, some 9 kms from it. The place features cascaded
waterfalls and hills and a fantastic trekking routes.
Echo Point : The place is very popular for the natural
phenomenon. The echo that reverberates after hitting the distant
hills is fascinating. Echo Point is about 15 kms from Munnar.
Ramakalmedu:
Located at a distace of 16 km from Nedumkandam on the
Thekkady-Munnar Road, Ramakalmedu is a beautiful
hill station, which offers fresh mountain air and pleasant views
of gentle hills all around.
How to Reach
The nearest railway station and airport to Munnar are situated
at
Kochi, about 130 kms from the place. The bus stations
nearest to the place are the ones located at Pothmedu (3 kms),
Pallivasal (6kms), Mattupety (13 kms). The long distance bus
services are available from many regions like Kodaikanal,
Thekkady, Alappuzha,
Kochi, etc.
Devikulam
 Devikulam,
a dainty town, sixteen kilometers southwest of Munnar consist of
irresistibly green slopes touching the sky at a thousand metres
and its silent clusters of slender red and blue gum trees. It
has a lovely little lake hidden within the rolling hills. The
idyllic hill station with its velvet lawns, exotic flora and
fauna and the cool mountain air offers a rare experience to
visitors. The
Sita
Devi
Lake is an ideal
place for trout fishing.
According to a legend, Sita Devi, the holy consort of Lord Rama,
came down to frolic in the lake and the place came to be spoken
about as 'Devikulam'(meaning the lake of the goddess), ever
since.
Irresistibly green slopes touching the sky at a thousand metres.
Silent clusters of slender red and blue gum trees. A lovely,
little lake hidden within the rolling hills. This is Devikulam.
A dainty town sixteen kilometres southwest of Munnar.
A perfect picture of fairy-tale enchantment. The legend has it
that once Sita Devi, the holy consort of Lord Rama, came down to
frolic in the lake and the place came to be spoken about as 'Devikulam'
(meaning the lake of the goddess), ever since.
Weather
You may enjoy the crisp and cool mountain air throughout the
year at Devikulam.
Location
The hill resort of Devikulam is sixteen kilometers southwest of
Munnar at an amazing altitude of 1800 m above sea level.
Travel Attractions of Devikulam
Sita
Devi
Lake
Devikulam boasts of a breathtakingly beautiful
Sita
Devi
Lake veiled in the
hills. As the name indicates the lake is associated with goddess
Sita. Tourists flock to the
Lake owing to the splendid surroundings, many believe in the curative
powers of the mineral water of the lake. It is believed that
goddess Sita had bathed in the waters of this lake making it
sacred for the pilgrims that visit Devikulam.
Adventure Seekers Heavan
Even the adventure seekers throng the waters of the
Sita
Devi
Lake, as they are
ideal for trout fishing. The scenic beauty, adventure sports,
beliefs and religion come together to make the
Sita
Devi
Lake a major
tourist attraction in Devikulam. Prior permission from Tata Tea
is required in order to visit the lake or catch the fresh water
fish.
A perfect Picnic Spot
The nature lovers can experience Heaven on earth at Devikulam
with the wild flowers and rare herbs that grow in bounty on the
Devikulam Hills. In close proximity to the
Devikulam
Lake is the Pallivasal Waterfalls that make excellent site for picnics
owing to the beauty of nature in the spectacular sights, sounds
and smells in the surroundings.
Tea Plantations
There are several tea plantations in and around Devikulam that
add to the charm of the hill resort. The gum trees in red and
blue are the other major highlights of the natural vegetation at
Devikulam. For those of the tourists to Devikulam interested in
visiting the tea estates, tea plantations or the factories
conducted tours are available.
Chinnar Wildlife
Sanctuary
 There
is the famous Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary at a distance of 50 km
from Devikulam. In the sanctuary you may spot the Elephants,
leopards, gaurs, sambars besides the highly endangered species
of the Grizzled Giant Squirrel and the Star Tortoise. You may
even climb up the watchtower and enjoy the wondrous vistas of
the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. The
Thoovanam
Falls on the river Chinnar are the other must checkout in the sanctuary.
Wrapped in the tea estates is the Mattupetty. The views of the
mist clad mountains and the hillocks from the
Mattupetty
Lake are
breathtakingly beautiful. The rains add to the charm or the
already captivating
Mattupetty
Lake.
Getting there
The ascent to Devikulam from
Kochi of 149 km takes 4
and ½ hours whereas from Kottayam you are there at Devikulam
that is 132 km away in 4 hrs.
Accommodation
While in Devikulam you may reside in the Guest House run by the
Government that offers a comfortable stay to the tourists.
Peermade
Situated 915 m above
sea level, Peermade is on the way to the Periyar Wildlife
Sanctuary. This
pleasant hill station was once the summer retreat of the Maharajas of Travancore.
Peermade is indeed a cool hill resort in Kerala. Here you will
find sprawling tea, coffee, cardamom, rubber and eucalyptus
plantations side by side with natural grasslands and pine
forests.
The Sufi saint and an associate of the rulers Peer Mohammed
lends his name to Peermade. Peermade thus means the hill of the
Peer. Peermade has since long attracted the trekkers, nature
lovers, picnickers alike. As a hill resort Peermade has also
been providing refuge to the sun scorched souls from the plains.
The idyllic hill resort of Peermade indeed rejuvenates the mind,
body and the soul.
Clouds drop gently on the peaks that flank the verdant slopes of
Peermade. Rich with mile upon mile of plantations falling away
in precise steps. Broken only by spectacular waterfalls in the
distance and wide open grasslands in places. On a fairly warm
day the mercury reads between five and ten degrees celsius.
Little wonder then, that the former Rajas of Travancore sought
this tiny hill station out as their summer resort.
Location
Peermade lies 85 km east of Kottayam at an altitude of 915m
above sea level.The weather is cool at Peermade all through the
year owing to its altitude. The cool breezes make Peermade
pleasant to be visited any time of the year.
Unique Travel Attractions
Gorgeous Grasslands
Peermade is surrounded by gorgeous greens of the plantations of
Coffee, tea, coconut, pepper, cardamom, rubber and eucalyptus.
The gorgeous green grasslands and the pine forests add to the
rich flora of Peermade.
Tea
Plantation
One can visit Tea estates and factories in and around Peermade.
In Pattumala the famous tea factories plantations are Located.
The
Velamkanni
Matha
Church and the flower
garden are the other must visits at Pattumala.
Gurgling Waterfalls
at Peermade
Waterfall at Peermade is another major tourist attraction.
Meloram, Nallathanni, Panchalimedu and Valanjamkanam are amongst
the waterfalls worth visiting at Peermade.
Adventure Lovers
Paradise
For adventure loving people there are many trekking trails that
add to the pristine beauty of Peermade. Peeru Hills, Kalthotti,
Vagamon along with Karandakapara Hills, Grampi or Parunthupara,
Memala offer excellent trekking routes.
Cycling and horse riding are the other activities popular at
Peermade. Kuttikanam is the other town close to Peermade where
one have terrific trekking opportunities.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
In close vicinity to Peermade, 43 km away, is the Periyar
Wildlife Sanctuary. The wildlife reserve is renowned for its
tigers, elephants, sambar, flying squirrels and laughing
thrushes. In fact in the grasslands of the Peermade itself you
may spot the tiger and the leopard besides the Bison, wild bear,
languor and monkeys.
Ayurvedic Centre
In Peermade Sahyadri Ayurvedic Centre which offers curative and
rejuvenating treatment packages. the visit to the raw drugs
museum with the collection of 200 varieties of rare and
endangered herbs is worth.
Location and Getting There
Peermade lies 85 km east of Kottayam at an altitude of 915m
above sea level. The hill resort of Peermade lies in a fertile
region of the
Western ghats. The weather is cool
at Peermade all through the year owing to its altitude. The
freeze breezes make Peermade pleasant to be visited any time of
the year.
Accommodation
You may reside at the Government Guest House of Peermade that
offers a comfortable and cozy stay. The facilities provided and
the sumptuous cuisine available at the Tourist Bungalow of
Peermade adds to the charm of the hill resort. A hotel and
private station are also available at Peermade.
Vagamon
Vagamon is the final
word in your holiday options, which provides unlimited
holidaying fantastic round the year, except with the season
being slightly off during the monsoons.
Vagamon is blessed with the holly presence of hermits
with European legacies. The meditation top gives you the
tranquility.
The enchanting hill station dotted with many of tea
gardens will soon be one of
India's foremost eco-tourism projects. Grass covered hills; velvet lawns
and the cool mountain air make Vagamon a perfect holiday retreat
3500 feet above sea level [Temperature between 10 and 25 degree
Celsius]. A curious blend of religious mysticism and European
legacies, this hillside village is a haven of tranquility. The
chain of three hills - Thangal para, Murugan mala and Kurisumala
- is a mark of religious harmony. Green tea gardens and hill
stations engulf it. All the trekking enthusiasts will
enjoy climbing this 1100 meters tall hill. This tourist place
also has to offer Thangal Para Indo-Swiss Project and Kurisumala
Ashram. The dairy farm managed by the Kurisumala monks is worth
a visit.
How to Reach
Vagamon is roughly 100 km from
Cochin, and 65 km from
Kottayam. It is easily accessible by road from Kottayam and
Cochin. Other tourist
attractions around Vagamon like Periyar sanctuary at Thekkady,
Bird Sanctuary at Kumarakom, Hill resorts at Munnar, Kodaikanal
etc. are easily accessible by road from Vagamon.
Nelliyampathy
This fascinating hill station is located at a distance of
52 km from Palakkad; the cool hills of Nelliampathy are a
delight to adventure lovers and trekkers. At a height of 1467 to
1572 meters above sea level is a fascinating hill station, which
offers a panoramic view of about one third of Palakkad.
Nelliyampathy, spread over 82 sq km, has the highest peak at
Nellikotta, which is also called Padagiri. At least 10 hairpin
bends have to be negotiated on the Ghat road that passes through
the breathtaking evergreen forests of the
Sahya
Ranges. The hills
dipped in the pristine beauty of nature are sprinkled with
picturesque tea, coffee, cardamom, vegetable and orange
plantations.
Small and big waterfalls frequently punctuate the rich
greenery of the forests hugging these hills. Among these, the
one at Seethakundu, the 1000 metre waterfall is a major
attraction. Seethakundu offers a fantastic view of
the valley below a wide angled panoramic picture of about one
third of Palakkad, as beautiful as the green Valleys of
Kodaikkanal. The lovely climate and green magic of the hills
provide an exhilarating and unforgettable experience. The DTPC
Palakkad offers accommodation in the tourist resort with all
facilities.
Attractions in Nelliyampathy in Kerala
Pothundy
The
Pothundy dam is a spectacular locale and one of the major draws
for those on a tour to the Kerala Hill Stations. It lies on the
way to Nelliyampathy, close to
village
of
Nenmara
and built across two tributaries of Ayalar River-
Meenachadypuzha and the Padipuzha.
Seetharkundu
Seetharkundu offers a spectacular view of the plains, as it is
located within the Karuna plantations. The gnarled tree is also
a major attraction besides the waterfalls here. It is said that
Lord Rama spent his days here during ‘vanavasa’. There’s a
wonderful stream of clear water that falls from the height of
1000 m and is the main tourist spot.
Mampara Grassland
The
grassland can only be reached through a treacherous road. It
offers fantastic views of the Palakkad range – grassy slopes,
dense forests and a patchwork of thriving paddy fields.
Ponmudi
 Ponmudi
(Malayalam meaning Golden Crown) is hill resort situated just
56km away from Thiruvananthapuram city, is an enchanting one for
tourists. It is just one and a half hour's road journey from
Thiruvananthapuram. Ponmudi, one of the
important hill stations in Kerala, is located 915m above
sea level. The main attractions at Ponmudi are Orchids and
Deer Park, which is only
3 kilometers away from the Ponmudi resort. The hill station well
known for its beautiful mountain flowers, exotic butterflies,
small rivulets and springs, Ponmudi offers excellent
opportunities for trekking.
Agasthyakoodam
This is a prominent peak situated in the Sahyadri range of
mountains and is the second highest peak in Kerala. Located 61km
away from Thiruvananthapuram at a height of 1890 meters above
sea level. Agasthyakoodam forest is abounding in rare medicinal
herbs and plants. This hill ranges is ornithologist’s heaven and
is accessible by foot from Kotoor near Neyyar Dam.
These are only some of the best-known hill stations in Kerala.
There are many more scenic destinations that you can see in the
Western Ghats
on tours of the hill stations in Kerala.
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