HILL STATIONS IN KERALA - KUMAAR HOLIDAYS

"The Silence of Nature is very real

It Surrounds you . . .

You can feel it."

 

KUMAAR HOLIDAYS

No.42, Chowdary Nagar Main Road,

Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087.

Cell: 7810896933 / 78109 86933 / 93810 61000

Hills of Munnar and the Neelakurinji

One could say this as a unique life cycle, and a phenomenon that makes the hills of Munnar a special place for biologists. The biological phenomenon of the mass blooming of the Neelakurinji (Strobilanthus) flower that takes place once in twelve years has once again arrived in the famed hill resort of Munnar. Neela means blue in Malayalam language and Kurinji the local name of the flower. For those in Munnar, the blooming of Kurinji flower is a reminder that their lives have gone past another twelve years, and for those from far off; may be it is reminder to witness a once in a life time rare sight of the Kurinji flowers covering the slopes and ravines of Munnar in a blanket of blue.

The Kurinji flower, which last bloomed en masse in the year 1994, has showed up at some places around Munnar like Mattupetty and Top Station. Shortly, the slopes of Munnar hills would be blanketed by the Kurinji flowers, which would add yet another alluring charm to the sights and sounds of Munnar. Visitors to Munnar in the coming months can enjoy this marvelous sight, which is bound to leave an everlasting memory about this fascinating hill resort.

Situated about 1600 mts above sea level, Munnar is well known for its vast expanse of tea plantations, cool weather, plantation bungalows and is blessed with a rich variety of flora and fauna. It is home to the majestic Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragas hylocres), which is an endangered species. Over the year, good conservation methods helped it to thrive well in the Eravikulam National Park, located close to the town of Munnar. Close by is yet another attraction in the form of the Anamudi Peak, which is the tallest peak south of the Himalayas, and is an ideal spot for trekking. A visit to the Mattupetty reservoir and a boat ride in the adjoining lake is a delightful experience. Here, one may also visit the Indo-Swiss dairy farm, which houses some of the finest breeds of cows.

Some other attractions in and around Munnar include some vantage viewpoints like the Top Station, which is the highest point on the Munnar-Kodaikanal rout; Marayoor, famous for its naturally existing sandalwood trees, Kundala, a picturesque town with a golf course maintained by the Tata Tea Company and the Pallivasal Hydroelectric project, which is the first such project in Kerala. Other nearby places of interest includes Echo Point, Chithirapuram, Anayirankal, Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls.

If for the first time, let Kurinji be your reason to embrace the mist-clad hills of Munnar. It is a place, where you would be tempted to scale heights that you never dared to; wet your feet in gurgling streams and rivulets, and care for a tête-à-tête with some of its unique wildlife, and even take a stroll among the plantations and take in the refreshing cool, crisp air.

AGASTYAKOODAM

 

Part of the Sahyadri ranges (Western Ghats) of mountains, Agasthyakoodam, at a height of 1,890 m above sea level, is the second highest peak in Kerala. Teeming with wildlife, the forests of Agasthyakoodam abound in rare medicinal herbs and plants, and brilliantly hued orchids. A bird watcher’s paradise, this legendary mountain is accessible by foot from Kotoor, near Neyyar Dam and also from Bonakkad. Trekking to Agasthyakoodam is believed to be healthy, the very air here is supposed to have healing properties. It is believed that sage Agasthya, the mythological character lived here.
Women are not allowed up the peak and permission is required to trek. The season from December to April is advocated for trekking, for which a forest pass has to be obtained the wildlife office in Thiruvananthapuram.

Amrithamedu

Amrithamedu, popularly known as Kurisumala is a pilgrim centre as well as a trekker's delight. During Easter, pilgrims climb the 'Stations of the Cross', which would require a pilgrim to cover 14 points, with each point having a cross denoting various phases of Jesus Christ's last journey. During the course of the trek, when one reaches the third cross, a good stretch of Peerumedu becomes visible, which is indeed an enjoyable sight. One can also see tea estates in the distance and also the rolling Kokkad hills.

As one proceeds further up, the surrounding landscape soon becomes more and more breathtaking. Once the climb reaches the ninth cross, one would step on to a plateau and the mist that engulfs you at this place is quite an experience. This is Amrithamedu, the highest point in Kuttikkanam region in Idukki district.

For avid trekkers, the nearby Madamakulam, located towards the northern side of Amrithamedu is worth a visit. It is a natural pond, formed at the foot of a waterfall. The pond is encircled by big boulders and is surrounded by dense woods. Amirthamedu offers a bird's eye-view of the entire Peermedu region.

Devikulam hills in Munnar

This idyllic hill station, situated about 8 km from Munnar, with its velvet lawns, exotic flora and fauna and the cool mountain air is a rare experience. The Sita Devi Lake, here, with its mineral waters and picturesque surroundings is a good picnic spot. The lake is also ideal for trout fishing.

 CHARALKUNNU

Charalkunnu is a picturesque hill station near Ranni in Pathanamthitta offers a panoramic view of the nearby valleys. A camp house on the hill provides comfortable lodging.

Chembra peak in Wayanad

Hike up the rugged terrains of the Chembra Peak located 2,100 metres above sea level on the southern part of Wayanad. Chembra is the tallest peak in Wayanad and is an ideal area for trekking. There is a heart shaped lake on the way to the top of the peak, which is believed to have never dried up, is a major tourist attraction here. With permission from the Forest Department, one-day treks and two-day wildlife treks are possible. You can have group treks of up to ten people or hike on your own, accompanied by a guide.

Dhoni in Palakkad

 

Dhoni hills in Palakkad is popular picnic spot with a small and beautiful waterfall. It takes a three hours trek from the base of the Dhoni hills to reach this reserve forest area.

Edakkal caves

What kind of people were our ancestors? What kind of lives did they lead? Often, the paths leading to the answers to these questions are as fascinating as the answers themselves. If you would like to walk a little way along one such wonderful path of discovery, one good place to visit would be the Edakkal caves in the Ambukuthi Hills in North Kerala, considered to be one of the earliest centres of human habitation. Inside the cave you will find ancient stone scripts, pictorial wall inscriptions of human and animal figures with peculiar headdresses, the swastik form, symbols and cave drawings of human figures, wheels, bows, knives, trees and so on.

Similar cave drawings, considered to be 7000 years old, are found only in Stiriya in the European Alps and a few rocky places in Africa. The caves, which are found around 10 km from Sultan Bathery, are two natural rock formations believed to have been formed by a large split in a huge rock.

Gavi

Gavi Eco-Tourism a project of the Kerala Forest Development Corporation has caught the attention of tourists, mostly from European countries. The project is exclusive in many respects and the majority who visited was nature lovers and adventure tourists. Over a short period of time visitors to Gavi gradually increased, especially after 'Alistair International' the world acclaimed tourism major listed it among the leading eco-tourism centres and one of the must-see places in India.

A highlight of the Gavi eco project is the involvement of the local populace in its activities as guides, gardeners and cooks. This will provide livelihood for the locals and also will help to create awareness on conservation of nature. Gavi, located in Pathanamthitta district offers its visitors activities like trekking, wildlife watching, outdoor camping in specially built tents, and night safaris.

The road leading to the picturesque Gavi is blanketed by tea plantations, which itself is a refreshing experience. En route to Gavi are places of interest like Mundakayyam, Kuttikanam, Peermedu and Vandiperiyar from where the road deviates to Gavi.

Once you reach Gavi the serene eco-lodge 'Green Mansion' awaits you like a fairy to embrace you in its protective fold. From the 'Green Mansion', one can savour the spectacular view of the Gavi Lake and the adjoining forests. Besides the accommodation provided in 'Green Mansion' visitors can also try out the tree houses here and can even pitch tents amidst the wilderness. Here one can have outstanding trekking experiences, which are overseen by trained local people. Those who would love to be left alone can do so in the tranquil environs of Gavi or may even go canoeing in the placid waters of the lake or enjoy a breathtaking sunset. Visitors are usually provided vegetarian food and snacks, which further adds to the eco-friendly ambiance of the place.

The place is rich in flora and fauna. There are hills and valleys, tropical forests, sprawling grasslands, sholas, cascading waterfalls and cardamom plantations. Endangered species including the Nilgiri Tahr and Lion-tailed macaque are often sighted at the outskirts of Gavi. With more than 260 species of birds including the great pied hornbill, woodpecker, and kingfishers, Gavi is a heaven for birdwatchers.

Some of the breathtaking viewpoints at Gavi like the Valley View offer spectacular view of a deep ravine and the forest below. From Kochu Pampa, a point near Green Mansion eco-lodge one can track the grazing Nilgiri Tahrs.

The famous pilgrim destination, Sabarimala is a short trek from Gavi. For those interested in observing the nocturnal wildlife, night safaris to Kullur, Gavi Pullumedu, Kochu Pampa, Pachakanam provide ample opportunities for wildlife viewing.

Another unique feature of Gavi is camping in the forests. One can pitch a tent in the camping site, which is a rarity in many Indian forests. As the dusk stretches into the silence of the night, one can feel the presence of wildlife in the middle of nowhere, an experience that cannot be explained in words. There are also tree top houses where one can enjoy the avian life to the fullest.

Active involvement of tribals in Gavi makes it a unique venture of its kind in the country. Traditional knowledge of the forest and its way of life helps Gavi to sustain its surroundings in its original state.

Gavi is bound to cast its magical spell on every visitor and is surely a place that should not be missed in one's lifetime. Gavi is pristine, and it belongs to the wild, which is a reminder that visitors are responsible for their intentions and actions, which will have a bearing on the upkeep of Gavi for a long time to come.

Grampi

Grampi, situated near Peerumedu, is also known as Parunthupara (eagle rock) because of the panoramic view from its high peaks. Rocky plains, lush hillsides, forests, trekking trails and picturesque views lend charm to this destination. The road to Grampi is flanked by unending stretches of cardamom, tea and coffee plantations.

 

KUMAAR HOLIDAYS

No.42, Chowdary Nagar Main Road,

Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087.

Cell: 7810896933 / 78109 86933 / 93810 61000

Ilaveezhapoonchira

Skirting Kottayam district are the beautiful valleys of Ilaveezhapoonchira, spread over thousands of acres. This delightful picnic spot located in the midst of beautiful hillocks near Kanjar, is also ideal for trekking.

During the monsoons when the valley fills up to form a scenic lake, this place unveils yet another beautiful slice of nature. Ilaveezhapoonchira means ‘valley where leaves don’t fall’ and is named so because the place has no trees. This is also one of the best places in Kerala to enjoy both the sunrise and sunset. It is easily accessible from Thodupuzha in Kottayam.

Kundala - a picturesque town in Munnar

Kundala is a picturesque town on the way to Top Station in Munnar. The sprawling Kundala Tea Plantations and the Kundala Lake are the main attractions here. A golf course which belongs to Tata Tea Ltd is located here. The Kundala Artificial Dam is another attraction and is also known as Sethuparvathipuram Dam. Aruvikkad Waterfall is also near Kundala.
The District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC), Idukki conducts Tea Valley Tour,. The Tea Vallery Tour covers Mattupetty dam, Echo Point, Kundala, Top Station and Rajamala (Eravikulam National Park).

Jatayupara at Chadayamangalam

The huge rock at Chadayamangalam takes its name from the mythical bird Jatayu in the epic Ramayana, who is believed to have collapsed on the rock after failing in his attempts to thwart Ravana's kidnapping of Sita. This picnic spot is situated on MC Road.

Iringal, Kozhikode

Iringal is the birthplace of Kunhali Marakkar, who commanded the Zamorin’s fleet and held the Portuguese vessels at bay for a long period. The birthplace of this valiant admiral, on the southern banks of the Moorad River, is today preserved by the Department of Archaeology. The Iringal Craft Village, a new venture set up in 20 acres of land at Iringal is a production cum training cum marketing centre of the ethnic handicraft products of Kerala.

Neelimala Viewpoint

It is just not water, but a milky way, tearing apart the dense greenery of Wayanad forests. The Meenmutti waterfalls, gushing down and then flowing in cascades further down its course is an awesome sight to watch from the Neelimala viewpoint near Vaduvanchal in Wayanad.

Reach Chundale before Kalpetta in Wayanad District and take the Ootty road to the right that goes via Meppadi and on reaching Vaduvanchal turn right. It is best to hire a four wheeler form here to reach Neelimala view point. After three kilomteres drive from Vaduvanchal, the road turns to the right and climbs up a rugged road to reach the base of a tribal settlement, surrounded by coffee plantation and pepper vines. Get down, pick your backpack, put on your trekking shoes and of course keep a good camera.

On the way up to the Neelimala viewpoint, one would have the company of the coffee plantations on either side and further up, small holdings of ginger and areca nut. The sides of the path leading to the view point is also dotted with small bushes of purple flower plants and also chirping sun birds and other varieties of small birds darting in and out of the bushes.

Completing the first part of the ascend, which is about half a kilometer, the trekking path gets narrower and goes down before it climbs up again. Now the vegetation on the sides changes to tall, wild grass, including the lemon grass variety. The narrow path goes further up and suddenly opens up into a panoramic view, with the mountain folds of the Western Ghats on your left and a hill slope replete with grass and studded with boulders on the right. You have reached the Neelimala view point.

Have a brief stop. Catch your breath. Feel the cool breeze in your hair, as it dries out the sweat. Take a look around to spot some butterflies with rare colour and size, gliding down the slopes and sometimes going behind the mist. As you remain there, your ears slowly get receptive to a rumble down the valley. If you hear it, take the narrow path going down to the left. Make your way through tall grasses leaning on to you. Move gently and watch out for slippery rocks and pits. Meandering to the left, the path would lead you to a spot, where you would find yourself standing behind a rocky spur with the rumbling noise becoming intense manifold.

Carefully make your descend down and move towards the middle of the rocky spur. It would take some time for you to believe the mesmerizing sight that is right before you. Down flows a track of white water, flanked by evergreen forests. A sight you would never forget. Get your best shots and take in its pristine beauty as much as you can. As you watch the unforgettable sight of Meenmutti waterfall, an occasional blanket of thick mist could block your sight. But, do not get upset. Wait for some time and as the mist clears out, and on occasions the sheet of mist would split open to reveal the waterfall, which is yet another delightful thing to watch.

Ponmudi Hill Station 

Located within a short driving distance of Thiruvananthapuram, Ponmudi is an enchanting hill resort with narrow winding pathways and cool, green environs. Along with a beautiful array of mountain flowers, exotic butterflies and small rivulets, Ponmudi offers excellent opportunities for trekking. With its tea estates and mist covered valleys Ponmudi is a fast developing hill resort with cottages and dormitory accommodation facilities.

Ramakalmedu, Idukki

Located in Idukki district of Kerala, Ramakalmedu is about 40 km from Thekkady, which is one of the popular wildlife destinations in Kerala. Traveling on the Thekkady-Munnar road, one can reach the captivating hills of Ramakalmedu in the Western Ghats, which is about 16 km from Nedumkandam.

The place gets its name from the impressions of the feet found on the rock surface here, which is believed to be of Rama, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, as told in the Indian epic Ramayana.

Ramakalmedu is noted for its verdant, cool hills and also for the panoramic and picturesque views of villages in the neighbouring state of Tamilnadu, which is towards the eastern side of the Western Ghats. A noticeably tall, pillar-like rocky structure, about 300 m high and facing east is another attraction here.

It is one of the windiest places in Asia and being so, one can also find here a wind farm generating electricity, which is an undertaking of the Government of Kerala.

Other attractions in-and-around Ramakalmedu include places like frog rock, turtle rock and the highest twin-statue in Kerala; called kuravan and kurathi.

On the way to Ramakalmedu, travellers can enjoy the vast stretches of plantations that include rubber, tea, cardamom, coffee, pepper and the beautiful hills of Kuttikkaanam.

Vagamon, Idukki

Have you visited beautiful, green Vagamon Are you thinking, "In a green country, what's the attraction of yet another verdant spot" Well, the point is Vagamon is not just any other verdant spot. Of course, you can get grassy hills, velvet lawns and cool mountain air in many other places but not the Vagamon kind; not just this exciting blend of religious mysticism and European legacy.

Like a lot of other beautiful things in life, Vagamon too has to be experienced, not read about or its stories merely listened to. What you've got to do is get yourself some means of transport, head straight for Idukki district and then on to Vagamon. Once there, try taking off your shoes, closing your eyes and just listening to Vagamon.

And when you're through with the mystic getting to know session, you could take a trek across the chain of three hills - the Thangal hill, the Murugan hill and the Kurisumala, important for Muslims, Hindus and Christians respectively.

And don't miss the nice, little dairy farm of the Kurisumala monks.

Vellari Mala waterfalls, Kozhikode

Verdant, rolling landscape, with numerous brooks, cascades and breathtaking waterfalls, Vellari Mala offers is a true abode for you to unwind and to immerse in the whiff of its limitless fresh air. River Kanjirapuzha, a tributary of the River Chaliyar, meanders through the rocky terrain, creating cascades and breathtaking waterfalls at many points. The land's beauty and topography is truly a trekker's paradise and is also an ideal picnic spot for people of all age group to have a good time. Vellari Mala is situated near Thusharagiri is in Kozhikode district. Scintillating waterfalls and velvet green landscapes make this an ideal spot for trekking.

Thrissanku Hills, Idukki

Thrissanku Hills in Peermedu is a lovely landscape. The gentle breeze at this rolling hills make this an ideal spot for long walks. The hills offer a breathtaking view of the sunrise and sunset.

Vythiri Hill Station, Wayanad

Vythiri, located in the hill district of Wayanad, is a popular hill station in Kerala. The destination has earned the reputation of having vast areas of spice plantations, luxuriant forests and rich cultural traditions, especially that of the tribal communities. Vythiri, which still retains its immaculate natural wealth, makes it an excellent picnic spot for both locals and tourists. Major attractions in Vythiri are:-

Karalad Lake:

About 8 km from Vythiri
An unusually quiet retreat, the lake offers facilities for angling and boating as well as a recreational park. The trek to this lake is also quite exciting.

Lakkidi:

About 55 km east of Kozhikode & 5 km south of Vythiri
The gateway to Wayanad, Lakkidi is situated 700 m above mean sea level, at the crest of the Thamarasseri Ghat Pass. Lofty peaks, gurgling streams and luxuriant forests add magic to the journey up the winding roads to this hill station.

Pookot Lake:

About 3 km from Vythiri
This perennial freshwater lake near Lakkidi is surrounded by lush evergreen forest. Kayaking, pedal and row boating, a freshwater aquarium, children’s park, a handicrafts and spices emporium are among the tourist facilities available here.

STUDY NATURE

 LOVE NATURE

 STAY CLOSE TO NATURE 

 IT WILL NEVER FAIL YOU

 

KUMAAR HOLIDAYS

No.42, Chowdary Nagar Main Road,

Valasaravakkam, Chennai-600087.

Cell: 7810896933 / 78109 86933 / 93810 61000