KUMAAR HOLIDAYS
No. 42, Chowdary Nagar Main Road,
Valasaravakkam, Chennai-87
Cell: 78109 86933, 78108 96933 / 93810 61000
E-mail: kumaarholidays1@gmail.com
Website: www.kumaarholidays.com
Thenmala (Then = Honey, Mala = Hills) or the hills that flow with honey is situated about 72 km from
Thiruvananthapuram, on the Shencottai Road. Once much sought-after for
its honey believed to have medicinal properties, Thenmala is today home to India's first planned eco-tourism project. The
nerve-centre of a chain of ten satellite eco-tourism destinations
scattered across the hill ranges of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and
Pathanamthitta districts, Thenmala is spread over acres of evergreen
forest.
A natural habitat of
diverse flora and fauna, this unique eco-tourism habitat lies 500 m
above sea level. The rugged terrain of this land harbouring a fragile
ecosystem packs plenty of adventure activities. Nature trails dotted
with delightful waterfalls and enchanting picnic spots attract
naturalists, conservationists and adventure seekers. With its forests,
rubber estates and tea plantations, Thenmala provides the perfect
background for leisure activities.
Eco tourism Activities
The principles of zoning in Eco tourism have been adopted here to create various zones, featuring specific familiarization activities for nature enthusiasts. The Thenmala Ecotourism Facilitation Centre has enough activities to entertain both adults and children.
The principles of zoning in Eco tourism have been adopted here to create various zones, featuring specific familiarization activities for nature enthusiasts. The Thenmala Ecotourism Facilitation Centre has enough activities to entertain both adults and children.
CULTURE Zone
Nakshatravanam
Butterfly Saffari
Musical-Dancing Fountain
- Amphitheatre - For local art forms and other cultural performances.
- Shop Court - Managed by local women self-help groups for selling local forest products, souvenirs, local handicrafts etc.
- Musical Dancing Fountain - A rhythmic ballet of water, sound and light in a natural ambience.
ADVENTURE ZONE
Mountain Biking
Mountain Biking
River Crossing
Canopy Walkway
Rock Climbing
- Nature Trail - Winding trail through various elevations in the zone.
- Canopy Walkway - Elevated path through a canopy of trees that helps explore the ecosystem and the level changes of the area.
- Lotus Pond - A water body that exhibits various forms of aquatic plants.
- Mountain Biking - A 2 m wide, 1000 m long bike path facilitates mountain biking with various levels of difficulty.
- Recreational Rock Climbing & Rappelling - Rocks of different heights and sizes are equipped with pegs and ropes to facilitate rock climbing and rappelling.
- River Crossing - Ropes are tied at a height across the river for adventurous river crossing activities.
- Hill Thrills - Valley crossing, spider net, shot range, trust fall, pedal boating etc.
- Resting Points - Quiet spots in the wilderness to take a break.
LEISURE Zone
Sculpture Garden
- Pathways - Winding trails leading tourists to various sites.
- Boardwalk - 250 m riverfront built of wooden planks that gives the visitor a close view of the stream below.
- Sway Bridge - An unsupported bridge, made of wooden planks and hung from ropes across the river.
- Sculpture Garden - Based on the theme 'Man and Nature', this garden depicts the relationship between the two in the serene backdrop of the forest.
- Resting Points - Quiet spots in the wilderness to take a break.
- Deep Woods - Soft trekking and biking programme to explore the two patches of Niptica swamp forest (2 to 4 hrs).
- Boating at the Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary: Battery-operated vehicles to the boat landing from where begins an exciting boat cruise. Watch wildlife at close quarters and be prepared for surprises.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS
An opportunity to befriend a deer and understand their delicate ecosystem. The deer that stray out from the forest are rehabilitated here. Spotted deer and the sambar are the main inhabitants. The Centre also has a children's eco-park with treetop huts, swings etc.
Bird Watching Trail: Two-day programme in the Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary.
Pilgrimage Tourism: An eco-pilgrimage connecting the three surrounding Ayyappa shrines at Kulathupuzha, Aryankavu and Achankovil can also be arranged from Thenmala.
Environment Education Centre: This Centre facilitates various activities inside the forest area, using the potential features of the site to educate the visitors.
One-day Ecotourism at Palaruvi: The eco-trip to the 300 ft waterfall is managed by the local community.
Ecotourism programmes are also available at the ten satellite spots that fall under a 50 km radius of Thenmala.
In and Around
Hanging Bridge, Punalur (22 km) is en route to Thenmala from Kottarakkara. Achankovil is one of the major temples of Lord Ayyappa and along the way lies the Manalar Falls, a tiny strip of cascading water that is usually visible only after the rains. A little further is the Kumbavurutty Falls, to get to which you need to trek for half a kilometre. This is a nature interaction centre and it even has tree houses for children.
Accommodation
Tented and dormitory
accommodation by Thenmala Ecotourism Promotion Society, Green Valley and
the Lake View Ayurvedic Resort offers excellent accommodation
facilities.
You cannot protect the Environment
unless you empower people, you inform them,
and you help them understand that
these resources are their own,
that they must protect them.
KUMAAR HOLIDAYS
No. 42, Chowdary Nagar Main Road,
Valasaravakkam, Chennai-87
Cell: 78109 86933, 78108 96933 / 93810 61000
E-mail: kumaarholidays1@gmail.com
Website: www.kumaarholidays.com
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