Kerala has a long chain of lush, mid-clad hill stations that are home to exotic wildlife. All the hill resorts in Kerela offer the most enchanting experience of nature in all its virgin beauty.
Far away from the din and bustle of the city life, the Kerala hills draped in green are still waiting to be discovered by the wayfaring tourist. Home to an exotic vegetation and rich wildlife, it is these hills that enrich our kitchens with the internationally famous spices. The cardamoms and cinnamons and pepper and cashews that long ago hypnotized traders from all over the world and drained royal treasures, are the harvests of these hills. If you have already tasted the snow capped magic of the Himalayas and the rugged charm of the Aravallis, it's the turn of the Western Ghats to play on your senses.
Set high among the secluded reserve forests on the Western Ghats, Idukki hydroelectric projects satisfy about 66 % of the state's power needs. Ornamented with meandering streams, orchids and trekking rails, Idukki is waiting for you.
61 km from Thiruvanthapuram Ponmudi is a haven of nature's bounty. The lush low hills and emerald streams at Ponmudi make a joyride of a holiday.
From the town of Nenmara in Palakkad district, the cloud-caressed peaks of the majestic Nelliyampathy hill ranges are a sight to behold. The height of the hills ranges from 467 m to 1572 m. To reach Nelliyampathy, one has to take the road starting from Nenmara that proceeds to the Pothundy Dam. There are about 10 hairpin bends that have to be negotiated on the way to Nelliyampathy, which itself has plenty of interesting sights to offer.
Peeremede is a lovely hill station, an ideal retreat in the Western Ghats and a natural choice for tourists. Sprawling gardens of tea, coffee,cardamom, rubber and eucalyptus lying side by side with natural grasslands, pine forests and waterfalls make this an ideal summer resort. The summer palace of Rajas of erstwhile Travancore is today an important monument here.
Situated about 72kms from Thiruvananthapuram, in the District of Kollam, the Thenmala Eco-Tourism shares its resources with the famous Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary at the foothills of the Western Ghats. Thenmala is India's first planned eco-tourism destination, which is gaining popularity due to its unique vistas, bio-diversity and functioning.
Vagamon is not just any other beautiful, verdant spot. Of course, you can get grassy hills, velvet lawns and cool mountain air in may other places, but not Vagamon kind, not just this exciting blend of religious mysticism and European legacy. Vagamon has to be personally experienced, not read about or its stories merely listened to. Head straight for idukki district and then on to Vagamon. Once there, try taking off your shoes, closing your eyes and just listening to the silence of Vagamon. Vagamon is not just any other beautiful, verdant spot. Of course, you can get grassy hills, velvet lawns and cool mountain air in may other places, but not Vagamon kind, not just this exciting blend of religious mysticism and European legacy. Vagamon has to be personally experienced, not read about or its stories merely listened to. Head straight for idukki district and then on to Vagamon. Once there, try taking off your shoes, closing your eyes and just listening to the silence of Vagamon.
Enjoy Kerala vacations and see the great waterfalls of Kerala in India. Arecanut palms greet you on one side while the Chalakudy river gurgles perpetually on the other, as you walk through the beautifully landscaped road to Athirappally. As you reach to the end, you see the serene river winding at first, many people wading in its quite waters. Then it plunges down all of a sudden - into the 80 ft deep abyss - transforming into an extraordinary billow of bubbling bubbles. In summer, when the waterfall becomes a percolate, Athirappally slips back into the lazy rhythm, seldom reverberating with the calls of birds and animals. In winter or in the monsoons, the frame adjusts itself to the buzz of raucous holidaymakers, woken up in dark mornings for chilly bus rides to their favourite picnic spot. Try a memorable trek alongside the Chalakudy river, flowing placidly amidst the dark forests with many elephants, its aplomb broken only as it races down rocks to form a canopy of white froth at the falls. One can also see vendors busy selling jute hats and plastic flowers, and though pensive boards warn against drinking, there is the infrequent yet unmistakable trail of toddy as a jolly group passes by.
Munnar hills is situated in the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni & Kundala. Situated 1600 metre above sealevel, this hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture-book towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town.
Rolling green hills and the fresh mountain air make Ramakalmedu and enchanting retreat. The hilltop also offers a panoramic view of the picturesque villages of Bodi and Cumbum on the eastern slope of the Western Ghats. Situated at a distance of 40 km from Thekkady and 75 km from Munnar.
Rajamala is the natural habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragas hylocres), the Eravikulam - Rajamala region is now home to half the world population – estimated at around 1300 - of this endangered mountain goat. But the Tahr is only one of the reasons to make a visit to Rajamala.