Kerala Hillstations

Munnar

Munnar  is a hill station in Kerala and in southern India. Munnar is located on the Western Ghats, situated in the Idukki districtThe name Munnar is believed to be derived from Malayalam words Munu (three) and aaru (river), referring to the town's strategic location at the confluence of the Madhurapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundaly rivers.The Munnar town is in Kannan Devan Hills ( KDH ) Village in Devikulam taluk and is the largest panchayat in the Idukki district having an area measuring nearly 557 km².The nearest major railway stations are at Ernakulam and Aluva (approximately 120 km by road). The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport  which is 140 km away.Munnar's mesmerising greenery, mountain scenery, calmness and cool refreshing air attracts honeymooners and tourists throughout the year. It is a weekend hideout location for domestic tourists during summer season. Foreign travellers likes watching the natural beauty of Kerala while the journey from Thekkady to Munnar.
Munnar is at the confluence of three rivers. In Tamil, the word 'munnu' means "three" and 'aar' means "river". Hence "Munnar" is a shortened version of 'Munnu Aar'. The 3 mountain streams joining together here are Madurapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Munnar is a commercial centre with one of the world's best tea estates. There are about 30 tea plantations in and around Munnar. Among these, majority of the plantations are owned by Tata Group's Kannan Devan Tea Estate. A visit to Munnar can witness the nurturing of tea in plantation to the process of manufacturing and packing. The tea estates, hills, lakes and forests inside Munnar area exposes it's beauty. The tea plants covered Munnar hills makes the feeling of seeing a wide green carpet.

How to Reach Munnar:

By Air:The nearest airport is Nedumbassery, Cochin.
By Rail:Alwaye is the nearest railway station 130 km away from Munar, which is connected to all the major cities in India.
By Road:Munnar is accessible by road from most of the cities and town in Kerala. You can also reach Munnar form Coimbatore (248 kms. just 6 hrs away) and Madurai (165 kms just 5 hrs away) in TamilNadu. From cochin by 3.5 hrs.

Ponmudi

Ponmudi hill station, Trivandrum is a beautiful hill station located at a distance of 61 kilometers from the city. An unexplored destination, Ponmudi, Kerala is a tranquil spot located atop hills and is a must visit if you to experience true bliss and feel rejuvenated once again. The place is located at a height of 600 meters above sea level and is called the Golden peak. Ponmudi hill station is a welcome break from the hustle - bustle of the city life and one can relax without being disturbed in the lap of nature.

For all you adventure seekers, Ponmudi hill station offers many adventure sports like trekking, rock climbing, mountaineering, etc. One can go on long leisurely walks along the meandering roads that wind up the hill. This beautiful hill station is a scenic view and it also has natural springs that help keeping the valley lush green. The hill station also has tea gardens that make it a picture perfect location. The view from cottages and resorts up the hill is breath taking and it feels as though time has left this place untouched.

An ideal picnic spot, Ponmudi is a hill station that should be visited while on your trip to Kerala. Soak in the scenic beauty and feel refreshed in pure nature. The place is easily accessible from Trivandrum, Kerala.

How to Reach Ponmudi:

By Air:The Trivandrum International Airport is the nearest Airport.
By Rail:Trivandrum railway station is located at a place that is easily accessible.
By Road: Ponmudi hill station is well connected to Trivandrum and Kerala by a wide network of roads.

Vagamon

Vagamon  is a hill station located in Kottayam- Idukki border of Kerala. It has a cool climate with the temperature between 10-23°C during a summer midday. It is situated 1,100 metres above sea level.
Vagamon is a tiny plantation township in Central Travancore, Vagamon has an overtone of green. With a never-ending line of lush green hills, breathtaking ravines and meandering rivulets. A perfect tourist place situated 1200 meters above the sea level spot surrounded by the greenery of tea gardens , Fresh cool air, murmuring Pine forest ,small waterfalls , attractive meadows inviting you to vagamon.

Reaching Vagamon itself is an extraordinary experience. The meandering road to Vagamon is cut in solid rock lined with pine forests. And as you wind your way through green capped hills, the rolling plains come into view thousands of feet below you.  

This tourist place also has to offer Thangal Para, the Indo-Swiss Project and Kurisumala Ashram. Welcome to a land which would make you come back again and again. So that you could rejuvenate yourself and cherish memories of this enchantingly beautiful land.
Vagamon hill station is comprised of a beautiful series of hillocks, valleys and cascading waterfalls that make it the ideal getaway for tourists. Take a walk along the narrow, mist covered zigzag roads that wind up the hills and experience true bliss. For adventure seekers, there is an option of trekking, para gliding or rock climbing.
The hill station has a chain of 3 beautiful hills called Thangal hill, Murugan hill and Kurismala that give an enchanting feel to this beautiful hill station. So visit Vagamon hill station to experience eternal bliss and peace of mind.
The Vagamon hill station offers you a unique and different environ in comparison to other hill stations of Kerala. Besides, being abundant in natural beauty, the place also offers space for spiritual activities. The peaceful surroundings with cool and soft breeze blowing across the valley makes it a perfect place for meditation.

How to Reach Vagamon:

By Air:Kochi  International Airport (120 km), Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (267 Km).
By Rail:Nearest rail head is Kottayam 64 kms away.
By Road:It is easily accessible by road from Kottayam , Palai and Kochi.  A 2 ½ hrs drive from any of these places will take you to Vagamon and there are plenty of buses plying between Vagamon and these places. The place is located 100 km (around three hours drive) from Cochin and 64 km from Kottayam. 

Peerumedu

Peerumedu is a small hill station, snuggled at an altitude of 914 m above sea level, on way to Thekkady. The famous plantation town takes its name from Peer Mohammad, a Sufi saint and close associate of the erstwhile royal family of Travancore. Clouds drop gently on the peaks that flank the verdant slopes of Peerumedu. Rich with mile upon mile of plantations falling away in precise steps.

Coffee, tea, pepper, cardamom and rubber flourish in what is the most fertile part of the Western Ghats. 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.
Peerumedu is 85 kms east to Kottayam (travel time: 2 hours), on the way to Thekkady. There are frequent bus services from nearby cities of Kumily and Kottayam.
Peerumedu is a tiny hill resort en route Thekkady, lying almost eighty-five km east of Kottayam. This fertile tract rising to a height of approximately 914 metres is steeped in heritage. Apart from scenic beauty, Peerumedu also is ennobled by its rich historical tradition. Peerumedu received its name from a Sufi saint Peer Mohammed.

It was formerly a summer residence of the kings of Travancore. The lushness is enhanced due to plantations like rubber, tea, coffee, pepper and cardamom. Also cascading waterfalls and open grass tracks add to the glory of the place. The cool and pleasant climate of Peerumedu makes it suitable for holidaying. Even on a summer day, the mercury approximately reads between 10 to 15 C. Otherwise temperature varies between 15 C to 30 C.

How to Reach Peerumedu:

By Rail:The nearest railway station to Peerumedu is at Kottayam, located around 85 kms away from this un-spoilt hill station of Kerala.
By Road:A number of well - maintained roads connect Peerumedu to the other major cities of Kerala as well as a number of neighboring cities which actually fall in Tamil Nadu.

Nelliyampati

Nelliyampathy is one of the little known hill stations of South India. According to some historians, a rich civilization existed in Nelliyampathy during Tamil Sangam era. This picturesque tourist spot is located 52 km from Palakkad. Nelliyampathi is blessed with ever green forests with a number of wild animals like elephants, hill squirrels and bisons. The sprawling tea gardens, coffee, cardamom and orange plantations add beauty to this wonderful summer destination.

While driving towards Nelliyampathy, one has to negotiate a dozen hairpin bends with breathtaking views of valleys and mountains covered in a green blanket. Nelliyampathy is connected with roads from Palakkad and Coimbatore. Though there are bus services available, their frequency is very less. Hiring a car from Palakkad or Coimbatore would be an ideal solution.

Nelliyampathy consists of mountain ranges from 500 m to 1600 m providing immense opportunities for trekkers and adventure buffs. Kakatty serves as an ideal base camp with various trekking and other facilities. Nelliyampathy also provides great opportunities for hand gliding.

Nelliyampathy is the perfect location for eco tourism. Perched at a height of 1585 m above the sea level on the Western Ghats, Nelliyampathy is a beautiful place. Vellachimudi, Mayanmudi, Valiyavana and Vela Vanchan are some of the important peaks in this mountain range. Padagiri is the highest peak situated on the Nellikotta mountain ranges.

How to Reach Nelliyampati:

By Air:Coimbatore (in the neighbouring state of Tamilnadu) about 55 km from Palakkad; Cochin International Airport, about 120 km.
By Rail:Palakkad, about 5 km from Palakkad town.

Vythiri

Vythiri is one of the most beautiful hill stations of Kerala located at about 100 km from Kozhikode about 1300 m above the sea level. The place is famous for its lush green sprawling plantation of coffee, tea, cardamom, pepper and rubber. The misty hills with full of lush green vegetation provide a breathtaking view to its visitors. The fresh and pristine breeze laden with the fragrance of nature soothes and refreshes your mind and soul.
The main attraction for the tourists visiting Vythiri is its unique and adventurous Tree Houses, houses built on trees above 90 ft from the ground in the tropical rainforest providing picturesque view of the valley. You can spend a long time just sitting in your lounge on the balcony, experiencing one of the most privileged views in the rainforest, especially at sunset. Here you wake up every morning to the chirping of birds and exotic smell of nature The Rope bridges hanging over streams leading to cottages offer a spectacular view to tourists.
Other major attractions at Vythiri are Edakkal caves, situated on Ambukuthi Hills about 10 kilometers from Sultan Bathery, in Wayanad district of Kerala. It has been formed due to a large split in a huge rock, and the resulting landscape represent the world's richest pictographic gallery of its kind.
If you are wildlife lover then Vythiri offers you a visit to one of the best sanctuary of Kerala, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. Rich in bio-diversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the bigger Nilgiri biosphere reserve, created to conserve and protect the natural resources of the region.

How to Reach Vythiri:

By Air:The nearest airport is situated at Kozhikode at a distance of around 90 km away from Vythiri.
By Road:Vythiri is well connected by a network of roads to the rest of the state and to the neighboring state of Karnataka.
By Rail:Kozhikode railway station, located at a distance of 68 km, is the nearest railway station.

Devikulam

Devikulam, a small but very scenic hill resort of Kerala, is located at a distance of about 15 km from more famous Munnar, another exotic hill station in the region. Located amidst the lush green hills with spice and tea gardens, which appear like a velvet lawns and lovely small lakes, Devikulam offers an enchanting and momentous tour to its visitors. The pristine and cool mountain air loaded with the fragrance of cardamom and pepper refreshes your body and nerves.
The main attraction of Devikulam is the legendary Sita Devi Lake. According to legend, Sita, the holy consort of Lord Rama, came down to take a bath in the lake and ever since, the place came to be known as 'Devikulam' (the Lake of Goddess). The scenic lake is among the most favorite picnic spots in Kerala. The main characteristics of the lake are its fountain springs, which spout rejuvenating mineral water. You can also enjoy fishing in the lake and trout can be your prized catch.

How to Reach Devikulam:

By Air:The nearest airport is Kochi, 150 km away from Munnar.
By Rail: Kochi is the nearest railway station, which is connected to all the major cities in India.

Idukki

Idukki is a small but very beautiful hill station of Kerala. The exotic Idukki is a landlocked region located amidst the high mountain ranges of the Western Ghats and beautifully girded by three rivers Periyar, Thalayar and Thodupuzhayar and their tributaries. Abundant in lush green vegetation, scenic valleys, meandering streams, milky waterfalls and a wide variety of wildlife, Idukki offers a perfect holiday destination to its visitors.
The hills here have some of the best trekking routes and offer a good trekking opportunity to tourists. Besides you can enjoy a spice plantation tour on your Idukki tour. The fresh and pristine air filled with the fragrance of cardamom and pepper make a spellbound effect on you.
One of the major attractions for the tourist here is Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary is the home of very rich flora and fauna. You can easily spot a variety of wild animals like the elephant, sambhar, spotted deer, langur and bison to name a few with. The herds of elephants playing and bathing in lakes and rivers and small babies running behind their mothers provide an amazing experience to you. 

How to Reach Idukki:

By Air:Nearest Airport: Madurai (Tamil Nadu): 140km, Kochi: 190km, Thiruvananthapuram: 265 km, Kozhikode: 315km, Chennai( Tamil Nadu): 570km.
By Rail:Kottayam: 114 km (4 hrs), Madurai: 136km, Changanacherry: 93 km, Theni 60 km.
By Road:Kottayam- Kumily 110 km, Munnar- Kumily 110 km, Madurai- Kumily 136km, Thiruvananthapuram- Kumily 265km, Thekkady- Kumily 4km, Kodaikanal- Kumily 149 km, Idukki- Kumily 65 km.

Wayanad

Wayanad, a little paradise on the earth, is one of the loveliest hill stations of Kerala located in the heart of the Western Ghats (mountain ranges) at an altitude of 700-2100m above sea level. Situated amidst lush green vegetation and mist capped hills with pristine and fragrant breeze blowing round the year, the place offers a lifetime experience to its visitors. Sprawling plantations of spices and tea appearing like velvet lawns, add to the beauty of this scenic hill station.
The region has a long history, dating back to many centuries. Numerous evidences of the New Stone Age civilization can be spotted on the hills of Wayanad. On the wall of the caves of Ampukuthimala, one can see amazing paintings and pictorial writings explaining the richness of the past civilization.
Wayanad is abundant in waterfalls, lakes, ancient caves, and varieties of wildlife, which make it one of the most sought after hill stations in India. The place has a pleasant climate all round the year. Wayanad is also famous for its Ayurvedic Resorts, which offer rejuvenating Ayurvedic therapies and massages.
One of the prime attractions of Wayanad is its famous Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. Extremely rich in bio-diversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which was established for the sole purpose of conserving and protecting the biological heritage of the region. The sanctuary is home to a variety of wildlife which includes Indian Elephants, Panthers, Bison, Jungle Cats, Civet Cat, langur, Wild dogs, Deer, Gaurs to name a few with. Some of the birds easily spotted here are Peacock, Woodpeckers, Cuckoos, and Maina's among many more like them.
Other major attractions at Wayanad are Chembra Peak, the highest peak in Wayanad that provides ideal conditions for trekking. Located in close vicinity of Wayanad are Edakkal Caves where you can spot some interesting carvings on the walls representing human and animal figures. While at Wayanad, you can also visit Kuruva Island, Pookat Lake and Sentinel Rock waterfalls. In short, Wayanad offers you a complete entertainment and fun.

How to Reach Wayanadu:

By Air:The nearest airport from Wayanad is the Karipur airport of Kozhikode. It is situated at a distance of around 100 kilometers from the city.
By Rail:The nearest railway station from Wayanad is at Calicut, at a distance of around 110 kilometers from this place. It is well connected by a good network of railways.
By Road:Wayanad is well connected by a wide network of roads and this place can be easily accessed from anywhere in Kerala as well as from neighboring states. For reaching Wayanad by road, NH212 and SH17 are the highways that you need to follow.