| Ponmudi:
An
Idyllic hill resort with narrow, winding pathways
and cool, green , wooded environs, Ponmudi
is located 915 m above sea level .
Along with a variety of beautiful mountain
flowers, exotic butterflies, small rivulets,
springs and the deer park nearby, this hill
station also has excellent trekking trails.
A
land locked district, Iduk ki is one of the
most nature rich areas of Kerala.
The high ranges and wooded valleys
are girded by three main rivers – Periyar,
Thalayar, and Thodupuzhayar- and their tributaries.
The river Pamba also has its origin
here. As a tourist destination, Idukki offers diverse attractions
like wildlife sanctuaries, hill stations,
spice plantations tours, mountain treks, elephant
rides etc.
Idukki
has a large population of tribals
who have unique customs and beliefs
and maintain an ethos which is distinctly
different from that of the mainstream culture
Munnar:
Munnar
is situated at the confluence of three
mountain stream – Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni
and kundala.
1600 m above sea level, this hill station
was the summer resort of the British Government
in South India.
Sprawling tea platations, picture –book
towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities
make this a popular hill station.
Among
the exotic flora found in the forests
and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji.
This flower which bathes the hills
in blue once every twelve years, will bloom
next in 2006 AD.
Munnar also has the highest peak in
South India, Anamudi, which towers over 2695
m. Anamudi
is an ideal spot for trekking.
Tea factory visits: Permission to visit
any of the 26 factories of Tata Tea Ltd: can
be had from the Regional
Office at Munnar ph: 30561
In
and around Munnar:
Top
Station: 1700 m above sea level,
this is the highest point on the Munnar –
Kodaikanal road.
The rare Neelakurunji
belongs to this region.
Top Station also oooooffers a panoramic
view of the beighbouring state of Tamil Nadu.
Mattupetti:
Situated at a height of 1700 m, Mattupetti
is famous for its highly specialized dairy
farm the Indo Swiss Livestock Project .
Over a 100 varieties of high yielding
cattle care reared here. Visitors are allowed into three of the 11 cattle sheds at the
farm.
Visit time:0900 – 1100 hrs and 1400
– 1530 hrs.
The
Mattupetty lake and dam , just a short distance
from the farm, is a very beautiful picnic
spot.
The sprawling Kundala tea plantations
and the Kundala lake are other attractions
in the vicinity.
Rajamala:
The natural habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr, Rajamala
is 2695 m above sea level .
Half the world population of the rare
mountain goat which is fast becoming extinct,
is now found here.
The Nilgiri Tahrs are today reduced
to small herds which are found in the Eravikulam-
Rajamala region.
Marayoor:
This is the only place in Kerala that has
a natural growth of sandalwood tres.
The sandalwood factory of the Forest
Department , the caves with murals and relics
from the New Stone Age and the children’s
park spread across a hectar of land under
the canopy of a single Banyan tree
are of great interest to tourists.
Devikulam:
This 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 with its mineral
water springs and picturesque surroundings
is a good picnic spot.
The lake is also ideal for trout fishing.
Wagamom:
Situated at an elevation of 1100 m above sea
level, this hill station is a trekker’s delight.
Wagamom is surrounded by beautiful
meadows, valleys and tea gardens.
Nelliyampathy:
This fascinating hill station is at
a height of 467 to 1572 m above sea
level.
At least 10 hairpin bends have to be
negotiated on the ghat road that passes through
the breathtaking evergreen forests of the
Sahya Ranges.
Seethakundu at Nelliyampathy offers
a panoramic view
of about one third the area of Palakkad
district.
Attappady:
A beautiful synthesis of mountains, rivers
and forests, Attappady is of great interest
to anthropologists .
This is the habitat of many tribals
like the Irulars and Munugas.
The Malkleeswaram peak is worshipped
as a gigantic Siva linga by the Adivasis
who also celebrate the Sivarathri festival
with great fervour.
Dhoni:
It takes a three hour trek from the base of
the Dhoni hills, to reach this reserve
forest area with its small, beautiful
waterfall.
This hill country is the delight of
trekkers.
Peruvannamuzhi:
The Peruvannamuzhi dam site set amid hills
is a beautiful picnic spot.
The reservoir here provides facilities
for speedboat and row boat cruises.
Uninhabited islands, a bird sanctuary
and a crocodile farm to the charm of the place.
Tusharagiri:
Famous for its trekking tracks Tusharagiri
, is located
near Vythiti in Wayanad.
Trekkers start early in the morning
from the second waterfall at Tushagiri and
climb uphill through the pristine, evergreen
dense forests populated with exotic birds
and wild animals to reach Vythiri by evening.
Vythiri: Tucked away
at the north eastern tip of Kerala, this quaint
little hill station about 1300 m above sea
level is renowned for its coffee, tea, cardomom,pepper
aand rubber plantations. Mist capped mountains
and breathing scenery dominate other tourist
attractions.
Pakshipathalam:
This place can be accessed only by trekking.
Rare species of birds can b e sighted
from the watch tower of this bird sanctuary.
Chembra
peak: At 2100 m above mean sea level,
Chembra is the highest peak in Wayanad and
is an ideal area for trekking.
Lakkidi:
Lakkidi, the gateway to Wayanad is situated
700 m above mean sa level, at the crest of
the Thamarassery Ghat pass.
Lofty peaks, gurgling streams and luxuriant
forests add magic to the journey up the winding
roads to this hill station.
Pookot
lake; This Perennial fresh water lake,
nestled among wooded hills, is the only one
of its
kind in Kerala.
Boating facilities, a children’s park,
a handicrafts and spices emporium and a fresh
water aquarium are among the tourist facilities
available here.
The lake is 3 km south of vythri Resorts.
Pythal
mala: This enchanting hill station, situated
4m500 ft, above sea level near the Kerala-
Karnataka border, is rich in flora and fauna.
It is a six kilometer terek to the
top of the hills.
Ezhimala:
The beautiful beach here has a hillock
nearby .
A Naval Academy is being developed
here.
Ranipuram:
situated 750 m above sea level, Ranipuram
is famous for its trekking trails and varies
vegetation- evergreen shoal wood, monsoon,
forests and grasslands.
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