KERALA HILLSTATIONS

Kerela has a long chain of lush, mist-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

The major Hill resorts of Kerela are: Munnar, Ponmudi, Peerumade, Neliyampathy, Peruvannamuzhi, Tusharagiri, Wayanad, Pythal Mala, Ezhimala, Ranipuram, Devikulam, Wagamon etc.

Munnar Hills

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

Devikulam

Literally meaning "the pond or lake of the Devi", Devikulam is a small hill station in the state of Kerala where the possibility of getting mesmerized by its sheer scenic grandeur is a rule rather than an exception. The town is situated in the Idukki District of Kerala, 1800 metres above sea level & 16 Km from Munnar. This idyllic hill station of Devikulam with its breath-taking locales, velvet lawns and the cool fresh air is famous for its softly gushing waterfalls that cascade from steep heights and the unique flora and fauna.Legend has it that Sita of the Ramayana fame came here and bathed in the waters of the lake in Devikulam hills. The lake draws many tourists not just for its sacredness but also the curative powers of its mineral water.Other than the beautiful scenery, Devikulam hill station also offers opportunity for mountaineering, hill climbing and nature trekking, not to mention of it being a popular picnic spot.

Added attractions: Sita Devi lake in Devikulam hill station, as it is now known, is a definite must for spiritual & physical rejuvenation. Not far away from the lake is the spectacular Pallivasal Waterfalls that is frequented by picnickers. For the animal lover in you, the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary near the hill station of Devikulam offers a chance to see elephants, sambars, leopards, and gaurs in their natural habitat. You can also spot the highly endangered species of the Grizzled Giant Squirrel and the Star Tortoise here. Besides these natural sceneries, one can also visit the ruins of Mangalam Devi temple nearby with its magnificient views. The Marayur sandal forest around the hill station is an added attraction too. Close to the forest are the ancient Sanyasi Caves, a popular tourist destination near Devikulam.

The Mattupetty Lake, which is nestled in the tea estates, offers a marvellous view of the mist-layered hills and offers scope for exciting excursions. With its steep hills & off beaten tracks, Devikulam offers ample opportunity for rock climbing & trekking. For those with an interest in fishing, the Sita Devi lake in the hill station offers trout fishing.

Ramakalmedu

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

Echo Point

This is an ideal place for adventure tourism and trekking. The fresh mountain air, the mist-clad hills and panoramic view make it worthy of a visit.. This scenic place gets its name from the natural echo phenomenon here. Echo Point is on the way to Top Station in Munnar

Nelliyampathy

The ranges here consist of a chain of ridges cut offf from one another by valleys. The highest peak is Nellikota. The forest contains teak of extraordinary height and girth. Estates of tea, coffee, orange and cardamom dot the ranges. Located at a distance of 52 kms from Palakkad, the cool hills of Nelliampathy, nestling atop the Western Ghats, offer a breathtaking view of the misty mountains and enchanting valleys interspersed with sprawling tea, coffee, cardamom and orange plantations

The bracing climate and green magic of nature enhance the exhilarating experience. For a vantage view of the spectacle, one must visit Seethakundu, where a 100m high waterfall provides an added attraction. It offers a fantastic view of the valley below a wide-angled vision of one-third of the entire Palakkad area. A forest range 75 kms from Palakkad, the Nelliyampathy hills comprise a chain of ridges cut off from one another by valleys of dense evergreen forests and orange plantations

The height of the hills ranges from 467 metres to the tallest peak Padagiri looming at 1572 metres. Nelliyampathy has immense trekking potential. The community hall at Kaikatty provides a good camping ground for the trekkers

Rajamala

Rajamala is the natural habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragas hylocres), the Eravikulam - Rajamala region is now home to half the world population ñ estimated at around 1300 - of this endangered mountain goat. But the Tahr is only one of the reasons to make a visit to Rajamala

Vagamon

It is a very ideal tourist spot surrounded by the greenery of tea gardens, beautiful meadows, deep puzzling valleys and dales. The enchanting hill station dotted with tea gardens will soon be one of India's foremost eco-tourism projects

All the trekking enthusiasts will enjoy climbing this 1100 metres tall hill. 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

Grass covered hills, velvet lawns and the cool mountain air make Vagamon a perfect holiday retreat. A curious blend of religious mysticism and European legacies, this hillside village is a haven of tranquility. The chain of three hills - Thangal Hill, Murugan Hill and Kurisumala - is a mark of religious harmony. The dairy farm managed by the Kurisumala monks is worth a visit

Vagamon, at an elevation of 1100 m above the sea level is at an accessible distance of 100 km from Cochin and 60 km from Kottayam. It is a paradise for the seekers of peace and tranquility and abundance of nature. The hill station is surrounded by tea estates and will soon become India's foremost Eco-Tourism Projects. The hill station is a amalgamation of natural beauty, religious mysticism and colonial legacies. Vagamon is surrounded by three chain of hills, namely, Thangal hill, Murugan hill and Kurisumala

Eravikulam NationalPark

A sanctuary for the endangered mountain goat of South India, the Nilgiri Tahr ( Hemitragus hylocrious), the Eravikulam National Park stands out for the stark beauty of its rolling grasslands and sholas, spread over 97 sq km in the Rajamalai hills. An ideal place for trekking, facilities are provided here and tourists are allowed to go on foot up to Anamudi ( the highest peak south of Himalayas )

Agasthyakoodam

Agasthyakoodam is the second highest peak in Kerala, at a height of 1890mts above sea level and is a part of the Sahyadri range of mountains.It is 60 Kms North East of Trivandrum.The mountain is revered by both Buddhists and Hindus, as it is believed to be the abode of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara as well as of the sage Agastya, a disciple of Shiva. The forests of Agasthyakoodam are rich in rare medicinal herbs and plant, and hued orchids. The season from December to April is advocated for trekking. It takes approximately two days to cover the distance of 28 km to the hilltop

Wayanad Hills

Bedecked among the High Ranges of the Western Ghats Wayanad district which lies between 700 to 2100 metres mean sea level has a predominant place in the tourist map of Kerala. A major centre of hill products the district is noted contributor of foreign exchange to the State. Apart from archaeological and anthropological uniqueness Wayanand has genuine claims for an enviable position in tourism promotion

ABOUT KERALA

Capital :Thiruvananthapuram
Language : Malayalam, English
Area : 38863 Sq. Km.
Boundaries : West - Arabian Sea
South East : Tamilnadu
North East : Karnataka
Population : 30,500,000
Literacy : 99%
Sea Shore : 580 Km.
Districts : 14
Main Port : Cochin
Temperature : 34oC - 21oC (Summer)
Monsoon : June - October
Official Animal: Elephant
Official Bird: Nightingale
Official Tree : Coconut
Map Position: South West Corner of Indian Sub conti.
Religions: Hindu, Christian, Islam
Time Zone: +5.30 GMT
Currency : Indian Rupee
Climate : Tropical
Summer: February - May (Max. 33oC Min. 24oC)
Monsoon : June - September (Max. 28oC Min. 22oC)
Winter : October - January (Max. 32oC Min. 22oC