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.
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.