ELAVEEZHA POONCHIRA - KERALA

Elaveezha Poonchira near Melakavu Mattom ,60 kms away from Kottayam 

Ilaveezhapoonjira as the name suggests is a valley without falling leaves. This does not mean that the trees here do not shed their leaves but that there are no trees on this summit. It is a spectacular spot near Thodupuzha and is ideal for trekking enthusiasts and nature lovers.

 From the top of the summit, one can see the lowlands below and the Malankara dam and reservoir. the place is located little under 10 km from Thodupuzha town. The Thodupuzha-Muttom-Ilaveezhapoonjira road takes you close to 2 km from the hilltop. From there, you can rent a jeep to the top or better walk with the refreshing mist around.

Nestling in the lap of three hillocks – Mankunnu, Kudayathoormala and Thonipara – Poonchira seems to have been referred to in the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. It is said that Panchali used to bathe in the pool at Poonchira.

For accommodation, the torist resort is small, and there is no wireless connectivity and electricity. May be it is more convenient to stay at Thodupuzha, Palai or Kottayam .

It’s a best place for trekking.

CHERAI BEACH - KERALA

Cherai Beach is located in Vypin island, Kochi, India. Cherai Beach is just 25 km from Kochi, and 30 km from Cochin International Airport and the nearest railway station is Aluva(20 km).

 The newly spruced up 400 meters of Cherai Beach features a walkway and High Mask Lamps that lend the environs a magical touch at night. here is a Children’s Park on the beach ensuring the kids are entertained as well.  We can see a lot of Chinese fishing nets that are synonymous with Kerala. Thick coconut groves and Chinese fishing nets on the waterfront are added attractions.

The place is a unique combination of sea and backwaters covered by lush green coconut palms and paddy fields. The backwaters are a combination of lakes, lagoons, canals and estuaries. The Beach is very safe and tourists of all age groups can enjoy the Beach alike. Scooter and Speed Boats are available for hire. Dolphins are occasionally seen here. The main beach area has been newly added with the 400 meters long walkway. 

There are many resorts nearby for accommodation.

VAGAMON - KERALA

Vagamon  is a hill station located in Kottayam- Idukki border of Kerala. It is situated 1,100 meters above sea level.

It is a place with a never-ending line of lush green hills, breathtaking ravines and meandering rivulets.  The scenic valleys, beautiful green meadows, enchanting pine forests, mists, fogs, tea estates, waterfalls  provides the tourist a hearty welcome. It’s an ideal place for tea plantations, Vagamon is also known as ‘Scotland of Asia’.

It has a cool climate with the temperature between 10 and 23 °C during summer midday. The meandering road to Vagamon is cut in solid rock lined with pine forests.

The three hills of Vagamon have made this place so popular, that it is now a sacred place to three distinguished religious beliefs – Hinduism, Christianity , and Islam.  Vagamon is also a favourite spot of adventure seekers and offers trekking, rock climbing. Kurisumala Hill is home to the famous Indo-Swiss Dairy farm project. The place is completely enclosed with tea estates and lakes. Thangal Hill is the burial chamber of Sheikh Fariduddin and Murugan Hill is devoted to Hindu God Murugan, the son of Lord Shiva. The third, Kurisumala Hill has a Kurisumala Ashram, which is a religious residence that links to both Hindu and Christian faith.

RAMAKKALMEDU - KERALA

Ramakkalmedu is a hill station in Idukki district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is located about 15 km from Nedumkandom on the Munnar-Thekkady route.

 It provides a panoramic view of Tamil Nadu villages and towns. It is the proposed site for power generation using winds. It believes that or there is a folk-tale that lord 'Sree Rama', the Hindu mythological God had set his foot on this rock and hence the name Rama-Kal-Medu (Meaning: Rama's foot imprints).  The place has a Monument of Kuravar and Kurathi Statue.

Ramakkalmedu stands tall in the Western Ghats at a height of 3500 feet above sea level. Here one can move up to the tip of the rock. The strong wind that one experiences on reaching the tip of the rock is a beautiful feeling. Wind blows at a speed around 35 km per hour at Ramakkalmedu throughout the year irrespective of the season and time. 

The green hills that surround the place add up the beauty. Many tourists visit the place every day. It’s a newly discovered hill station. There is wind mill near the place, since the place receives wind on a high rate.

The wind gusts into the hills and recorded as maximum in Asia. The Sun rises on the eastern hills and sets at the western mountains and the beauty of sunrise and sunset through the mountains surrounded by green forest is a unique view that can be experienced only at Ramakkalmedu.

However one can say that Ramakkalmedu is breath takingly beautiful place.  It’s a good ecotourism spot too.

PANCHALIMEDU - KERALA

Panchalimedu is located 10 km from Kuttikkanam, Idukki. Located at an altitude of about 950 meters above sea level Panchalimedu is an ideal place for trekking. 

Legend has it that the Pandavas and Panchali took a break in the area while on exile and hence the name Panchalimedu. Here a cave is known as bearing the footprints of Bhima. There is small temple dedicated to Bhuvaneshwari. The remnants of Shivalingas, thrishul, naga idols are also there.

Panchalimedu near Murinjapuzha in Kuttikkanam offers tourists a panoramic view of an unending stretch of valleys and hills. The green hills and meadows are attracting a lot of travelers to this beautiful place every day.

The divine makaravilakku of Sabarimala is visible from this location.  Lot of pilgrims come here on the auspicious occasion to view makarvillaku.

There are places for accommodation:                                                      

1) paradise plantation retreat(Murinjapuzha, Kerala Dist 0469 2701311)                                                2)Dream land hill resort : (Kuttikanam P.O, Peermedu, Near Thekkady

Kuttikanam 09447304467)

CHEMBRA PEAK - KERALA

Chembra peak is the highest peak in Wayanad.  Chembra is located near the town of Meppady and is 8 km south of Kalpetta. The peak is about 1200m above sea level.

            

            There is a heart shaped lake on the way to the top. Water in the lake at the top of the hill never dries up even in the peak of summer. Trekking is possible here.  District Tourism Promotion Council provides guides and trekking equipments. The monsoon time is the best time for trekking.

            

            Once reached the top one will get a bird eye view of Wayanad. The trek up should on the whole take about 4 hours for medium paced trekkers. It’s an ideal place for camping at night. It’s required to take permission for trekking.

            

            Chembra peak is neibhourig to Nilgiri hills and vellarimala. One can also have a good view of other neibhouring districts and Nilgiri hills. It’s a paradise for nature lovers .

MEENMUTTY FALLS - KERALA

Meenmutty Falls is located 29 km from Kalpetta in Wayanad District in the state of Kerala, India. It is a three-tiered waterfall with a height of 300 meters. Meenmutty Falls, the largest and most spectacular waterfall in the Wayanad District. It is the Kerala’s second largest waterfall.

           

 The murmurs of the river follow our footsteps through the forest all the way to the fills. The force of water striking the dark rocks and splashing high up, to shimmer in the sunrays is a breath- taking scenery. It is situated in the triple point where two other districts Malapuram and Nilgiri join Wayanad in its beauty.

The tourism information center located at this site provides the trekking and hiking equipments. The vehicle will reach up to a 1km from falls. The rest of the path is needed to be covered by trekking.

The mind blowing waterfall is situated in the lush green deciduous forest. The Meenmutty, Soochipara, and Kanthanpara waterfalls combined, feed the Chaliyar River. In Malayalam, the mother tongue of Keralites, Meenmutty means, 'Where fish are blocked'. Since there is upward falls where fishes can't swim further this name is given to the falls.

PARAMBIKULAM - KERALA

Parambikulam  is located in the Palakkad district of Kerala state, south India.

Parambikulam widlife sanctuary is the most protected ecological piece of anamalia sub unit of western ghats, surrounded on all sides by protected areas and sanctuaries of Kerala and tamil nadu , the sanctuary is endowned with a peninsular flora and fauna which are excellently conserved due to total protection and minimal human interference. The sanctuary being a major ecological continuum from peechi to eravikulam through anamalai aids the large viable populations of wildlife.

It is at a distance of 135 km fromPalakkad town and is situated adjacent to the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu. 

Besides being an abode of elephants, wild boar, sambar, gaur, crocodiles and a few tigers and panthers, Parambikulam has a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Trekking in the forest is allowed with prior permission. Boating is available at the reservoir. Thickly forested with stands of Bamboo, Sandalwood, Rosewood and Teak, the sanctuary has some marshy land and scattered patches of grassland. The sanctuary has a rich diversity of animal life including: 39 species of mammals, 16 species of amphibians, 268 species of birds, 61 species of reptiles, 47 species of fish, 124 species of butterflies and more than a thousand species of insects.

Visitors are allowed into Parambikulam between 7 am and 6 pm. No vehicles may leave the park after 6.30 pm. There is entry fee for the vehicle. There is accomadation facilities available.

Parambikulam Dam 

Parambikulam Dam is an embankment dam on the Parambikulam River,. Parambikulam located in the Palakkad district in the Western Ghats of Kerala, India, ranks number one in India as well as in the top ten embankment dams in the world in volume capacity in the year 2000

PARUNTHUMPARA - KERALA

Parunthumpara is a village in the Indian state of Kerala's Idukki District.

Parunthumpara is a small village, located between Peermade and Thekkady. The word parunth in the local language means Eagle and para means rock. It is called Parunthumpara or eagle rock because of a large area around like an eagle. It is 6kms from Peermade, 25kms from Thekkady & 3 kms From National Highway 220

 Locals calling this point as suicide point, because of the fearful trenches in one side. Eagle Rock is actually a large, nearly circular piece of rock spread across half a kilometer. From its height, it offers a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside-rocky plains, lush hillsides and verdant forests. Parunthumpara,  is a trekkers' delight that provides a bird's eye view of an endless stretch of green forest land and low-lying areas. This hill station which has wide grasslands is a good place to spend some quiet moments. 

However, the steep hills also pose a threat to reckless visitors. There are a few deep slopes and one should be careful while visiting Parunthumpara.

The place offer a splendid view of the green forest and also one can get a panoramic view of sabarimala forests. It’s an ecotourism point.

          

                          

PANIYELI PORU - KERALA

Paniyeli Poru is in Ernakulam District of Kerala state in India.

Its an amazing sight of Periyar river flowing thorugh rocks and between dense rain forests. The vast view of distant green hillocks and the tranquility around the place is really great.

                Mid November to End of May is the good time to visit as the water flow will be reduced during this time thus exposing the rocks and whirlpools.  ‘Paniyeli Poru’, near Vengoor, Perumbavoor, has natural water falls, small rivulets, offshore surrounded by rich flora and fauna, where the visitors can rest etc. There are no restrictions, but the visitors must be cautious. The strong water currents and deep vortex formed between the strata of rocks and mangroves can be dangerous. 

            The name ‘Poru’ ( means fight in Malayalam) was derived from the old custom of raftsmen fighting with the unruly waves, deep vortex, to sail out from the area. The raft forms after bamboo cut from the ‘Edamalayar’ forest, tied as logs. It was the old practice of bamboo cutters, to carry logs to destination like ‘Kalady’ & ‘Malayattoor’, through river ‘Periyar’.

Although the dense forest on the shore of ‘Periyar’ is devoid of wild animals, deer, pig, and python can be seldom seen. Leeches are also rampant along the pathway leading to ‘Poru’. The milky waterfall at ‘poru’can be seen from the distant shore. It is risky to reach there by crossing over the strata of rocks and mangroves. Even during hot summer, when water level falls, it is dangerous to cross over the strata of rocks, unless vigilant. It is advisable to enjoy the beauty of water bursting, by sitting on the shore. Beware about the strong under currents, before stepping into the water.The slippery rocks and pebbles may lead to danger. 

Kodanad is the only elephant rescue and training center in Kerala specialized for rescuing and training stranded baby elephants from the forest regions across Kerala. Kodanad also offers elephantsafari to visitors. Elephants are made ready with a specially constructed wooden saddle on top, designed to make the riding comfortable and safe. At Kodanad, the old 'Kraal' is still maintained and is used to house elephants. The Kraal is a tall structure made of wood compartments that can accommodate up to 4 elephants. The 'mini zoo' shelters wild animals which have become unfit for survival in the local forest and some inmates of the zoo are very rare species.

PAKSHIPATHALAM- KERALA

Pakshipathalam, 1740m above sea level in the Brahmagiri hills at Thirunelli, is a challenging tourist spot for any adventure seeking tourist. Thirunelli is famous for its Lord Vishnu temple. To reach Pakshipathalam sixteen kilometers (to-n-fro) has to be covered through wild forest. The deep rock caves, formed among the thick blocks of rocks at the northern top end of the Brahmagiri, are the abode of various birds and wild beasts.

          Pakshipathalam - the very name of the place refers to the richness of birdlife here. Here virgin forests, rivulets and steep hills together offer challenging avenues for trekking. A cave which rishis (saints) are believed to have used for meditation in ancient times, has become a major attraction for tourists.

          It is a challenging tourist spot for any adventure-seeking tourist. The deep rock caves; formed among the thick blocks of rocks at the northern top end of the Brahmagiri are the abode of various birds and wild beasts. The place is bet knows for the presence of `Edible Nest Swift light' as its nest is made of solidified saliva and is used to make bird's nest soup. 

         

                Trekking must be started at 7.30 itself, as total 7 hours would be needed for the total journey. There is need to get permission from forest office.