Hill Station in Kerala

General Information :

Area : 38,863 sq km.

Population : 31,838,619

Capital : Thiruvananthapuram

Language : Malayalam

Kreala - Inroduction :

Kerala, popularly regarded as 'God's own country', is probably the most beautiful, exotic and picturesque state of India. Flanked by the blue waters of the Arabian Sea in the west and the Western Ghats (mountain ranges) in the east, Kerala abounds in exotic and beautiful Hill stations, lovely beaches and serene and calm backwaters. The unparallel natural beauty of Kerala attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world round the year. And rightly so, the National Geographic Traveler ranked it as One of the 50 'Paradise Found' on the earth.

The hill stations of Kerala are known for their exotic charm and beauty that can't be defined in words. Located amidst the lush green vegetation with numerous milky waterfalls, ravishing rivulets, splendid springs, lakes and hill-plantations, they provide an enthralling experience to tourists. One of the major advantages of holidaying in Kerala hill station is that they are relatively less crowded in comparison to hill stations of north India.Spice and tea plantations on the hill slopes provide you an enchanting sight. The fresh and pristine air filled with the fragrance of cardamom and pepper makes you spellbound. Amidst such surroundings you feel like as if you are in heaven.

The verdant vegetation around the hills supports a variety of wildlife too. There are numerous wildlife sanctuaries located in the region, which house some of the endangered species of wild animals and birds.Some of the most scenic and beautiful hill stations in Kerala, which offer a lifetime experience to its visitors, are Munnar, Vythiri, Idukki, Vagamon and Wayanad. We welcome you to Kerala to explore and enjoy the beautiful moments of your life in a natural paradise which you would relish and remember all your life.

Most visitors come to Kerala for its magnificent beaches and backwaters. But less well known are the Southern Ghats, hills rich in cardamom, pepper and tea plantations, and which have the highest peak south of the Himalayas - Anaimudi - standing at 2,694 meters (8,839 feet). The main tourist offices will tell you that there are three hill stations in these hills - Munnnar, Pirmede and Ponmudi - as well as the hill wildlife sanctuary at Thekkady. In fact all but Thekkady are small settlements offering little in the way of tourist facilities. However, the views of the ghats and the plantations are a reward in themselves and especially worth seeing if you prefer to keep off the well-beaten tourist track. The hills are accessible throughout the year although very wet and misty during Kerala's two monsoons, the southwest and the northeast (late May-early November).

Idukki Hill Station : Idukki is a beautiful hill station located in Kerala. Idukki is the place you want to be to unwind and relax and forget all tensions of the world. The name Idukki has been derived from the Malayalam word "idukku", which means narrow gorge. Traveling to Idukki is an experience in itself as the place offers a great combination of traditional and modern comforts. Check out our various related sections that shall provide information on when and where to travel in Idukki. Three big rivers namely Periyar, Thodupuzhayar and Thalayar surround this place. These rivers are helpful in creating electricity and an estimated 66% of Kerala's electricity is generated here by the various hydel power projects set up by the state.

Munnar Hill Station : Munnar is a small town surrounded by the Annamalai Hills (or elephant mountains) and tea estates. It stands at the confluence of three rivers - the Muthirappuzh, Nallathanni and Kundala. Moonu in Tamil means 'three', and aar 'river'. The town serves the needs of the tea planters and plantation workers. It has little to recommend it architecturally. There's no 'wild west Swiss' style architecture, simply shack-like shops and low, red tin-roofed bungalows. Neither is there a tourist office nor any restaurant worth mentioning. The three most conspicuous buildings are the airy Mount Carmel Church, the multi-colored Subramanya Temple and the green concrete Munnar Mosque. Their high position and proximity makes Munnar an advertisement for communal harmony. For the planters the most important building is the regional offices of Tata Tea, a large, yellow building which previously served as the company's railway station.

Hill Station in Ponmudi : The salubrious hill station of Ponmudi is at a distance of 61 kms from Thiruvananthapuram. The enchanting bounty of nature can be witnessed here in the quiet surroundings.Perched at an altitude of over 100 m above sea level on the Western Ghats, the shimmering green waters of the winding streams and verdant woods of Ponmudi do not spare anybody. Trekking is a passion with the visitors to Ponmudi, lying within easy driving distance from Thiruvananthapuram.One will find oneself compulsively pausing every now and then to drink in deep the spectacular sweep of the hill ranges, tea-estates and the mist-covered valleys, peppered with little toy-like stone cottages painted a pretty violet, pink, or white with pointed and peaked roofs.

Vagamon Hill Station : In the midst of tea gardens and hills all around, Vagamon is a delightful hill station and a favourite for trekking. Situated at a height of 1100 metres above sea level, the hill station has to be experienced, not read about.Vagamon is part of the country's ecotourism project. With green hills all around, lush velvety lawns and the cool mountain breezes, Vagamon is a perfect getaway for city-dwellers. The hill station is well-known for its Indian brand of Christianity which can be witnessed at the small church on top of the Kurisumala hill with its monastery for Christian ascetics. These monks follow the Christian faith along Indian spiritual traditions and Gandhian thought. The dairy farm managed by the Kurisumala monks is a must visit. The other tourist attractions around Vagamon are the Bird Sanctuary at Kumarakom and the hill resorts at Munnar and Kodaikanal.

Palakkad Hill Station : The district of Palakkad known as the granary of Kerala, is a land of valleys, hillocks, rivers, forests, mountain streams, dams and irrigation projects. Situated at the foot of the Western Ghats, this is the gateway to Kerala from the north. Palakkad derives its name from the Malayalam words Pala ( Alsteria scholaris) and Kadu (forest) which goes to prove that this place was once a beautiful stretch of forests covered with the sweet scented flowers of the Pala tree.