Munnar - breathtakingly beautiful - a haven of peace and tranquility - the idyllic tourist destination in God's own country. Set at an altitude of 6000 ft in Idukki district, Munnar was the favored summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days. Unending expanse of tea plantations - pristine valleys and mountains- exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests - aroma of spice scented cool air - yes! Munnar has all these and more. It's the place you would love to visit - it's the place you would wish never to leave- so welcome - to Munnar. Sprawling tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes, trekking and holiday facilities make Munnar a unique experience. Munnar is essentially a tea town. The tea plantations have now been taken over by the Tata Tea Company. The visitor is greeted with miles and miles of unending tea plantations on entry into Munnar. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji a flower which bathes the hills in blue colour once every twelve years. The Neelakurinji, will bloom next in 2006 AD. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India - Anamudi - which towers over 2695 Mts and is an ideal spot for campers who like to do some trekking.       [top]

Idukki is a small town en route to Munnar, 121 km away from Kottayam. Idukki, literally means a narrow gorge, is famed for its arched dam built across the Periyar river. A small hill town, with wooden valleys and meandering streams, girded by the three main rivers of Periyar, Thalayar and Thodupuzhayar and their tributaries, Idukki is delightful country. This land-locked district is one of the most nature rich areas of Kerala and offers diverse attractions for its tourists. With the Pamba river originating from this area, wild life sanctuaries, hill stations, elephant rides, visits to the spice plantation and mountain treks are some of the tourist attractions. The tribal population of Idukki is distinct in their customs and beliefs which make them distinctly different from the mainstream culture.       [top]

Situated at a height of 1700 m, Mattupetty is known for its highly specialised dairy farm-the Indo Swiss livestock project. Over a 100 varieties of high-yielding cattle are reared here. Visitors are allowed into 3 of the 11 cattle sheds at the farm. Visiting time: 0900-1100 hrs and 1400-1530 hrs. Rate Rs.5 per head. 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. DTPC Idukki provides boating facilities on the Mattupetty Dam.Speed launch and motorboats are available on hire.       [top]

1700 m above sea level, this is the highest point on the Munnar-Kodaikanal road. The rare Nilakurinji (strobilanthus) belongs to this region. This plant blooms every 12 years bathing the hill sides in bright blue. Top Station also offers a panoramic view of the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu.       [top]

True to its title it offers a panoramic view of a larger area than one can experience from any high mountain park. Scenes of wild elephants in their natural habital enthralls the visitor. This park is situated adjacent to both Idukki arch dam and Cheruthony dam. Spread over an area of 8 acres of land this aesthetically designed park has a natural water body at the hill top and pedal boating facility is available here. The herbal garden and children's play area are added attractions. A visit to this park makes Idukki visit a memorable one.       [top]

Situated about 52 km from Palakkad town and about 9km from Nenmara, Nelliyampathy on the high ranges of the Western Ghats, offers a stunning view of the Sholayar Pass lying deep down in a 20 mile stretch of velvet green. Certain hills especially Seethakundu of Nelliyampathy cease abrubtly to form cliffs overlooking the panoramic valley below. These ranges of the Ghats at an altitude of 467 m to 1572 m above sea level and the pass have a dominant influence on the climate of the region. It is through this mountain pass that the monsoon clouds formed over the Arabian Sea after shedding rain in Kerala, move to the neighbouring state of Tamilnadu. To reach Nelliyampathy one has to negotiate at least 10 hair-pin curves on the Ghat road, through the breath-taking evergreen forests of the Sahya Ranges (Western Ghats). From these hills can be seen the calm, tranquil Pothundi Reservoir in the valley down below. Pothundi is built across Meenchadyppuzha and Padippuzha the tributaries of the Ayalar river (a sub tributary of Bharathappuzha). The rich greenery of the forests hugging these hills is frequently punctuated by small and big waterfalls. Among these, the one at Seethakundu, the 1000 metre waterfall is a major attraction. Nelliyampathy, spread over 82 sq km, has the highest peak at Nellikotta which is also called Padagiri. The hills dipped in the pristine beauty of nature are sprinkled with picturesque tea, coffee, cardamom, vegetable and orange plantations. The hills of Nelliyampathy are a delight to adventure lovers and trekkers. The Community Hall at Kaikatty serves as an ideal camping place for trekkers. The temperatures at these ranges vary from 15 degree celsius in December to 30 degree celsius in April. The lovely climate and green magic of the hills provide an exhilarating and unforgettable experience.       [top]

a rain-shadow village on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats, is 40 kms from Munnar on the Udumalapet road. It holds a lot of nature's blessing to be unfolded before its visitors.It's also a unique place where tourism meets adventure. The fresh mountain air, the mist-clad hills and panoramic view make it worthy of a visit. By travelling either from Marayur to Munnar or from Munnar to Marayur, one can feel the enchanting beauty of nature's blessing to be remembered for life time. The enchanting beauty of Marayoor offers diversity in every aspect of the land and culture. Hamlets, rocky hills, rivers, brook, cave temples, sugar cane fields, waterfalls,Neolithic period's stone coffins, sandal wood and bamboo forests are all in store for the visitor. It is the only place in Kerala having a natural growth of sandal wood trees. The rare Neelakurinji flower is native to this region.This is the only place in Kerala that has natural growth of sandal wood trees. The sandal wood factory of the forest department, the caves (Muniyaras) with murals and relics from the new stone age civilization and the children's park spread across a hectare of land under the canopy of a single Banyan tree are of great interest to tourist's. Thoovanam waterfalls and Rajiv Gandhi National Park are also near by.       [top]

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. 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.       [top]

Ponmudi, the enchanting hill station situated 61 km away from Thiruvananthapuram has a cool climate and the enthralling bounty of nature can be witnessed here in the quiet surroundings. Tucked away in the Western Ghats, this quaint little hill station lies at an altitude of 1100 ft. above the sea level. Lush green woods, lazily meandering streams and countless varieties of butterflies lend a strange magic to Ponmudi. An idyllic hill resort with narrow, winding pathways and cool green, wooded environs. Along with a variety of beautiful mountain flowers, exotic butterflies, small rivulets, springs and the deer park nearby, this hill station also offers a lot for those with a passion for trekking. On the way to Ponmudi, the thick tropical forest greets one at the foot of the Ponmudi hill range. The forest recedes gradually giving way to neatly clipped tea bushes. 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. Trekking to the north of Ponmudi crest, one passes along a mini zoo. Entering the forest, the verdant shades of green numb the senses. The air is full with the loud raucous chuckling of heavy billed Malabar hornbills. The shrill notes of the blue-black Malabar whistling thrush add to the cacophony. Even the rare long-tailed paradise flycatchers flit gracefully from tree to tree. It is like an open aviary. Ponmudi throws up other surprises too. Orchids grow in abundance here. A charming deer park is only 3 kms away from the resort and Golden Valley - another pretty picnic spot endowed with natural springs - is a little further down the hill.       [top]