Hill Station
Kerala Hill Station
Kerala
is more popular the world over for its beautiful beaches, bewitching backwaters,
silky sand, sensuous sea and wilderness of the wildlife. But there is more to
Kerala than this. Far off in the heights of the Western Ghats, Kerala has number
of hill stations less ventured and explored. The hill stations of Kerala are
the most perfect choice if you want to getaway from the city noises, deadlines,
stress, tension and crowd. Decorated with meandering roads, ravishing rivulets,
splendid springs and wondrous waterfalls, these hill stations are really different
from other popular hill stations of India.
The hill stations of Kerala are dense in vegetation and provide natural habitat
to exotic wildlife. These beautiful hill stations of Kerala are also the source
of the famous spices of Kerala. Spices such as pepper, cardamom, cinnamon
and the cashew nut are grown in the plantations on the hill stations in Kerala.
The Dutch and English colonial rulers of Kerala introduced cash crops plantations
such as rubber and tea in the 18th and 19th centuries, which has continued
till today.
Devikulam Hill Station
Irresistibly green slopes touching the sky at a thousand meters. A lovely, little
lake hidden within the rolling hills. This is Devikulam. A dainty town sixteen
kilometres southwest of Munnar. A perfect picture of fairy- tale enchantment
. The old wiv's tale has is that once Sita Devi, the holy consort of Lord Rama,
came down to frolic in the lake and the place came to be spoken about as 'Devikulam'
(meaning the lake of the goddess), ever since.
SIDELIGHTS
Chinnar
Wildlife Sanctuary: North of Devikulm, around 60 lms away (travel timle:
90 min), sprawls the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary.
With a sandalwood forest ofn the nearer end, it falls away as a thorny, rain-shadowed
scrub jungle found nohere else in Kerala. This is where you could find the highly
endangered species of both the grizzled giant squirrel (last worldwide count
: less than 200) and the star tortoise, iln addition to large population of
gaur.
Idukki Hill Station
A landlocked district, Idukki is one of the most nature rich areas of Kerala.
The high range and wooded valleys are girded by three main rivers - Periyar,
Thalayar and Thodupuzhayar - and their tributaries. The river Pamba also has
its origin here. As a tourist destination, Idukki offers diverse attractions
like wildlife sanctuaries, hill stations, spice plantation tours, mountain treks,
elephant rides etc.
Idukki has a large population of tribals who have unique customs and beliefs
and maintain an ethos which an ethos which is distinctly different from that
of the mainstream culture.
Munnar Hill Station
f
you seek a sense of peace you'll find it here in Munnar. The nature- lover's
paradise. Opened up out of virgin forests a century ago by pioneer planters.
This is where you fill your holidays with quiet moments at 1600m above sea level.
Relaxing within the cool stillness of thirty odd eststes fanning outd across
the expanse of the hills.
Within its remote and elderly churches- gracious, stone sturctukires with ancient
chandeliers and rosewood pews. Withiln its fresh tea. Lanes filled witjh the
heady fragrance of fresh tea. Within the picturesque ethereal setting of the
Mattupetty Dam as you come downhill. Kor even within the rich tropical forests
beyond.
More ...
Kannur Hill Station
Pythal Mala: (65 km from Kannur town): This enchanting hill staion, situated
4,500 ft.above sea level near the Kerala - Karnataka border is rich in flora
and fauna. It is a six kilometer trek to the top of the hills.
Ezhimala: (50 km from Kannur): The beautiful beach here has a hillock nearby
(286 m high). A Naval Academy is being developed here.
Kasaragod District : Ranipuram (55 km from Kasaragod): Situated 750 m
above sea level, Ranipuram is famous for its trekking trails and varied vegetation
- evergreen shoal woods, monsoon forests grasslands.
Nelliyampathy Hill Station
A
forest range 75 kms ( travel time: 2 ½ hours) from Palghat, the Nelliyampathy
hillls 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
loomig at 1572 metres. Accessing Nelliyampathy from Palght is a sensation on
its own, as you negotiate over a dozen haipin curves of the ghat road passilng
through the fascinating jungles of the Sahya Ranges. En rout, 17 kms from Palghat,
the shimmering Pothundi Reservoir and ilts manicured surroundings make for the
ideal stop over. Seethakundu at nelliyampathy offers fantastic view of the valley
below-a wide-angled vision of a third of the entire Palghat area. Nelliyampathy
has immense trekking potential. The Community Hall at Kaikatty provides a good
caping ground for the trekkers.
SIDELIGHTS
The Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary: Sprawling over 285 sq.kms, this
neighbouring sanctrary shelters the largest population of wild Gaur ( Bison)
The Cannimare Teak Tree, said to be the largest in the Asian continent towers
roughly 5kms away from Thunakadavu-the headquarters of Parambikulam. Other wildlife
Such as the Nilgiri langur, sloth bear, the lilon- tailed macaque and spotted
deer abound along with a handful of tigers and leoards.
Malampuzha:
The
garden complex around the dam at malampuzha draws a large holiday and weekend
crowd to itself. A small garden done in Japanese style adds a touch of exotic
charm to the landscape. So does the hanging bridge across the canal.
GETTING THERE
The hills of Nelliyampathy lie at a distance of 75 kms from Palghat ( travel
time: 2 ½ hours) and 126 kms from Calicut, ( travel time: 4 hours.
Peermade Hill Station
Clouds drop gently on the peaks that flank the verdant slopes of Peermade.
Rich with mile upon mile of plantation s falling away in precise steps. Coffee,
tea, pepper, cardamom and rubber flourish in what is the most fertile part of
the Western Ghats. Broken only by spectacular waterfalls in the distance and
wide open grasslands in places. On a fairly warm day the mercury reads between
five and ten degrees celsius. Little wonder then, that the former Re-jas of
Travancore sought this tiny hill station out as their summer resort.
SIDELIGHTS
Periyar Wildlfe Sanctuary :One of the largest wildlife reserves in India,
this is just 43 kms (travel time: 1hour) from Peermade. Herds of wild elephants
frolicking iln its splendid lake forms major attraction. An anundance of other
wildlife in-cluding sambar, tigers and laughilng thrushes can be observed at
close quarters.
GETTING THERE
Peermade is 85 kms east to Kottayam (travel time : 2 hours), on the way to
Thekkady.
Wayanad Hill Station
Luxuriant plantations of coffee, tea, cardamom, pepper and rubber stretch over
the hills of Wayanad as far as the eye can see., With the fast-flowing rivers-
Panamaram, Mananthavady and kabini- cutting across the
undulating
panorama and lending picture-postcard look to the whole region.
The north eastern tip of Kerala. Its pretty image notwithstanding, perhaps what
the visitor finds most endearing abnout this quaint little hill station is ilts
large tribal population and their fascinating lilferstuyles. Including revered
monarchs of barely fifty -strong tribes. An in -vogue barter system. And ancient
rituals. Not surprisingly, based on evidences still found ofn these hills, historians
contend that civilization existed in these parts at least a thousand years before
Christ.
GETTING THERE
An enjoyable climlb of about 1100 metres through a distance of 90kms ( time
taken: 2 hours) from Calicut brings you to the cool comforts of Wayanad. Deep
withiln th sanctuary you will come across the massive Thkoovanam falls on the
river Chinnar. Recently erected watch towers rise high above the vegetation
and permit a fascinating view of the game.
GETTING THERE
The ascent to Devikulam from Cochin takes 4 ½ hours (149kms), while
from Kottaym you are there in just under4 hours (132 kms).
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