|
Munnar
 Munnar
is 130 kilometers away from Cochin. Munnar
is situated at the confluence of
three mountain streams-Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni,
Kundala. 1600 meters above sea
level, this hill station was the summer
resort of the British Government in South
India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture
book towns, winding lanes and holiday
facilities make this a popular hill station.
Among the exotic 
flora found in the forest 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
meters. Anamudi is an ideal spot for
trekking.
Mattupetty
As you come down the hill you come upon a
picture book scene of still water glowing in
the setting sun, with silent cluster of gum
trees on either side. This is Mattupetty Dam
where you can spend quiet moments 13
kilometers away from Munnar, it is at
an elevation of 1700 meters. The indo-Swiss
Dairy farm is situated here. There is a
Government rest house at Matupetty.
Marayoor
Marayoor is 40 kilometers away from Munnar.
The relics of new Stone age civilization
have been unearthed here. It is the only
place in Kerala having a natural growth of
sandal wood trees.
Anamudi
Anamudi is 17 kilometers away from Munnar. The highest peak in South India,
Anamudi, stands a towering 2695 metres high.
Ponmudi
 Ponmudi,
65 kilometers from Trivndrum is
blessed with a rare collection of orchids.
Ponmudi hill resorts is cool and quiet. As
the hills come awake you can begin a
pleasurable exploration of the wooded paths.
Trekking is a passion with visitors to Ponmudi. It has other surprises for
you too. A charming deer park is only 3
kilometers from Ponmudi. Picnic hamper, that
the staff at the guest house would be happy
to arrange, could be taken down the hill to
a picturesque dam site presently ruined or
the golden valley which is another pretty
scenic spot. Other attractions are Bird
watching, Deer park and long enjoyable
walks.
Nelliyampathy
 Nelliyampathy
is 100 kilometers away from Trichur. The
Nelliyampathy hills are extremely fascinating and offer an easy escape from
the scorching summer of Palghat. About 52
kilometers south of Nenmara is this
cool hill resort. The height of the hills
ranges from 467 meters to 1572 meters.
 You'll
have to negotiable at least 10 hair –
pin
curves on the ghat road, passing through
breath-taking evergreen forests, of the
Sahya Ranges. Pothundi Reservoir glints in
the distance as a safari set amidst the
green of the forests. Nelliyampathy has
immense trekking potential. At Kaikatty
there is a community Hall which could be
used as a camping place for trekkers.
Seethakundu at Nelliyampathy offers a
fantastic view of the valley below, a wide
angled panoramic picture of about one third
of Palakkad as beautiful as the Green valley
in Kodaikanal.
Peerumedu
 Peerumedu
is 130 kilometers away from Cochin. It
is situated 915 meters above sea
level, Peerumedu is on the way to the
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. This pleasant
hill station was once the summer retreat of
the Maharajas of Travancore. Here you will
find sprawling tea, coffee, cardamom and
eucalyptus plantations side by side with
natural grasslands and pine forests.
Devikulam
 Devikulam
is 15 kilometers from Munnar. 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 waters
and picturesque surroundings is an ideal
picnic spot.
Rajamala and the
Nilgiri Tahr
 Rajamala
and the Nilgiri Tahr is 17 kilometers
from Munnar. The natural habitat of the
Nilgiri Tahr, 
Rajamala is 2695 meters above the sea level.
Half the world population of this rare
mountain goat which is fast becoming
extinct, is found here. The Nilgiri Tahrs
are today reduced to small herds, found in
the Ernakulam-Rajamala region.
Chithirapuram
Chithirapuram is 10 kilometers
from Munnar. With its sleepy little
cottages, bungalows, old play grounds and
courts, Chithirapuram still exudes an old
world charm. Home of the Pallyvasal hydel
power project, this hill town is also famous
for its picturesque tea plantations.
|
