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.

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).