Athirappalli and Vazhachal;Location:
Athirappalli 63 km from Thrissur and Vazhachal 68 km from
Thrissur.
Athirappalli and
Vazhachal, the two scenic and
popular waterfalls on the edge of the
Sholayar forest ranges are
just 5 km apart. The Athirappalli Falls joins
the Chalakkudy
river after plummeting down a drop of 80 feet. Vazhachal
is part
of the Chalakkudy river. Both the waterfalls, their cool, misty
waters cascading down in the backdrop of thick green forest and rocky
terrain, are a scintillating experience to visitors.
Getting there: A
good motorable road takes you to Vazhachal and Athirappalli from
either Kochi or Thrissur town.
Nearest railway
station: Chalakudy, about 30 km away.
Nearest
airport: Cochin International Airport, about 58 km from
Thrissur.
Munnar ; It is one of the attractions that
contributed to Kerala's popularity as a travel destination among
domestic and foreign travellers. Situated at the confluence of three
mountain streams - Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala, and perched
about 1600 m above sea level, the hill station of Munnar once used to
be the summer resort of the erstwhile British administration in south
India.
This hill station is marked by vast expanses of tea plantations,
colonial bungalows, rivulets, waterfalls and cool weather. It is also
an ideal destination for trekking and mountain biking.
Let us now explore some of the options in and around Munnar that would
provide travellers ample opportunities to enjoy the captivating hill
station of Munnar.
Eravikulam National Park
One of the main attractions in and around Munnar is the Eravikulam
National Park. Located about 15 km from Munnar, this park is famous for
its endangered inhabitant - the Nilgiri Tahr. Spread over an area of
97 sq. km., this park is also home to several species of rare
butterflies, animals and birds. A great place for trekking, the park
offers a magnificent view of the tea plantations and also the rolling
hills caressed by blankets of mists. The park becomes a hot destination
when the hill slopes here get covered in a carpet of blue, resulting
from the flowering of Neelakurinji. It is a plant endemic to this part
of the Western Ghats which blooms once in twelve years. The last time
it bloomed was in 2006.
Anamudi Peak
Located inside the Eravikulam National Park is the Anamudi Peak. This
is the highest peak in south India standing at a height of over 2700
m. Treks to the peak are allowed with permission from Forest and
Wildlife authorities at Eravikulam.
Mattupetty
Another place of interest, located about 13 km from Munnar Town, is
Mattupetty. Lying at a height of 1700 m above sea level, Mattupetty is
known for its storage masonry dam and the beautiful lake, which offers
pleasurable boat rides, enabling one to enjoy the surrounding hills and
landscape. Mattupetty's fame is also attributed to the dairy farm run
by the Indo-Swiss Livestock Project, where one would come across
different high yielding breeds of cows. Mattupetty with its lush green
tea plantations, rolling grasslands and the Shola forests is also ideal
for trekking and is home to a variety of birds.
Pallivasal
Pallivasal, located at about 3 km from Chithirapuram in Munnar is the
venue of the first Hydro-electric project in Kerala. It is a place of
immense scenic beauty and is often favoured by visitors as a picnic
spot.
Chinnakanal
Near the town of Munnar is Chinnakanal and the waterfalls here,
popularly known as Power House Waterfalls, cascade down a steep rock
2000 m above sea level. The spot is enriched with the scenic view of
the Western Ghat ranges.
Anayirangal
When you have traveled about seven kilometers from Chinnakanal, you
reach Anayirangal. Anayirangal is 22 km from Munnar, is a lush green
carpet of tea plants. A trip on the splendid reservoir is an
unforgettable experience. The Anayirangal dam is surrounded by tea
plantations and evergreen forests.
Top Station
Top Station, which is about 3 km from Munnar is at a height of 1700 m
above sea level. It is the highest point on the Munnar-Kodaikanal road.
Travellers to Munnar make it a point to visit Top Station to enjoy the
panoramic view it offers of the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu. It
is one of the spots in Munnar to enjoy the Neelakurunji flowers
blooming over a vast area.
Tea Museum
Munnar has a legacy of its own when to comes to the origins and
evolution of tea plantations. Taking account of this legacy and to
preserve and showcase some of the exquisite and interesting aspects on
the genesis and growth of tea plantations in Kerala's high ranges, a
museum exclusively for tea was opened some years ago by Tata Tea in
Munnar. This Tea Museum houses curios, photographs and machineries; all
of which have a story to tell on the origins and growth of tea
plantation in Munnar. The museum is located at the Nallathanni Estate
of Tata Tea in Munnar and is worth a visit.
Getting there:
Nearest railway stations: Theni (Tamil Nadu), about 60 km away; Changanacherry, about 93 km away.
Nearest airports: Madurai (Tamil Nadu), about 140 km away; Cochin International Airport, about 190 km away.
Alappuzha ; Location: Alappuzha beach, near Alappuzha town, South Kerala. Another delightful experience while in Alappuzha is a houseboat
cruise. The ones you find in the backwaters of Alappuzha are in fact
reworked version of kettuvallams of olden times. The original kettuvallams or rice barges used to carry tons of rice and spices. The kettuvallam or 'boat with knots' was so called because the entire boat was held together with coir knots only. Of late, houseboats come with all creature comforts of a good hotel
including furnished bedrooms, modern toilets, cozy living rooms, a
kitchen and even a balcony for angling. And one can always enjoy
uninterrupted views of backwater life while staying in a houseboat.
Referred to as the Venice of the East, Alappuzha has always enjoyed
an important place in the maritime history of Kerala. Today, it is
famous for its boat races, backwater holidays, beaches, marine products
and coir industry. Alappuzha beach is a popular picnic spot. The pier,
which extends into the sea here, is over 137 years old. Entertainment
facilities at the Vijaya Beach Park add to the attraction of the
beach. There is also an old lighthouse nearby which is greatly
fascinating to visitors.
Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Alappuzha, about 5 km from the beach.
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 85 km from Alappuzha town.
Thekkady, Idukki ; Altitude:
900-1800 m
above sea level The very sound of
the word
Thekkady conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of
hills and spice
scented plantations. In the Periyar forest of Thekkady is
one of the finest
wildlife reserves in India, and spread across the
entire district are
picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold
great opportunities for treks
and mountain
walks. Road There are frequent buses from
Kumily
(4 km away) to various tourist centres. Distance of a few
major towns
from Thekkady Kumily: 4 km (15 mts)
Sabarimala
via Bus timings from
Kumily: Thekkady: 0930, 1045, 1130, 1200,
1230, 1330, 1530
hrs Flora Over 1965 flowering
plants
including 171 grass species 143 species of orchids the only South
Indian conifer
Podocarpus
Wallichianus. Fauna Mammals:
Thirty five species including the wild elephant, gaur,
sambar deer
and wild boar which can be sighted from the boats the Nilgiri Tahr
in the
higher rocky areas the endangered lion tailed macaque confined to
the
evergreen interiors the bonnet macaque, Malabar giant squirrel,
flying squirrel,
tiger, jungle cat, sloth bear
etc. Birds:265
species including migrants. The hornbill, stork, woodpecker,
kingfisher, raptor,
cormorant, grackle, darter
etc. Reptiles:Cobra,
viper, krait, a number of non poisonous snakes, and the
monitor lizard. Amphibians:Frogs,
toads and limbless caecilians include the colourful
Malabar gliding frog, common
Indian toad, fungoid frog and bicoloured
frog. Pisces
(fish):
The Periyar lake
and streams have several species of fish including the
masheer,
the famous and endangered game fish of India. The otter,
the only mammal of the
lake, can be frequently spotted from the
boat. Plantations:Tea,
cardamom, pepper and coffee plantations surround the
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. The Sanctuary Watch Towers:
There are two watch towers in the interior of the Periyar
forest. Reservations
can be made at the Forest Information Centre,
Thekkady. Ph: 322028. Permitting authority:The
Wildlife Preservation Officer, Periyar Tiger Reserve,
Thekkady.
Rainfall: 2500 mm
Pullumedu: 50 km (2 hrs)
Idukki: 65 km (2
1/2 hrs)
Munnar: 106 km (4 hrs)
Kumarakom: 128 km (4 hrs)
Sabarimala via
Erumeli: 134 km (4 hrs)
Kodaikanal: 149 km (5
hrs)
Alappuzha: 164 km (5 hrs)
Kollam: 220 km (6 hrs)
Ooty: 390 km (11 hrs)
Kumarakom: 0700 hrs
Munnar: 0600, 0945, 1330
hrs
Ernakulam: 0700, 1330, 1515, 1630,1715, 1930
hrs
Thiruvananthapuram (from Kumily): 0840, 1530, 1615 hrs; (from
Thekkady): 0820,
1515 hrs
Kottayam: Frequent
buses
Alappuzha:1115 hrs
Cherthala: 1415 hrs
Idukki:Frequent buses
Chennai: 1630, 1900 hrs
Pondicherry: 1630 hrs
Madurai: 0115, 0515, 0525, 0645, 0716,
0720, 0730, 0755, 0835, 0940, 1030, 1045,
1120, 1155, 1300, 1315, 1320,
1420, 1515, 1540, 1550, 1650, 1705, 1800, 1840,
1905, 2045
hrs
Dindigal: Frequent buses
Kodaikanal: There is no direct
bus from Kumily to Kodaikanal. The Dindigal bus
takes you to Vathalakundu
from where there are frequent buses to Kodaikanal (149
km)
Trichy:
0855, 1045, 1925 hrs Palani: 0930, 1135, 1830, 1850
hrs.
