Kerala has many beautiful hill stations. Not only are these beautiful destinations they are also the source of the famous spices of Kerala. Spices such as pepper, cardamom, cinnamon and the cashew nut have been grown in plantations on these hill stations in Kerala, for centuries. Cash crops such rubber and tea were introduced by the Dutch and English colonial rulers of Kerala in the 18th and 19th centuries, when they realized these plants could grow in the tropical climate of Kerala.
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The idyllic hill station with its velvet lawns, exotic flora and fauna and the cool mountain air offers a rare experience to visitors Irresistibly green slopes touching the sky at a thousand metres. Silent clusters of slender red and blue gum trees. A lovely, little lake hidden within the rolling hills. Experience the Hills of Kerala. |
| Some of the best hill stations in Kerala are |
| Munnar |
Munnar, the nature lovers’ paradise, is located 130 kms away from Cochin at an altitude of 1600 mts above sea level.
This green hill station is surrounded by the country's highest tea gardens. Layers and layers of tea estates, mountain mist, waterfalls and wildlife sanctuaries make Munnar almost surrealistically beautiful. The lofty mountain ranges with misty peaks, sprawling tea estates and serene climate provides a quite and peaceful resort. |
Thekkady (Periyar)
A sanctuary for the endangered mountain goat of South India , the Nilgiri Tahr ( Hemitragus hylocrious), the Eravikulam National Park stands out for the stark beauty of its rolling grasslands and sholas, spread over 97 sq km in the Rajamalai hills. Anamudi, the highest peak (2695 m) south of the Himalayas , towers over the sanctuary in majestic pride.
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| Wayanad |
Wayanad is a mountain district situated about 115 kms northeast of Kozhikkode on the route to Mysore at an altitude of 2100 mts above mean sea level. It is often referred to as the Fragrant land of Kerala for its luxuriant plantations of coffee,tea, cardamom, pepper and rubber. From time immemorial Wayanad is famous for its forest produce like pepper, cardamom, coffee etc. Pepper grown especially in Pulpally and Vythiri has a unique taste and fragrance.
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This enchanting hill station on the Idukki Kottayam border, dotted with tea gardens and meadows, will soon be one of India 's foremost ecotourism projects. The land is criss crossed with streams and tea plantations. The hills look as if they were draped in silk. The breeding centre of the Kerala Livestock Board is located here. |
| Ponmudi |
Ponmudi is one of the most beautiful hill stations in the entire range of the Western Ghats . It is located 61 kms away from Trivandrum city at an elevation of 2000 ft above mean sea level. It is an ideal picnic spot, just to stroll around in the green undulating mountain valleys. The valley of Ponmudi is filled with the fragrance of orchids and wild flowers. The cool and healthy climate and the forest trails fascinate those interested in hiking and trekking.
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Neyyar Reservoir |
A repository of some of the rarest medicinal herbs, the Neyyar Dam is a popular picnic spot with a lake and a picturesque dam site. The lake formed by the dam across the Neyyar river is the bluest of blue, making boating irresistible for tourists. The Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary of which the dam is a part is the habitat of over a hundred rare species of fauna including elephants, wild buffaloes, wild boar, porcupines, tigers and a variety of snakes. A crocodile breeding centre and a lion safari park are also located in the dam site. |
Bhoothathankettu |
A myth connected with the origin of this place says that this natural fortification of forests and hills was built by Bhoothams (spirits/ghosts) overnight. Hence the name Bhoothathankettu (fort of the spirits). Later, this natural topography helped in building a dam here. Lying close to Bhoothathankettu is the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary at Thattekkad . Trekking through the forests here is an exhilarating experience. The two main irrigation projects of Ernakulam district the Periyar Valley Irrigation Project and the Idamalayar Irrigation Project are also located nearby.
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| Kodanad |
Elephants are an integral part of Indian mythology and culture. In God's Own Country, elephants are often referred to as the sons of the 'Sahya' (the Western Ghats ). Once a part of every day life in Kerala, elephants are the most ornamental and auspicious animals here. No festival or celebration is complete without an elephant procession. Rows of majestically caparisoned elephants, replete with colourful silken parasols form the most spectacular part of any event here.
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| Peermedu |
915m above sea level. Peermedu is a lovely hill station, an ideal retreat in the Western Ghats and a choice break for tourists en route to the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Sprawling gardens of tea, coffee, cardamom, rubber and eucalyptus lying side by side with natural grasslands, pine forests and waterfalls make this an ideal summer resort. The summer palace of Rajas of erstwhile Travancore is today an important monument here. Peeremedu and its surroundings are suitable for trekking, cycling and horse riding
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| Thommankuthu |
Thommankuthu waterfalls is one of the upcoming tourist destinations in Idukki, Kerala’s most nature rich district. ,this splendid waterfall comes down in seven steps with a cascade and pool at each step. This enchanting place with its natural splendour is also an ideal venue for adventure tourism. |
Nelliampathy |
The height of the hills ranges from 467 metres to the tallest peak Padagiri perching at 1572 metres above mean sea level. The valleys of dense, evergreen forests and orange plantations and tea, coffee and cardamom estates in this place are of great scenic beauty. Seethakundu at Nelliampathy offers a panoramic view of the valley.
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| Athirappalli |
Athirappalli waterfalls is one of the most sought after picnic spots in Kerala. Located in Thrissur district, 1000 ft above sea level, at the entrance to the Sholayar ranges of the Western Ghats , Athirappalli is a scenic combination of forests and little streams. Falling from a height of 80 feet, this is one of the largest waterfalls in the state. |
