Mattupetty
(13 km from Munnar)
Situated at a height of 1700 m, Mattupetty
is famous. for its highly specialised daity farm - the Indo
Swiss Livestock Project. Over a 100 varieties of high yielding
cattle are reared here. Visitors are allowed into three of
the 11 cattle sheds at the farm. Visit time: 0900 - 1100 hrs
and 1400 - 1530 hrs. The Mattupetty lake and dam, just a short
distance from the farm, is a very beautiful picnic spot. The
sprawling Kundala tea plantations and the Kundala lake are
other attractions in the vicinity.
Rajamala (17 km
from Munnar)
The natural habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr,
Rajamala is 2695 m above sea level. Half the world population
of the rare mountain goat (Hemitragus hylocrius) which is
fast becoming extinct, is now found here. The Nilgiri Tahrs
are today reduced to small herds which are found in the Eravikulam
- Rajamala region.
Marayoor (40 km
from Munnar)
This is the only place in Kerala that has
a natural groWth of sandalwood trees. The sandalwood factory
of the Forest Department, the caves (muniyaras) with murals
and relics from the New Stone Age and the children's park
spread across a hectare ofland under the canopy of a single
Banyan tree are of great interest to tourists.
Devikulam (15 km
from Munnar)
This idyllic hill station with its velvet
lawns, exotic flora and fauna and the cool mountain air offers
a rare expetience to visitots. The Sita Devi Lake with its
mineral water springs and picturesque surroundings is a good
picnic spot. The lake is also ideal for trout fishing.
Vagamon (65 km from Idukki town)
Situated at an elevation of 11 00 m above
sea level, this hill station is a trekker's delight. Vagamon
is surrounded by beaUtiful meadows, valleys and tea gardens.
Nelliyampathy (52
km south of Nemmara)
This fascinating hill station is at a height
of 467 to 1572 m above sea level. At least 10 hairpin bends
have to be negotiated on the ghat road that passes through
the breathtaking evergreen forests of the Sahya Ranges. Seethakundu
at Nelliyampathy offers a panoramic view of aboUt one third
the area of Palakkad district.
Attappady (38 km northeast of Mannarghat)
A beaUtiful synthesis of mountains, rivers
and forests, Attappady is of great interest to anthropologists.
This is the habitat of many tribals like the Irulars and Mudugas.
The Malleswaram peak is worshipped as a gigantic Siva linga
by the Adivasis who also celebrate the Sivarathri festival
with great fervour.
Dhoni (15 km from Palakkad)
It takes a three-hour trek from the base
of the Dhoni hills, to reach this reserve forest area with
its small, beaUtiful waterfall. This hill country is the delight
of trekkers.
Peruvannamuzhi
(60 km from Kozhikode)
The Peruvannamuzhi dam site set amid hills
is a beautiful picnic spot. The reservoir here provides facilities
for speedboat and row boat cruises. Uninhabited islands, a
bird sanctuary and a crocodile farm add to the charm of the
place.
Tusharagiri (50 km from Kozhikode)
Famous for its trekking tracks, Tusharagiri,
is located near Vythiri in Wayanad. Trekkers start early in
the morning from the second waterfall at Tusharagiri and climb
uphill through the pristine, evergreen dense forests populated
with exotic birds and wild animals to reach Vythiri by evening.
Vythiri (1OO km
(5 hours) from Kozhikork)
Tucked away at the northeastern tip ofKerala,
this quaint little hill station about 1300 m above sea level
is renowned for its coffee, tea, cardamom, pepper and rubber
plantations. Mist-capped mountains and breathtaking scenery
dominate other tourist attractions.
Pakshipathalam (10 km ftom Thirunelly)
This place can be accessed only by trekking.
Rare species of birds can be sighted from the watch tower
of this bird sanctuary. Chembra Peak (J 4 km west of Kalpetta):
At 2100 m above mean sea level, Chembra is the highest peak
in Wayanad and is an ideal area for trekking.
Lakkidi (55 km east ofKozhikork/5
km south of Vythiri)
Lakkidi, the gateway to Wayanad, is situated
700 m above mean sea level, at the crest of the Thamarasseri
Ghat pass. Lofty peaks, gurgling streams and luxuriant forests
add magic to the journey up the winding roads to this hill
station.
Pookot Lake
This perennial freshwater lake, nestled among
wooded hills, is the only one of its kind in Kerala. Boating
facilities, a children's park, a handicrafts and spices emporium
and a fresh water aquarium are among the tourist facilities
available here. The lake is 3 km south ofVyrhiri Resorts.
Pythal Mala (65
km ftom Kannur town)
This enchanting hill station, situated 4,500
ft. above sea level near the Kerala- Karnataka border, is
rich in flora and fauna. It is a 6 km trek to the top of the
hills.
Ezhimala (50 km ftom Kannur)
The beautiful beach here has a hillock nearby
(286 m high). Ezhimala also has a Naval Academy.
Ranipuram (55 km
ftom Kasaragod)
Situated 750 m above sea level, Ranipuram
is famous for its trekking trails and varied vegetation -
evergreen shola woods, monsoon forests and grasslands.
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