Ethnic Holidays

only place in Kerala that has a natural growth of sandalwood trees. The sandalwood factory of the Kerala state Forest Department, the caves with murals and relics from the New Stone Age and the children’s park spread across a hectare of land under the canopy of a single banyan tree are of great interest to tourists.

An idyllic hill resort with narrow, winding pathways and cool, green, wooded environs, Ponmudi is located 915 m above sea level. This hill station, a mere 61 km from Trivandrum, is a tourist’s paradise. Be enchanted by the sheer abundance of nature: the shimmering green waters of the winding streams and verdant woods do not spare anybody. Along with a variety of beautiful mountain flowers, exotic butterflies, small rivulets, springs and the deer park nearby, this hill station, a two and a half hour drive from Trivandrum, has excellent trekking trails.

Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams – Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. 1600 m 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 forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji. This flower bathes the hills in blue once every twelve years. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, which towers over 2695 m. Anamudi is an ideal spot for trekking. Tea factory visits: Permission to visit any of the 26 factories of Tata Tea Ltd can be had from the Regional Office at Munnar.

Situated at a height of 1700 m, Mattupetti is famous for its highly specialized dairy farm: the Indo-Swiss Livestock Project. Over 100 varieties of high yielding cattle are reared here. Visitors are allowed into three of the eleven cattle-sheds at the farm. Visit time: 0900 - 1100 hrs and 1400 - 1530 hrs. The Mattupetti 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.

The natural habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr, Rajamala is 2695 m above sea level. Half the world population of the rare mountain goat 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.

Famous for its trekking tracks, Tusharagiri is located near Vythiti in Wayanad. Trekkers start early in the morning from the second waterfall at Tushagiri and climb uphill through the pristine, evergreen dense forests populated with exotic birds and wild animals to reach Vythiri by evening.

This idyllic hill station with its velvet lawns, exotic flora and fauna and cool mountain air offers a rare experience to visitors. 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.

Situated at an elevation of 1100 m above sea level, this hill station is a trekker’s delight. Vagamon is surrounded by beautiful meadows, valleys and tea gardens.