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Hillstation
The Kerala hills draped in green are still waiting to be discovered by the wayfaring tourist. Home to an exotic vegetation and rich wildlife, it is these hills that enrich our kitchens with the internationally famous spices. The cardamoms and cinnamons and pepper and cashews that long ago hypnotized traders from all over the world and drained royal treasures, are the harvests of these hills. If you have already tasted the snow capped magic of the Himalayas and the rugged charm of the Aravallis, it's the turn of the Western Ghats to play on your senses.
Kerala Hillstation are:
Chembra Peak :14 km west of kalpeta, at 2100 m above mean sea level, chembra is the highest Peak in wayanad and is an ideal area for trekking.
Chithirapuram :10 kms from munnar, with its sleepy little cottages bungalows, old playgrounds and courts, chithirapuram still exudes an old world charm. Home of the pallyvasal hydel power project, this hill town is also famous for its picturesque tea plantation.
Devikulam :7 kms from munnar, this idyllic hill station with its velvet lawns, exotic flora and fauna and the cool mountain air is a rare experience. The sita devi lake with its mineral waters and picturesque surroundings is a good picnic spot. The lake is also ideal for trout fishing.
Idukki :A landlocked district, idukki is one of the most nature rich areas of kerala . The high ranges 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 is distinctly different from that of the mainstream culture.
Lakkidi :55 km east of kozhikode / 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 luzuriant forests add magic to the journey up the winding roads to this hill station.
Mattupetty :Situated at a height of 1700 m. Mattupetty is famous for its highly specialised dairy farm - the indo swiss live stock project. Over a 100 varieties of high yielding cattles are reared here. The mattupetty lake and dam, just a short distance from the farm, is a very beautiful picnic spot.
Munnar :55 km from idukki town, munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams. 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 neelakurinji is the flower which bathes the hills in blue once every twelve years, will bloom next in 2006 a.d. munnar also has the highest peak in south india, anamudi - which towers over 2695 mts. Anamudi is a ideal spot for trekking.
Nellyampathy :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 nellyampathy offers a panoramic view of about one third the are of palakkad district.
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 island, a bird sanctuary and a crocodile farm add to the charm of the place.
Ponmudi :A mere one and a half hour's road journey separates the beaches of Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) from the invigorating climate of Ponmudi Hills. The name Ponmudi, a hill station so close to the sea, in Malayalam means golden crown. On the way to Ponmudi, the thick tropical forest greets one at the foot of the Ponmudi hill range. The road passes under a canopy of thickly matted foliage. The forest recedes gradually giving way to neatly clipped tea bushes.
Pythal Mala :65 kms from 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 six kilometre trek to the top of the hills.
Vythiri :100 km from kozhikode, tucked away at the north eastern tip of kerala, the 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 attraction.
Wagamon :65 km from idukki town, situated at an elevation of 110 m above sea level, this hill station is a trekker's delight. Wagamon is surrounded by beautiful meadows, valleys and tea gardens.
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