Wayanad :::.

.::: Wayanad :::..

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 Wayanad GLEN

 the entrance to WaYaNad

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Pookod lake:  Pookod lake is a beautiful natural fresh water lake with its own dreamy serenity.  Surrounded by meadows and trees on all sides, this lake is a haven for peaceloving travellers. It is located close  to Kalpetta.                                                                                                                                                      




Chembra:  Chembra is the highest peak, located 14 kms away from Kalpetta at an altitude of 2100 mts     above sea level. The trekking to Chembra peak is a risky mountaineering endeavour. The breathteaking beauty of Waynad can be enjoyed from here. The District Tourism Promotion Council provides guides, sleeping bags,canvases,huts and trekking equipment on hire. 






Edakkal caves: The two rock caves at Ambukuthy Hills, 12 kms south of Sultan's Battery has ancient carvings and pictorial writings of the New Stone Age. These caves are world famous as one of the earliest centres of human habitation. The caves are located on the Ambukuthi Hills which can be reached only by trekking 5 kms from Ambalavayal.




Thrunelly temple: This Vishnu shrine amidst the thick evergreen forest is located about 32 kms away from Mananthavadi. This temple is often referred to as the Kasi of the South . A little away from this temple is the mountain spring called Papanasini. It is believed that, if the mortal remains are immersed in this holy river, it gives eternal bliss to the departed soul.

Valliyur kavu Bhagavathy temple: This temple, dedicated to the goddess Bhagavati, is located 8 kms away form Mananthavadi. In the festive season tribes from all over Waynad assemble here.


Pakshipathalam: Pakshipathalam is located 10 kms away from Thirunelly. This tiny hillock is the abode of migratory birds. During the season rare species of birds can be seen here. Trekking is the only mode of accessibility. There is also a cave believed to be used for meditation by saints.


Kuruva island: Kuruva island is situated 16 kms away from Mananthavadi. Located on the river Kabani this island forms a unique delta where herbal plants, orchids and rare species of flowers, animals and birds are found in abundance.

Chembra::: Climbing up CHEMBRA:::.

Climbing up:::.
CHEMBRA 

 


Wayanad is a highly popular trekking destination that lies in Western Ghats. Rocky hills and green valleys together constitute the district. Tucked away at an altitude of 2100 meters from the sea level, Chembra peak is the highest point in Wayanad.

Trekking to this peak is an extremely risky experience as the rocks are very slippery. The continuous rain makes the trail wet for most of the season. The rain keeps the heart-shaped lake at the top of the Chembra peak perennial.

Chembra is located near Meppady town which is about 8 km south of Kalpatta. It will be a refreshing experience for tourists to stay in temporary tents beside the Chembra lake as the sight beneath is breathtaking.

The whole of Wayanad lies all around you in its virgin beauty-in every shade of green and sky of bewitching blue interspersed with buttery white clouds. The emerald waters of the lakes winds and shimmers like a mythical snake winding around the peaks.

Trekking up the peak top takes almost a day. One has to procure prior permission to trek up the hill from Meppadi forest office. With the blanket of mist, wrapping up the mountain on all sides, Chembra peak is an enchanting sight. As the cold breeze blows, the misty layer clears briefly, only to rush back in no time.

The heart-shaped lake that lies en route the top of the peak is an enchanting sight. Though it never dries up, the water in this lake is not suitable for drinking. For photography enthusiasts, trekking up Chembra is sure to be a memorable experience as great snaps are guaranteed. Tourists can avail service of guides provided by the District Tourism Promotion Council. Trekking equipments too can be hired.

Camping out in the open on the hill top, for a day or two, with cool winds rustling your tents is a pleasure only for trekking freaks – but then it is an experience of a lifetime for all.

 
 On top of the world 
at Meesappulimala 
  

Meesappulimala The mountainous terrain of Kerala provides enthralling trekking routes. Adventurous souls could not ask for anything better than camping much above the tree line, secluded from the rest of the world, cuddled in nature's lap.

Meesappulimala in Munnar is a destination for the highly adventurous. Ideal for trekking, one does not have to be exceptionally fit to climb up the peak. Of course, if you have the willpower to put in your best effort, reaching the summit would not be a Herculean task.

Lucky trekkers get a chance to come across elephants, gaur (Indian Bison) and Nilgiri tahrs in their natural habitat. Thick shrubs closely envelop the plateau. The crisscrossing streams makes the trip all the more luring. The brooks form a spectacular view from the hilltop. The trek also offers an opportunity for the daring travelers to camp at an altitude of 7,000 feet from the sea level.

One need to cross seven hills and traverse many wild brooks, before reaching Meesappulimala. The sight of Meesappulimala after crossing the seventh hill, resembles the face of a tiger. The sight from the top of Meesapulimala is worth the effort taken to climb it. You cannot get anymore close to the drifting clouds.

Since the rocky hillock is situated at the Tamil Nadu border, one also gets a bird's eye view of Kodaikanal hills and Yellapatti village far below. However, the view is blocked on days of heavy mist.

The descend too is a steep one. One need to be extremely careful as mist is likely to restrict the view to about fifteen meters. If you happen to climb down in the evening, an encounter with elephants is also likely. Meesappulimala is one such place that lives up to the wanderlust expectations of a trekker, who loves to take the less trodden roads.



How to reach

To reach Munnar, you need to fly to Nedumbassery and then take the road to Munnar. If by train, Ernakulam is the nearest railway station.

Green carpet welcome :::::::::::::::





Ilaveezhapunchira, situated in the Vidhyan ranges, is a vantage point from where the green clad Kottayam and Idukki districts could be seen. The land beneath, when viewed from a height of 3500 ft, resembles a green velvette blanket.

The plateau in the midst of two hillocks, well guarded by Malankara dam and the thick rainy forest, is a delightful sight. It is believed that the plateau was once a natural spring filled with sweet water. The legend has it that the spring owes its origin to Bheemasena who made it for his wife Draupadi.

Later, Indra made two flower hills around the lake to ensure that the devas who were fascinated by Draupadi's beauty donot lose their way back to heaven. Since the hills were covered with flowers without any tree in the near vicinity, no leaves ever fell in the valley and hence the name.

The picturesque pastures of Ilaveezhapunchira that spreads over Idukki and Kottayam districts is an important tourist centre near Thodupuzha.

Despite the fact that certain parts of the land has been encorached, the bulk of the land still belongs to the government and is considered as a protected zone.

Way to Poonchira

From Thodupuzha, one has to travel fifteen kms in Moolamattam route to reach Kanjar, which is ten kms from Ilaveezhapunchira. The resort built by the District Tourism Promotion Council provides accomodation to tourists. Ilaveezhapunchira is just six kilometres from Melukavu in Kottayam district.

 
 

Nelliampathy

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Location: Nelliampathy lies 75 kms away from Palakkad.

Attractions : 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.

Getting there: Nelliampathy can be reached either from Palakkad or from Trichur via Nenmara. Accessing Nelliampathy from Palakkad (75 kms) is a sensation on its own, with the road taking you through the hairpin curves on the ghat road covering the fascinating terrain of the Western Ghats.

:::Travelogue::: Get close to clouds:::Ramakkalmedu:::

Ramakkalmedu

Ramakkalmedu is the land of uninterrupted winds and alluring rocks. Situated in the spice district of Idukki at a distance of fifteen kilometers from Nedumkandom, Ramakkalmedu is a vantage point from where one gets a panoramic view of the villages below.

The name 'Ramakkalmedu' owes its origin to the legend from Ramayana that Rama climbed up the tall rocks here while searching for his wife Sita who was abducted by Ravana.

Ramakkalmedu is easily accessible as it is situated in the Munnar-Thekkady route.
The presence of high velocity winds makes Ramakkalmedu, an ideal place for power generation using wind farm units. However, the tourists are not allowed tread further into the Wind Energy Farm. The average speed of the wind is estimated at 25 km/hour.

The view from the top of the hill is breathtaking. About seven small townships and adjoining fields could be seen from the top. Under a clear sky, one feels so close to the clouds. You might even feel like to stretch out and touch those soft cotton clouds floating by. Even on really hot days, a tourist might not feel exhausted, thanks to the cool winds blowing constantly.

Apart from the natural caves found at Ramakkalmedu, the statue of 'Kuruvan' and 'Kuruthi' located at the top too attracts tourists. Quite a large number of birds makes the climb up the rocky terrain an exciting one with their chirping calls.

Its proximity to famous tourist spots such as Periyar Tiger Forest of Tekkady, Kuttikanam, Munnar hill station and Parunthumpara makes it frequented by tourists. Lucky travelers might even come across a few harmless wild animals on their way up Ramakkalmedu. This place is also found to be ideal for paragliding.

Those interested in trekking are sure to find climbing up the rocky hill as a thrilling experience. However, it is advisable to avoid climbing during rainy season as the rocks are likely to be moist and slippery. The descent is found to be more treacherous.

Be warned that there are not many shops at the top. Even at the base, not many food options are available, except for a few roadside kiosks.

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Location


Ramakkalmedu is approximately 45 km from Tekkady. Munnar, the famous hill station, is about 77 kilometers from Ramakkalmedu.