A hot summer is never a dreamy season. Right?
It may be true, but thanks to the long summer days and the concomitant summer break, you get a lot of time to dream. In fact, this is the perfect time to satisfy your wanderlust.
If you aspire to spend your summer in a romantic, calm, and admirable spot, then hill stations in Kerala are the perfect destination.
As a part of the Western Ghats, hill stations in Kerala are ideal for travellers, thanks to their cooler and more comfortable climate, lush green valleys, frothing rivers, waterfalls, azure lakes, and flower-filled meadows.
Check out these six hill stations in Kerala to enjoy a wonderful summer vacation!
Munnar
Are you looking for a glimpse of Kerala’s most beautiful tourist attractions? Head to Munnar. It is a romantic haven throughout the year.
This region is known for its extensive tea gardens and fabulous scenery. Besides, it attracts visitors from all over India.
If you are in Munnar, make sure to visit the KTDC Tea County, Mattupetty lake, and Tata Tea Museum.
A major attraction near Munnar is the Eravikulam National Park, which is home to endangered wildlife like the Nilgiri Tahr. Another major attraction is the Mattupetty Dam, which offers boat rides on its beautiful lake.
To reach Munnar, the nearest airport is Kochi, about 125 kilometres away. This airport is well connected to the rest of the country and different parts of the world.
Nearby railway stations are Ernakulam (126 km) and Aluva (110 km). Also, you can take a bus from Kochi, Alleppey, Madurai, Idukki, and Aluva to reach Munnar.
Ponmudi
Ponmudi is known as the “Kashmir of Kerala”. This hill station is located in the Peringamala Panchayat of Trivandrum district, Kerala.
In addition, it is one of the most popular hill stations in Kerala nestled in the midst of the Western Ghats, which run parallel to the Arabian Sea.
This hill station is situated at an altitude of 1100 m and is surrounded by scenic hills, plantations, tea estates, and winding streams.
During the winter season, from November to March, Ponmudi has very pleasant and welcoming weather. And, it is mesmerizing to see this area under a mist.
During this time, you can not only enjoy the site’s beauty, but also you can do many different things like mountain climbing, paragliding, trekking, and rafting.
Vagamon
If you’re looking for adventure and tranquillity, make your way to Vagamon in Kerala.
It is located at a distance of 45 kilometres from Thekkady, 58 kilometres from Idukki, 92 kilometres from Munnar, and 103 kilometres from Kochi.
Vagamon is surrounded by three hills, namely Thangal hill, Murugan hill, and Kurisumala hill.
Moreover, the hillocks, valleys, and cascading waterfalls of Vagamon make it one of the most popular tourist attractions near Kochi.
Pine forests, grasslands, meadows, and vast tea estates, in Vagamon add to its natural beauty.
Adventure activities such as trekking, paragliding, mountaineering, and rock climbing are popular in Vagamon.
In recent times, the hill station has become a paragliding hub that hosts a number of international paragliding contests every year.
This hill station in Kerala offers various accommodation options, including budget hotels, homestays, and luxury resorts. But, the accommodation options in Vagamon are limited, so it is best to book in advance.
Vagamon is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit is in the dry season, including the summer and winter months (October to May).
Due to heavy rainfall, the monsoon months of June to September are the most difficult times to travel to Vagamon.
Idukki
Idukki is one of the most popular places to visit in Kerala because it has so many natural attractions, such as wildlife sanctuaries, spice plantations, mountain treks, and elephant rides.
There are only a few hill stations in Kochi, and Idukki happens to be the nearest one. You can visit this place between October and February for the best weather.
Moreover, Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, Idukki Dam, Thommankuthu Waterfalls, Ramakalamedu, Kalvari Mount/Calvary Mount, Malankara Dam, and Ilaveezha Poonchira are the most visited places in Idukki.
Undoubtedly, it is the best destination for a memorable vacation with hiking, trekking, or a unique holiday experience.
Wayanad
It is a picturesque plateau nestled among the Western Ghats at an altitude of 700 to 2100 meters, and it lies on the borders of the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Wayanad has a predominantly tribal culture. Besides, it produces cash crops like pepper, cardamom, coffee, tea, spices, and other condiments, making it one of the state’s most important foreign exchange-earners.
This hill station has several tourist attractions, including lakes, caves, sanctuaries, and waterfalls.
The top Wayanad attractions include Meenmutty Falls, Soochipara Falls, Kanthampara Falls, Pookote Lake, Banasura Sagar Dam, Karappuzha Dam, and the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Pakshipathalam, Chembra Peak, Lakkidi, and Thirunelly Temple.
Additionally, Wayanad is also known for its tea and coffee plantations.
From September to May is the best time to visit Wayanad, and the peak season is from October to March.
Thekkady
Thekkady is one of most popular hill stations in Kerala. It is a haven for nature and wildlife lovers. The adventure enthusiasts will find plenty of options in the hill station.
It is not just mountains, tea, coffee, and spice plantations; it is also popular for wildlife sanctuaries and temples.
A few main attractions in Thekkady are Periyar Tiger Reserve, Pandikuzhi, Mangala Devi Temple, Chellarcovil View Point, Anakkara, and Suruli Falls.
Other fun things to do in Thekkady include boat rides on Thekkady Lake, bamboo rafting, jeep and elephant safaris, border hiking, and nature walks.
