BEST OF THEKKADY & VAGAMON (FROM KOCHI)

Hill Station | Wildlife | Lake & Backwaters

Photo Credit: Flickr

ITINERARY SUMMARY

Trip Starting Point: Kochi City

Mode of Travel: Car (or Cab)

Trip Duration: 3 Days

Ideal Start Time: 8 AM (Day 1), 9 AM (Day 2) & 9 AM (Day 3)

Total Places Visited: 11

DAYS

DAY 1 : TRAVEL TO THEKKADY & SIGHTSEEING

Travel from Kochi to Thekkady

Lake & Backwaters

Boat Cruise is the best mode in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary to watch the wildlife from a close distance. Boating in Periyar Lake is arranged by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) and is one of the most popular things to do in Thekkady. The lake was formed by Mullaperiyar Dam constructed in 1895. The land surrounding the lake is commonly frequented by wildlife.

Elephants are the most common wildlife you can see on the shores of the reservoir while boating in the lake as part of Thekkady holiday packages. Apart from Elephants, the sight of Wild Boar and Sambar Deer is also possible. The upper deck in the boat is best for wildlife viewing. The tickets for boating is issued at Thekkady Boating Point which is 4.5 Km from Kumily Bus Stand. The boats are mostly crowded and better to come early and allocate a good amount of buffer time for boating. .....

Wildlife

Elephant rides are famous in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. The elephant rides through the spice gardens are arranged by Elephant Junction. This park is situated 4 Km away from Kumily Bus Stand. It offers a rare opportunity to experience the safari on an Elephant through a Spice Plantation where the gentle breeze refresh ones, with the spice scented air.

Elephant Junction is a place where one can actually interact with the elephants getting indulged into activities such as bathing elephant, elephant ride and enjoying getting around with playful elephants. Elephant safaris are equipped with a howdah on the back of the elephant on which two tourists sit, with an umbrella over the riders head. Elephant trainers will be at side, walking along with the elephant.

Package Cost:

30 minutes elephant safari: Rs.350 per person
60 minutes elephant safari: Rs.750 per person
90 minutes elephant safari: Rs. 1500 per person

Elephant Safari Timings: 6 AM to 5 PM.

Overnight Stay in Thekkady

DAY 2 : TRAVEL TO VAGAMON & SIGHTSEEING

Travel from Thekkady to Vagamon

Adventure / Trekking | Nature & Scenic

At a distance of 6 km from Vagamon Bus Stop, Vagamon Pine Forest is a manmade forest located at Vedikuzhi in the quaint hill town of Vagamon, Kerala. Situated on Vagamon - Elappara Road, it is one of the top places to visit in Vagamon.

Vagamon Pine Forest is a vast region occupied by lofty Pine trees thriving in the environment on steep slopes. It is a man-made forest created during the British regime of India, which still stands overlooking the enchanting Vagamon Valley. Towering over the valleys and meadows is the Vagamon Pine Forest, whose beauty has turned it into a popular and favorite location for filmmakers.

Vagamon Pine Forest is a must-visit destination in Vagamon and a paradise for nature lovers. The majestic pine trees on the slopes create an incredible view and also offers travelers some wonderful private moments amidst great natural surroundings. The view is not only captivating but also quite awe-inspiring. Walking through the forest is like a therapeutic experience, .....

Park

At a distance of 6 km from Vagamon Bus Stop, Vagamon Orchidarium & Floriculture Project is a botanical garden situated at Kolahalamedu in the hill town of Vagamon. Located near Vagamon Pine Forest, it is one of the must-visit Vagamon tourist places.

Spread across 15-hectare (37-acre), Vagamon Orchidarium is known as the first orchid garden in Kerala. This unique garden was opened to the public in the year 2014 by the Kerala Forest Development Corporation. The garden has some rare varieties of orchids that are found in the Western Ghats. The Orchidarium is a real paradise for those who love flowers and are interested in growing Orchids and roses.

Vagamon Orchidarium has more than 3000 varieties of both indoor and outdoor orchids, 200 varieties of roses, and various other plants. Apart from the plants and flowers, this land is a collection of small meadows and a pond with open sitting and relaxing areas. The visitors can purchase Orchid and other flowers, seeds, from Orchidarium. .....

Waterfall

At a distance of 10 km from Vagamon Bus Stop, Palozhukumpara Waterfall is a picturesque waterfall situated close to the lower Pine Forest in Vagamon. Also known as Vagamon Falls, it is one of the beautiful waterfalls in the region, and among the must-visit tourist places in Vagamon.

Vagamon Falls or Palozhukum Para waterfall is a small stream that springs up at a lake. The stream cascading down the ravine is a sight to see with the luxuriant hills merging with the dense forests. The route to the fall is popular amongst the trekkers.

There is no path that leads to the falls, hence visitors can't go actually near the falls. One can see it from a far distance separated by a barbed-wire fence surrounding private property. Post-monsoon is the best time to visit the fall when it looks big and great.

Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM

Entry: Free

Nature & Scenic

At a distance of 8 km from Vagamon Bus Stop, Paragliding Point (also known as Suicide Point) is a spectacular viewpoint situated at Amreuthamedu in Vagamon, Kerala. Also known as Paragliding Viewpoint, it is one of the popular vantage points in the hill town, and among the must include places in Vagamon Tour Packages.

The Vagamon town is very small where you can enjoy the cool climate sipping hot tea in one of the numerous tea shops/ restaurants. The town proudly houses numerous vantage points from where you can see the beautiful valleys surrounding the hill station. Vagamon Suicide Point is one such spectacular nature viewpoint with a deep-seated valley below.

This V-shaped ravine is one of the beautiful locations in Vagamon. From this place, you can get cherishing views of mountains and valleys and can enjoy the fresh air and light breeze. The vertical extent of the valley appears like a never-ending abyss. This is a good trekking destination and is also known as Mundakayam .....

Overnight Stay in Vagamon

DAY 3 : VAGAMON SIGHTSEEING & TRAVEL TO KOCHI

Resume Vagamon Sightseeing

Lake & Backwaters

At a distance of 1 km from Vagamon Bus Stop, Vagamon Lake is a tranquil water body tucked in the fold of greenery in the quaint hill town of Vagamon. It is one of the beautiful lakes in the Idukki district and among the most prominent places to visit in Vagamon.

The Vagamon Lake is a picturesque place amidst three green hills and lush green tea estates in the valley of Vagamon. Boasting picturesque surroundings, it is a famous tourist place that draws a lot of tourists as part of Vagamon holiday packages. Besides, the hills surrounding it boast of glossy green grass carpet which is always blooming with vibrant flowers. The lake is popular for picnics and leisure outings. It is also an ideal place for photography enthusiasts and solitude seekers as the region around the lake offers peace and calm like no place else.

The lake is not a huge one, yet .....

Nature & Scenic

At a distance of 6 km from Vagamon Bus Stop, Vagamon Meadows, also known as Barren Hills or Mottakkunnu is a collection of small meadows spread over a large area in Vagamon, Kerala. It is one of the popular scenic places to visit in Vagamon during your Vagamon Trip.

Located in the Vagamon - Elappara route, Vagamon Meadows is the most popular place in Vagamon. The meadows are unique for their vastness and beauty. Here one will also find interlocked small ponds at the valley of several meadows. This is one of the major spots for film shooting in Vagamon. Different in each season, the hills change from lush to bare as the cycle of season rolls on. This is one place to be if you want to experience all the four seasons in Kerala.

These large grass-covered meadows are ideal for a long or short walk and being with nature. The lush greenery and scenic views of Vagamon Meadows will leave you spellbound. The misty hills with a charm of their own offer peace amidst it all. The sunset .....

Pilgrimage | Adventure / Trekking

At a distance of 3 km from Vagamon Pine Forest, and 7 km from Vagamon Bus Stop, Thangalpara is a sacred place situated at Kolahamedu in Vagamon. It is one of the popular places of pilgrimage in the Idukki district, and among the most beautiful Vagamon places to visit.

Situated at an altitude of 2500 m, Thangalpara is a scenic attraction well-known for the unique rock formation on the top of Thanga Hill. This huge spherical rock formation at the top of the rocky hill houses the tomb of Sheikh Fariduddin, a Sufi saint from Afghanistan, who lived on the hill till he died about 8 centuries ago. It is believed that the huge rock formation here was originally a small stone used by the saint for grinding pan, that grew enormously after his death.

It is considered one of the most sacred places for Muslim pilgrims around this area. A small prayer center has been constructed for the pilgrims and tourists are also allowed to visit the place. Although recognized as a place of pilgrimage, .....

Nature & Scenic

At a distance of 6 km from Vagamon Bus Stop, Echo Point is a viewpoint situated in Vagamon, Kerala. Located on the way to Kurisumala, it is one of the popular vantage points in Vagamo, and among the must include places in Vagamon Packages.

The hill town of Vagamon is very small and peaceful where you can enjoy the cool climate sipping hot tea in one of the numerous tea shops/ restaurants. The town proudly houses numerous vantage points from where you can see the beautiful valleys surrounding the hill station. Echo Point is one of the most popular vantage points located in Vagamon. As the name indicates, Echo point is famous for its natural echo phenomenon. You can hear your voice echoing repeatedly when you scream. The name Echo point came due to this echo phenomenon.

Karikadu Viewpoint is a good stopover on the way to and from Vagamon if you are travelling through the Erattupetta route. From this point, one can see the faraway mountains dipped in mist, the deep-seated valley .....

Nature & Scenic

At a distance of 4.5 km from Vagamon Bus Stop, Karikadu Viewpoint is a spectacular viewpoint situated in Vagamon, Kerala. Located on Vagamon-Erattupetta Road, it is one of the popular vantage points in the hill town, and among the must-visit Vagamon sightseeing places.

The hill town of Vagamon is very small and peaceful where you can enjoy the cool climate sipping hot tea in one of the numerous tea shops/ restaurants during Vagamon Trip. The town proudly houses numerous vantage points from where you can see the beautiful valleys surrounding the hill station. Karikadu Viewpoint is one of the most popular vantage points located in Vagamon.

Karikadu Viewpoint is a good stopover on the way to and from Vagamon if you are travelling through the Erattupetta route. From this point, one can see the meandering road to Vagamon which is cut in solid rock with .....

Travel from Vagamon to Kochi