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Thanks,
Florien,
for your discerning comments. You get a
FREE Shoppers Stop Gift Voucher worth Rs.
1000 |
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| Even a
month is not enough to fully enjoy
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| Opinion on the
destination: |
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Idukki district is much
more than Munnar and Thekkady. The entire
district is full of lush green, dense
jungles and plantations, high mountains,
grasslands, rivers, lakes and water
bodies.
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Idukki
Dam |
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Wagamon |
From Cochin airport the
nearest entry point to Idukki district
is at Neriamangalam from where the tall
rainforests begin. A 2 day halt at Kothamangalam,
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just 35 minute drive from
the airport will enable you to visit
the under rated, excellent Thattekadu
Bird Sanctuary whose entrance is in
Ernakulam but forest in Idukki district,
and it is possible to trek through to
the forests of Neriamangalam with a
guide for those who are interested.
From Neriamangalam to Munnar, the route
is entirely forested upto Adimaly at
the foothills of Munnar. Munnar is well
written about so I won’t add more
here.
From N'mangalam you can also take the
road along the Lower Periyar catchments
along the river with dense jungles on
both sides interspersed with plantations
and very little traffic. Seasonal waterfalls
add to the scene. Pretty birds and huge
butterflies flit about the entire route.
This road goes to Cheruthoni where you
can enjoy a tasty Kerala meal at any
small restaurant. You can also see the
Cheruthoni dam and proceed to Idukki
passing the famous Idukki Arch Dam,
open to the public only at Onam time.
The road goes on to the picturesque
spice plantations of Kattapana, Vandanmedu,
Puliyanmala, Annakara and then to Kumily
[Periyar Tiger Reserve]. Chellarkovil
near Annakara is also a picturesque
Wagamon |
place to spend
some time with its spectacular
views of the plains and mountains
of neighbouring Tamil Nadu.
The Maraiyoor-Chinnar area,
closer to Munnar is also an
excellent but under rated
place to explore.
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Sight-seeing
and shopping:
Excellent
tasty vegetarian and non veg
Kerala cuisine is available
at every small restaurant
at exceedingly low prices,
fresh, hot, and much better
than what is offered at resort
hotels.
Shopping:
Spices and masala,
aromatic soaps - try unusual
vanilla fragrance soap, good
quality leaf tea - Kolukkumalai
BOP is the best; strawberry
jam, beautiful thick coir
baskets or different rubber
baskets made from old truck
tyres, Kerala mixture etc.
Sightseeing:
Periyar Sanctuary activities,
Prehistoric Dolmens [Muniyaras]
at Kovilkadavu near Marayoor,
Spice plantations - Valley
View at Chellarkovil was the
best, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
with guided trek to Thoovanam
falls, Munnar and all its
famous falls and sights, Tea
estates, Pambadum Shola reserve
forest at Top Station etc.
Avoid the over rated boring
Tea Museum.
Opinion on
activities
Great
for light trekking with guide
[compulsory] in lesser known
places such as the Pambadum
Shola rainforest, entry point
at Top Station. Also at Chinnar
WLS. The Muniyaras at Marayoor
are also worth a visit. The
Annakara region near Kumily
is very picturesque and charming,
Valley View spice plantations
at the edge of the cliff offers
spectacular views at a very
cheap cost. Just walking along
the plantations at Vandanmedu
and Puliyanmala is also most
rewarding, apart from the
usual Munnar area sights.
How
to reach, travel tips &
warnings etc
Hire a private
taxi with driver
for the entire trip,
it is worth it as
you will always
have transport when
you require. Convenient
airports are Nedumbassery
at Cochin, Coimbatore
and Madurai.
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Kuttikanam
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Panchalimeadu |
Angamaly
or Aluva are the
nearest rail heads
from the Cochin
side. Very safe
area so just the
usual precautions
required. Everyone
in Kerala is aware
of the benefits
of tourism so they
are all very courteous
and friendly to
visitors.
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| Other
well-written reviews for the month: |
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Zen,
Mumbai |
Yuksam,
Sikkim |
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