A Day in Abhayaranyam Ecotourism

Looking for a peaceful weekend getaway away from the bustle of Ernakulam? Abhayaranyam, located near Kaprikad in Kunnathukadu Taluk, Ernakulam district, is a wonderful destination for nature lovers, families, and anyone who enjoys spending time surrounded by greenery and wildlife.

Spread across a lush forested landscape, Abhayaranyam offers visitors the chance to experience Kerala's natural beauty while exploring a canopy walkway, wildlife enclosures, an elephant shelter, and scenic riverside surroundings.

Entry fee is Rs.50/-. An ecotourism shop functions near the main entry gage of the mini zoo which sells sandalwood oil and honey etc. The canopy walkway offers plenty of shade and you can walk around the park within 2 hours with a few stops along the way.

A Walk Through the Forest

One of the highlights of Abhayaranyam is its canopy walkway. The shaded pathway winds through the green landscape and can comfortably be explored in around two hours, depending on how often you stop to admire the surroundings.

The walkway is divided into different themed sections, including a bamboo forest, butterfly building, mini zoo, and other natural attractions. Benches are placed along the route, making it easy to pause, relax, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

As you walk, keep an eye out for the tree houses tucked among the greenery. They add a charming touch to the forest setting and make the walk even more enjoyable.

 

Deer and Sambar Park

The Deer and Sambar Park is another major attraction at Abhayaranyam. Hundreds of deer and sambar are kept in a spacious, forest-like environment where visitors can watch them moving around in a relatively natural setting.

For children especially, seeing these animals up close can be one of the most memorable parts of the visit.

A Haven for Nature Lovers

Abhayaranyam is not just about deer and larger animals. The area is home to a variety of birds, butterflies, spiders, and mushrooms, making it an interesting place for anyone who enjoys observing the smaller wonders of nature.

Meet the Elephants

Another important attraction here is the elephant shelter and mahout training centre. Visitors can learn more about the care and training of elephants and, at certain times, watch elephants being bathed.

The elephant bathing session is particularly fascinating. Watching these magnificent animals enjoying the water is an experience that visitors are unlikely to forget.

Enjoy the Riverside Scenery

Beyond the wildlife attractions, Abhayaranyam offers plenty of opportunities simply to enjoy nature. The lush greenery and the view of the river create a calm and refreshing setting.

If you enjoy slow travel, this is a place where you can put aside the rush of everyday life, sit under the shade of the trees, and simply take in the surroundings.

A Simple and Relaxing Day Trip

After exploring the main walkway and wildlife areas, you can make your way back towards the entrance and follow the trail down towards the lower entrance/exit. 

So, if you're planning a one-day trip from Ernakulam and want somewhere that combines nature and wildlife without the rush of a typical tourist destination, Abhayaranyam is certainly a place worth exploring.

A Day in Mangomeadows

 

Sometimes, the best escapes are the ones that take you away from the noise of everyday life without taking you too far from home. While searching for an ideal one-day getaway near Kochi, I came across Mango Meadows Agricultural Theme Park, located at Ayamkudi near Kaduthuruthy in Kottayam district, Kerala.

Tucked away from the bustle of the city, Mango Meadows turned out to be a wonderful destination for a relaxed day surrounded by nature.

Spread across nearly 30 acres, the park is home to thousands of varieties of plants and trees. It is a privately owned, paid attraction that combines nature, agriculture, recreation, and Kerala's traditional culture in a rather unique way.

A Day Surrounded by Nature

Mango Meadows has plenty to keep visitors occupied. There are swimming pools, pedal boats, row boats, water cycles, go-karts, cycling trails, boating experiences and several other activities.

The park also has a fishpond, tree groves, farmland, a cattle farm, a boat safari, a ropeway and a restaurant. You can easily spend a couple of hours here, but if you want to experience most of what the park has to offer, keeping aside an entire day would be a better idea.

One of the things I particularly liked was the effort to combine entertainment with education. The park showcases biodiversity, traditional practices and the importance of plants and trees, making the visit enjoyable as well as informative.

Starting the Visit

On reaching the park, visitors are directed to a parking area. Our first stop was the Visitors Center, where we purchased the entry tickets and booked our lunch time.

We were then directed to a waiting area, where a guide was assigned to us.

The guided tour was an interesting introduction to the park. Our guide explained the importance of various trees and plants and shared interesting scientific information about them. Walking through the greenery while listening to these stories made the experience much more meaningful than simply wandering around on our own.

The Tea Garden

Our tour took us through several themed areas of the park, including the Tea Garden.

There was something fascinating about seeing different plants and learning about their uses and significance. The greenery, fresh air and peaceful surroundings made the walk especially pleasant.

Tea Garden

The Bible Statue and Bible Garden

One of the major attractions at Mango Meadows is the Bible Statue, a striking structure measuring about 25 feet by 25 feet.

The statue is made of concrete and incorporates original pages from the Bible in Malayalam. Around it is the Bible Garden, which contains around 125 plants, trees and herbs mentioned in the scriptures.

It was one of those places where nature, culture and spirituality come together in an unusual setting.

Bible Statue

Valentine's Garden and Eden's Garden

Mango Meadows also has a few themed spaces designed to add a touch of romance and imagination to the park.

The Valentine's Garden is a charming spot for couples, while Eden's Garden, inspired by the biblical story of Adam and Eve, offers another interesting corner to explore.

These themed gardens add variety to the otherwise nature-focused experience.

Valentine's Garden

Discovering India Through Trees

Another attraction that caught our attention was the Indian Map Statue.

Children, in particular, can learn about the different states of India and their respective state trees. Trees representing the different states stand within their corresponding spaces, turning the area into an interesting outdoor learning experience.

I thought this was a wonderful way of introducing children to India's incredible botanical diversity.

 Indian Map Statue

A Glimpse of Kerala's Traditional Culture

A few metres away, we came across a temple pond that seemed to evoke Kerala's traditional landscape.

Nearby was a sarppakavu, or sacred grove traditionally considered an abode of snakes. Such sacred groves are an important part of Kerala's cultural heritage and traditional biodiversity conservation practices.

It was interesting to see these traditional elements incorporated into a modern theme park.

Exploring the Park on Our Own

After completing the guided tour, we were free to explore the park at our own pace.

There are several activities available for visitors, including cycling and boating.

Free cycling is allowed for 20 minutes with a ₹100 deposit, which is refunded when the cycle is returned within the allotted time. Riding through the park was a pleasant way to enjoy the greenery and surroundings.

We also tried archery, which turned out to be one of the most thrilling experiences of the day. Holding the bow, taking aim and releasing the arrow was surprisingly exciting!

Tea and Pazhampori

No Kerala outing feels quite complete without tea and snacks, and Mango Meadows had a delightful surprise for tea lovers.

There is a small tea shop where tea is prepared in a traditional way. Watching the tea being prepared and enjoying it in such peaceful surroundings was a memorable experience.

And, of course, I couldn't resist having pazhampori with my tea.

I have always loved tea, but somehow it tasted even better that day — perhaps it was the traditional preparation, perhaps it was the company, or perhaps it was simply the beautiful surroundings.

A Relaxing End to the Day

As evening approached, it was time for us to leave.

After spending several hours walking through gardens, learning about plants, cycling, trying archery and enjoying a traditional cup of tea, we left Mango Meadows with refreshed minds and happy memories.

If you're looking for a one-day getaway near Kochi, especially a place where you can slow down, breathe some fresh air and spend time surrounded by greenery, Mango Meadows at Ayamkudi is certainly worth considering.

We left with a refreshed mind — and with the hope of returning again someday.

Vagavanam Trek, Idukki

Vagavanam is near to the famous hill station Vagamon, which is located in Idukki district, in the Indian State of Kerala.

We started our journey from Kochi in the early morning. Had a pit stop at Thodupuzha for breakfast. From Moolamattom onwards, the journey uphill having narrow roads and curves, was not at all comfortable. We stopped our car before reaching Vagavanam and collected our packed lunch. Reached Kerala Forest Department office at Ottamarapara, which is 8 kms from the Junction. There was a small shop selling honey and tea dust and we decided to purchase those when we return.

Kerala Forest Department arranges  windy walk trekking at Kuvalettam. Total trekking distance would be around 7 kms, which can be covered within 3.5 hours.

After taking entry ticket for Rs.155/- and completing formalities by filling form , we started out trek with our guides. Initial trek was through tar road, then we deviated to mud jeep road. Since this was rainy season, the road was slippery. We stoped at the foothill of the first hill, and had group introduction to know each other and resumed our trek.

Walking with greenery and fresh wind makes life easier here. We could see Vagamon in a distance.

We reached the top of the first hill. We could see a herd of elephants way down the hill.

It is all about walking up and down through the grasslands and enjoying the heavy wind. Few areas were slippery, rocky patch, so one needs to be careful while climbing. The journey is also scenic and is worth visiting for all nature lovers. Its beauty enhances during the monsoon season.

We trekked further until we reached the final hill which is the last point in windy walk trekking. Other side of the reservoir is Kulamavu. From the peak, we could get the beautiful views of catchment area of Idukki reservoir.  We rested for a while, had packed lunch, took pictures and started return trekking. 

It was around 3 pm, when we returned to the starting point of the trek. Next up in our chart was a bath in the nearby Kallattupara waterfalls. It was not a big waterfall, but water was cold and a bath beneath the falls, gave a lot of relief to us. After bath, we had a pit stop near the reservoir and shared our experience in this trek.

Kallattupara waterfalls

A beautiful challenging one-day trial with a mixture of greenery, rain, grass land and heavy wind. 

Trek to Moodal Mala, Peechi Wildlife Sanctuary

I already had a couple of treks to  Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary but trek to Moodalmala is a new trek path opened recently by the  Kerala  Forest Department. This is one of the highest trekking point in Peechi WLS. 

Our reporting point was Forest Office, Peechi, near Thrissur , Kerala ,  at 9 a.m.   After getting the required permission from  the Forest office, we started our trek at around 9.30 a.m accompanied by two  forest guides. We walked through the jeep road until we reached the mouth of the forest. This is the real starting point of the trek. After a small introduction of group members , we started our trek.

Initial trek was a hike through dense forests, and we took halt in regular intervals. On the way, our guide showed us different trees and plants and shared his deep knowledge about those trees and plants.  After a steep hike, we reached  a viewpoint, and we could see Kochi Coimbatore National Highway and the  Kuthiran Tunnel.

We took halt in the  open rocky area and we were greeted by picturesque views and gusty winds.  I found a comfortable spot to sit and relax. From this spot, we could see the  reservoir at a distance.

Then we resumed our trek downwards through the  thick forest without any proper route. We passed through Elephant passage route known as Anathara. We had a pit stop near a rivulet. Had our packed lunch and some of us  filled our water bottles too. Rest of the trek was beside the reservoir.

There was a surprise waiting for us.  It was amazing to see  many  wild dogs just on the  opposite side of the reservoir. They were seen heading to the  water to catch their meal. 

We waited there to click few  photos as they moved to the  forest after taking their meal.

 

Then we resumed our trek and returned to the  Forest office.  This is one of the best one-day trip in Peechi WLS.

Weekend at Abad Turtle Beach Resort, Mararikulam

 

After an hour's drive from my home at Kochi, we arrived at the vast expanse of the resort, and I felt some relaxation after seeing the neatly maintained area spread across 13 acres of land with palm trees. I took a deep breath, and it was starting of our two day's fun.

We spent two days in Abad Turtle, and we loved everything about Abad Turtle. There are lots of unique and different things to do in the resort for families that makes it a fun and memorable place to visit. It's an absolute joy to wander and discover what is around in each corner. The rooms were cozy and spacious and had open sky bathrooms.

There were hammocks outside to relax, lot of space to walk around and direct access to beach.   There is a small garden where they grow vegetables. I cycled around the area.

The swimming pool at Abad Turtle is another major attraction to spend a cool and fun filled time in the waters ...

Delicious meals are served for Breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

One of my favorite spots for taking photos is the beach. Sunset view was breathtaking. I love the sea, and also  to stroll along the beach listening to the waves. In the morning, we woke  up early and walked to the beach and spent time for fun filled activities by running with the kids through the beach, taking candid photos etc.

I felt that I should have visited this place long before. I wished I could extend my holiday at Abad Turtle!!     

My stay at KTDC Tea County, Munnar

 

I had the pleasure of staying at the Tea County Munnar in March 2022. It was a memorable stay especially as a break from my regular routine. The weather as was cool.

I stayed in the first floor of a cottage which had a balcony with a clear view of the picturesque Munnar valley and adjacent hill. The chair in the balcony was my favorite corner in the room and I enjoyed the magic of the mist and the mountains.

The bed was comfortable leading to a good sleep all around I enjoyed complimentary buffet breakfast and lunch as well as dinner from the hotel. 

 

I walked around the area and enjoyed the greenery of the land that extends to about eight and a half acres. And this leisure trip was really rejuvenating for me.

Ten hours Of Sightseeing, Travelling And Exploring from Munnar to Kanthalloor in KSRTC bus

No matter how many times you  have visited Munnar, you may never discover it enough.  A vista of how Munnar was this season was the blue Jacaranda  flowering  at its crazy best. This is what I love about repeated visits to Munnar, it is new everytime!

This time I got an opportunity for sightseeing by bus in quite a different way and enjoy a unique ride through the tea-carpeted hills.  Munnar KSTRC has come up with a special package that will take you on a budget-free tour from Munnar to Kanthalloor.  Kanthalloor is located 57km from Munnar. The costs for one day journey is Rs 300. The bus carrying tourists starts at 9.30 am from Munnar KSRTC old depot and had one hour halt in each stop.

The first stop in our chart was Tata Tea Museum  which is located at 2 km from the centre of Munnar. Entry fee is Rs.125 per head. It is a part of the Nallathanni Estate of Tata Tea.  A 30 minute documentary feature by the museum will give you the opportunity to watch the transition from the rudimentary tea roller to the modern fully automated tea factory. 

Next stop was at Estate photo point. Surrounded by the Tata Tea gardens of the Kanan Devan Hills and a string of silver oak trees with the backdrop of the vast expanse of the Sahyadri ranges, this is the perfect spot to relish the beauty of Munnar

There is a small road side tea stall selling tea and snacks. We had tea and proceeded to Marayoor.  Twists in the road reveal vistas so vast and breathtaking that  they’re distracting.

Further the road goes on through Marayoor natural sandal reserve. The forest department has rightly put high fence to prevent illegal activities. We could see the sandal trees on either side of the road.

The Jacaranda trees are in full bloom in this stretch just before reaching Lakkom falls. Local people call it ‘Neelavaka’.  Jacaranda indicates spring season. British brought Jacaranda to Munnar during colonization to beautify the hills and estate bungalows. It is one of the 49 species of flowering plants in the family of Bignoniaceae, and is native to South America.

Next stop was at Lakkom waterfalls. Entry fee is Rs.50 per head.  The waterfall is close to the main road. You have to climb few steps to reach the falls from the main road. Originating from the Eravikulam National Park, the stream cascade down from the rocky cliffs. Further we walked down through the road and then through tea estate to reach the natural pool.  I walked along the paths between the carpet of green.

There are a whole lot of plants and shrubs around the pool that add to the scenic view.  A dip in the cold yet refreshing water is all you need on a hot summer's day.

A pretty drive through the sandalwood forests will take you to the sugarcane blossoming village. When you hear Marayoor, Marayoor jaggery and Marayoor sandalwood come to mind. As the name suggests, there are many jaggery making centers in Marayoor. Farmers are benefitted by making significant changes in the production of Marayoor Jaggery with the availability of Geo-Index status. As result,  black-colored jaggery is now in high demand in the market.

Most of these factories are largely without mechanization or infrastructure and these production units are still man-made. Now 12 months full mature sugarcane is used  for the production of Marayoor Jaggery. The juice obtained from the crushing of sugarcane is transferred to a large iron vessel through a tube, which is then boiled over a fire and reduced to a paste-like jaggery. The product here is this rolled jaggery. It is sold in many places in Marayoor.

Most of the people who work here are attached to these grass-fed jaggery units for accommodation, cooking and caring for children.

Muniyara's are famous in Marayoor. Tourists often visit the munirs at Anakottupara. We use Stone Age culture to describe the way of life of human beings a thousand or two thousand years before the year of Christ. The muniyara's were the burial chambers of the time. The muniyara's look like two layers of rock steep and another layer of rock fixed on top of it. Some say that the 'soul' resided in muniyara's after death. Those remains are still intact in Marayoor. The muniyara's will help us to go back in time to history.

Finally we reached our last place in our chart -  Kanthalloor. Kanthalloor is situated on the eastern side of the Western Ghats on the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, between Munnar and Udamalpet. It is at an altitude of about 5000 feet above sea level. This is favourable for the natural farming of many fruits like apple, blackberry, orange, plums, strawberry, passion fruit, etc. and vegetables like Cauliflower, carrot, potato, garlic, cabbage, beans etc.are grown in plenty.   We visited one of the private farm. The best season to visit Kanthalloor is from August to October. Because of the off season there was not much fruits and vegetables. There isn’t much to do here, but that’s part of the charm.

As we made our way back to Munnar, we passed through Nachivayal, Kovilkadavu.  Not only do you get to cruise through a sandal forest reserve but, more often than not, you will spot a herd of deer.

From 6 pm onwards, the mist would be my constant companion through the ride. It was already dark when we reached Munnar at around 7 pm. By that time the chill in the air had picked up.