Road trip : From Kochi to Thekkady & Vagamon

It was a long weekend due to Dussehra and Gandhi Jayanti and I was planning  a family trip to some place in North India which I have not  visited so far.  But a different plan awaited me and  I found myself enjoying a road trip to Thekkady with my wife. And we drove from Kochi on the State and National Highway, past hills, valleys, tea estates, and water falls.

Thekkady, situated near Kerala - Tamil Nadu border, in the Indian state of Kerala is  popular for the Periyar Tiger Reserve and spice plantations.

DAY 1

The journey began from our home in Kochi to Thekkady. Started our drive early in the morning when the roads are empty. As we were  driving long distance, we stored plenty of water and snacks.

Our route was Kochi - Thripoonithura - Pala - Mundakayam - Kuttikanam - Peerumedu  -  Vandiperiyar - Thekkady

When you start driving, you will realize that it is not the destination that is important but the journey. From Pala the route was excellent through NH 183 and after Mundakayam the ghat road started. The drive from  Mundakayam takes you through the lush green countryside, with mountains and valleys lining the narrow, single-lane highway.

Thekkady is one of the most popular tourist spots. However, most people don't realise that on the way up to Thekkady there are few hidden gems for the tourists.

PANCHALIMEDU TOURIST DESTINATION

Take deviation from NH183 at Murinjapuzha junction to reach Panchalimedu. The road is narrow and full of curves.  Once you reach the place, you can see small hills with crosses placed by missionaries all over. You can easily climb the hills and from the top you can admire the beauty of the valley.

Admired the breath taking view of the valley from the cliff as the grey blue monsoon clouds set in and enjoyed the cool, gentle breeze. The clouds were gracious enough to let the sun beams partially illuminate a patch of the hills in the valley.

It is believed that  the Pancha Pandavas spent their years of exile in the forests of Panchalimedu and Draupadi - wife of Pandava's made a temple of Goddess Durga.

The Panchalikulam (the pond of Panchali), where Panchali is believed to have taken a bath is one of the major attractions of this location.

Panchalikulam, Panchalimedu

From Panchalimedu, we drove through the ghat road by enjoying lush green surroundings.

VALANJANKANAM WATERFALLS

There is an attractive water fall known as Valanjaganam water falls placed  between Panchalimedu and Vandiperiyar, beside NH 183.

Valanjaganam water falls

PARUNTHUMPARA

Drive up the hill, and turn right from Kallar junction, you  will reach Parunthumpara after 3 kms ride. At Parunthumpara, which is almost on a cliff, the scene cheers up.

Parunthumpara view point

The main attractions of Parunthumpara are Suicide Point and 'Tagore Head' which is named after the great Indian Poet  Sri Rabindranath Tagore.

Tagore head at Parunthumpara

It is an exhilarating feeling standing there, taking in the view of the vast valley and Sabarimala forests painted in myriad shades of blue and green.

VANDIPERIYAR

The last leg of this journey towards Thekkady was through Vandiperiyar with sprawling tea-estates. You can watch lots of local tea factories on the way. The Periyar River flows through this town enriching the plantations.

KUMILY - THEKKADY

Thekkady serves as the entry point to the renowned Periyar Wildlife Reserve which is 4 kms from Kumily.  Kumily is a small city as such but serves the basic requirements of stay. There are good restaurants, home stays and  hotels to cater to all your needs.

We had booked our stay in a hotel in Thekkady Junction. After lunch and rest for some time in our hotel, we walk down to the streets of Kumily.  Apart from spices, you will also get homemade chocolates and condiments.

DAY 2

BOATING THROUGH PERIYAR LAKE

Boating through Periyar lake is the most popular activity you can enjoy in Thekkady.  I reached the Tourism Police Information Centre  at around 5.45 am. Entry pass is Rs.53 per person plus Rs.38 if you are carrying a still camera. Then a 4 km ride in the bus from the ticket counter to the boating centre. You need to be in the  queue at the boating centre to get the ticket for boating. Boating fee is Rs.225 per head and a maximum of 340 persons can travel in one slot.

Boating Time : 07.30, 09.30, 11.15, 13.45 and 15.30 hrs.

Boating centre, Periyar Tiger Reserve

There are a lot of guided tours which are organized from this place into the wildlife reserve. You can choose Nature walk, jungle camp or Bamboo Rafting. You can also have guided spice tours where one gets to see spices like pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg etc.

We left Thekkady before noon. Instead of going back through the same route, we decided to cover Vagamon in this trip.

Our route was Thekkady - VandiPeriyar - Peermade - Elappara - Vagamon

VAGAMON

The drive through the tea estates started from Elappara. Elappara literally means “Cardamom rock”, named  after the spice grown here.  It was an amazing drive through zig zag roller coaster ride and we were treated to uninterrupted views of verdant green tea gardens on both sides.

PARAGLINDING VIEW POINT

You can visit the view point by taking entry ticket. Vehicles will go upto only 500 meters away from the view point. You need to climb the hill to get the view of Vagamon meadows.

Paragliding view point, Vagamon

We stopped at many tourist spots like Vagamon Orchidarium & Floriculture Project by KFDC, Pine valley and  Barren Hills ( Motta Kunnu in Malayalam language).

After having lunch on the way, we were back on the road. From Vagamon we drove to Kochi through Moolamattom- Thodupuzha route. The road to Moolamattom  passed through steep and curved hill slopes. Traveling by the hill road in this section is an exhilarating experience with deep valleys and magnificent views all around. It is little bit dangerous with steep curves  and you need to make sure that you vehicle is in perfect condition before driving through this route.

ELAPALLY WATER FALLS

The Elappally Falls is situated before reaching Moolamattom. It  originates in the upper reaches of the Western Ghats.

Elapally water falls

From Moolamatton the road was excellent till Thodupuzha. And I stopped my car for a tea which was enough for me to recharge and take a further drive to Kochi which marked the last leg of this road trip. The joy of riding your own car through vast green expanses is unmatched.