Best time to visit : October to May
Ponmudi has to be your dream destination if you are fascinated by lush green vegetation, cool climate, captivating rivulets, springs and waterfalls and plethora of exciting activities like bird-watching and trekking. This South Indian hill station is located in the Western Ghats in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram District. Sightseeing in Ponmudi is a wonderful experience for honeymooners and nature lovers and the riches of wild species and birds in the region can excite any wildlife enthusiast. Trekking tourism is another highlight of the region, as one can choose the exhilarating paths through forests and tea estates. Ecotourism at Ponmudi has also gained significance in the recent times.
Facts
‘Ponmudi’ in the regional language refers to ‘Golden Peak’ or ‘Golden Crown’. The hill station is covered with lavish tropical forests and eye-pleasing tea gardens all around. Located at the altitude of about 1,100 m., Ponmudi experiences pleasant weather during summers and cold winters, while the monsoons here bring heavy rainfall. Kallar River flowing nearby adds to the scenic surroundings. Some of the highest peaks of Western Ghats and mist-covered valleys surround this fairytale hill station that provides the opportunities to come across exotic mountain flowers, butterflies and birds, both local and migratory.
Options are limited in the form of independent restaurants and some popular Kerala cuisines (both vegetarian and non-vegetarian) can be enjoyed at hotels and cottages where you decide to stay at. Tea stalls and shops can be easily located in different parts.
Locally grown tea and spices are the best things you can buy in Ponmudi. You can also look for jewellery items, decors and souvenirs available at shops that are few in number. For better shopping experiences, you can visit the nearby destinations like Vithura and Trivandrum.
Nearby Places:
- Vithura (about 21 km.): A small village with rich scenic beauty, rubber plantations and relaxing atmosphere.
- Trivandrum (about 56 km.): Kerala’s capital city, it is full of attractions like Sri Padmanabha Temple, Kanakakkunnu Palace, Akkulam Lake, Neyyar Dam and Zoological Park.
- Kovalam (about 66 km.): One of the most popular beach towns of Kerala, it is known fro splendid beaches and Ayurvedic treatment centres.
- Thenmala (about 67 km.): Popular for ecotourism, the place has attractions like Palaruvi Falls and Thenmala Dam and activities like boating, mountaineering and trekking.
- Varkala (about 82 km.): Beautiful sedimentary cliffs and mesmerizing beaches make Varkala one of the most popular tourist places in Kerala. It is also known for attractions like Janaradana Swami Temple (visited by thousands of pilgrims), Sivagiri Mutt, Kappil Lake, Varkala Tunnel and Anjengo Fort.
- Kollam (about 95 km.): A coastal town and an ancient trading port, Kollam is well-known for arrays of temples, mosques, churches and ashrams.
Other extremely popular places near Ponmudi include Poovar, Punalur, Kulathupuzha, Shenkottai, Adoor and Kanyakumari.