Opening Time : 09:00 AM
Closing Time : 05:00 PM
About 20 km from Munnar, Kundala Dam is a picturesque tourist destination. The dam is built on the Periyar River, and is surrounded by a green Western Ghat mountain range. The area also has cherry blossom trees, which flower twice a year, which adds to the beauty of the place. And if you are lucky, you can also see the bright purple cover of blue Kurunji flowers on the hills. Those flowers bloom only once in 12 years. The nearby Kundala lake also provides an unforgettable experience to tourists. You can board a pedal boat or a boat to explore the lake and enjoy the scenery. Kashmiri Shikara boats are available for rent at Kundala Dam Lake Munnar.
Kundala Lake Munnar is also known for its boating facilities. Tea gardens & Green Hills and backdrops are with you in during the experience. Here, you can rent a pedal boat, rowboat or shikhara.
Albeit Munnar is a hill station, the summer heat becomes unbearable at times. Ergo, the best time to visit the lake is during winter or spring, between November and May.
The cloud cover remains pleasant throughout the day during those months.
Also, it would be best to go early in the morning, so that you can enjoy your journey in peace. You can spend about 1-2 hours at this tourist spot.
Approx. boat charges :
INR 100 for Pedal Boat for 3 persons
INR 150 for Row Boat for 4 persons
INR 200 for Shikara Boat for 2 persons
INR 200 for Video Camera
(Boating closes at 4.30 PM and boating is closed during heavy rains)
Things to do :
1. Enjoying the views – Kundala Dam Lake has plenty of green area and shade where you can sit and enjoy the views of the nearby hills. You can watch the boats floating in the lake or just enjoy the cool breeze filled with the aroma of tea plantations.
2. Boating in the lake – Kundala Lake Munnar is known for its boating facilities. Green hills and tea plantations in the backdrop accompany you during the experience. Here, you can rent pedal boats, row boats or shikaras.
3. Riding a horse – On the banks of the lake, you’ll also find many horses. Pay the owner and hop on one for a ride around Kundala Dam and Lake. On some days, you can even ride elephants or find other small activities like balloon shooting.
4. Having tea and snacks – Local people also set up tea stalls and other snack corners near Kundala Lake. You can sip a freshly made cup of masala tea or drink tender coconut water there. Dosa, noodles and sandwich stalls are also there.
5. Capturing memorable photos – The dam standing tall, colourful boats on the lake and dense forests around make this tourist spot an ideal place for photographers. The distant cover of tea plantations also adds to the charm. And you might also get to capture the rare Neela Kurunji flowers blooming on the nearby slopes.
Entry to Kundala Lake is free, one can take a stroll around the lake if not interested in boat ride.
Exclusion :
1. Vehicle cost
2. Activity cost
3. Boat Ride
Important Note :
1. The given sightseeing can be done if have hired vehicle for the full day or planning to take one. However it is at discretion of vehicle company to do it. Also one has to make sure that the same falls in given kilometer limits by the company.
2. The cost of sightseeing is given for reference and planning purposes only. The same has to be paid directly on spot..
Opening Time : 07:30 AM
Closing Time : 04:00 PM
Eravikulam National Park is located in the South Western Ghats near Idukki, Kerala. The name Eravikulam translates to streams and pools, which best describe the national park. The area of the park was managed as a sport preservation until 1978 when the Kerala government elevated the status of a national park.
The area of the park is now home to the highly endangered Nilgiri Tahr. Eravikulam National Park is spread over an area of 92 square kilometres and is surrounded by high altitude grasslands.
The main natural structure of the national park is a central rolling plateau that is 2000 meters above sea level. The park is full of undulating terrain and the highest peak of the region is Anamudi at a distance of 2695 meters.
The three major types of vegetation in the region include grasslands, shrubs and shola forests. The high plateaus and hills surrounding the park are mainly covered by grasslands, while the bush is more visible along the base of the shrubs. Shola forests are situated in valleys between hills and plateaus. The Turner's Valley is the deepest valley in the region and broadly divides the park into two parts: the northwest and southwest regions.
The period between September to October (end of monsoon) and then April to May (summer) is the best time to plan your visit to Eravikulam National Park. This is the ideal period to see the Nilgiri Tahr and full blooming grasslands. The presence of lush green meadows offers a delightful view to experience the spectacular nature walk.
All other movements inside the park are on foot along trails and footpaths.
Entry Fee
Indian – 125/-
Children – 95/-
Foreign Nationals – 420/-
Ordinary Camera 45/-
Video Camera 335/-
Reservation fee Rs 50/- (Reservation counter 9 am – 3 pm at Information centre, Munnar)
Eravikulam National Park remains closed from February to March every year.
Exclusions :
1. Entry fees
2. Vehicle cost
Important Note :
1. The given sightseeing can be done if have hired vehicle for the full day or planning to take one. However it is at discretion of vehicle company to do it. Also one has to make sure that the same falls in given kilometer limits by the company.
2. The cost of sightseeing is given for reference and planning purposes only. The same has to be paid directly on spot.
Opening Time : 09:00 AM
Closing Time : 07:00 PM
Blossom International Park in Munnar is a place to relax and refresh after a busy day around the city. The colourful landscape, beautiful scenery and loads of activities make it the perfect place to spend an evening with your friends and family.
Green lawns, ornamental flower gardens and a tranquil lake can keep you busy for hours. They make this place a great place for some candid photographs. The park has various trees and many flowering shrubs, some of which are rare. And various recreational activities like boating, cycling and roller-skating are available here.
Blossom International Park also has a play area for kids with swings and other rides & also known as Munnar Hydel Park. It is a popular picnic spot for the locals. And it is also a scenic tourist destination.
The ideal time to visit Blossom International Park Munnar is from November to March. The temperature is cool and pleasant. And you can roam as much as you want or enjoy activities. The evening is the best to enjoy this park. Therefore, allow at least 2 hours for your trip, and it sure will be a memorable experience.
Approx. entry fees is INR 10 per person adult and INR 5 per child.
Exclusion :
1. Vehicle cost
2. Activity cost
Important Note :
1. The given sightseeing can be done if have hired vehicle for the full day or planning to take one. However it is at discretion of vehicle company to do it. Also one has to make sure that the same falls in given kilometer limits by the company.
2. The cost for the activity has to be paid directly on spot.
Opening Time : 07:30 AM
Closing Time : 05:00 PM
Thekkady, also known as Periyar, is one of the most attractive natural wildlife sanctuaries in India, where you can see wildlife closely. This is the only wildlife sanctuary in India that offers the unique opportunity of viewing wildlife in their natural habitat at close quarters from the safety of a boat on the lake. The flora, flora and fauna and birds of Thekkady are uniquely rich, vast and diverse.
Boat Ride & Bamboo Rafting on the Periyar Lake are the two activities and the beauty of Periyar Lake helps tourists keep a close eye on the wildlife living in the surrounding forests. Groups of elephants, wild boar, bison and sambar can be seen walking the forest. And water birds, sitting on the branch with their wings spread, offer a delightful scene while boating.
Boating Timings: 7:30 am - 9:00 am; 9:30 am - 11:00 am; 11:15 am -12:45 pm; 1:45 pm - 3:15 pm; 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Boat charges : INR 250 onwards per person
Or
Bamboo Rafting for adventurers :
A dawn to afternoon range hiking and rafting programme through some of the richest forest tracts of Periyar Tiger Reserve., a mosaic of habitats will be traversed before the party gets into rafts made of bamboos. By rafting you will get a panoramic view of forest-clad hills. Animals like elephant, gaur and sambar are sighted keeping close to the edges of the lake.
Bamboo Rafting Timings : 7.30am - 12.30pm & 9.30am - 2.30pm.
Price : INR 2000 onwards per person (min. two person required)
Periyar boat ride to be booked in advance online : http://www.ktdc-boating.com/#booking
Exclusion :
1. Vehicle Cost
2. Boat Ride
3. Periyar Entry fees
Important Note :
1. The given sightseeing can be done if have hired vehicle for the full day or planning to take one. However it is at discretion of vehicle company to do it. Also one has to make sure that the same falls in given kilometer limits by the company.
2. The cost of sightseeing is given for reference and planning purposes only. The same has to be paid directly on spot or can book the ride in advance online.
3. Rates are subject to change
4. The operation of this activity is subject to weather conditions.
Opening Time : 08:00 AM
Closing Time : 06:00 PM
Kerala is one among 50 most preferred tourist destinations in the world. The beautiful land is blessed with hill stations like Thekkady which is known as the spice belt of India.
Periyar Spice and Ayurvedic Garden is situated on the Munnar - Thekkady Road. Here they have a wide range of spices like Cardamom, Pepper, Cloves, Cinnamon, Nutmeg etc. and Herbs like Aloe Vera, Red Sandal, Amla, Lemon, Grass, Eucaluptus, Vetrivert, etc. and a wide range of Orchids , flowers and for the bird lovers a lot to see.
It is about getting to know more about nature and agriculture of Kerala through firsthand experience. To enjoy the nature along with understanding the agricultural operations includes farming, harvesting and processing of spices and coffee. The well trained guides will give you a brief explanation about the history and importance of spices and herbs while walking through the plantation, which will improve your culinary skills and will educate on the herbal garden- learning about their healing qualities and benefits.
You can ask your travel operator/hotel staff to guide you where and how you can visit one of these gardens and also stop at plantations growing world-famous Kerala spices. In fact, you should not leave Thekaddy without buying some of these spices as they are top notch quality and reasonably priced because you can buy it directly from the people who are growing them.
Approx. entry fees to this spice plantation is INR 250 - 350 per person + incase if you shop anything from the place. Its altogether worth a visit.
Exclusion :
1. Vehicle cost
2. Entry fees
Important Note :
1. The given sightseeing can be done if have hired vehicle for the full day or planning to take one. However it is at discretion of vehicle company to do it. Also one has to make sure that the same falls in given kilometer limits by the company.
2. The cost of sightseeing is given for reference and planning purposes only. The same has to be paid directly on spot.
Timings : 06:00 PM to 07:00 PM
Kalaripayattu-the oldest of martial arts-is a gift to the modern world and known as the mother of all martial arts. Legend traces the 3000-year old art form to sage Parasurama-the master of all martial art forms and credited to be the re-claimer of Kerala from the arabian sea. Kalaripayattu originated in ancient south India. Kung-fu, popularized by the monks of the shaoline temple traces its ancestry to Bodhi Dharma-an Indian Buddhist monk and Kalaripayattu master.
Traditionally the kalari is constructed by digging a hollow in the ground forming a sunken area four feet in depth, forty two feet in length and twenty one feet in breadth .this is usually called Kuzhikalari. Kuzhi means "portions formed by caving in the earth” in the Malayalam Language . At Kalari Centre ,Thekkady, this martial art is performed in kuzhikalari. A highly designed gallery has been built in such a way that the viewers will get a clear vision from a safer distance.
Kalaripayattu is a traditional psycho-physiological discipline emanating from Kerala’s uniqe mytho-historical heritage as well as a scientific system of physical culture training.
the holistic approach is aimed at the ultimate co-ordination and control over mind and body.the weapons become an extension of the boady,controlled by the mind to achive high degree of protection in both offensive and defensive combats.the inherent beauty of this art from lies in the harmonious synergy of art,science and medicine.
The grand training schedule demanding dedication,decipline and devotion is stratified into different levels. Basic Level includes unarmed techniques through which the aspirant achieves mastery over his body movements and balance .Intermediate level,the student is trained to attain the agility ,flexibility ,and co-ordination of body movements .Advanced level involves training with weapons ,Instructor Level involves proficiency in the usage of sword and shield ,spear and lastly urumi or the spring sword.
Exclusion :
1. Vehicle Cost
2. Show cost
Important Note :
1. The given sightseeing can be done if have hired vehicle for the full day or planning to take one. However it is at discretion of vehicle company to do it. Also one has to make sure that the same falls in given kilometer limits by the company.
2. The cost of sightseeing is given for reference and planning purposes only. The same has to be paid directly on spot.
Show Timings : 05:00 PM to 06:00 PM & 07:00 PM to 08:00 PM
For those who are even mildly interested in learning about the traditional performance arts of Kerala, catching a show of Kathakali – the oldest theatre form in the world, is a must do in Thekaddy. Kathakali is a group dance based on themes from Hindu mythology, especially the Ramayana and Mahabharata, which is heavy on expressions and relies on elaborate makeup/face painting to enhance the performances. If you arrive a bit in advance, you could even request to see the dancers getting ready and their faces getting painted.
Characters are categorized according to their nature. This determines the colours used in the make-up. The faces of noble male characters, such as virtuous kings, the divine hero Rama, etc., are predominantly green. Characters of high birth who have an evil streak, such as the demon king Ravana, are allotted a similar green make-up, slashed with red marks on the cheeks. Extremely angry or excessively evil characters wear predominantly red make-up and a flowing red beard. Forest dwellers such as hunters are represented with a predominantly black make-up base. Women and ascetics have lustrous, yellowish faces.
The technique of Kathakali includes a highly developed language of gesture, through which the artist can convey whole sentences and stories. The body movements and footwork are very rigourous. To attain the high degree of flexibility and muscle control required for this art, a Kathakali dancer undergoes a strenuous course of training, and special periods of body massage.
The dancers wear large head dresses, and the contours of the face are extended with moulded lime. The extraordinary costumes and make-up serve to raise the participants above the level of mere mortals, so that they may transport the audience to a world of wonders.
Exclusion :
Vehicle cost
Show cost
Important Note :
1. The given sightseeing can be done if have hired vehicle for the full day or planning to take one. However it is at discretion of vehicle company to do it. Also one has to make sure that the same falls in given kilometer limits by the company.
2. The cost of sightseeing is given for reference and planning purposes only. The same has to be paid directly on spot.
The beautiful Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is located in Kottayam district in Kumarakom, Kerala. The sanctuary is located in the enchanting backwaters of Kerala on the banks of Lake Vembanad, which is why it is also known as the Vembanad Bird Sanctuary. Kumarakom is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Kerala, home to many native and migratory birds. A wide range of rare birds make it an attractive place for birdwatchers.
There is an exciting walk of about 2 kilometres to reach the end of the site and people can see various birds walking on the trail. The trip itself is amazing as there is a small butterfly garden on the way. One Can spot a number of rare and exotic species of birds. To name a few, there are Waterfowl, Cuckoo, Brahminy Kite, Siberian Crane, Parrot, Flycatcher, Lark, and numerous migratory birds from the Himalayan region.
One can also take a boat ride in Vembanad Lake and enjoy picturesque scenery when surrounded by bright blue water.
The best time to visit the sanctuary is from November to February as migratory birds from different parts of the world come here at this time. It can also be seen during June to August, as there can be lots of local birds.
Note: The Given Cost is Estimated. You will need to pay the exact cost directly at the counter.
Treat your eyes some serenity and scenic beauty of backwaters at Vembanad Lake. With 96km length of 14km width, this lake is recognised as the longest lake in India and the largest water reservoir in Kerala. This beautiful lake sets in the heart of Kerala and it comes to life during the festivals of Onam and snake boat ride. So get ready to involve yourself in the energetic activities here. Life at Vembanad Lake runs at very slow rate of knots. For photographers this lake is like an pristine form of nature as the surroundings of this lake as so too good to be true.