Posted 31 January 2023 in Travel Wanderlust

The hills of Kerala are calling. Here’s why you should visit

While Kerala is popular for its pristine white beaches and backwaters, the hill stations are equally spectacular, with a mystical blue aura, cool breeze and a calm and serene atmosphere. Called “God’s Own Country,” Kerala has over 50 known and a little unknown and hidden hill stations that make for beautiful vacation spots.

Kerala is nestled on the Malabar Coast and is perfectly wedged between the Western Ghats and the Lakshadweep Sea. The state has a unique beauty and misty mountains that promise a unique and unforgettable experience.

If you are planning to visit Kerala, then a visit to the hill stations is a must as they refresh the soul and provide some much-needed R&R. With IndiGo, travelling to Kerala has become easy, effortless and comfortable. So, read ahead to know more about the picturesque hill stations of the state.

Hill stations in Kerala

Kerala has some of the most spectacular hill stations in the country that are ideal for couples, friend groups, solo travellers and even families. Visit any one of these amazing hill stations and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime.

1. Munnar

Munnar is one of Kerala’s most popular and famous hill stations and is located at the confluence of three rivers - Muthirapuzha, Kundala and Nallathanni. The hill station was historically used by the British rulers as a summer resort and is located at a height of 6000 ft above sea level. Munnar is home to a wide green belt of lush and dense forests and a wide variety of tea estates. The forests are home to endangered animals like Nilgiri Tahr and Neelakurinji. The height of the hill station offers beautiful viewpoints from where tourists get picturesque and uninterrupted views of the valleys and the winding rivers. Munnar is very popular for camping and trekking due to the rocky terrain. Another popular activity that tourists must do during their visit is to stay in a treehouse or visit a tea plantation.

Munnar is home to a beautiful waterfall called the Atukkad Waterfall, and tourists must visit the place to experience the beauty. The Eravikulam National Park has good safari rides, and the Kundala Lake offers unique shikara rides.

Munnar is very busy during the summers as most tourists flock to the hill station to escape the heat. Also, tourists must note that the town gets a lot of heavy rainfall during the monsoon season.

2. Wayanad

Wayanad is one of Kerala’s top hill stations, which is popular due to its cool climate, wide plantations, virgin forests and misty mountains. The city is home to various spice plantations and has orchards of black pepper, cardamom, fenugreek, star anise and black cumin. Owing to the spice plantations, the hill station has an entirely different and distinct aroma, different from the usual hill stations. The coffee plantation, organic fruit and vegetable farming and paddy fields also add to the aroma of this beautiful hill station.

The picturesque and serene town is surrounded by popular wildlife sanctuaries and forest reserves and national parks, protecting the indigenous species. Also, the town is home to the Banasura Sagar Dam, which is Asia’s second-largest earth dam.

Owing to the rocky terrain, speedy rivers and majestic mountains, Wayanad is a must-visit place for adrenaline junkie tourists who are looking for adventure activities like rock climbing, rappelling, camping, hiking and mountaineering.

Wayanad is also home to some spectacular architectural wonders and monuments like Karinthandan Temple and Thirunelli Temple. A visit to the beautiful hill station is a must for people who are looking for a break from the daily hustle and bustle and want to unwind and relax.

3. Thekkady

Another popular hill station in Kerala, Thekkady is a must-visit for all nature lovers and is home to the Periyar Tiger Reserve, which is the largest tiger reserve in India. Thekkady has a pleasant climate throughout the year, making it apt for all travellers around the year. Providing tourists with the opportunity to explore the town and revel in the lap of nature, Thekkady is also home to many coffee, tea and cardamom plantations. There are majestic mountains in the town giving birth to gushing waterfalls and pristine rivers.

People who are visiting Thekkady must take a safari ride in the tiger reserve, while also planning to visit Mangla Devi Temple, one of the oldest and most famous temples in the region. Additionally, the small and quaint village of Chellarkovil which is near to Thekkady must be visited.

Thekkady offers many adventure activities like jeep safaris, bamboo rafting, river rafting and trekking. There are a lot of elephants in the Periyar Tiger Reserve, and elephant safaris are offered which is the best way to explore the dense forests.

Other hill stations in the state are:

Idukki
Malayattoor
Charalkunnu
Athirapally
Ayyampuzha
Gavi
Thiruvambadi
Vithura
Kalpetta

Best resorts in Kerala

Kerala has some of the best and most beautiful resorts that are serene and calm. The resorts in the popular hill stations are comfortable and luxurious, while the smaller hill stations have quaint homestays.

Resorts in the main hill stations are:

Munnar

Dream Catcher Plantation Resort
Blanket Hotel & Spa
The Cliff Resort Munnar
Ambady Estate

Wayanad

Contour Island Resort and Spa
Jungle Edge Resort
Serene Crest Resort & Spa
Wayanad Wild - Rainforest Resort

Thekkady

Crown Valley Thekkady
Cardamom County by Xandari
Poetree Portico Sarovar Thekkady
Spice Village CGH Earth

Kerala travel tips

While visiting Kerala, tourists must remember the following travel tips:

Credit and debit cards are accepted in all major cities and hotels. However, if you are visiting some small hill station, then it is advisable to carry cash.
Malayalam is the regional language of the state but almost everyone speaks English so conversing is not a problem.
Tourists are advised to not possess any illegal drugs or narcotic substances as there is a heavy penalty imposed.
Tourists must not wear shoes while entering the temple. Also, some temples do not allow entry for non-Hindus. Tourists should check the details in advance.
Smoking is banned in public places in the state.

How to get there?

By road: There is easy connectivity to and fro Kerala from almost all states nearby; and the National Highways are well-maintained, with smooth roads. Private and government taxis and buses are easily available for intrastate travel. There are luxury overnight buses that tourists can avail that make the travel from one part of the state to another very effortless, and these buses can be hailed from Ernakulam, Alleppey, Munnar, Wayanad, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Kannur and Thiruvananthapuram to name a few.
By rail: Centrally located, Kerala has over 200 railway stations, making connectivity from one part to another very easy. Almost all small towns in Kerala have a railway station, and the connection runs from Kasargod, a northern part of the state, and runs till Thiruvananthapuram, a southern part in Kerala. Direct trains to Kochi can be availed from Indian cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru and Kolkata from service providers like Duronto and Rajdhani.
By air: IndiGo operates daily flights to Kochi from many cities in India. Cochin International Airport is the seventh-largest airport in the country and serves as a hub for international flights.

Kerala weather

Kerala has a tropical monsoon climate, where there is heavy rainfall and hot summers. March to May is peak summer when it is extremely hot and sweltering heat. In May, the average temperature is about 35°C. June is the wettest month, with the state receiving heavy rainfall, about 340 mm of rain. January is a dry month, while also being the coldest. The weather averages around 29°C during this month.

Best time to visit Kerala

The winter months of September to March is the best time to visit Kerala as the climate is pleasant and there is less humidity. To visit hill stations, the summer month is the peak tourist period as everyone runs to the cooler towns to escape from the sweltering heat.

Conclusion

Visiting Kerala, God’s own country, is definitely on most people's travel bucket list. While the backwaters and the beautiful white beaches are the most popular choice of place to visit, the state’s hill stations are nothing short of spectacular. Offering stunning views at towering heights above sea level, every hill station in Kerala is beautiful, adding its own value. With many coffee, tea and spice plantations, the hill stations are distinct, with each more beautiful than the rest. As connectivity to and within Kerala is not hard, it is convenient for tourists to travel from one place to another. Simply hop on an IndiGo flight and get ready to get lost in the lush forests and beautiful valleys of the hill stations of Kerala.