Kerala is famous for its backwaters and beaches. But did you know it has amazing hill stations too? These cool mountain places are perfect when you want to escape the heat and enjoy fresh air, green hills, and beautiful views. If you are planning a Kerala Tour, include these must visit hillstations in your Kerala tour packages.

1. Munnar - The Tea Garden Paradise

Munnar sits 1,600 meters high from the sea and is one of the Kerala's most popular hill stations. You'll see tea gardens everywhere you look. The British used to come here during summer to escape the heat. The name "Munnar" means "three rivers" because three rivers meet here.

The drive to Munnar is full of surprises, especially the stunning Valara and Cheeyappara waterfalls that you can see from your car window. These roadside waterfalls are perfect for quick photo stops. Depending on how much time you have for your Munnar Tour, you might want to plan visits to other waterfalls in Munnar where you can get closer and maybe even take a dip in the cool water.

The Tea Museum is a great place to start your visit. You can learn how tea is made and see old machines that are used to make tea powders. Then head to Eravikulam National Park where you might spot some rare animals like the Nilgiri Tahr. The park is also famous for special blue flowers, the Neelakurinji that bloom only once every 12 years. 

Top Station gives you the best sunrise views in Munnar. Wake up early and drive there to watch the sun come up over the mountains. It's worth the early morning. After that, visit Mattupetty Dam for a peaceful boat ride on the lake. The water is calm and the views are beautiful. 

The best time to visit Munnar is between September and March when the weather is cool and pleasant. During these months, you can walk around comfortably and enjoy all the outdoor activities. 

2. Wayanad - The Spice Hills

Wayanad is between 700 and 2,100 meters high above the sea. This place smells like spices everywhere you go. You'll find cardamom, pepper, and cinnamon growing on the hills. Wayanad also has old caves, waterfalls, and lots of wildlife.

Banasura Dam is India's biggest earth dam. The lake it creates is huge and perfect for boating. You can rent a boat and spend hours on the water. The Edakkal Caves are also worth visiting. These caves have ancient drawings on the rocks that are thousands of years old.

If you like hiking, climb Chembra Peak. It's the highest point in Wayanad. Halfway up, you'll find a small lake shaped like a heart. Local people say if you make a wish there, it will come true. Soochipara Falls is another beautiful spot where you can swim in natural pools and even try rock climbing.

Wayanad is perfect for people who love adventure. You can go hiking, see wild animals on safari, try bamboo boat rides, and even go zip-lining through the trees. The local tribes here are friendly and will teach you about their traditional way of life. Browse our top Wayanad tour packages now!

 

3. Thekkady - Wildlife and Nature

Thekkady is between 900 and 1,800 meters high. This place is famous for its wildlife park where you can see elephants, deer, and many birds. The whole area is built around a big lake made by a dam.

Taking a boat ride on Periyar Lake is the main activity to include in you Thekkady Tour Packages. Early morning and evening are the best times because animals come to drink water. You might see elephants having a bath or deer drinking at the water's edge. The boat rides are quiet so you don't scare the animals. Some places offer elephant rides also.

The spice farms around Thekkady are amazing. You can walk through gardens where cardamom, cinnamon, and black pepper grow. The guides will let you smell and taste different spices. Many farms also sell fresh spices that you can take home.

Bamboo rafting is a fun activity where you float on small rivers using bamboo boats. It's peaceful and you might see birds and small animals along the way. You can also visit local tribal villages to learn how they live and what they eat. Try the local food made with fresh spices grown right here.

4. Vagamon - The Quiet Hills

Vagamon is 1,100 meters high and most tourists don't know about it. This makes it very peaceful with green grass fields, pine trees, and tea gardens. It looks like places you see in European movies.

The huge green fields in Vagamon are perfect for paragliding. Even if you don't want to fly, walking through these fields is relaxing. The grass is soft and the views go on forever. The pine forests here are thick and cool. Walking through them feels like being in a fairy tale.

Vagamon has a small lake where you can rent boats and paddle around. The water is clean and the area is quiet. There's also a place called Kurisumala Ashram where people go for meditation and peace. Even if you're not religious, it's a calm place to sit and think.

This place is perfect for people who want to get away from crowds and noise. You can spend days here just walking, reading, and enjoying the quiet mountain air.

5. Ponmudi - The Golden Hills

Ponmudi is 1,100 meters high and means "golden peak." It's the closest hill station to Thiruvananthapuram city. The road to get there has 22 sharp turns with great views at every turn.

Golden Valley is a stream where you can swim and relax. The water is clean and cool. Many families come here for picnics. Peppara Wildlife Park is nearby where you can see different animals and birds. There's also a Deer Park where you can see spotted deer up close.

For serious hikers, Agasthyakoodam is a tall mountain that takes a full day to climb. You need to be fit and have a guide. But for most people, just enjoying the views and swimming in Golden Valley is enough.

What makes Ponmudi special is that the drive up is as beautiful as the place itself. Every turn in the road shows you new views of valleys and mountains. Take your time driving and stop often to take photos.

6. Nelliampathy - The Orange Hills

Nelliampathy is 1,572 meters high and famous for oranges, coffee, and cardamom. Not many tourists come here, so it's very natural and peaceful. You'll see orange trees everywhere.

The orange farms here grow some of the best oranges in Kerala. During harvest season, you can pick oranges right from the trees. The farmers are friendly and will show you how they grow and harvest the fruit. Seetharkundu viewpoint gives you great views of all the valleys below.

Palagapandi Estate is a working tea and coffee farm where you can stay overnight. You can watch how tea and coffee are processed and even help with the work if you want. The farm owners will teach you about growing different crops in the mountains.

Hiking in Nelliampathy is peaceful because there are fewer people. You can walk for hours without meeting anyone. The air is fresh and you can hear birds singing. Many people come here just to relax and get away from city life.

How to Get There and Where to Stay

Getting to Kerala's hill stations is easy. You can fly to Cochin airport which connects to most hill stations. If you prefer trains, go to Ernakulam or Aluva stations. From there, you can take buses or hire cars to reach the hills.

Driving is the best way to get around once you're there. The roads are good but some have many turns, so drive carefully. Renting a car with a local driver is a good idea if you're not comfortable with mountain roads.

For places to stay, Munnar and Thekkady have luxury hotels with all facilities. If you want something different, try staying on tea or spice farms. The farm owners will cook local food and show you how they work. Wayanad and Vagamon have eco-friendly places that don't harm the environment.

What to Pack and When to Visit

Pack warm clothes because it gets cold at night in the mountains. Good walking shoes are important if you plan to hike. A light raincoat is useful, especially during monsoon season. Don't forget your camera because every hill station has amazing views.

The best time to visit is between September and November when the weather is perfect and the mountains are green after the rains. December to February is cool and dry, great for all activities. March to May is pleasant in the mountains while other places in Kerala are hot.

If you don't mind rain, June to August is beautiful because everything is very green. But some activities might be cancelled due to heavy rain.

Local Experiences You Shouldn't Miss

Visiting tea and spice farms is a must. You can see how your morning tea and cooking spices are grown and processed. Many farms let you pick tea leaves and learn about different types of tea.

Ayurvedic treatments using herbs grown in the mountains are popular. Local doctors will check your health and give you natural treatments. It's relaxing and good for your body.

Meeting tribal communities is an eye-opening experience. They'll show you their traditional houses, teach you about forest plants, and share their simple way of life. Always be respectful and ask permission before taking photos.

Local festivals in the mountains are colorful and fun. If you're lucky to visit during harvest time, you might see celebrations with music, dance, and lots of food. The mountain people are friendly and will invite you to join.

Learning to cook local food is another great experience. Mountain cuisine uses lots of spices and fresh vegetables. Cooking classes are available in most hill stations where you can learn to make traditional dishes.

Being a Responsible Tourist

These beautiful places need our care. Choose hotels and homestays that don't harm the environment. Avoid using plastic bags and bottles. Carry a water bottle that you can refill.

Respect local people and their customs. Learn a few words in Malayalam, the local language. People appreciate when visitors try to speak their language. Always ask permission before taking photos of people.

Buy souvenirs from local shops and markets. This helps the local economy. Fresh spices, tea, and handmade items make great gifts to take home.

Stay on marked hiking trails and don't damage plants or disturb animals. Don't throw trash anywhere. Keep the mountains clean for future visitors.

Plan your Kerala hill station tour now!

Kerala's hill stations offer something different from the state's famous backwaters and beaches. Each place has its own character and charm. Munnar has endless tea gardens, Wayanad has wild animals and spices, Thekkady combines wildlife with nature, Vagamon offers peace and quiet, Ponmudi has golden mountain views, and Nelliampathy has sweet oranges and coffee.

Explore our best hill station and backwater combined tour here: https://www.tourwings.com/holiday-detail/enchanting-kerala-backwaters-and-hill-stations-tour

These mountain places give you fresh air, beautiful views, and a chance to see how people live in the hills. You can visit one hill station or combine several in one trip. Each place is different and worth exploring.

Whether you want adventure, rest, or to learn about local culture, Kerala's hill stations have something for everyone. The mountain air is clean, the views are amazing, and the people are friendly. Pack your bags and discover these beautiful mountain places that more travelers are starting to explore every year.

Take your time in these places. Don't rush from one spot to another. Sit quietly, breathe the mountain air, and enjoy the simple pleasure of being away from the busy world below. Explore our best Kerala tour packages and book now!