The blazing summer sun has not spared even the hill stations this year. Munnar, one of the most sought-after summer destinations in Kerala saw extreme temperature fluctuations, recording a high UV index and night temperatures as low as 1℃.
Yet for those longing to escape urban heat islands, hill stations are still the most preferred getaway. According to travel aggregators, tourists are also seeking destinations that offer a mix of immersive experiences with the added bonus of breathtaking views and cooler climes.
Bird watching at Arippa
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Special Arrangement
The birds of Arippa
At the foothills of the Western Ghats, on the Thiruvananthapuram Shenkottai State highway, is a patch of forest, which can be called a naturalist’s dream. With over 200 species of birds and butterflies, it is a biodiversity hotspot. Facilities include tents, huts and a bungalow. The Kerala Forest Development Corporation, which manages this eco-tourism spot, is organising a special two-day trip to Arippa exclusively for women travellers for the first time (on April 23 and 24). The package included a session on medicinal and edible plants by Sulochana Kani, an expert on indigenous knowledge of the Kani and Urali tribes of Kerala. According to the staff at KFDC, the women’s only package received an overwhelming response with enquiries pouring in from all parts of Kerala. Arippa is 52 kilometres from Thiruvananthapuram.
Things to do: Go on a bird watching trek along with trained guides. Visit the Myristica swamp, a rare freshwater swamp ecosystem, home to different species of plants and animals. A guided walk to the tribal villages.
Contact: 8848885619
Strawberry harvested from the Horticorp’s land in Munnar.
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
A berry outing
Besides Munnar’s view points, treks, plantation walks and adventure activities, its strawberry and vegetable farms are an attraction. Several privately-owned strawberry farms allow visitors to pluck the berries and buy the produce. Horticorp (Kerala State Horticultural Products Development Corporaton) has a strawberry farm on the Silent Valley Road. Strawberry is the main crop at this 2.5 acre farm. There has been a steady flow of tourists to the farm since the onset of summer, says Mahesh S, supervisor at the farm. Though visitors are not allowed to pluck the fruits currently, they can walk through the farm and buy strawberries, he adds. Strawberry season begins in November and is on till early May. Once the rain starts, the farms are closed.
Things to do: Explore strawberry farms owned by private parties, some of which allow plucking of fruits. Vattavada, about 40 kilometres from Munnar town, has a number of vegetable and fruit farms.
Sunet view of Meesappulimala
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Special Arrangement
Tiger’s whiskers
Meesappulimala may not be an offbeat destination, at least for the trekkers, it is a relatively less explored destination in Idukki. About 20 kilometres from Munnar, Meesappulimala is the second highest peak in Western Ghats (at 8,661 ft). Falling under forest land, the site is managed by the Kerala Forest Development Corporation, Development Corporation (KFDC), which organises trekking and camping facilities, the most popular one being a 4km trek from the base camp to Rhodo Valley, the last point accessible by four wheelers. Accompanied by trained guides, the trekking packages include single-day and over-night stay options. “This season, the temperatures have been pleasant ranging from 10 degree Celsius to 17℃,” says Shinoj Varghese, an office staff at KFDC. He ranks the trek as “medium” difficulty and says even first timers can attempt. Meesappulimala got its name from its unique shape of a whiskered tiger — meesha (whisker), puli (tiger) and mala (mountain).
Things to do: Stay in tents at base camp, Sky Cottage and Rhodo Mansion
Contact: 04865 230332/ 8289821408
Tents at Kochu-Pamba
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Special Arrangement
Camp in a jungle tent
Nestled inside a forest, about eight kilometres from the Gavi Eco Tourism site are tents where you can spend the night, far removed from the din of the city you are used to. Besides brid song and the sounds from the forest, the site has a view of the Kochu-Pamba and Pamba dams. “Temperatures are averaging around 20 degrees after sundown and it could get colder in the night,” says Surya Senraj, one of the staff members at the Eco Tourism office. “The tents are fenced and it is safe,” he adds. Bird enthusiasts could spot a number of species here. In Pathanamthitta district, Gavi is part of the Periyar Tiger Reserve, and can be accessed by road from Vandiperiyar. If you up for it, take the KSRTC bus, which operates from Pathanamthitta to Kumily through the scenic forest routes covering Moozhiyar, Kochu-Pampa, Pachakkanam and Gavi.
Things to do: Treks, a visit to the cardamom plantation, campfire, boating and coracle ride.
Contact: 8289821306
Published – April 24, 2026 03:30 pm IST
