PALAKKAD TOURIST MAP | TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN PALAKKAD - KERALA

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NELLIYAMPATHI ONE OF THE BEST HILL STATION IN PALAKKAD KERALA

     Nelliyampathy is a hill station in Palakkad, state of Kerala, India. It is surrounded by tea and coffee plantations. The height of the hills ranges from 467 m to 1572 m. To reach Nelliyampathy, one has to take the road starting from Nenmara that proceeds to the Pothundy Dam. There are about 10 hairpin bends that have to be negotiated on the way to Nelliyampathy. Privately owned hotels and resorts are located at various points.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS
1. POTHUNDI DAM
        The Pothundy Dam is a picturesque locale with facilities for boating and is a nice option as a picnic place. As the Ghat road winds its way up to Nelliyampathy, at certain places there are viewpoints from where the vast stretches of Palakkad district are visible with its extensive paddy fields forming a verdant carpet. It also offers a splendid view of the Palakkad Gap, which is a geographical phenomenon in the Western Ghats formation in this region, bringing into view, parts of the adjoining State of Tamilnadu.

2. SEETHARKUNDU VIEWPOINT

        Seetharkundu Viewpoint is located at a distance of around 8 km from Nelliyampathy. It is believed that Lord Rama, Lord Lakshman and Goddess Sita rested here during their exile.
3. KESHAVAN PARA

      Kesavanpara is home to the Nelliampathi mountains, and offers a panoramic view of the land below. It is near to Kaikatty

4. ORANGE FARM

     One of the most famous plantations is run by Kerala Government – The Orange and Veg Farm.

HOW TO REACH:
Nearest railway station: Palakkad, about 56 km; Thrissur and Shoranur, about 77 km 
Nearest airport: Coimbatore International Airport (Tamilnadu), about 55 km from Palakkad

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LIST OF TOURIST PLACES IN PALAKKAD -KERALA

• TIPPU SULTHAN FORT
• MALAMBUZHA DAM
• FANTASY PARK
• PARAMBIKKULAM
• SHIRUVANI DAM
• NELLIYAMPATHI
• POTHUNDI DAM
• SILENT VALLEY
• ATTAPPADI
• THRUTHAALA
• MANGALAM DAM
• DHONIMALA
• LOKANAYAK J.P. DEER PARK
• MAYILAADUMPARA
• KANJIRAMPARA
• VETTILACHOLA
• CHULLIYAR DAM

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PARAMBIKULAM WILDLIFE SANCTUARY -PALAKKAD-KERALA

       Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is a 285 km² Protected area in Chittur taluk in Palakkad district of Kerala state, South India. Established in 1973, it is in the Sungam range of hills between the Anaimalai Hills and Nelliampathy Hills. The Western Ghats, Anamalai Sub-Cluster, including all of Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for selection as a World Heritage Site.^[ The sanctuary is the home of 4 different tribes of indigenous peoples including the Kadar, Malasar, Muduvar and Mala Malasar settled in six colonies. Parambikkulam Wildlife Sanctuary was declared as part of the 390.88 square kilometres (150.9 sq mi) Parambiculam Tiger Reserve on February 19, 2010. the Sanctuary, a haven of tranquil greenery boasts of the first ever scientifically managed teak plantation and the world's tallest and oldest teak tree. The famous Kannimara teak tree, believed to be over 350 years old is about 5 km from Thunacadavu, and is one of Parambikulam's prime attractions.

Many peaks are also seen here, of which the Karimala Gopuram is the tallest at 4,718 ft. A favourite with visitors, the Vengoli Peak is an easy climb and those lucky enough might even get to see the endangered Nilgiri tahrs. The sanctuary has three man-made reservoirs; Parambikulam, Thunacadavu and Peruvaripallam, with a combined area of 20.66 km². The Thuvaiar water falls empty into one of the reservoirs. There are 7 major valleys and 3 major rivers, the Parambikulam, the Sholayar and the Thekkedy. The Karappara river and Kuriarkutty river also drain the area.  a unique feature of this Sanctuary is the presence of a series of reservoirs interconnected with tunnels, channels, river courses and canals. The deep freshwater ecosystem created by the construction of these dams adds to the diversity of the Sanctuary.

Trekking in the forest is allowed with prior permission.Contact: Ecocare Centre, Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, Anappady, Thunakadavu (PO), Pollachi (Via), Palakkad, Kerala – 678 661.Phone : 04253 – 245025
Ecotourism Activities

    Bestowed with rich flora and fauna, Parambikulam is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. While deer, sambar and gaur roam around in the Vayal area, deep inside the Sanctuary can be seen lion tailed macaques, slender loris, king cobras, the royal Bengal tiger, cane turtle and the Nilgiri marten; as also 250 species of birds including the Malabar grey hornbill, great pied hornbill and the Peninsular Bay owl. The Sanctuary's spectacular floral diversity - seen in the 285 species of endemic, rare and endangered flora, 1320 species of flowering plants, including 70 species of orchids, about 50 endangered medicinal plants - makes it ideal for nature lovers as well.

Numerous activities including camping out in the forests, staying in watchtowers to view the animals, boating in the reservoirs, row boating at Thunacadavu and Parambikulam lakes, bamboo rafting and bird watching are possible here. A hilly terrain with many peaks and valleys, Parambikulam offers an assortment of soft, medium, tough and adventure trekking trails, classified on the basis of their length, duration and difficulty of the terrain. Each group of visitors must get permission to trek, from the Forest Information Centre at Anappady and hire a tribal guide. 

Soft Trekking Trails

Elephant Song Trail
6 km (Anappady-Karianshola-Anappady).

Peacock Trail
6 km (Anappady-4000 Point-Seechali Vayal-Thunacadavu).

Flying Hooves Trail
8 km (Parambikulam Dam Site-Kothala-Parambikulam River Crossing-Tramway Line- Parambikulam).

Kannimara Trail
8 km (Thunacadavu-Teak Plantations-Kannimara Vayal-Kannimara Teak-Thunacadavu).

Medium Trekking Trails

Tarantula Trail
10 km (Parambikulam-Tunnel Entry-  
Evergreen Forests-Vengoli
Viewpoint-Rock Point-Thunacadavu).

Bison Trail
10 km (Anappady Depot-
TP Block 1-Chettivara-Seechali-
4000 Point-Anappady).

Dr. Salim Ali Trail
12 km (Parambikulam Dam Site-
Tramway-Kuriakutty-Parambikulam).

Tough Trekking Trails

Sundew Trail
12 km (Parambikulam-Earth Dam-Teak Plantations-Bamboo Break-Evergreen Forests-Grassland-Karimala Peak-Kalyanathee-Parambikulam).

Hornbill Trail 
20 km (Anappady-Karianshola -Pandaravaramalai Peak-Return to Anappady through Inter State Boundary).

Amphibious Trail
20 km (Parambikulam-Tunnel Entry-Waterfall-Alamaram-Velayudhankai-Return to Parambikulam by Bamboo Raft).

Adventure Trekking Trails

Needle Peak Trail
20 km (Keerappady Valley-Naikarkadu-Kuchimudi Teak- Keerappady).

Rocky Ridge Trail
25 km (Parambikulam Coupe Road-Vengoli Peak-Rocky Ridge-Inter State Boundary-TP Block 1-Anappady).

Accommodation

    Tented cottages in Parambikulam Sanctuary; The Forest Department Inspection Bungalow, Thunacadavu; PWD Inspection Bungalow, Thunacadavu; Treetop huts at Thunacadavu and Parambikulam; Wireless station on Vettikkunnu Island accessed only by boat; Overnight camping in machans at Chungam, Anappady, Vengoli, Kuriakutty and Annakal Vayal; Dormitory at Anappady; Community Hall at Parambikulam; the Bison Valley Lodge at Parambikulam all have to be booked in advance through the Anappady Information Centre.

Location: Chittur Taluk of Palakkad District. To reach the place one has to go to Pollachi via Coimbatore or Palakkad.
Altitude: 300 m to 1,400 m above sea level.

Distance
Air: The nearest airport is Coimbatore (55 km).
Rail: Nearest rail head is at Palakkad (125 km).
Road: 39 km from Pollachi, 98 km from Palakkad and 102 km from Kochi.

For enquiries and bookings, contact: 
Wildlife Sanctuary Office, Parambikulam, Ph: 04253-245005
District Tourist Promotion Council, Palakkad Ph: 0491-2538996

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NELLIAMPATHI-PALAKKAD-KERALA

         Nelliampathi is a popular hill station 60 km away from Palakkad in Kerala, a small state in south India. It is surrounded by tea and coffee plantations and has excellent weather conditions. The journey to Nelliampathi itself is an experience. The only route is from Nemmara, from where the first town of Nelliampathi, namely Kaikatty junction, is at a distance of 26 km. At the 9th kilometer is the Pothundi Dam, a small irrigation dam which provides water for the rice fields in the surrounding area. The dam is at the foot of the Nelliampathi hills. From here, the road winds up for the next 17 km, with many hairpin turns on the way. Immediately after Pothundy dam, comes the government forest, where one can see massive teak trees. The road is very narrow and requires a skilled driver behind the wheel. On the way, one can see wild animals like monkey, deer and porcupine. The view of the Pothundy dam from the height is a breathtaking sight. There will be many waterfalls by the roadside during the rainy season.

            The dam is at the foot of the Nelliampathi hills. From here, the road winds up for the next 17 km, with many hairpin turns on the way. Immediately after Pothundy dam, comes the government forest, where one can see massive teak trees. The road is very narrow and requires a skilled driver behind the wheels. On the way, one can see wild animals like monkey, deer and porcupine. The view of the Pothundy dam from the height is a breathtaking sight. There will be many waterfalls by the roadside during the rainy season. The lush valleys in the region have very valuable teak plantations with extraordinary height and girth. The orange estates on the Nelliampathi Hills produce high quality oranges. Nellikota or Padagiri is the highest peak in the region. A picturesque picnic spot near the Sithargundu Estate offers a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside.
         Nelliampathi is a popular hill station with excellent trekking trails. It is a 3 hour, 75 km trip away from Palakkad (Palghat) and, at 1600 mts above sea level, is surrounded by panoramic views of hills draped by plantations of tea, coffee, orange and cardamom. On Nellikotta and the other peaks grow huge great teak trees value for their wood. Nelliyampathy hills comprise a chain of ridges cut off from one another by valleys of dense evergreen forests and orange plantations.The height of the hills ranges from 467 mts to the tallest peak Padagiri looming at 1572 mts. Accessing Nelliyampathy from Palakkad (Palghat) is a sensation on its own, as one negotiate over a dozen hairpin curves on the ghat road passing through the fascinating jungles of the Sahya Ranges.En route, 17 kms from Palghat, the shimmering Pothundi Reservoir and its manicured surroundings make the ideal stop over. Seethakundu at Nelliyampathy offers a fantastic view of the valley below - a wide-angled vision of a third of the entire Palghat area. Nelliyampathy has immense trekking potential. The Community Hall at Kaikatty provides a good camping ground for trekkers.

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LAKKIDI-PALAKKAD-KERALA

LAKKIDI-PALAKKAD

          Lakkidi is a small village in Palakkad district of Kerala, India. Kunchan Nambiar, the great poet of Malayalam was born here. There is a railway station present in Lakkidi, where only passenger trains stop. River Bharathappuzha flows through the southern border of Lakkidi village. Lakkidi is accessible by bus connecting Thrissur and Ottappalam. Lakkidi can be reached from Palakkad by catching a bus that is going to Ottapalam, Pattambi or Shoranur.Lakkidi is divided in to three. Lakkidi Koottupatha, Pazhaya Lakkidi and Lakkidi Gate. Lakkidi is famous for the birth of great Malayalam Poet and discoverer of "Thullal" a traditional art. Major regional festivals are Chinakkathoor Pooram, on which all the people of a family have a get together

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