KOLLI HILLS

DREAM DESTINATIONS

KOLLI HILLS (TAMILNADU)

JOURNEY  ALWAYS STARTS FROM THE CAPITAL CITY OF KERALA

ROUTE 1

TRIVANDRUM---KOCHI---PALAKKAD---SALEM---RASIPURAM---KOLLI HILLS

TOTAL DISTANCE---674 KMS (ONEWAY)

ROUTE 2

TRIVANDRUM---IDUKKI---MUNNAR---KODAIKANAL---PALANI---KOLLI HILLS

TOTAL DISTANCE---687 KMS(ONEWAY)

ROUTE 3

TRIVANDRUM---KOCHI---PALAKKAD---SALEM---RASIPURAM---KOLLI HILLS---PALANI--KODAIKANAL---MUNNAR---IDUKKI---TRIVANDRUM

TOTAL DISTANCE---1337 KMS(ROUND TRIP)

THE BEST OPTION IS ROUTE NUMBER 3.

ESTIMATED DAYS OF TRAVEL---10 DAYS

PETROL EXPENCE                      ---RS.1700 (ABOUT A 50 KMPL MILEAGE BIKE)

FOOD                                              ---RS.2100

HOTEL AND OTHERS                  ---RS.6000 

ATTRACTIONS

KOLLI HILLS

Two viewpoints - one at Seekuparai and another at Selur Nadu - are being developed to encourage tourism. As of 2007, creation of a park and formation of an approach road to the Seekuparai viewpoint were nearing completion. The government maintains a pineapple research farm where hybrid varieties are created. Research about medicinal plants is also pursued on these mountains.The government holds a tourism festival in August.

Kolli Hills has been the top choice for nature lovers, hiking enthusiasts, trekking clubs and meditation practitioners among hill stations in Tamil Nadu. In comparison to other hill stations in Tamil Nadu, Kolli Hills is not commercialized, less polluted and offers unique mountain ranges.  Agaya Gangai is the famous waterfall situated near the Arappaleeswarar temple. Additionally the district administration has recently developed a botanical garden, Boat house, Cave house, New waterfalls called Masila Falls. The administration also celebrated "Ori festival" with lot of cultural events.

KODAIKANAL

Kodaikanal has several scenic natural attractions which are enjoyed by its visitors and make it a popular romantic destination for newlyweds. These are described in order of distance from the bus-stand.

Kodaikanal Lake, is an artificial, roughly star-shaped 45 ha (60 acres) lake built in 1863. It is recognized as Kodaikanal's most popular geographic landmark and tourist attraction. Rowboats and pedalos can be hired at the Kodaikanal Boat Club. Horses and bicycles can be hired beside the lake for short periods. The 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) path that skirts the periphery of this lovely lake is a favourite walk for the locals and tourists alike.

Guna caves,made popular by the Tamil movie Guna, previously called Devil’s Kitchen, are deep bat-infested chambers between the three gigantic boulders that are the Pillar Rocks. The deep narrow ravines of the caves are now closed to public due to the tragic deaths of twelve youths there.^[48] These dangerous caves are highly protected now, and tourists can see sections of the cave system from afar.In the late 1970s the inside of the caves was wellphotographed.

Silver Cascade, 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) from Kodaikanal at a wide bend in the long and winding Laws Ghat Road, at altitude 1,800 metres (5,900 ft), is a 55-metre (180 ft) waterfall formed from the outflow of Kodaikanal Lake.The water quality is reportedly poor and not good enough for bathing.^[51] This impressive waterfall is a popular stop for first-time visitors. There are a few souvenir and fruit vendors and many monkeys here. There is also a smaller but more serene waterfall below the bridge which crosses the stream here.

Dolphin's Nose, 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) from the bus stand, is flat rock projecting over a breathtaking chasm 6,600 feet (2,000 m) deep. It is an undisturbed area 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) down a very steep rocky trail beginning soon after Pambar Bridge. Orange juice vendors along the trail offer a welcome rest stop. Beautiful views of steep rocky escarpments rising from the plains can be seen. The old village of Vellagavi can be reached through a rugged bridle path here. A short paved walkway leads from the road here to Pambar falls

PALANI

Palani is home to one of the most sacred shrines of the Lord Muruga, as worshiped in the Hindu sect of Kaumaram. The Thandayudhapani Temple dedicated to Lord Murugan, and regarded one of his Arupadai Veedu (Six Battle Camps), is situated here.^[5] The temple is situated atop a hill known as Sivagiri. The Garbagriham is surmounted by a goldgopuram and the walls of the Garbagriham have numerous stone inscriptions describing offerings made by devotees to the temple. Steps are hewn into the rock, besides a wide path meant for the ascent of elephants, up the hill. In addition, a winch pulled railway with three tracks and a rope way are operational. A temple is dedicated to Muruga near the foot of the hill by the name of Thiru Avinankudi which actually forms a part of the six abodes of Muruga (Arupadaiveedu).

MUNNAR

Most of the native flora and fauna of Munnar have disappeared due to severe habitat fragmentation resultant from the creation of the plantations. However, some species continue to survive and thrive in several protected areasnearby, including the new Kurinjimala Sanctuary to the east, the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Manjampatti Valley and the Amaravati reserve forest ofIndira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary to the north east, the Eravikulam National Park and Anamudi Shola National Park to the north, the Pampadum Shola National Park to the south and the proposed Palani Hills National Park to the east.