Ponmudi

Ponmudi is a breathtaking hill station situated at the southern stretch of Western Ghats. Located within a short driving distance from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, Ponmudi literally means The Golden Peak.The first thing that travellers to Ponmudi notice is the thick tropical forests that carpets the foot of the hill range. Hairpin bends, steep climb and mist covered stretches marks the route to Ponmudi from Kallar, located at the base of the village.Located close to Agasthyar Hills, one of the biggest peaks in Western Ghats, Ponmudi offers excellent trekking and camping opportunities. Trekking through the thick forests one gets to see assortment of mountain flowers, unusual butterflies and small rivulets. However, the incline is steep and the trek rigorous.For those who prefer casual strolls instead of trekking, Ponmudi would leave them impressed. A walk through the tea gardens is a feast for the eye and the senses.Ponmudi is primarily divided into the Upper and the Lower Sanatorium. Kerala government has started an ecotourism project in the Upper Sanatorium area to promote tourism.Plenty of birds, both native and migratory, have made hills of Ponmudi their home. The Ponmudi Hills are also a natural habitat for Nilgiri Tahr. Though they number around a couple of hundreds, it still forms an important habitat for the endangered species.Sightseeing in and around Ponmudi includes Ponmudi Waterfalls, the Deer Park, River Kallar, Meenmutty Falls and Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary among others. Apart from sightseeing, Ponmudi is also famous for Ayurvedic medical treatments.

 Altitude: 915 m above sea. Best Season: November to May.Transport Terminals: Nearest City : Vithura.How to Reach: Nearest Railway Station: Thiruvananthapuram, 61 kms away
Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, 67 kms away