Best Places To Stay in Thiruvananthapuram

Poovar Beach of Kerala presents an enjoyable and rejuvenating view and homes to a wide array of exotic wildlife. Tourists across the globe visit here to stroll along the stretched golden sands. Clean and golden sand spread over miles here exhibits a spectacular beauty of this place making it one of the best holiday destinations of the world.This place is delicate juncture where your Neyyar River flows all its way to meet and hug the mighty Arabian Sea. It looks as if the Arabian Sea greets his child travelling all its way along to have a glimpse of its parent water body.  Lying at the opening of River Neyyar, Poovar forms a part of Trivandrum located on its southern side. It is a reckoned natural wonder presenting a mesmerising beauty where all the significant forms of water bodies (Beach, lake, sea and river) amalgamate within each other.Tourists visiting Poovar admire this beautiful place as the one blessed with pleasant weather and exotic floral and faunal species to spend quality time with. There are vast varieties of swaying coconut trees and luxurious grooves of banana to gaze all over when you feel it difficult to pass on your time.Still holding its pride high above in the air with the tags of unspoiled and unexplored land, Poovar remains one of the rare finds of Southern India. People never miss on to include this natural wonder, when they sit down to plan on their Kerala itinerary. Poovar Beach accounts for one of the serene and soothing backwaters of Kerala making it a perfect destination to rule out all the stresses.This wonder holds its ancestral roots with the legendary great King Marthanda Varma Maharaj. He hailed from the princely state of Travancore. His success story holds extensive ties with this beach of Poovar. A picturesque beauty blended with a calm atmosphere makes every photographer halt and capture the magnificence of this place. Enfolding the backwaters, Poovar proclaims itself as one of the unspoilt and cleanest eco-tour spots of Southern India. To add-on the final flavour, Poovar homes to beautiful lagoons making it an ideal weekend destination. Either plan your holidays with family or friends, Poovar makes sure that every single head enjoys life to the fullest. And guess what? Here, you have a lot of leisure activities to take care of your drowning mood.This place homes the fishing community of Kerala. So make sure that you are going to spend some quality time enjoying their culture. Spare a day or two for enjoying your time with them and acquaint yourself with their customs and traditions. Natives of Poovar are best at their hearts and love to share their rich and sophisticated culture with one and all. At times, they can even guide you with your Poovar trip if you haven’t planned it before. Once a while, this fishing village was a major trading centre for ivory, sandalwood, timber and spices. This beautiful paradise and the serenity of it ensures that you will carry a lot of endearing moments back with you. Confused on how to plan on your itinerary? Here we go with some of the quick to refer things to do once you land here at Poovar.Best time to visit Poovar Beach:The best weather to plan a visit to this delightful Poovar Beach is in falls. During winters, you have pleasant weather here with a comfortable temperature for all tourists. According to Poovar tourism, winters sounds the best season for visiting the places of interest here. So, try to plan your Poovar retreat anywhere between October to February and explore this place to its fullest. As Kerala lies close to the equator, summers here are sweltering as well as humid. You can even make it here in monsoons to enjoy the greenery that encircles all around. Yet, take care of the tidal drifts as monsoons might bring about an alteration to the water level.How to reach Poovar Beach??Reaching Poovar is no longer a whammy situation as it is accessible by all three primary routes of transportation- rails, roads and airways. You can make your way to Poovar Beach by flying to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport which is at a distance of approximately 28km. Tuticorin Airport lies at a distance of 126km from Poovar. Although the nearest railway station is Dhanuvachapuram (9km away from Poovar), there are no regular trains scheduled here from major cities of India. Or, you can board off at Parassala railway station situated at 9km away. Poovar, itself doesn’t have any bus stop; yet, Neyyattinkara stands as the nearest one.       Top things to do at Poovar Beach:When it comes to activities, your Poovar Beach has a lot in store for a real beach explorer. As Poovar is reckoned for its shiny golden sand, strolling all over the beach stands as the top-most pastime activities of those who love Poovar. While you stroll around, you can snap down some awful moments of your child indulged in building sand-castles. Sand-castling has been in practice in India since ancient times. If you are lucky enough, you may even get to see sand artists working out brilliant art forms through their imaginations. Never forget to click a shot of sun at dusk and dawn! Photographers are sure shot to find a lot of happy moments to add-on to their Poovar portfolio.Swimming is generally not recommended here. If you still want to try a hand at swimming, you can enjoy it from October to May. This is the only time when the beach maintenance authorities allow for public swimming.  Surfing lovers might be disheartening with this beach as neither any private parties nor the government itself allows for such things to do. Hence, if you want a calm place to relax from all the city blunders, this place is ideal, during monsoons (Jun to August), this place is not accessible even for strolling and swimming on account of heavy underwater currents. Local governmental bodies here are trying their best efforts to start off with the adventurous activities here. A proposal for paragliding and allied activities is still lagging behind for the final approval.Meanwhile, you can enjoy boating as a pastime activity here.  There are lots of mangroves and estuaries to count down while enjoying your boat ride here. You can even take a trip to the Poovar village accompanying your children and acquaint themselves with the rich Keralite culture. People of this village engage in rigorous activities such as working in paddy fields or carving out sturdy boats to embrace Poovar tourism.Try to be as friendly as you can with the fishing community residing here. They might take you along on their fishing zone and guide you with the fishing culture basics. And yes, do not forget to try their fish delicacies, cuisines and a cup of refreshing coffee prepared by them. They are best at it and the tourists visiting here feel home away from home in their company. Besides the activities, do not forget to ask the Poovar natives about the Kerala Ayurveda, waterfall getaways, and holy shrines to visit. There’s a lot more in Poovar than you can ever imagine.Places to visit in and around Poovar Beach:When we have dealt with the things to do in Poovar, here are some of the places you can head towards during your beach stay.Fishing Village: Out of all, Poovar natives love to engage themselves in fishing activities. The fishing community here has developed a water-based lifestyle and rely on river and sea to earn their daily lives through transportation.Kovalam Beach: Located at a distance of around 18km away from Poovar, this beach accounts for a coastline running 17km and homing to three more beaches. Out of all, the one labelled as Light House Beach stands high on the priority list of Poovar visitors. A lighthouse here is about 35m in height and located on a point called Kurumkal hillock. Hawah and Samudra Beaches falls next in queue. Sands here appear blackish marking the presence of monazite and limenite. If you are lucky enough, you can have a sight of The Great Elephant Race concluding here at Kovalam. Besides, Kovalam holds a food festival of its own on an annual basis where the best chefs of Kerala exhibits their culinary brilliance with a wide of both Indian and Kerala cuisines.Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple: Once you step down at Kovalam Beach, you can then head towards Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple situated at a distance of around 9km. Reckoned as the only temple dedicated to pious Lord Parasurama, religious tourists visiting here pay homage to the souls of their forefathers. Archaeology Department of Kerala is the one to protect this temple from all blunders of man-made or natural calamities.Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium: Established in the year 1997, this aquarium homes to the rarest exhibits of invertebrates as well as ornamental fish species around the world. Situated at a distance of 1.3km from Kovalam, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute looks after it. You can later walk around the Vizhinjam seaport or seek a road guide to Ayurvedic centres. Here, there are lots of beach resorts possessing international recognition.Thiruvananthapuram: If nothing attracts you, the city of Thiruvananthapuram is waiting to greet you with a warm and welcoming smile. It lies nearby of Poovar village and organises Nishagandhi Dance and Music festival in February. To enjoy this festival, you need to re-direct yourself towards Kanakakannu Palace which once a while was a cultural venue of Thiruvananthapuram Maharajas. Situated near to the Thiruvananthapuram district is the temple of Shri Arumanoor Koyikkavilakom Sree Bhadrakali Devi. For exploring the compelling story behind the existence of this temple, you can approach the religious head of this place.Places to stay near Poovar Beach:Now, we head towards the concluding yet most crucial section of this Poovar guide- the places to visit. Although there are many, we will be highlighting those that fits best to your pocket and ensures appropriate care and comfort throughout the stay.Poovar Island Resort: A Floatels India Pvt. Ltd. venture, Poovar Island Resort has been serving for the past 25 years. The entire resort stands on 25 acres of land and lush green swaying coconut trees encircle it. Right from superior quality rooms to floating cottages, Poovar Island Resort stands luxurious in all its hospitality.Location: 0.4km away from the Poovar IslandAmenities: Swimming pool with a lily pond, sports and recreational activities, wedding and conferences facilities, satellite TV services and laundry facilities.Price: On average, a room here starts at  INR 4500Poovar Estuary Island Resort: Poovar Estuary Island Resort is one of the gentle stay places here with a lot of indoor as well as outdoor activities for every single guest. Conferences, weddings and honeymoons, are events to organise here. People generally visit this Poovar Estuary Island Resort for it’s a day at Estuary initiative. Under this, the staff serves you with a welcome drink followed by lunch and evening complimentary snacks accompanying a small cup of brewed coffee. Volleyball, cricket, football and badminton are few of the outdoor activities to do while indoors you have chess, table tennis and carrom.Location: There is a distance of 0.2km between Poovar Island and this place of stay.Amenities: garden rooms, cottages, leisure and pool villa, leisure packages, dine and wine, Ayurveda and spa packages.Price: On average, you will have to spend around INR 6000 to accommodate yourself here.Isola Di Cocco Beach Resort: Reckoned as a resort for enjoying the Ayurvedic culture of Kerala, swaying coconut grooves cossets this place. Here, you will find a virtual view of the waters of Poovar and homes to secluded villa clusters each accompanying a balcony.Location: This beautiful resort stands at a distance of 0.3km from the central Poovar Island.Amenities: Library, Pool table, beach volleyball, free wi-fi connectivity, toiletries, 24-hours security services and a powerful backing. Chargeable facilities are inclusive of medical help, travel desk facility, multi-cuisine restaurants, laundry services, STD and ISD facilities.Price: Accommodating yourself here might cost you around INR  7000 on the lower end.Havelia Island Resort: A tranquil and peaceful resort situated amidst the backwaters is a place away from all the city disturbance. On one hand, you have elephants within reach of 5min while on the other you have the beach at a distance of boat ride (5-min).Location: Poovar Island lies at a distance of around 0.4km from this resort.Amenities: Deluxe river view and superior cottages, king suites, Wi-Fi, medical help, restaurants, room servicing, swimming facility, and 24-hour accessible front desk help.Price: Here, you can avail a room at the least of INR 3500

Poovar Island is a tourist destination of Neyyattinkara lying within the Thiruvananthapuram district. Standing at the southernmost tip of Kerala, it lies within the proximity of a natural harbour, Vizhinjam. Poovar homes an estuary connecting itself with the sea when the tides rise higher than their average level. Once a while, this island was a reckoned timber, ivory and spice trading centre and represented as a significant part in the era of Chola dynasty.Poovar was once known to own international trading relations and was a place of stay for well-trained army accompanying their war-ships. Pokkumoosapuram or Poovar remains encircled by backwaters and opens to form a sea. This island homes to a beautiful beach called Poovar beach which marks a junction of meet points of sea, river, lake, and beach. Raising its head high as being unspoiled, unexplored and eco-friendly tour spot of Kerala, this beach presents a scenic view of the backwaters of Kerala. Once you land here, you will lose yourself in the exotic species of flora and fauna endemic to this zone. This beach also marks the opening of Neyyar River and its meet point with the vast Arabian Sea. There are quite exquisite boating trips scheduled for daily tourist engagement and are available at very nominal rates. The shiny golden sand of the Poovar beach is what excites the tourists for a long haul here. People love to stroll with their footwear off all day around for a relaxing day.  As the beach zone is not so vast, you will find a very few residents nestling here. Its remoteness is what makes it a pleasant place filled with solitude and solace. Tourists from far off places visit here to experience the mesmerizing charm of early sunrise and late sunsets. What else do you want when you have a cruise at your service amidst the fascinating backwaters here. Poovar Island crowns itself as Kerala’s eco-friendly tourist attractions and a perfect place to start off your new beginning with your spouse. Blue lagoons surrounded all over by mighty coconut trees that sway with the blowing wind offers a picturesque spot for the lone travellers. Poovar village homes to the Keralite fishing community standing unique from the rest natives in their customs, cultures, and traditions. This community is tender by heart and makes the place a heaven for all Poovar visitors. These people love to engage themselves in the building fishing and boating rides. Here, you can find Indian Muslim settlements of ancient times dating back to around 1400 years. There’s a beautiful mosque established by Malik Ibn Dinar of middle-east. So, if you are searching for either a delightful honeymoon or a holiday destination, plan your visit here. This place homes to a wide array of thrilling activities to indulge yourself to the fullest. Be it either boating, cruising, playing beach volleyballs, strolling or swimming, Poovar beach is the perfect spot for water adventure freaks. After having an overview of Poovar’s endearing beauty, let's move on further to find what’s there in store for you.Best time to visit Poovar Island:Winters or falls is the best time to visit Poovar Island as the place offers a comfortable temperature to enjoy all the water sporting activities. You can plan on your Poovar itinerary anytime between October-February. This season, the island experiences a temperature in the range of 19 to 34 degrees.Crispy cold makes this island favourable for the tourists to have a relaxing holiday or a weekend. Visiting Poovar in either summers or monsoon is not recommended as the place experiences sweltering climate in summers and underwater currents in monsoons. Still, nature lovers, plan their trip round off monsoons to enjoy the real hidden beauty of this place. During monsoons, this island is covered all over by lush greenery and offers a delightful cum picturesque sight. As Poovar falls within the tropical climatic zone, summers here are quite warm to extremely hot and with a fair amount of humidity. However, people find it uncomfortable even to stroll around the gold sand. How to reach Poovar Island?Reaching Poovar is now more comfortable as the place is well-connected by three primary modes of transportation. Kerala’s capital, Thiruvananthapuram lies at approximately 30 km from this island. As this state capital is well-connected to other major cities of the country, people prefer to carry on their journey from here to Poovar.Thiruvananthapuram airport is the closest one and is well-connected to all metropolitan cities of the country. You can even plan your Poovar trip by rails. All you need to do is to get down at Thiruvananthapuram Railway Station standing at a distance of 27 km from your final destination. This railway station allows you to ride to and fro trains for all the four metropolitan cities and other important places. Trivandrum offers road connectivity to Poovar through buses run either by the state government or private entities. Also, Poovar is well-connected to Kulathupuzha, Tirunelveli, Kochi, Kollam, Madurai, Thrissur, Kottayam and Thoothukudi by roadways.  Things to do in and around Poovar Island:Next, we move on to the things to do at Poovar Island. In the first place, Poovar Beach offers relaxing sun-kissed gold sand to stroll all day long. People visiting Poovar beach spend some quality time walking through the coastline and capturing the beauty of sunrise as well as sunset. Do not forget to accompany your children’s mud tools on your trip. Look around throughout the beach, and you will find children all around building their mud or sand castles. This stands yet another moment for you to capture in your DSLR’s. Swimming, cruising, boating, holy shrine visits, building boats, outdoor games on beaches, religious and food festivals are yet other activities to enjoy here at Poovar.Shopping: Shopping stands to be one of the favourite leisure activities of the majority of us. Right? Likewise, there are many things and spots to halt and shop in Poovar. You can head towards Saree market for buying handloom and textile-based silk as well as cotton sarees. There are South Indian style footwears, wooden carpet works, and artificial jewellery to shop at Poovar. Brass artefacts and sculpture is the first shopping preference for international tourists here. Every nook and corner of Poovar is engaged in exhibiting its best handicraft talent before you. You are inevitably going to carry a lot of stuff from here for your onward journey.Cruises: There is nothing that drives away the tourist from refraining themselves from cruising activities. Kingfisher Boat Cruises are reckoned for providing cruise services to the tourists for enjoying the Kerala backwaters and blue lagoons of Poovar. It is a private entity functional at the Neyyar Lake and offers the best cruise hospitality through picturesque can always. Besides, there are facilities available for an hour ride in motor and country boats. On the other hand, Poovar Boat Cruise facilitates you for a two-hour cruising journey and rides you through the canopy of trees and mangrove forests. On average, you will be spending around 1500 INR per person per hour on the lower side.Enjoy the beach: While others seem to be busy in either shopping, boating or cruising activities, you can spend some alone quality time to rejuvenate yourself. Either prefer to walk along the beach barefoot, or meditate with the rising sun- the choice is yours. Spending some solitary time will tuck you out of all the personal as well as professional life stresses. After completing your walk, you can either go for a glass of fresh and tender coconut water and indulge yourself in its sweet flesh or go for some light food available there. Watching tides changing their heights is yet another pastime activities for the lone beach visitors.Picnic Near Neyyar Dam in Poovar:  Popularising itself as a top-pick picnic spot of Poovar tourists, Neyyar dam offers a pleasant condition to relax with your fellow companions. This dam is located near the state capital of Kerala- Thiruvananthapuram. Reaching here from Poovar is no more a strange thing as there are a lot of guides to direct your way to the dam. Neyyar dam stands high on the southern hills of the vastly stretched Western Ghats. For a photographer, there is no other place except this dam to offer a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding region. If you are confused with things to do here, you have a park reserved for lion safari and deer watching and a beautiful and magnificent wildlife sanctuary. Other than that, this dam lies amidst mountains and is surrounded by lakes and waterfalls that embrace the allure of this place in totality for a picturesque spot.Places to visit in Poovar Island:Moving on to the next section is the places to visit here. Some unique places tourists find worth-seeing are as follows:Poovar Beach: Nestling amidst the beautifully swaying coconut trees, Poovar beach homes to Kerala backwaters and gorgeous blue lagoons. You can enjoy a wide array of beach and water sporting activities here. Either you can accompany fisherman for their fishing activity or watch them fishing amidst the tidal drifts. Shell collection is yet another thing to do here. There are beautiful boating trips to take you on tour around this beautiful beach at very nominal rates. This place is reckoned to be the meet point of the four major water bodies (lakes, beach, sea, and river). Crowning itself as an eco-friendly tourist destination of Kerala, this beach remains unspoiled to embrace its beauty.Thirparappu Falls: Located in Kanyakumari, Thirparappu Falls is the next best place to note down in your Poovar itinerary. You will reach this place within an hour or so if you start off your journey from Poovar. Originating from Kodayar or Kothai River, this magnificent waterfall descends down at Thirparappu. It is as high as 50 m and is alternatively known as Kumari Kuttalam. Cascade of this waterfall stretches across a length of approximately 300 feet forming a pool at its basal end. This place is ideally perfect for the swimmers and the District administration vouch on the hygiene and cleanliness of kids swimming pool here. The location is open from morning 7 am to evening 6 pm.Aazhimala Siva Temple: This is one of the ancient natural beauties of Kerala. Standing at the ocean’s edge, this massive temple lies on a huge rock. It is believed that this temple reflects a blessing of Lord Shiva and exhibits beautiful reminiscences. The temple derives its name owing to its presence along the golden shore. Tuesday is considered to be pious here, and hence this place welcomes hoards of Shiva disciples all along the daytime. Between January to February, this place hosts its annual festival. It is during this festival that the natives offer oil lamp or Narang Vilakku (lit on lemon).The Fishing Village: If you are fond of fishing, do visit the fishing village of Poovar. This village lies within close proximity of Poovar Island and comprises of the fishing community of Kerala following a traditional fishing culture. River and sea form a significant part of their livelihood earning resource and a mean of commutation. People of this village spend the rest of their time either in building boats or working rigorously hard in paddy fields. Karimeen is a well-known delicacy of this fishing village the food festival arranged here is worth visiting. Spending some time with the villagers here might take you back into their rich customs and traditions.Poovar Backwaters: Poovar is known for its beautifying backwaters that leaves a soothing mark on every Poovar tourist. Tourists visiting Poovar never miss this place when they plan for their Poovar itinerary. Standing as the paradise island, these tranquil backwaters accompany sun-touched golden sand. In and around, you can find a lot of endemic and exotic floral and faunal species complimenting with the groves of banana and swaying coconut. This place makes the ideal location for enjoying cruise activities amidst the canalways. There are many private entities providing cruise and boating facilities at a very nominal rate. You can hire a guide to accompany you on your backwater trail.Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Poovar: Standing at a distance of around 32 km away from the main city of Thiruvananthapuram, this wildlife sanctuary is built across 12000 hectares of land. Here, you can have a glimpse of rarest floral and faunal species endemic to the Poovar region. There are a lot of trekking options available for the adventure freaks. Also, you have an Agasthyamala Peak standing high at 1868m serving as a reckoned picnic spot for the Poovar tourists. Within its close proximity lies yet another charming place of Neyyar Dam. Some wildlife found in this sanctuary is Asian Elephant, Leopard, Reptiles, King Cobra, Tiger, Travancore Tortoise and so on. Reservoir here serves as a boating channel to exhibit a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding territory.Places to stay near Poovar Island:Here, we go with some of the best stay places in and around Poovar.Poovar Island Resort: This Resort is a venture of Floatels India. A sophisticated place of stay, here you are sure to find a lot of indoor as well as outdoor activities for your comfort. Be it either organizing a conference or planning your destination wedding, this resort hospitality is by far the best. Starting at  INR 4500, you avail heaps of facilities and amenities. And guess what? You do not need to travel miles as this place is just at the distance of around 0.4km from the main island.Isola Di Cocco Beach Resort: This resort homes to some of the exceptionally well-trained Ayurvedic doctors of Kerala. All over the surroundings, there are lots of coconut trees standing tall. Here, you can book a villa with an attached balcony. At the base rate, you can avail a room under this resort at INR 7000. You get 24-hour security service, wi-fi connectivity, and front desk service. There’s a library for the reading freaks, and medical assistance is available at nominal rates. Isola Di Cocco Resort at a distance of around 0.3km from the island point.Poovar Estuary Island Resort: Just as the first one, here too, you have both the indoor and outdoor activities to enjoy. The cuisines served here, and the hospitality makes this place the best one to accommodate on this tropical island. You can have a sip of brewing coffee while you enjoy your beach activities in the private beach zone. This island resort is at a walkable distance of approximately 0.2km from the main island. People travel from far off places to enjoy a rejuvenating Ayurvedic and Spa treatment here.Havelia Island Resort: Situated amidst the Kerala backwaters, Havelia Island Resort is rated as one of the best tranquil stay places by tourists. Here, you can avail either a deluxe room giving a beautiful sight of the sea that stretches wide or you go ahead with superior cottages. There are king suites for those who prefer to accommodate their families with them. Each and every room is well-furnished and equipped with all modern and up-to-date amenities. At a nominal cost of 3500 INR, you get free Wi-Fi and security services twice around the clock, medical assistance, swimming facilities, and room servicing. This resort is 0.4km away from your island. So you can always have enough room to stroll.

Located in Kerala, Ponmudi hill station is a beautiful tourist spot to unwind in the midst of nature. Literally meaning the Golden Peak, this hill station is situated in the Western Ghats and offers a memorable experience for all the tourists. Known for its green hills, zig zag roads and picturesque cottages, Ponmudi Hills allows everyone to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Moreover, the place is an ideal getaway if you are interested in trekking the hills and like to enjoy long solitary walks in lovely landscapes.Replete with lush green valleys, gushing waterfalls, sparkling streams and verdant tea plantations, Ponmudi hill station is a just a delight for all the nature lovers. One can experience the surreal mountain life and take back some cherished memories of the rolling hills of Western Ghats. There are many popular places to visit here like Golden Valley, Meenmutty Falls, Agasthyakoodam etc. There are a number of places where you can make memories with your loved ones and make it a vacation to remember in Ponmudi.The tranquil hill station of Ponmudi is an attractive destination to add to your bucket list and explore the pristine natural beauty that is present here. Read below, to find out more information about Ponmudi Hills for planning an exciting vacation.Best time to visit Ponmudi hill station:The best time to visit Ponmudi hill station is during the winter season that is witnessed here from the month of November to March. This is when mist covers the landscape and it looks magical with the lush green trees covering the hills and the glistening waterfalls making their way through the valleys. With the winter chill surrounding the air, Ponmudi becomes a delightful getaway in this season with breathtaking views to treat your eyes.The postcard perfect backdrop of Ponmudi hill station emerge out in the most picturesque way during the winter season. Moreover, visiting Ponmudi hill station during the winters also satisfies the adventure lovers as one can indulge in various activities here. Some of the popular activities available during the winter season in Ponmudi are mountain climbing, paragliding, trekking and rafting. Also, one must not miss spotting the flora and fauna during the winter season in Ponmudi.Things to do at ponmudi hill station:Trekking to the north of Ponmudi Crest: Gear up for a memorable adventure by trekking to Ponmudi Crest for having a wonderful getaway on your vacation. Starting from Kallar, trekking here allows one to pass through the most picturesque paths. Passing through the mini zoo that comprises of many barasinghas, this trekking tail will entice you with many sights. This trek is a pleasure for birdwatchers and offers one the luxury to just soak in the simple delights of nature.Visit Mini Zoo: Have a great time enjoying wildlife when you pay a visit to Mini Zoo in Ponmudi hill station. Renowned for having a big population of barasinghas, this mini zoo can be visited with friends and family in Ponmudi. The zoo can be reached easily by trekking to the top of Ponmudi crest and makes for an adventurous and fun-filled getaway if you are travelling with kids.Picnic at Golden Valley: Known for its picturesque surroundings, picnicking at Golden Valley is one of the top things that you must look forward to when you are in Ponmudi. Located along the banks of Kallar river, Golden Valley boasts of verdant valleys, sparkling waters and golden sands. This captivating spot in Ponmudi is a delight for nature lovers and for those who wish to escape the chaos of the cities.Aaranmula Boat Race: Also called the Kerala Boat Festival, Aaranmula Boat Race is one of the top attractions of Ponmudi. A sight like a carnival, Aaranmula Boat race attracts a number of tourists to watch the snake boats racing together while traditional songs are played in the background. This vibrant spectacle can be witnessed in Ponmudi during the month of August or September.Going Back to History: For the history lovers, there are numerous activities to relive the history and enjoy learning about the past of different things in Ponmudi. The science enthusiasts in Ponmudi must visit the Science and Technology Museum Complex. This place is known for hosting galleries on electricity, mechanics, mathematics, solar energy, automobile, computer and biomedical engineering. Another popular museum is Napier Museum which is known for having a collection of archaeological and historic artefacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings. There is also the Natural History Museum which has galleries on skeletal, bird, animal and taxidermy.Adventure with Jungle Safari: Ponmudi is a great destination for wildlife aficionados as one gets to catch a sight of numerous animals at Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary. This picturesque place has a dam and serves as a renowned picnic spot in Ponmudi. Some popular things not to miss here are crocodile far, lion safari park, deer park and elephant rehabilitation center. For the adventure lovers, there is also boating activities to indulge in.How to reach:The mesmerising hill station of Ponmudi can be reached in the following ways:By Train: One can travel to Ponmudi via train by journeying till the nearest railway station that is Trivandrum Railway Station. Easily connected to different cities of the country, Trivandrum railway station is easily accessible through trains.By Air: Tourists can reach Ponmudi by taking a flight to the nearest airport which is Trivandrum International Airport. It is situated at a distance of 65 km from Ponmudi and is easily connected to different cities like Chennai, Delhi and Bangalore via regular flights. From the airport, one can easily take a taxi to reach Ponmudi hills. There are both AC and non-AC taxis to choose from at Trivandrum Airport.By Road: For reaching Ponmudi via road, tourists can opt for KSRTC buses that are available from Trivandrum. The price for a bus ticket is also very nominal as it is just INR 100 for a one way ticket. Many regular buses ply from the main bus terminal to Ponmudi and easily available for the tourists.Places to visit in & around Ponmudi hill station:Kallar-Meenmutty Fall: Treat your eyes with a wonderful spectacle at Kallar-Meenmutty Fall when you are in Ponmudi hills. Situated near the Neyyar Reservoir area, Kallar-Meenmutty Fall can be accessed only after a trek of 2 kilometres covering the forest. The wonderful waterfall is a great place to escape in the midst of nature and enjoy some moments of peace and tranquillity on your vacation. An ideal getaway for family and friends, Kallar-Meenmutty Fall doesn’t boast of a very high-water level but known for its serene surroundings.However, one should be cautious before planning to visit here as the rocks could be slippery and the path to the falls maybe a little difficult for the elderly people. It is best visited during the rainy season.Golden Valley: If you fancy a quiet stroll by yourself or enjoy spending some quality time with your loved ones, Golden Valley is one of the best places to go in Ponmudi hill station. Boasting of beautiful rivers, chilling waters and verdant valleys filled with trees, Golden Valley ticks all the boxes to make it a tranquil holiday for all the tourists. One can play in the river and just enjoy the surroundings as there the air is filled with calm vibes and there is no trace of commercialisation.Golden Valley in Ponmudi is one of the best places to visit for those who like to trek and hike to places in the middle of nowhere. One can look forward to have a great time in Golden Valley when going with family or on a honeymoon.Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary: A paradise for wildlife lovers, Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is a place where you can have a pleasant respite from the usual tourist attractions. The most popular species which can be spotted here are Malabar Grey Hornbill, White-bellied Treepie, and the Small Sunbird. The sanctuary derives its name from the famous Peppara Dam and here one can also undertake an amazing trek to witness the most panoramic views of the valley. With evergreen forests and immaculate natural beauty, Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is a great visit if you are looking for a quaint picnic spot in Ponmudi.Bonacaud: Renowned for its serene valleys and waterfalls, Bonacaud is a beautiful hill station located near Ponmudi. The place is a delight for birdwatchers and promises a glimpse of many birds like Grey wagtail, forest wagtail, greenish leaf warbler, Asian brown flycatcher etc. The place is isolated and a good pick if you wish to escape the crowds and enjoy a pleasant time among the ruined tea plantations present here.Agasthyakoodam: One of the most enchanting places to see in Ponmudi, Agasthyakoodam is the second highest peak in Kerala. It will blow your minds if birdwatching is something you take delight in as some of the most exotic avifauna can be spotted here. It offers an exciting trekking experience with a spectacular sight of the Agasthyakoodam Biosphere Reserve. One can visit here after obtaining a permit and being accompanied by a guide from the Forest Department.Places to stay in Ponmudi hill station:Duke’s Forest Lodge: Cherish a peaceful getaway in the midst of nature by staying at Duke’s Forest Lodge in Ponmudi. Tucked beautifully between the rubber plantations and forest, Duke’s Forest Lodge is where you can enjoy staying at traditional Keralite villas with all the modern amenities. Some of the popular amenities available here are ayurvedic spa, trekking, plantation visit, bird watching, visits to tribal settlement, etc.KTDC Golden Peak: Treat your eyes with the panoramic views of Ponmudi by staying at KTDC Golden Peak. Offering 14 well appointed guest rooms, KTDC Golden Peak is one of the favourite places in Ponmudi to take a break from your mundane life. Guests here can enjoy multiple amenities like on site conference hall, multi cuisine restaurant, etc. Moreover, the place also arranges trekking and campfire if requested.Saaral Resorts: Featuring an outdoor pool, spa and fitness centre, Saaral Resorts is one of the top places to stay when you are vacationing in Ponmudi. It is located just a kilometre away from Kuttralam Waterfalls and offers a pleasant stay equipped with all the modern amenities. The budget hotel is a good pick if you are visiting with family and wish to have a pleasant time in Ponmudi.Orchard Valley Resort: Stay at Orchard Valley Resort to soak in the natural beauty and behold the most breathtaking views of the mountains on your vacation. Equipped with modern conveniences, Orchard Valley Resort is a nice place to have a good time in Ponmudi hill station. Some of the popular amenities available at Orchard Valley Resort are games room, bicycle rental, garden, terrace etc.Windsor Rajadhani: Retreat into luxury with a memorable vacation by a stay at Windsor Rajadhani in Ponmudi. The place is known for offering a royal stay to the guests with various amenities. The hotel boasts of having a health club with yoga amenities, well equipped gym, on site coffee house and a rooftop restaurants that offers serene views of the surroundings.Beersheba Apartments: Located in Trivandrum, Beersheba Apartments is a great place to stay when you are with your friends and family. This self catering accommodation is a good pick if you want to enjoy a vacation with privacy and have some lone time with your loved ones.Krishna Tourist Home: Located in Tenkasi, Krishna Tourist Home offers a nice accommodation with its 37 rooms on offer. The rooms here come along with modern amenities like Wireless internet access, sofa beds and 24 hour room service. The place is conveniently located near the bus stand and also offers easy access to Coutrallam falls.Hotel Aquarock: Offering a pleasant and comfortable stay, Hotel Aquarock is a great place to crash with your bags when you are in Ponmudi. It promises a picturesque view of the mountains and has a terrace and fitness centre for the guests. With multiple amenities, guests can look forward to have an enjoyable getaway at Hotel Aquarock.