The Kerala State of India has much to offer regarding greenery, forests, hills and beaches. One of the top spots we all know is Alappuzha, specifically for boat rides in backwaters in the early morning or sunset or just making a boathouse stay for a day or two, perfect for a honeymoon in winters-point noted! Cochin offers a Goa vibe with Portuguese and Jewish influence, beautiful beaches, boat rides and plenty of history. Ponumdi-many might not know, and it’s good because it’s less visited compared to Munnar or Ooty, and that’s why it’s peaceful being here with stunning views, more so after monsoons. If I was a resident of Thiruvananthapuram, off to Ponmudi every month at least once-it’s a must-visit place-trust me!
15 reasons why you must visit Cochin, Alappuzha and Ponmudi:
- Ponmudi is a must-visit hill station in south India owing to its natural beauty and cool temperature-one of the top 3 hill stations for me in South India. Some notable tourist attractions in Ponmudi are Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, Echo Point, Golden Valley near Kallar River, deer park, Ponmudi Falls and Meenmutty Falls.
- You can also try the Ponmudi trekking through the streams of Seethatheertham in Ponmudi.
- The stunning Fort Kochi Beach allows you to peep through the cultures and traditions of Kerala. There are a plethora of Chinese Fishing Nets here that are used for fishing by the locals.
- Walking from Fort Kochi to Jew Street in Mattancherry, you can buy antiques and souvenirs. Also, the vibe of travelling through this street is unique and different; yes, it’s worth a visit.
- Alappuzha is a host to several lakes and lagoons, hence called the Venice of the East. Houseboats on Alleppey backwaters are the prime attraction which can be used for a stay like a hotel, for activities like Sunset viewing, stargazing, paddy fields and village watching.
- Alleppey Beach is a great clean beach with amusement facilities at Vijaya Beach Park, especially in the early morning and late evening when the cool breeze plays its part.
- Vembanad Bird Sanctuary at Kumarakom in the Kottayam region on the banks of the Vembanad Lake gives a view of birds who fly from abroad for a few months here with the help of houseboats.
Location: About 450-500 km south of Bangalore and Mangalore lies Cochin, from where Alappuzha, Trivandrum and Ponmudi are within 300 km.
Tourist Attraction on the spot:
Ponmudi hill station; Cherai Beach, Mattancherry palace, Vypin, Marine drive, FortKochi, Vasco Da Gama Square, Chinese fishing nets, Naval Museum, Alappuzha beach and backwaters-Marari beach.
Tourist Attraction in Vicinity:
You can visit Kanyakumari,Munnar,Thrissur,Kodaikanal,Silent Valley and Palghat.
Distance Charts:(Cochin | Ponmudi)
- Mumbai(1430 | 1670 km)
- Hyderabad(1120 |1250 km)
- Ooty(275 | 500 km)
- Pune(1200 | 1530 km)
- Munnar (120 | 310 km)
- Cochin(0 | 230 km)
- Mysuru(400 | 630 km)
- Chennai(690 | 730 km)
- Bangalore(550 | 690 km)
- Rameswaram(460 | 370 km)
- Kanyakumari(290 | 130 km)
- Delhi(2720 | 2840 km)
How to Reach :
Road Routes:
Mangalore-Kozhikode-Cochin-Alappuzha-Thiruvananthapuram-Ponmudi
IMPORTANT NOTE FROM MY EXPERIENCE:
1)Except for Ponmudi, the other two places, Cochin and Alappuzha, are better visited between October and early February when it’s a bit less warm and much less humid. Carry an umbrella in any case because the afternoon will burn your head anyway!
2)Cochin has some historical places to see like Jew Market, the Portuguese establishment and some museums which you should give ample time to.A day will be more than sufficient. Don’t forget a ferry ride from Ernakulam to Kochi.
3)Ponmudi is the most lovely hill station in the south for me, and I recommend you as well -at least visit once. It is just 1.5 hours by bus from Thiruvananthapuram and is worth an all-day stay. Get on top of the water tank or the tower and see the magnificent view of the Western Ghats – it’s not to be missed! If it is drizzles-more lovely with the sun peeping through the clouds!
5)You can make a trip to Munnar if you wish to as it’s just 3 hours from Cochin by state bus. Also, Kanyakumari is pretty close to Thiruvananthapuram-that can be covered as well.
RAIL: Except for Ponmudi, for which Thiruvananthapuram is the nearest railway station, Cochin and Alappuzha have their own, with most trains making a halt.
AIR: Cochin and Thiruvananthapuram have big airports.
ROAD: The connectivity by road to these three places is well established. After reaching Thiruvananthapuram via Alappuzha from Cochin, you can get a bus to Ponmudi every hour. Kerela SRTC offers excellent bus services 24/7.
Map:-
Time to Visit:
October-March will be the least humid and best time to be here.
Ponmudi has to be your must-visit place
Spend Time With:
Family, Friends,Solo, Couple,Groups
Food and Lodging:
There are plenty of hotels in Cochin and Thiruvananthapuram, so there are no issues with that anytime. Ponmudi has a resort or two-but. It’s more of a picnic spot, and I am guessing you aren’t allowed at the top at nights-so. Thiruvananthapuram is your base. Alappuzha has many houseboats to stay in, so there are no issues. For food, Cochin-Trivandrum has options but be ready to get mostly local cuisines-you’ll get vegetarian food as well!
Expense:
A 3-day full-fledged tour will cost:
Food: INR 100/person/day(3 times a day)X3
Transport: At most times, say Cochin or Ponmudi, you’ll all be in buses-the max cost must be around INR 600-700, and a solo boat ride will cost around an INR 1000 for a 2-3 hours ride at Alappuzha. Lodging: INR 700/day X2 (1 night in Cochin and other night in Trivandrum)
Entry Fees include various places: INR 100 at most.
Total: 4100 INR(Boating is a must in Alappuzha -that’s why you are here!)
Nearby Attractions(Cochin | Ponmudi)
- Mumbai(1430 | 1670 km)
- Hyderabad(1120 |1250 km)
- Ooty(275 | 500 km)
- Bangalore(550 | 690 km)
- Rameswaram(460 | 370 km)
- Kanyakumari(290 | 130 km)
- Munnar (120 | 310 km)
- Cochin(0 | 230 km)
- Mysuru(400 | 630 km)
- Chennai(690 | 730 km)
- Highways(230 |300 km)
- Kodaikanal(300 | 335 km)
- Thiruvananthapuram(200 | 50 km
