Wagamon
Vagamon- A complete tourist destination for Adventure, fun and more
Vagamon is a pretty hill station located in Idukki district of Kerala,. Perched at an elevation of over 1100 meters above the sea level, Vagamon enjoys a pleasant climate all round the year, which has earned the name the 'Scotland of Asia'. National Geographic Traveler has listed Vagamon as one of the '50 most attractive places to visit in India'. It is a popular movie shooting location as well. First discovered by the British, Vagamon has evolved to be a popular adventure sports destination and holiday haven from being an erstwhile plantation town famous for its tea estates.
Still free from the footfalls of mass tourism, Vagamon tours will offer you a wonderful opportunity to relax and to be in sync in nature. The rolling valleys, lush green meadows, misty valleys and mountains dotted with pines- everything translates to immense beauty and serenity. Wagamon tourism is not only about sight seeing, but also offers ample opportunities for adventure sports. The windy conditions, Rocky Mountains and the sprawling valleys are well suited for activities like trekking, paragliding, mountaineering and rock climbing. Vagamon adventure tourism is drawing scores of travelers from far and wide.
Vagamon, seems to have an overtone of green that spreads well beyond your sight. The breathtaking spectacles in the form of deep ravines and the gurgling rivulets and waterfalls make it a wonderful holiday spot even for a casual weekend ramble for any holiday maker with no fixed travel itinerary. A trip to Vagamon in itself is an extraordinary experience. The winding roads cut through the pine forests and rocky gorges will offer the spectacular views of the valleys and plains several feet below you as you inch your way up in a relaxing drive.
The three hills Thangal, Murugan and Kurisumala hills which are thought to represent the three chief religions of Hindu, Muslin and Christian in Kerala , stand tall as the icon of cultural harmony. While the Kurisumala Hill is a popular hill station and is a spiritual centre for Catholics, Thangal Hill, the burial chamber of Sheikh Fariduddin makes it a popular pilgrimage centre for Muslims. The Murugan Hill is devoted to Hindu God Murugan, the son of Lord Shiva.
Located along the periphery of the Western Ghats and the foot hills that extend to Teekoy estates is a visual feast to the weary eyes. Set out on a trekking expedition to enjoy the magnificent views of the valleys and the gorges, which will truly leave you spell bound and stimulated. There are many convenient Vagamon packages that offer something special for every budget.
Some of the other must see spots in Vagamon include the Indo-Swiss Dairy farm project, the suicide point in Thangal hill, which is a popular view point that offers a panoramic views of the meadows and grasslands.
Vagamon is accessible by road, rain and air. It is located 39 km from Thodupuzha. Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport while the closest railway station is Kottayam. There are many accommodation options in and around Vagamon. It is also conveniently located close to many other popular tourist destinations in Kerala like Thekkady, Peermade and Kulamavu.
Places
Teekoy
Teekoy is a small village located on the banks of the Meenachil River and has avenues galore for the eager nature-lover to explore. This piece of land is quite extravagant with the undulating landscapes rich in flora and fauna, making it the most preferred among the trekking paths.
A must see spot in Teekoy is Marmala waterfalls – the sight of water getting sprayed all around, as it sways down the narrow valleys and rocky cliffs can never go unnoticed! Renowned as trekker’s paradise, the Ayyampara and Illickan mountains offer breathtaking view of the land below. A place rich in rare medicinal herbs, Teekoy is homeland for “Neelakoduveli”- a medicinal plant renowned for its revitalizing properties. Explore the rural life as you drive along Teekoy village to Wagamon, amidst rubber plantations and great scenic beauty.
Kurishumala
Kurishumala is famous for the Ashram, where Christian monks from local and foreign places reside and meditate. Belgian Cistercian Abbot Francis Acharya is the visionary who merged Indo-Christian concepts and set the foundation for the Ashram.
A part of Sahya Mountains, Kurishumala is just 10 km away from Wagamon and is situated much closer to Thangalpara. Coming with an excess baggage of serenity and scenic splendor, the place is ideal for anti-stress meditation practices. The highest peak in the Kurishumala is known as the “Resurrection Garden”, a place wholly secured for meditation. A total of well arranged 14 crosses make the hill all the more remarkable. The place also has a dairy farm, the milk production of which amounts to 1500 liters!
Thangalapara
Housing the Mausoleum of Sheik Fariduddin, Thangalpara is a renowned pilgrim center for Muslims. Thangalpara is only 5 km drive from Wagamon. Set against a rocky terrain, the place gives a feel of original beauty and grandeur.
Murugan Hill
The Murugan Hill houses Murugan temple, a magnificent structure carved out of rock on one side of the hill. The temple worships the Hindu god, Lord Muruga - the son of Lord Shiva
Water falls
A quintessential Wagamon trip is incomplete without a visit to the waterfalls here. Through the ravines and to the cliffs - the waterfall here is truly a spectacular sight to witness. Find your place near the pavilions and feel the composed nature behind the gorgeous waterfalls. Apart from sightseeing, the place is much preferred among trekkers and mountaineers.
Green Meadows
The vast stretch of lovely meadows, where the gentle hills merge with the misty sky, is breathtakingly gorgeous to go unnoticed! An ideal destination to unwind and relax from the hustle and bustle of the busy world, these meadows offer a feast for your eyes and mind alike with its picturesque landscape and cool breeze.
Pine Forest
Steep slopes lined up with pine trees – the Pine Forest is never inferior to any of those fairy-tale settings. So intense and dense, here your privacy is reserved, where even the thinnest beam of sun light wouldn’t be an intruder! Relax, be calm and relive yourself off the stress - the ambience here is sure to keep you captivated.
Rocky out crop
An ideal spot to relive your adventurous self, the rough-cut cliffs and narrow valleys make the place perfect for adventure activities like rope climbing, gliding, trekking, rock climbing etc. Carved out of the rocks, the caves fulfill your accommodation requirements. Embracing the world below, this spot is also good as a viewing pavilion.
Things To Do
Boating: Wagamon is blessed with a few serene lakes atop the hilly terrain, making boating a much preferred activity. The boating facility is however provided by the local resorts and hotels here.
Trekking: Gear up for the most exciting stuff! Trekking and hiking can be the most desirable and adventurous options for those looking for an extra adrenaline rush! Also try your hand in paragliding, rope climbing and also mountaineering. Among the favorite trekking paths, Teekoy-Cherippad-Ayyampara route and Illickan Mountains tops the list.
Ayurveda: Kerala is home to Ayurveda, and Wagamon too is not an exception. The place has to its credit a good number of hotels and resorts that can present you with ayurvedic treatments in its holistic approach.
Drive through the Teekoy valley: Spectacular with its tranquil ambience, driving from Teekoy to Wagamon is just awe-inspiring. As you drive along the winding roads, feel the scenic backdrop topped with the gorgeous mist-clad mountains and spectacular waterfalls.
Local Festivals
International Paragliding Festival
Unlike the rest of Kerala, Wagamon festival is an all different ball game! International Paragliding Festival commencing every year in the months of March or April, attracts travelers from around the world to experience the best of paragliding. The event is organized by the Adventure Sports and Sustainable Tourism Academy (ASSTA).
Shopping
As a hill station, Wagamon has not much to boast of shopping galas. However, there are a few items worth your money - spices, planting materials, medicinal plants and traditional hand made artifacts are the specialties here.
Location
This exciting hill station is situated on Idukki- Kottayam border. Wagamon is located in the south central portion of Kerala and is set at an average elevation of 1100 feet above mean sea level.
Climate
Tropical climate. However, the temperature is usually between 10 and 25 degree Celsius.
Best Time To Visit
August to May is the best season to visit the place. Although it can be visited throughout the year, rainy season from June to August is best avoided.
Moving Around
Hilly terrain and sloppy roads - jeeps are the best means for getting around the place. However, most of the places have bus services, so that you can cut down on your transportation expense. If on a group travel, book tourist buses in advance.
Local hotels here will provide you with vegetarian meals with typical Kerala curries. You can also savor the delicious appam and meat curry from these local hotels. For international tourists, Wagamon has a good number of quality hotels and resorts like Vanilla County, Summer Sand, Vagamon Heights, Padmalayam and Ananya Hill Resorts that cater to a range of cuisines from Kerala dishes and North Indian to Continental and Chinese.
• Orchids! Wagamon is home to orchids, especially wild orchids.
