Tuesday, February 8, 2011

South India Hill Stations

Anantagiri Hill Station:

Anantagiri is also famous as summer resort place. Anantagiri in Andhra Pradesh is sure to sweep every tourist off the feet with its natural beauty and beautiful hill resort.Nature lovers and tourists are attracted by unchallenged beauty of this place. The journey from Visakhapatnam to Anantagiri offers unforgettable vistas ranging from thick forests to scintillating sunrise and sunset. The hill resort of Anantagiri is perfect retreat to the blistering summer months.

Aruku Valley:

Aruku Valley has several tourist attraction spots. Aruku Valley is famous for its immense and incomparable beauty.Aruku Valley depicts a cluster of five valleys. Aruku valley is famous for its rich tribal heritage. The Aruku valley depicts the gorgeous greens valleys, flourishing forests and the natural waterfalls. The various tribal settlements here are conserving their rich culture and traditions. The Dhimsa dance of the tribes acts as an unforgettable tourist Sight Seeing Aruku also has a famous Aruku tribal museum. The Museum in Aruku valley depicts the rich cultural heritage of the tribal people.

Coonoor Hill Station:

Coonoor is a fabulous hill station in the Nilgiri hills about 19 km from Ooty. Coonoor, located at an altitude of 1,856 metres, is the second largest hill station in the Nilgiri hills.The Sim's Park with all its natural beauty was constructed in 1874 has unique trees and plants. Facinating and unforgetable view points for tourist are Lamb's Rock, Dolphin's Nose, Lady Canning's Seat to name a few.Tourist can avail of the Toy train facility to get a detailed view of this place.

Coorg Hill Station:

Mudduraja, the Kodagu King had Mudduraja Keri as his capital.In the year 1681 he renamed it as Madikeri. It is the headquarters of Kodagu District at a height of 1170 meters.It is about 100 km from Mysore.Makikeri is famous for its coffee and oranges. It is famous as birthplace of the most famous river of Karnataka Cauvery.This place is famous for its scenic beauty.The fabulous paddy fields,coffee bushes and the morning mist form a sketch of some unforgettable memories for the tourists.

Coorg is famous for oranges and coffee plantation.This region also is famous for spices. pepper, cardamoms etc can be seen.The coffee plantations in Madikeri alone accounts for almost half of Karnataka' s coffee production. Karnataka is known to be India' s largest producer of coffee even today.

Devikulam Hill Station:

It is 1800 meter above sea level and16 km. from Munnar Devikulam is a small and beautiful hill station. The Devi lake with its mineral water is a natural gift. 7 kms from munnar, this hill station with its lawns, flora and fauna and the cool air is a experience. The sita devi lake with its mineral waters and its surroundings is a good picnic spot.

The lake is also ideal for fishing.

Horsley Hill Station:

Horsley Hills , the famous hill Station in Andhra Pradesh is 144 km from Tirupati. It is named after W.D. Horsley, the Collector of Cuddapah district, who chose this spot for his summer residence. Situated at an altitude of 1,265 m. The shady slopes are wooded with luxurious vegetation.The journey to Horsley Hills is exciting as one gets to see thick verdure of various species of plants and wild animals. Covering the entire stretch of narrow road are dense growth of Eucalyptus, Jacaranda, Allamanda, Gulmohar and many other species. The natural beauty of the Horsley Hills is indeed irresistible. The Horsley Hills have been a popular refuge for the sun-scorched souls since long. The Chenchu tribes largely inhabit the Horsley Hills that are so rich in flora and fauna.

Idukki Hill Station:

Idukki, with altitudes up to 2500 ft above sea level, is one of the most beautiful districts of Kerala in India, Idukki is a district whose name is derived from the Malayalam word 'Idukku' which means a narrow gauge. Flanked by the Western Ghats in the East, the district has many narrow steep-sided valleys, giving credence to the name.The High ranges and wooded valleys are girded by three rivers - Periyar, Thalayar and Thodupuzhyar - and their tributaries. The sacred river Pamba also originates from the mountain ranges here. As a tourist destination, Idukki is incomparable - forests, wildlife sanctuaries, hill stations, spices & plantation tours, mountain treks, elephant rides and some of the most spectacular landscapes anywhere in India.

While at Idukki you may visit the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary. The Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over an area of 70 sq. km close to the Arched Dam. The Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary attracts tourists for its forest cover that is rich is both flora and fauna. You may spot animals like the elephant, bison, sambhar, deer besides a wide variety of snakes and birds like the jungle foul, laughing thrush etc.

Kodaikanal Hill Station:

Kodai or Kodaikanal is on the southern crest of the Palani hills, about 120 km from Madurai, at an altitude of 2100 mt. It is surrounded by wooded slopes, waterfalls and precipitous rocky outcrops.

Founded by American missionaries in 1845, Kodaikanal is steeped in history. Relics and artifacts of the Paliyans who once lived in these hills can still be seen in the Shenbaganur Museum. Even today, a few Paliyans can be seen near Kukal Cave. In the early days, there were no roads—people had to travel by bullock-cart and palanquin, braving the dangers of the forests. Slowly Kodaikanal developed, missionaries established church properties, many of the then ruling princes built summer holiday-homes, clubs were opened, school and hotels were built, and civic amenities were introduced.

Kodaikanal Hills is an idyllic getaway for regular tourists, trekker and honeymooners. Blessed with nature's breath-taking beauty, the star-shaped lake dominates this sleepy hill-station.

Munnar Hill Station:


One of the most popular hill stations in India, is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala.

Munnar, a quiet and restful resort at an altitude of 1524 meters 136 km off Cochin, lies snuggled in the green and serene Kannan Devan Hills.It is famous for its lush green surroundings, lakes, reservoirs, forests, and tea estates. The quiet environs of Munnar attract the traveler to relax in the lap of Mother Nature Panoramic views of low-flying clouds and mist filled valleys make it a haven with a cool bracing climate. Part of its charm lies in the fact that it was opened up out of virgin forests a century ago by pioneering planters.

Munnar also beacons the adventure-seeking traveler, who is interested in paragliding. It has some of the highest tea estates in the world.

Nandi Hill Station:

The 1,478 m high Nandi Hills, Karnataka are the source of many rivers. And the forests surrounding the hills, abound with wild animals. Around the Nandi Hills are several smaller hills which can be visited on foot. Nandi Hills enjoys a moderate climate throughout the year.

The Nandi Hills or the hills of the Nandi have been named after the bull of Lord Shiva. The pleasant hill resort of Nandi Hills is also known as Nandigiri or Nandidurga amongst the locals. The Nandi Hills have attracted people since long. Nandi hills were the summer haven of Tipu Sultan as well as the British. The palace of Tipu Sultan and the Bungalows of the British stand in testimony of the same.

Peermade Hill Station:

Situated 915 m above sea level, Peermade is on the way to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. this pleasant hill station was once the summer retreat of the Maharajas of Travancore. Peermade is indeed a cool hill resort in Kerala. Here you will find sprawling tea, coffee, cardamom, rubber and eucalyptus plantations side by side with natural grasslands and pine forests.

The Sufi saint and an associate of the rulers Peer Mohammed lends his name to Peermade. Peermade thus means the hill of the Peer. Peermade has since long attracted the trekkers, nature lovers, picnickers alike. As a hill resort Peermade has also been providing refuge to the sun scorched souls from the plains. The idyllic hill resort of Peermade indeed rejuvenates the mind, body and the soul.

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