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The
salubrious hill station of Ponmudi is at a distance of 61 kms from
Thiruvananthapuram. The
enchanting bounty of nature can be witnessed here in the quiet
surroundings.
Perched at an altitude of over 100 m above sea level on the Western
Ghats, the shimmering green waters of the winding streams and verdant
woods of Ponmudi do not spare anybody. Trekking is a passion with the
visitors to Ponmudi, lying within easy driving distance from
Thiruvananthapuram.
One will find oneself compulsively pausing every now and then to drink in
deep the spectacular sweep of the hill ranges, tea-estates and the
mist-covered valleys, peppered with little toy-like stone cottages painted
a pretty violet, pink, or white with pointed and peaked roofs.
Orchids: The beautiful flowers, the orchids thrive
in wild profusion.
Deer Park:
A charming Deer Park is only 3 kms away from the resort.
Golden Valley:
It is a Pretty picnic spot, endowed with natural springs, a little
further down the hill. Golden Valley is a little, scenic viewpoint.
Peppara
Wildlife Sanctuary:
It is a very famous wildlife sanctuary, where elephants, sambhar and
leopards live in large numbers.
Kovalam:
Finding a beach resort and a hill resort served up close together for the
holiday-maker is a rarity.
Kovalam is a famous beach, 16 km south of
Thiruvananthapuram.
It is most popular in southern India. The main part of
Kovalam consists of two
palm-fringed coves, separated from the beaches on either side by rocky
headlands
It takes 2 hours by road, driving 65 kms northeast from Thiruvananthapuram, to get to Ponmudi. Bus services are frequent.
Accommodation can be availed at Government Tourist Complex. The Complex consists of a guesthouse with 24 rooms, and ten small stone cottages sitting on the hillside named after famous Himalayan peaks.
There are a good number of shops on the beach. Shops sell Blankets, Goods, Jewellery and ornaments mainly from Kashmir, Rajasthan or Nepal. Spices, the specialty of Kerala, are also available here.
Tourist Office, near ITDC Hotel,
Kovalam.
Govt. of India Tourist Office, Airport Counter,
Thiruvananthapuram. Tel:-
(0471)-501498
Department of Tourism, Govt.of Kerala, Park View,
Thiruvananthapuram. Tel.- 61132