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Located
at a distance of 52 kms from Palakkad,
the cool hills of Nelliampathy, nestling atop the Western Ghats, offer a
breathtaking view of the misty mountains and enchanting valleys
interspersed with sprawling tea, coffee, cardamom and orange plantations.
The bracing climate and green magic of nature enhance the exhilarating
experience. For a vantage view of the spectacle, one must visit
Seethakundu, where a 100m high waterfall provides an added attraction.
It offers a fantastic view of the valley below a wide-angled vision of
one-third of the entire Palakkad area. A
forest range 75 kms from Palakkad, the
Nelliyampathy hills comprise a chain of ridges cut off from one another by
valleys of dense evergreen forests and orange plantations.
The height of the hills ranges from 467 metres to the tallest peak
Padagiri looming at 1572 metres. Nelliyampathy has immense trekking
potential. The community hall at Kaikatty provides a good camping ground
for the trekkers.
Accessing Nelliyampathy from Palakkad is
a sensation on its own, as one has to negotiate over a dozen hairpin
curves on the Ghat Road, passing through the fascinating jungles of the
Sahya Ranges. En route, 17 kms from Palakkad,
the shimmering Pothundi Reservoir and its manicured surroundings make for
the ideal stop over.
Parambikjlam
Wildlife Sanctuary:
Sprawling over 285 sq. kms, this neighbouring sanctuary shelters the
largest population of wild gaur (Bison). The Cannimare Teak Tree said to
be the largest in the Asian continent towers roughly 5 kms away from
Thunakadavu.
Thunakadavu:
The headquarters of
Parambikulam.
Other wildlife such as the Nilgiri Langur, Sloth Bear, the Lion-tailed
Macaque and Spotted Deer abound along with a handful of tigers and
leopards.
Malampuzha:
The garden complex around the dam at Malampuzha draws a large holiday and
weekend crowd to itself. A small garden done in Japanese style adds a
touch of exotic charm to the landscape. So does the hanging bridge across
the canal.
Air : The nearest airport is at Coimbatore in the
neighbouring state of
Tamilnadu,
about 55 km from Palakkad.
Rail: The nearest railway station is in
Palakkad, about 5 km from
Palakkad town.
Road: The hills of Nelliyampathy lie at a distance of 75 kms from
Palakkad. It takes 2 ½ hours to
travel to the place.
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