Endowed with outstanding scenic beauty, is a hill station located in Kerala known as Ramakkalmedu. It is situated in the Idukki district nestled high up at an altitude of about 3,218 feet above sea level. It is also renowned for a number of windmills. Furthermore, this quaint hill station comprises of a landscape surrounded by ‘Shola forests’ which also includes sporadic bamboo forests.
Read More: 5 ENCHANTING HILL STATIONS IN KERALA
a. How to reach Ramakkalmedu ?
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Ramakkalmedu Map |
By train:
The closest railway station to this hill station is situated at Kottayam at a distance of 126 km. The Kottayam Railway Station is well connected to major cities in the country.
By road:
The ideal starting point for this hill station would be Kottayam, Kochi, Alapuzzha, Vagamon, and Munnar.
Via Kottayam:
There are three routes available from Kottayam to this hill station via NH-183 which takes about 4 hours and 4 minutes, Ettumanoor – Erattupetta – Poonjar Rd/Ettumanoor – Pala – Poonjar Rd which takes 4 hours and 7 minutes, and via Ettumanoor – Erattupetta – Poonjar Rd/Ettumanoor – Pala – Poonjar Rd and NH183 which takes about 4 hours and 13 minutes.
Via Kochi:
There are three routes available from Kochi to this hill station via SH-43 which takes about 4 hours and 45 minutes, via NH-85 which takes 4 hours and 52 minutes, and via Thodupuzha-Puliyanmala Road which takes about 5 hours and 1 minute.
Via Alapuzzha:
There are three routes available from Alapuzzha to this hill station via NH-183 which takes about 4 hours 58 minutes, Via Dindigul-Theni-Kottarakkara Highway which takes about 5 hours and 15 minutes and via SH 40 which takes about 5 hours and 14 minutes.
Via Vagamon:
There are three routes available from Vagamon to this hill station via SH-41 which takes about 2 hours and 9 minutes, via Kattappana – Kuttikkanam Rd which takes about 2 hours and 14 minutes, and via Upputhara Rd and SH41 which takes about 2 hours and 16 minutes.
Via Munnar:
There are three routes available from Munnar to this hill station via Upputhara Rd and SH41 which takes about 2 hours and 26 minutes, via NH-85 which takes about 2 hours and 31 minutes, and via SH-40 which takes about 2 hours and 48 minutes.
By air:
The nearest airport to this hill station is located in Kochi at a distance of 125 km. The Kochi airport is well connected to most of the major cities in the country. In addition, it is also connected to international destinations.
Climate and the best time to visit Ramakkalmedu:
The climate of Ramakkalmedu is usually pleasant right throughout the year. During summers (March to May) the temperature ranges from 19 degrees to 35 degrees. The winter(December to February) is cold with the minimum temperature dropping to as low as 10 degrees. The monsoon from June to September is heavy and usually is not an ideal time to visit. The ideal time to visit is from March to May and October to November.
Places To Visit Around Ramakkalmedu :
There are a number of places to visit in Ramakkalmedu. They are as follows:
a. Ramakkalmedu Point View:
This point provides for a magnificent panoramic view of the beautiful surrounding landscape.
b. Tortoise Rock:
Is a rock that is shaped in the form of a ‘tortoise’. It has locally been titled ‘Aamakkallu’.
c. Vellappar Temple:
In close proximity to this hill station is the Vellappar Temple, a Hindu shrine which is dedicated to Lord Murugan, the brother of Lord Ganesh.
Interesting Facts:
Since this hill station still remains an unexplored tourist spot the government of Kerala has announced its plan to develop it into a popular tourist spot. Apparently, the great Hollywood star and actor Leonardo Di Caprio after having visited this hill station is said to have commented that “If there is a paradise on earth, it is here.”
Also Read: TOP 10 HILL STATIONS IN THE WESTERN GHATS
Image Credits: Wikipedia