Vagamon tourism destinations constitute a magical blend of its misty mountains, verdant pastures, resplendent tea gardens, and year-round tingling mountain breeze! Studded with blooming meadows, tall pine forests, refreshing waterfalls, and valleys bathed in a sea of dewy tea leaves, the tranquil beauty of Vagamon is straight out of a fairytale!
The hill station has a chain of 3 beautiful hills called Thangal Hill, Murugan Hill, and Kurismala Hill. They add an aura of mysticism and spirituality to this destination, bringing to this place pilgrims and mountain lovers in large numbers each year!
List of Vagamon tourism destinations
Dive into this listicle of the best places to visit in Vagamon and find out what makes this hill town one of the most charming hill stations in Kerala!
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1. Elaveezha Poonchira
Elaveezha Poonchira is among the best places in Kerala to watch a sunset and sunrise without any hindrance. Its awesome scenery and green valleys highlighted by large mountains make for an excellent spot to explore on your vacation.
According to legend, Panchali, the wife of Pandavas and the impressive queen in the epic Mahabharata once bathed in a pool here. Elaveezha Poonchira in Malayalam indicates ‘a valley where leaves don’t fall’, referring to the fact that this entire place is devoid of trees!
2. Kurisumala Ashram
Enveloped by the Sahya Mountains, Kurisumala Ashram is one of the best places to visit in Vagamon, particularly for Christian pilgrims. It is situated far away from the urban landscape of Kerala, ensuring a calming and peaceful trip to this serene place every time.
Kurisumala Ashram is a well-known Christian pilgrimage center as well as a monastery. The prayer area is quite large to accommodate everyone from worshippers to seekers of calm and relaxation.
The cattle and dairy farm run by the priests here is another attraction. Kurisumala Ashram is thronged by crowds on Good Friday when thousands of religious enthusiasts from far and near climb up the mountain holding wooden crosses and chanting songs and prayers.
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3. Kuttikanam
Kuttikkanam, a major attraction among Vagamon tourism destinations, is a hill covered in lush tea plantations, pine forests, sparkling streams, and aromatic cardamom plantations.
Set at 3,500 meters above sea level, this place beckons travelers with its alluring charm, gorgeous landscapes, and the promise of utter peace and tranquility!
Kuttikanam was once the vacation destination of the British naturalist Henry Baker in the colonial era. He was the first person to discover the uniqueness of this place and started several coffee plantations here which were later converted to tea.
However, his efforts created the requirement for manual labor and brought more people to Kuttikanam, making it a thriving tourist hotspot decades later!
4. Murugan Mala
Popular for the temple of Lord Murugan, Murugan Mala is a small hill that tops the list of Vagamon tourism destinations among devotees as well as nature lovers around the country.
The hill of Murugan Mala houses a rock-cut forehead replica of Lord Murugan and is located at a distance of 8 miles from Vagamon city center. Many hiking and trekking enthusiasts visit this serene and intriguing spot every year!
The rock resembling the forehead of Master Murugan located on this mountain was carved out of only one stone, making it a unique place to visit in Vagamon!
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5. Parunthumpara View Point
Parunthumpara is a giant rock sculpture located at Grampi at an elevation of about 1,200 meters above sea level.
Also known as Eagle Rock, Parunthumpara View Point is one of the top Vagamon tourist places that provides a spectacular view of the Peerumedu Hills and the surrounding mountain range.
Perfect for hiking, this rocky corner makes up for an amazing destination for nature lovers as well as adventure and trekking enthusiasts.
While this spot is perfect for relaxing amid peaceful surroundings and cool winds, it can be a tad treacherous to trek and visitors are strictly forbidden to go beyond a certain point at the top for safety reasons.
6. Vagamon Tea Estates
Vagamon has some of the biggest tea estates in Kerala, which truly are the highlight of Vagamon Tourism. Pullikkanam Estate and MMJ Plantations are the most famous tea estates in Vagamon.
To visit a tea plantation in Vagamon, you will need to acquire authorization from the Estate Office. Strolling amid scenic tea estates overlooking Vagamon’s stunning mountains can be a soothing experience!
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7. Thangal Para
A trip of about five miles from Vagamon down the Elappara path will take you to the Thangal Para, a place of spiritual significance to Muslims.
Husrath Sheikh Fariduddin, a Sufi saint who is believed to have visited Kerala from Afghanistan about 800 decades ago, has a dargah here. Uroos is the most famous festival at this dargah celebrated during April with a lovely dish of Ganjusakkar.
8. Vagamon Pine Forests
Vagamon has an enchanting artificial pine forest of over 100 acres that is home to over 30 bird species. The forest’s jurisdiction falls under the buffer zone of the Kerala State Forestry Department.
This is among the major Vagamon tourism destinations that bring nature lovers and trekkers here from near and far. If you seek tranquility away from the loud streets of the city, Vagamon’s pine forests should be at the top of your list of places to visit in Vagamon.
Be it having a nap under the pines or taking a lengthy walk through the tall trees, you can forget about the worries of the world and relax in the arms of nature.
9. Green Meadows Vagamon
Imagine a lush blooming meadow stretching into the horizon with a tingling mountain breeze caressing your face as you wander into it barefoot!
No, it’s not Narnia! We’re talking about an actual place in Vagamon that is simply acres upon acres of grasslands dotted with tiny wooden cottages here and there, giving a fairytale look to the whole place!
While it’s more or less famous for the 80-acre farmhouse stay and artists’ village that sits here, it makes up for an ideal spot for relaxation, a fun family picnic, or a romantic walk with your partner.
Greenery is the main attraction of this place surrounded by hills and valleys, all the factors that are enough to make it one of the most refreshing Vagamon tourism destinations.
10. Ulipooni Wildlife Sanctuary
If you are a wildlife enthusiast, Ulipooni Wildlife Sanctuary should be on your list of places to see in Vagamon. Ulipooni Wildlife Sanctuary is the perfect picnic spot blessed with a serene atmosphere and a favorite of nature lovers and adventure junkies visiting this gorgeous hill town.
This sanctuary gives visitors a high chance of spotting an elephant or a tiger out in the wild. Bison, sambar deer, wild dogs, jungle cats, black bulbuls, woodpeckers, and kingfishers can also be seen here among other animal and bird species.
The lush forests of Ulipooni Reserve are bounded by striking rugged mountains that add an otherworldly appeal to the whole place! Don’t forget to buy local products and souvenirs from the gift shops here before you leave.
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11. Idukki Arch Dam
Among all the famous tourist places in Vagamon, Idukki Arch Dam enjoys special recognition since it’s the highest dam in Asia!
In addition, its enthralling surroundings of the misty mountain peaks of Kurathi Mala and Kuravan Mala give it a magnetic appeal.
But what actually brings thousands of spectators to Asia’s highest dam year after year is the fact that you can look at the serene Periyar River far away from its massive height of 550 feet above sea level.
They find solace in the combined effect of the river flowing below and the lush greenery present all around Idukki Dam.
12. Vagamon Lake
Vagamon Lake is a tranquil lake snuggled in the midst of three green hills and lush tea estates making it one of the most picturesque Vagamon tourist places.
The verdant hills and expansive tea estates provide a stunning backdrop to this shimmering lake. Some of the activities you can enjoy here include fishing, boating, bamboo rafting, and trekking, among others.
The lake area is open for tourists from 8:30 AM to 6 PM every day. Tickets cost INR 10/- for adults and INR 5/- for kids and can be purchased at the lake entrance.
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13. Mundakayam Ghat
If you’re looking for idyllic Vagamon tourism destinations where you can sit and look at enchanting panoramas of green tea fields, Mundakayam Ghat is the perfect place for you.
In addition to its stunning panoramic views, many also choose Mundakayam Ghat for its picnic-perfect refreshing green surroundings, pleasing weather with year-round cool winds, and the activity of paragliding offered here!
Birdwatchers and ornithology enthusiasts also frequent this place as it turns into the home of migratory and endemic bird species in December and February.
14. Murinjapuzha Waterfalls
Another riveting aspect of Vagamon tourism destinations is its stunning waterfalls that’ll recharge your mind, body, and soul in an instant!
You should start with the Murinjapuzha Waterfalls, a prominent waterfall tucked in a remote corner 12 km away from the High Valley Resort.
Surrounded by lush greenery, moss-covered boulders, and an enchanting forest, Murinjapuzha Waterfalls is nothing short of a fairyland where you can have a fun picnic and refreshing dip!
You can also visit Maramala Waterfalls if time permits. Both of these reviving tourist places in Vagamon will make for an interesting excursion in the Western Ghats mountain range!
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15. Vagamon Orchid Garden
Vagamon Orchid Garden covers a whopping 15 hectares of land and is gradually becoming one of the most popular tourist attractions in Vagamon among visitors.
Vagamon Orchidarium is the first orchid garden in Kerala and a must-visit for lovers of flora. You can see more than 3,000 varieties of orchids in this place in late winter and spring, a sight that will leave you speechless!
With a landscape dipped in every hue in the color palette, the Orchid Garden of Vagamon is surely an impressive place to visit among other Vagamon tourism destinations.
Don’t forget to check out the meadows and ponds inside the garden that add a Zen vibe to the whole place! You can also buy your favorite orchids along with other natural products like spices, beeswax, and honey from its gift shop before leaving!
16. Peermade
During their reign in India, the British discovered the scenic hills of Peermade and decided to develop it as a tea processing zone.
Today, it stands as an important historical site with verdant tea fields swaying in the gentle winds and handsome European architecture exhibited in the buildings that still stand here.
You will find tea leaves of high quality here. Other than tea, you can also explore the coffee and cardamom plantations at your own pace.
Farmers also cultivate organic black pepper, white pepper, ginger, and turmeric in these fields among other spices that Kerala is famous for.
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Things to do in Vagamon
Having read about the various Vagamon tourism destinations must have given you an idea of how thrilling this little town in Kerala is!
Listed below are just a few of the fun activities in Vagamon that await your arrival! Check them out and add them to your itinerary.
- Paragliding in Mundakayam Ghat and Kolahalamedu offers bird’s-eye views of beautiful meadows and hills covered with tea plantations.
- You can enjoy rock climbing and mountaineering on Thangal Hill.
- Off-roading is another common activity near the pine forests of Uluppunni.
- Visit MASCO Tea Farms at Peermade to gather knowledge about tea processing and buy authentic tea.
- Driving through the Uluppunni tunnel is also thrilling for visitors!
- Many enjoy kayaking, boating, and rowing in Vagamon Lake.
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These Vagamon tourism destinations are the perfect getaway for people who wish to escape the blazing heat and chaos of metros and refresh their minds amid tranquil greenery. Plan your trip to Kerala with Iris Holidays and explore these fascinating Vagamon places whose beauty is sure to sweep you off your feet!
Frequently Asked Questions About Vagamon Tourism Destinations
How to reach Vagamon?
Vagamon is 103 km away from Cochin and 64 km from Kottayam, its closest railway station. It is readily accessible by road from Kottayam and Cochin.
What is the climate in Vagamon?
During most months, there is significant rainfall in Vagamon. The breezy weather and soft rain teemed with picturesque green landscape makes Vagamon the perfect romantic haven for couples. The temperature in Vagamon typically ranges from 10-20 degrees Celsius.
What is the famous food to eat in Vagamon?
Many famous restaurants in Vagamon are a part of its hotels and resorts. They offer delicious, authentic Kerala cuisine. Other restaurants in Vagamon offer typical Kerala fare like red rice, sambar, vegetables, and chicken curry, along with sumptuous north Indian dishes.
Is Vagamon worth visiting?
Vagamon is a fantastic getaway for those looking for a home in the lap of nature. For starters, it has serene pine forests, tea estates, waterfalls, rivers, streams, rose gardens, and spice plantations for visitors to explore. Some of the best Vagamon tourism destinations have been listed in this article.
