Vagamon, often known as the Scotland of Asia, lies on the border of the districts of Idukki and Kottayam in the southern state of Kerala. Located at an enviable height of 1100 metres above Mean Sea Level, this hill station is a haven of tranquility.

History:

There are no historical monuments at Vagamon except the ashram at Kurisumala. Vagamon is essentially a place where natural beauty abounds and one can witness the hand of the Creator in shaping the valleys, cliffs and unbelievable rock formations

Best For:

Vagamon is gaining popularity due to its various trekking opportunities and is being promoted by the Kerala government as the new destination for adventure sports and eco-tourism.

Since Vagamon is a hill station, the temperatures rarely rises above 25 C and it is cool throughout the year. In fact, a stay here is recommended for those recovering from ailments. Vagamon can be visited at any time of the year, leaving out the months of June, July and August, when it is battered by the Southeast monsoon winds. During this wet spell, most of the roads are inaccessible and life almost comes to a stand still in this area.

 Foreign currency can be changed at the three international airports of Kerala, namely, Thiruvanantapuram, Cochin and Calicut. Some of the home stays and hotels of Vagamon also offer this service.

Vagamon can be reached by travelling up to Kottayam by train and then proceeding by bus or by a pre booked taxi.

AIr
The airports in Kerala are well connected to the major cities of India, with most domestic carriers plying daily.

International Flight:

Flights from most of the cities around the world operate to Thiruvantapuram, Cochin and Calicut, the three international airports of Kerala.  Flights from some Middle East countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia, operate on a daily basis. Emirates Airlines  follows the UK- Dubai-Kerala route while Air Sri Lanka flies UK- Colombo- Kerala.

 Road
Vagamon is accessible by road from Cochin, which is a hundred kms away and from Kottayam- 64 kms away. Eratupetta is the nearest KSRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) stand.

Train 
Vagamon does not have a railway station. The nearest railway station is at Kottayam at a distance of 64 kms.

Getting Around – Trekking
Vagamon is a trekker’s paradise with its hills and rocky areas. There are hundreds of virgin routes to be tried out and each one is more beautiful than the other.

Waterfalls and the Ravine – there is a beautiful lake and its catchment area with grassy hillocks on one side and the cliff on the other.

Rocky Outcrop – this is a steep rocky hill tract, ideal for adventure activities such as trekking, paragliding and rock climbing.

Kurisumala Ashram is located in the heart of the Sahyadri hills. It is a rare place where one can witness a combination of Christian beliefs, Gandhian thought and Indian spiritualism. It was established by John, a Belgian by birth, but Indian citizen since 1968. The monks lead an austere life of chastity, concentrating on manual labour and meditation. The most important feature of the ashram is the prevalent silence, which is believed to be the strength of all seekers of truth. The ashram has the largest dairy in the area. Milk and honey form the means of livelihood for the monks.

Teekoy is a small village on the hills of Vagamon. It has its own waterfall – the Marmala fall which gurgles down the rocky slopes amid the thousands of colourful flowers. It is famous for its trekking routes.

The Teekoy – Cherripad- Ayyampara route is extremely challenging as it is a rocky area of cliffs, caves and rock formations.
Ayyampara is one of the favourite spots here where one can see up to a distance of 75 kms on a clear night. A rare plant called the Neelakoduvelli, which is supposed to have life giving properties, grows atop the Illickan hill.

Murugan – there is a majestic temple replete with carvings atop the Murugan hill. It is dedicated to Lord Murugan, the God of Destruction.

Thangalpara hill is a Muslim pilgrimage centre as it has the mausoleum of Sheikh Fariduddin, visited by many devotees.

 

Vagamon Hide Out is located 5 kms from the town of Vagamon. It is a romantic eco-friendly SAJ heritage resort spread over 25 acres of pristine environment.

Vanilla County is a plantation home stay near the origin of the Meenachil River, a two hour drive by car from Cochin. Guests are treated to a plantation and spice tour through the vanilla, pepper, coffee and rubber plantations.

Summer Sand is located close to the pine forests. It offers a multi-cuisine restaurant and Ayurvedic spa

Ananya Hill Resorts is set in ten acres of lush green foliage. It has deluxe and standard cottages built in an eco-friendly manner using local materials.

Vagamon Heights is a luxury hotel surrounded by tea estates and meadows. 

Most of the hotels and resorts take visitors to allotted places in order to purchase spices, tea, coffee and local handicrafts.

Peerumedu is a hill resort, 915 metres above Mean Sea Level in the Western Ghats. It takes its name from Peer Mohammed, a Sufi saint.  Located at a distance of 85 kms from Kottayam, this was once the secluded summer retreat of the dynasty of Travancore. Visitors can tour the famous tea factories in Pattumala and visit the renowned Velamkany Matha Church and flower gardens.

The hill station of Munnar, derives its name from the Malayalam words ‘mun’ meaning  three and ‘aaru’ meaning streams’ because its location at the confluence of three mountain streams. Munnar was once the summer capital of the British, during the times of the ‘raj’. It is famous for its sprawling tea estates, picture postcard towns and winding lanes and hills. It has the Anamudi, the highest peak in south India, which is frequented by trekkers.

Idukki, at a height of 2500 feet above Mean Sea Level, derives its name from the Malayalam word ‘idukku’ meaning ‘narrow gorge’. It has the largest population of tribals in the area, with their unique customs and beliefs.

Thekkady, picturesquely located in Kerala’s highlands and home to the renowned Periyar Tiger Reserve, with its unspoilt tropical forests and its incredible wealth of animal and plant life, is the perfect example of nature’s bounty and rich bio-diversity. It is the finest reserve for the Asiatic Elephant and one of the 27 tiger reserves of India. The sanctuary is set around the artificial lake formed by building a dam around the Periyar River. There are stumps and branches of the dead trees in the lake, giving it a fossilized appearance. 

Recommended Circuits:

Vagamon can be visited on way from Kottayam to Thekkady or on way to Sabarimala from Idukki.

 

Vagamon serves as the ideal holiday destination for those who want to get away from the daily grind of city life as its natural beauty is unadulterated by human encroachment. Many eco-friendly projects are being initiated to develop the area. Most of the resorts here follow the LIFE or Less Intensive Farming Environment approach to maintain and increase the long term fertility of the soil. Rotation and diversification of crops is carried out and farming is viewed as a holistic unit so there is a lot to be learnt by visiting Vagamon.