PONMUDI

Ponmudi (Malayalam: പൊന്മുടി)(The Golden Peak) is a hillstation in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala in South India. Its located 61 km north-east of Trivandrum city at an altitude of 1100 m. It is a part of the Western Ghats mountain range that runs parallel to the Arabian Sea.

Tourism

Ponmudi is connected to Trivandrum by a narrow winding road offering scenic views on the way to Ponmudi. The climate is pleasant year-round. Trivandrum serves as a base for trekking and hiking. There are also tea gardens in the area.

Other attractions near Ponmudi include Golden Valley and a number of rivulets and rapids, some even across the road. The lush forest area has tropical vegetation. A variety of wildlife inhabit the hills. The Golden Valley offers vistas of the hills and access to the Kallar river. Flowing though a wilderness area, it has rounded pebbles, cool water, fish, and lush green trees.

Another attraction in the region is Agasthyarkoodam, one of the highest peaks in the Western Ghats, with the highest peak at 1868 m. This peak is famous for its wilderness, and can be accessed only with the Forest Department's permission. Meenmutty Falls is also a famous attraction in the area.

Hotel Golden Peak in the upper sanitorium under Kerala Tourism Development Corporation(KTDC) is the only hotel available for stay in Ponmudi.Due to its proximity to the main city of Trivandrum and lack of accommodation options tourists usually prefer to stay in the city and make a one day trip to Ponmudi though the early morning scenery especially during the winter season is worth feeling.

[edit]Directions

Winter evening in Ponmudi

• Nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport.
• Nearest railway station is Trivandrum Central.
• Nearest Bus Stations Nedumangad and Vithura. KSTRC buses to Ponmudi from either Thiruvananthapuram (Thampanoor) or from Nedumangad (Ponmudi is the nearest hill station 65 km from Thiruvananthapuram^[1]).
• There are sign boards along the route from Trivandrum, which lead the traveler to Ponmudi.
• Ponmudi is near to Braimore, which is also a tourist place.
• In Ponmudi there are lots of peaks, one of which is Motta peak, which is a famous for trekking.
• Ponmudi is under Peringammala Village, around 36 km from Peringammala.
• A deer park and a wireless station is also there in Upper sanitorium.

KSRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) operates daily bus service from Trivandrum to Ponmudi.Some of the services go up to upper sanitorium and usually takes up to 4 hours to reach(one way).The services are sometimes disrupted by landslides and bad condition of roads.

How to Reach

Air     : Thiruvananthapuram International Airport about 67 km. Rail    : Thiruvananthapuram central, about 61 km