Vandanmedu

Situated at an elevation of 4000 ft on the Western Ghats, Vandanmedu is a small hamlet in Idukki district in Kerala that offers a great rejuvenating escape from the hustle-bustle of the city life. Surrounded by lush green forests, tea and spice plantations, Vandanmedu mean ‘beetle shaped hill in Malayalam. Enriched with serene nature, this little slice of heaven near Thekaddy, a famous tourist attraction in Kerala, is popular as the largest cardamom producing region in the world.

Overview:

Located around 23 km from the Periyar, Vandanmedu is globally renowned for its sprawling cardamom and tea plantation. Lovingly known as the ‘queen of spices, Vendanmedu is one of the worlds largest auction centres for cardamom. Besides, cardamom and tea, a host of different other spice like nutmeg, clove, pepper, cinnamon etc are grown here in abundance. With greenery and serenity all around, this small hill station in Kerala is a great choice for romantic escape on long weekends.

What all you can do in Vandanmedu

Bestowed with mist-laden valleys, rolling hills, gushing streams and sprawling plantation, Vandanmedu is a good place for adventure activities like trekking and rock climbing. Besides, strolling and nature walking amidst the meadow, you can opt for guided tours through the long stretches of cardamom cultivation in Vendanmedu. Tourists can also plan a visit to one of the many tea factories in Vandanmedu to learn how tea is processed after cultivation.

Nearby tourist attractions:

Two most popular tourist attractions near Vandanmedu are Thekkady and Periyar Tiger Reserve. Situated at a distance of 22 km from Vandanmedu, Thekkady is a perfect destination for nature lovers. Blessed with dense green vegetation, lakes and varied wildlife, Thekkady is known as the eastern gateway to Kerala.

Located in the district Idukki, Periyar Tiger Reserve is a must-visit destination for wildlife enthusiasts. Enriched with great scenic beauty, this park is notable as Bengal tiger and Asia elephant reserve. Some other important tourist places near this hill station are Murikkady, Pandikuzhi, Gavi, Mangaladevi Temple and Chellarkoil.

How to reach

Located on the Thekkady-Munnar highway, Vandanmedu is easily reachable by road. It is well connected with bus and taxi from Thekkady, Munnar and Kumily. While Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport to Vandanmedu, the most convenient railhead from this hill station is Kottayam Railway Station. Private cabs and buses are easily available from the airport and station to reach Vandanmedu.

Accommodation

The sight of luxurious greenery and richly grown plantations in Vandanmedu will delight a visitor in no time. From posh hotels, budget resorts to affordable guest houses, a wide range of accommodations are available in this pretty hill station to cater to the different budget and requirements of tourists.

If you are planning a holiday to Thekkady or Munnar and willing to spend a few days in leisure away from hustle-bustle, you can customise your vacation and add this hill station to your itinerary design. However, to enjoy your vacation in the most convenient and hassle-free way, you can opt for a customized Kerala package from a reputed tour organizing company and include Vandanmedu in your itinerary.