KOCHI: When it comes to one-day travel, people in Kochi run out of choices. Their outings get limited to places which they must have visited many times. But Ernakulam district does have tourist spots that would warm the cockles of an adventurer’s heart. However, they remain untapped thanks to poor promotion.
These places need to be promoted, says Ramhari Narayan, a camp organiser and manager of IT, Bharat Scouts and Guides of India. An avid traveller, Ramhari says, “Lesser known wonders get buried under the hype and hoopla created by the promoters of the big and fancy places."
"The fear that these hidden natural wonders may meet the same tragic fate of their well known counterparts force the authorities, especially forest department, from advertising them,” says Ramhari.
Kochi Express highlights some of the lesser known tourist spots in and around the city.
Paniyeli Poru
The river here called a killer. “The water looks calm and steady, but if someone steps into it they get sucked away due to the many natural tunnels present underwater,” said Ramhari. Quite a few have lost their lives here. Alex Abraham, a local, says, “The dead include Navy personnel.” According to him, the trick is to follow the flow of the current. “People have the tendency to swim back to the place where they left their clothes even if the current is pulling them in the opposite direction,” says Alex, “You should neither resist the pull nor panic. Swim in the direction of the current and get off.”
Distance: 56.3km via Aluva-Munnar Road
Transportation: KSRTC, private buses
Risk Factors: Dangerous waters
Safety Measures: Life guards
Additional Interests: Illithodu, Panampoyi river
Inchathotty Hanging Bridge
Longest hanging bridge in Kerala built by KEL. Has an overall length of 183 metres and is 4 feet wide. The bridge, which connects Inchathotty and Thattekkad (Veliyachal), is more of a necessity for the residents than a centre of attraction.
DTPC has decided to add Inchathotty Hanging Bridge to the 2017 Tourism Brochure after they came to know about it from ‘Express’. The DTPC general manager said,”We were not aware of this place before. It definitely fulfills the criteria and will be included.”
Distance: 75km from Ernakulam
Transportation: KSRTC, private vehicle
Risk Factors: Wild animals can be often seen drinking water nearby the bridge during early hours.
Additional attraction: Drive through the forest to get to Inchattotty, Kudirakuthu
waterfall, Thattekad, Bhoothathankettu
Pooyamkutty
Pooyamkutty river and the surrounding forests make it a scenic spot to have a picnic. Pulimurugan, the trend-setting movie was shot here. The forests here provide ample opportunity for trekking.
Distance: 60.9km via Aluva-Munnar Road
Transportation: KSRTC bus available
Risk Factors: Pooyamkutti river floods the bridge during rainy season. Threat of wild elephants.
Safety measures: Require permission from the Forest Department to cross the bridge and enter the forest.
Nearby interests: Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, Kuttampuzha, Urulanthanni (perfect for bird watching), Bhoothathankettu Dam, Idamalayar Dam, Peendimedu waterfall.
Illithode
A tourist eco spot located near Malayattoor Church. The main attraction is Periyar flowing through the forest. Filmmakers love this location. There is an off road track between Idamalayar and Illithodu which is open only during the holy week which commences from March to April.
Distance: 47 km via Aluva-Munnar Road
Transportation: KSRTC, private buses
Risk Factors: Strong undercurrents
Additional Interests: Boating, Malayattoor Church, Bhoothathankettu, Kodanad elephant training centre and sanctuary (elephant rides too are available)
Idamalayar
An amazing drive covering 10 to 15 km of lush green land surrounded by forests will take a visitor to Idamalayar dam. The route to be taken is the road connecting Bhoothathankettu dam and Idamalayar Dam. Motor mud racing takes place here. It is a hub for elephants. No nearby restaurants available.
Distance: 36km via Kodamangala
Transportation: Bus
Risk factors: Elephants
Additional interests: Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, Kuttampuzha, Urulanthanni (perfect for bird watching), Bhoothathankettu Dam, Idamalayar Dam also a drive through the forest.
Ezhattumugham
Also known as the ‘nature village’. The shallow river has the Ezhattumugham check dam on it. This check dam was built when the Chalakudy river was split into two for irrigation purposes. A hanging bridge connects Ezhattumugham and Thumboomuzhi.
Ayyampuzha road takes a visitor to the plantation of PCM Ltd. The ideal time is visit is between September to February due to the increased water in the waterfall. Waterfall can only be visited between 8am and 6pm.
Distance: 47.2km via Aluva-Munnar road
Transportation: KSRTC, Self-drive
Risk Factors: Risky waters (swimming prohibited)
Additional interests: Athirapally-Vazhachal waterfalls, check dam, hanging bridge which connects Ezhattumugham and Thumboomuzhi.
Edavanakkad Beach
Located between Cherai beach and Fort Kochi. A clean beach surrounded by a line of trees with a must watch sunset. You also get to taste fresh, tasty fish.
Distance: 23.3 km via
Vypin-pallipuram road
Transportation: Bus, Cab, self drive
Risk Factors: No life guards
Nearby interests: Portuguese Azhikotta Fort, Puthuvype lighthouse, more beaches
Mamalakandam
A forest area and a 4/4 (off-road) trekking spot. The view from the top is beautiful with parts of Munnar visible. The place is not being promoted due to the presence of the tribal community here. “The motor vehicles and traffic may disturb the adivasis who reside here,” said Sheik Haider Hussain, DFO Malayattoor. “They might complain,” he told Express.
Distance: 86km via Aluva-Munnar Road
Transportation: Self-drive (4/4 vehicles)
Risk Factors: Wild animal attack, trekking by foot, which is impossible, and by bike is extremely dangerous and not advised.
Safety Measures: Entry restricted
Nearby Interests: Inchathotty