[sj_koova]

This time the drive home was most rewarding for my photography thirst.
I made it a point that I will not miss a chance to drive through the hilly parts of Idukki district, more precisely the Vagamon hill station.

For some of you who do not know about Vagamon,

Vagamon is a beautiful and unexploited hill station (a small town) on the border of Idukki and Kottayam district in Kerala.

Quite recently there is a buzz about resorts and stay in and around Vagamon, or else this was kind of an unknown land to many.

One of the main attraction in Vagamon is the drive itself through the tea gardens and walk through lush green meadows.


About KK road,
This road starts from the plains of Kottam town and goes all the way to Kumali (Thekkadi). The road is well laid and the drive is really enchanting as you move closer to Kumali.

Vagamon can be reached from KK road or from the Palai town in Kottayam.

Now about my drive.
I have been to Vagamon countless times since from school days. But everytime I feel so refreshed seeing the richness in green around this place.
This time I did not have much time to spend, so I decided to quickly drive around some of the roads in Vagamon and click as much as possible.
But the weather was not so welcoming. It was raining cats and dogs and I hardly got chance to get out of my car.
However the view with mix of mist and green was so mesmerizing.

I will leave it to my photos to speak rest of my story.

The climb starts. On the way to Vagamon


Wild flowers on the way


More like the base camp where you get the first glance of Vagamon hills


Zoom a bit and you can see many small waterfalls


A state transport bus plying on this hill roads


The way up or down


Mountain roads unwinding


View of the viewpoint on the way


A closer look at the viewpoint


View from viewpoint and almost there



Now if I say this is what welcomes you even before you reach Vagamon. Guess what the real Vagamon is!

[Fordmanchau]

Hi SJ KOOVA,
some very nice photographs there,do put all the photographs you have clicked. The monsoon has it effects on the green. It just looks so soothing all around with fog and greenery. Really enchanting

[benbsb29]

Lovely pics! Makes me want to just drive to my wife's place which is in Mundakkayam. Is that the same route to get to Panchalimedu?

Among the best times to drive on KK Road is during the Sabarimala season when the roads are relaid to welcome the Sabarimala traffic. Watch out for the crazy private buses on that stretch, though. One took off my car's ORVM when my wife was driving.

[jithudigitised]

It was also raining heavily when we went there.we could only see the roads upto 5-6 mtrs infront of us.Since my swift doesn't have the fog lamps,it was nightmare.

But the drive was really thrilling.hmm

Put all the pictures man.Let us enjoy the greenery.

So you leave in some place near to vagamon ?

[sj_koova]

Now since we have reached Vagaon, let me take you through some of the roads in Vagamon. None of them are specific tourist spots. I just stopped my car whenever I could see some nice frame through the windshield.

View towards Pine Valley



Halted at this resort for Lunch. Tasty chicken Biriyani and view around



Close look at the pond



Good spot to relax after lunch



Zoom a bit



It is afternoon and the rains brings more fog around.



And it is spreading faster than I expected



Had to halt until it cleared up. And then I realized that I should give a chance to my car as well



And to the tea leaves

[sj_koova]

My M

Originally Posted by Fordmanchau

Hi SJ KOOVA,
some very nice photographs there,do put all the photographs you have clicked. Really enchanting

Thanks. It is really a treat for eyes

Originally Posted by benbsb29

Lovely pics!

Among the best times to drive on KK Road is during the Sabarimala season

Thanks. I would avoid the KK road during Sabarimala season. By the way the roads are in excellent condition now also.

Originally Posted by jithudigitised

It was also raining heavily when we went there.we could only see the roads upto 5-6 mtrs infront of us.Since my swift doesn't have the fog lamps,it was nightmare.


So you leave in some place near to vagamon ?

I too halted for sometime due to thick fog.
My hometown is 50km away from Vagamon. I just to take a deviation when I drive to my wife's place.

[jkdas]

sj; beautiful pix. And yes the roads are sexy. I remember taking Changry route on my way up and took another route to drive down.

[jango]

Vagamon used to be a hot pick for a few of us when in college. Still remember those old Pre-Degree days riding all the way to Vagamon for some nice kalleee :-)

[mjothi]

Beautiful pics. Grean means kerala. So pleasant for the eyes. Definitely refreshing.

I have been to Vagamon countless times since from school days. But everytime I feel so refreshed seeing the richness in green around this place.

So, you fully refreshed and ready for Sep 12th

[hvkumar]

Great place and photos! What were the distance coordinates and times taken? Are there good hotels to stay in Vagamon?

[sj_koova]

Originally Posted by mjothi

Beautiful pics. Grean means kerala. So pleasant for the eyes. Definitely refreshing.



So, you fully refreshed and ready for Sep 12th

Oh. yeah, all set for 12th.
Would you make any last min plans?

[sj_koova]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Great place and photos! What were the distance coordinates and times taken? Are there good hotels to stay in Vagamon?

If you are entering Kerala via Palakkad, continue on NH-47 till Angamali.
Divert (turn left) from Angamali to Muvatupuzha via SH-1 - 35km - Excellent road
Divert (turn left) from Muvatupuzha to Thodupuzha - 20km - Excellent road
Divert from Thodupuzha to Erattupetta - 29km - good road
Vagamon is 40km from Erattupetta, that takes less than 1 hour. - good road


If you are entering Kerala via Kumily, continue on NH220 (KK road) till Peermade - 40km - Excellent road
Turn right for Vagamon from Peermade - 39km - good road

If you are coming from Kottayam or Ernakulam, reach Palai and then Erattupetta. Take Vagamon route from Erattupetta.


About hotels, yes there are few now. The place I halted for lunch was a very nice place. Room rates are between 2000-3000 though.

There and few more smaller resorts. Vagamon never gets so crowded. So getting a stay will not be a problem.

[sj_koova]

Few more from Vagamon,

And that was the rain holding me back on car seat all the time



Could not get out, so one through the windshield



A small water reservoir, again through the windshield



Again the fog is back.



Finally the fog clears up for few min and I give another chance to my car.


With this I decided to say good bye to Vagamon as it was getting darker by 4PM itself, and the fog density was increasing.

Had some hot tea, made of the local tea leaves and drove my car down to the valleys through the dense fog.

Next day I took the KK road (now NH220) to Kumily and then to Bangalore.
Again the drive was pleasant and view was soothing.

[Majic]

SJ koova, Asbolutelty wonderful pictures, most of them are a collectors piece, which can be taken for preperation of postcards. How do i get to Vagamon from Changanacherry? Do i have to go to Pala -Erattupetta or the way to Kumily?

[ranjitp1]

Lovely photographs.Loved all of them.but the best of the lot for me was the one with the KSRTC bus nestled in between the greens.the contrast was excellent.