Visiting Pathanamthitta? Don't miss these pristine forests

Crowned with a forest canopy over half of its area, Pathanamthitta should be the ideal destination for an adventure tourist. A trip through the district means abundance of opportunity to get to know in detail about the lush green and little known landscapes.

Pathanamthitta has tropical biodiversity with forest, plantations, rivers and fertile land and is rich in flora and fauna. The forests of the district have excellent wild life habitats. A variety of animals and birds such as tigers, elephants, gaur, deer and monkeys are found in the forests. Let's have a look at some of the hot spots in Pathanamthitta for an adventure-loving traveller.

1. Gavi: a pristine rendezvous of destination and destiny | Video

Gavi leads the list of the latest sensations among the jungle junkies of Kerala. Any trip to Gavi, located nearly 100 kilometers from Pathanamthitta, a district in the central Travancore region of Kerala, will unravel destiny's miraculous paths to the discerning traveler.

Gavi is a pilgrimage of a different mold, where you can hit diverse trails. Unsolicited spotlights fell on Gavi as a tourist destination after Ordinary, a Malayalam movie starring Kunchacko Boban and Biju Menon, hit the silver screen. The booking counter for regulated trips through the range opens at 8.30 am at the tourism center of Gootrikal forest range office in Angamoozhy.

The picture of calmness is not entirely true, you would realise the moment you cross the forest checkpoints at Vallakkadavu or Angamoozhi. This is a deep forest where wild animals prowl.

2. Adavi: Round and round, on a coracle

Adavi in Pathanamthitta is a perfect one-day trip from anywhere in Kerala. Located around seven kilometers from Konni, which is famous for its elephant training center, the route to Adavi cuts through forests and hilly roads.

The wildlife on the move, especially monkeys and birds, will keep you engaged throughout the twists and turns of the journey. The major attraction of Adavi eco-tourism center is the coracle rafting aka bowl-boat riding on Kallar river.

3. Aluvamkudi: the not-so-famous tourist spot near Gavi

Aluvamkudi is a place that can quench your adventurous as well as spiritual thirsts. Centuries-old Aluvamkudi temple in the woods and its surrounding areas hold out immense potential for eco-tourism. Apart from the temple, the area in the Ranni forest division is noted for its biodiversity, hills, meadows, water falls and forest scenery.

It is believed that Aluvamkudi was one of the most important temples in central Travancore in the ancient times. Attractive sights in the area also include Randattumoozhi, which is part of the Irattakallar project, Kottapara hills, which belongs to the temple, Nanatupara Mala (hill), Annan Thampi Medu, Therirangya para etc. These are all within three km distance from the temple. Kallar river originates from the small hills near Randattumoozhi.

4. The elephant chronicles from Konni

Ten kilometers out of Pathanamthitta, on the way to Kumbazha, you see the sign board to Konni. And Konni is famous for its 'Aana koodu'  or the elephant training camp. A trip here is a must if you love elephants.

A crowd of spectators gathers from early morning at the nine-acre wide premises of Elephant Camp. The Konni Elephant Camp is part of the Eco-friendly tourist map of Kerala Forest Department.

5. Perumthenaruvi Falls will lure you

Perumthenaruvi meanders through the villages of Vechuchira-Naranammoozhi in Ranni, Pathanamthitta. It takes on a different dimension once it reaches Edathikavu Kayam. From there the river cascades down through a series of small waterfalls and finally takes an almost 60ft plunge at Perumthenaruvi Waterfalls.

The reserve forest on the other bank adds to the lush greenery. The DTPC has plans for setting up cottages at Perumthenaruvi.

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