Christmas travel to Munnar and other 'chilly' spots of Idukki: Here's what you should know

December is already here, and Idukki has wrapped herself up in a thick blanket of smoky mist. If you are planning a trip during the holidays, then these are some of the places in Idukki you could visit and the details of the weather of these places.
Munnar @ 7 degrees Celsius
The temperature in Munnar plummets to 7 degrees Celsius at night. The hill station is likely to get colder in the coming days, too. On Wedneday morning, Munnar's Chenduvarai Estate had the lowest temperature of the year at 6 degree Celsius. In Munnar, it was 13 degrees.

Generally, the valleys and hills of the region get a blanket of frost in early January, and it also invites many tourists. However, you need to be careful while driving in these conditions. The roads can also have long traffic blocks during this time.
Route: The 41.78-kilometre stretch from Munnar to Bodimettu in the Kochi – Dhanushkodi national highway offers amazing views of lush tea plantations and scenery.

Marayoor
The Marayoor and Kanthalloor panchayats welcome tourists to enjoy the mesmerizing nature and beautiful winter evenings. This cold weather is likely to continue until the last week of January. Kanthalloor, which is located 1550 metres above sea level, hardly enjoys the sun now.
Meanwhile, the countryside, which is touted as the Kashmir of South, is known for its winter fruit and vegetable cultivation. Sunlight has become so scarce that the people in the locality light torches when they go out, even during the daytime. Meanwhile, hotels and resorts have begun bookings prior to the Christmas – New Year holiday season. Bramaram viewpoint, Irachilpara Waterfall and Kacharam Waterfall are some of the iconic spots in Kanthalloor.

Vagamon
The adventure park is the most amazing highlight at Vagamon now. The entry fee to the park which is managed by the DTPC is just Rs 25 per head. The glass bridge here has become the visitors’ favourite attraction. You could enjoy the mist as you begin to climb from Mundakkayam onwards.

The hotels and resorts in Vagamon are already fully booked. Pine forests and Ammachi Kottaram are other major attractions in Vagamon. Meanwhile, Parunthumpara which is just 10 kilometres away from Vagamon too has turned misty in December. Tourists flock to the view point to enjoy the panoramic views of the scintillating valley. Uluppuni Urumbulli, Pullikanam, Puthukad, Vadakkepirattu near Vagamon and Arappukad are some of the coldest places in Vagamon.

Thekkady
Although Kumily is slowly getting cold, the winter hasn’t completely set in due to the occasional drizzles. Meanwhile, tourists have been flocking Thekkady where hotels and resorts are fully booked. Boating in the lake is the highlight here. Lots of Sabarimala pilgrims from Tamil Nadu and North Indian states too visit these places. The number of local tourists may go up in the coming days when the holidays begin.

Ramakkalmedu
Cool breeze embraces the visitors who come to Ramakkalmedu in December. Amapara where you could enjoy cool breeze even during the harsh summer is near Ramakkalmedu. Meanwhile, the off-road jeep safari covering a few places in Ramakalmedu and Amappara has already become a hit among the tourists. You could enjoy the distant view of Theni district in Tamil Nadu from the Ramakkalmedu which is just 21 kilometres away from Kattapana. The entry fee is Rs 25 for adults and Rs 15 for children.

Calvary Mount
The misty hills of Calvary Mount are the perfect spot to shoot some dreamy reels for your social media handle. The Idukki Arch dam is 70 kilometres away from Thodupuzha. You need to reach the Patham Mile stop from Idukki Dam before travelling to the Calvary Mount. The dazzling waters of the Idukki Lake and the verdant mountains make this spot a traveller’s dream. Calvary Mount, meanwhile, is a prominent pilgrimage centre too.

Kakakada meadows: Kannimala Kakakada is near Rajamala in the Munnar – Marayoor route. The beautiful meadows near the Kannimala factory are just three kilometres from Munnar. The little drops of snow on the grass blades shine like crystal balls, celebrating the spirit of the holiday season.
Pothamedu View Point: The misty hills are only 1.5 kilometres from Munnar. Tourists often reach here early in the morning to enjoy the cool mist and beautiful views.

Lakshmi Estate: The estate on the Munnar–Mankulam road is just eight kilometres away from Munnar. Tourists often choose this spot to enjoy the charming winter of the hill station.
Chokkanad: Chokkanad is 1.5 kilometres away from the headworks dam. Although this is a major tourist spot in the district, wild animals are often spotted here.
Lakkad Estate: This is the coldest place in the district. You could enjoy the cool mist by riding through the Kochi – Dhanushkodi national highway.