Set in the heart of the serene Cumbum Valley, Harvest Fresh Farms is flanked by mountains that kiss the clouds with streams gushing down its slopes and lush farmlands. A short 15 minute drive down the windward side of Kumily.
Air Condition
24 hrs hot water
Generator back up
Rates are inclusive of Bed & Breakfast
TV, living room, kitchenette, dining room, fridge, board games, library shelf, magazine, doctor on call, housekeeping,
Set in the heart of the serene Cumbum Valley, Harvest Fresh Farms is flanked by mountains that kiss the clouds with streams gushing down its slopes and lush farmlands. A short 15 minute drive down the windward side of Kumily.
Air Condition
24 hrs hot water
Generator back up
Rates are inclusive of Bed & Breakfast
TV, living room, kitchenette, dining room, fridge, board games, library shelf, magazine, doctor on call, housekeeping,
Set in the heart of the serene Cumbum Valley, Harvest Fresh Farms is flanked by mountains that kiss the clouds with streams gushing down its slopes and lush farmlands. A short 15 minute drive down the windward side of Kumily.
Air Condition
24 hrs hot water
Generator back up
Rates are inclusive of Bed & Breakfast
TV, living room, kitchenette, dining room, fridge, board games, library shelf, magazine, doctor on call, housekeeping,
Language | English, Malayalam, Tamil & Hindi |
Currency | Indian Rupee |
Climate | Warm summer (Feb to May), 30-36 ° C Tropical monsoon (June to Sep), 26-32 ° C Mild winter (Oct to Jan), 18-28 ° C |
Clothing | Light cottons in Summer Light woollens in winter |
It is a beautiful valley with luxurious green fields; you simply cannot miss the lush paddy, swaying coconut trees, vineyards bursting with green gems and the beautiful vegetables and spice plantation that are around year long. Abundant water from the Periyar River makes the Cumbum valley the most fertile valley in South India.
A major market place for cardamom, coffee, tea and black pepper, grapes has also managed to grow itself as the main produce of the district. The unique feature is that the grapes are harvested throughout the year.
When you have such beautiful produce that is available, then one should not miss the farmers’ market that is held between 5:30 am and 11 am daily. Join the locals as they shop for their daily necessities, take in the smell of fresh juicy vegetables and fruits that the farmers bring in to sell at government regulated prices. Garlic, Onion, Tomato, Okra, Beans, Carrot and Green chilies are the popular vegetables and you can see them all sitting in glorious sight to satiate the people from Kerala and Tamil Nadu who flock to buy their produce here both in wholesale and for domestic use.
This is a short ride from Thekkady, Kumily and a visit well worth its time & effort for those staying in Thekkady or near the Periyar Tiger Reserve. The stalls vibrate with organised commitment and enthusiasm to sell the finest; what better way than to assemble, exchange notes, discuss friends and families and make some money on a fine morning.
For a meandering tourist like me who comes from the dusty grime filled city, this place was a burst of colours. Red tomatoes were so luscious that I wanted to bite into them then and there; the greens are really green and not withering and parched for water but tenderly plucked and waiting for the right buyer.
Munching a golden gooseberry so divine I couldn’t resist chatting up with this lady sitting under this massive banyan tree with a portrait of Lord Shiva selling condiments and various odds and ends that you usually buy for a puja at home. Like so many bazaars I couldn’t give a miss to this quintessential chai wala and his bondas and vadas. The hot tea upped my adventure quotient for sure.
How green is my valley you ask, it is as green as you make it I say.
Water the elixir of life is essential to our existence. As fresh water resources are unevenly distributed, water is becoming a very valuable resource. Various initiatives are been undertaken by the governments to evenly distribute this natural resource to make lives simple. One such story that comes to mind is that of the hardship faced by the people of Cumbum valley. Situated near the Western Ghats, the valley lies in a rain shadow area and remains arid and dry for most part of the year. Peopleinitially were small and very small farmers – depending on the wells in their fields for cultivation. With the repeated failure of the monsoons, people were forced to seek alternate employment to earn their livelihood.
The waters of Mullaperiyar of Kerala were then diverted to irrigate the drought prone districts of Tamil Nadu during the legacy of the British based on the Periyar lease deed. This interstate project today serves as a source of water and hydel power to the entireTheni District of Tamil Nadu.
Benefitted by the water supply,Cumbam valley is fast growing as a tourist destination for its unique spice gardens and many picnic spots. In order to keep the entire valley green the government has been implementing several schemes like the 18th canal scheme for the benefit of farmers and development of agriculture in and around the area. The Mullaiperiyar water passing through 18th canal is stored in 44 irrigation tanks and distributed for irrigation. Such measures will not only enhance groundwater table but recharge irrigation wells as well.
Today these tanks are filled to the brim thanks to the heavy rains in Kerala,thus fulfilling the long felt need of these villages.
Located in Idukki district of Kerala, at an altitude of 900-1800 m above sea level, Thekaddy is home to the richly bio-diverse PeriyarTiger Reserve. Lying on the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, it is closely related to India’s largest wildlife sanctuary and a dream destination for any tourist visiting India. Situated 190 kms from Cochin and it takes approximately 5 hours to reach there.
Lying close to the plantations, in the rich jungles of Periyar in Thekkady is one of the world's most fascinating natural wildlife reserves - the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Covering 777 sq. kilometres, of which 360 sq. kilometres is thick evergreen forest; the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978.Nature Walk, Border Hiking, Bamboo Rafting, Jungle Patrol, Tribal Heritage, Jungle Inn, The Bamboo Grove, Green Mansions and Bullock cart ride are the various eco-tourism programmes at the Reserve. Bookings done in Periyar Tiger Reserve- Eco Tourism Tel: 91-4869-222027 Entry timing: 0600 - 1800 hrs
Timings: 0700, 0930, 1130, 1400, 1600 hrs. The Forest Department (Ph:322028) and the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. (Ph: 322023) conduct boating trips from Thekkady.
This ancient temple is hidden in the dense woods at the top of a peak 1,337 metres above sea level. Built in the traditional Kerala style of architecture, this place is open to the public only once in a year during the ChitraPoornima festival. The peak commands a panoramic view of the eastern slopes of the Ghats and some gorgeous hill villages of Tamil Nadu. Permission to visit the area can be obtained from the Wildlife Warden, Thekkady (Ph.0486-322027)
Inhale and exhale the lovely scents on this tour, as you visit the tea, coffee, cardamom, pepper and orange plantations, along with the stunning Anayirangal Dam.
Thekkady is a lovely place to indulge in trekking. Kurisumala, Pullumedu and Ottakathalamedu near Kumily and Grampi near Vandiperiyar are ideal trekking places. One can also take the Forest Department daily treks from the boat landing station at Thekkady to the Nellikkampetty area and Manakkavala.Booking can be made with the Wildlife Preservation Officer, Thekkady (Ph:0486-322027, 322028)
One can take elephant rides through the jungle and really enjoy the beauty that is Thekkady. The Forest Department, Thekkady offers facilities for elephant rides through the jungle. Time: 1000 - 1700 hrs. Tickets are available from the Wildlife Information Counter. Ph:0486-322028
An eco-tourist spot in Kerala and a must see place for its natural scenic beauty untainted by modernity.
Three hours of trekking programme along with an experience guide who will take the group to a slight trekking adventure across the hills and jungle of Gavi.
Tourist visiting Gavi can enjoy the sight of wildlife in their natural habitat through Jeep safaris. Gavi is a home to over 260 species of birds including the great pied hornbill, woodpecker, and kingfishers.
Go boating on the crystal clear Gavi reservoir and Kochupamba to take home memory of a lifetime that remains as clear as the Gavilake. Row boating facility is available at Gavi. Tourist wearing lifejackets is a must. Rowing along the emerald hued natural backdrop is a welcome change from everyday monotony. Get adventurous spirit at Gavi.
Gavi is a fertile land and the local’s mastery over the land has blessed the land with vegetation.
A leisure visit to the nearby cardamom plantation, tea estate and the local factory is a sight to behold.
Gavi is 28 kms south west of Vandiperiyar, a town in N.H 220 the highway connecting Kollam and Madurai, which itself is 14 kms from Kumily,near Thekkady.
Entry passes must be obtained from the Forest Check Post enroute at Vallakkadavu. Advance booking with the Kerala Forest Development Corporation Ltd.
is highly appreciable wherein such formalities will be taken care of by the Company itself.
The charms of Vagamon hill station is peacefully nested in the border of Idukki-Kottayam district in Kerala at an altitude of 1100 meters from the sea level. Gentle breeze, rain drop, golden hue, dense virgin forest, meandering rivulets, cascading waterfalls and verdant greenery from pine trees and meadows are the astonishing colors of Vagamon.
It is a popular Christian pilgrim and community for spiritual seekers. Kurisumala is well known for pure honey and milk production.
Vagamon lake is amazingly surrounded by the mist covered mountains and lush greenery. Boat ride in this lake is most loved activity among tourists.
The picturesque surrounding beauty makes trekking routes more interesting . Paragliding is another adrenaline pumping activity to be enjoyed.
This sleepy little hamlet with its breathtaking view of the plains and cascading waterfalls is a veritable feast for the eyes. The village slopes down to the famous coconut groves of Cumbum in neighbouring Tamil Nadu. A must visit.
The meandering journey to this hill town, along the Periyar River, offers a stunning view of the rolling hills draped in lush greenery. The famous SreeAyyappa Temple at Sabarimala and the MakaraJyothi illumination at the shrine are also visible from here. Since it is part of the restricted forest zone, special permission to visit Pullumedu has to be obtained from the Wildlife Preservation Officer, Thekkady Ph:0486-322027 or the Range Officer, Vallakkadavu Ph:0486-352515
-KadathanadanKalari Centre at Thekkady Road, Kumily, PH:9961740868/9447023755/04869-222988, kadathanadankalari@gmail.com
-Mudra Cultural CentreatLake Road, ThekkadyPhone: +91 4869222303 / +91 9446072901 / +91 9446082901, mudrakathakali@gmail.com
Harvest Fresh Farms is located at Lower Camp in the serene Cumbum Valley, a short 15 minute drive fromKumily,Thekkady, Kerala.Cumbum Valley is a beautiful valley with plush green agricultural fields, cultivated mostly of paddy, coconut, vineyards and other rotational crops. Thekkady is well connected by road from all the major towns of Kerala. The farm is strategically located close to the famous Periyar Tiger Reserve.
Cochin International Airport: 190 Kms. Thiruvananthapuram International Airport: 267 Kms. Madurai: 140 Kms. The airports are well-connected with all major cities in India and abroad. The best way to get to Thekkady from any airport is by hiring a cab.
Kottayam: 114 Kms. Ernakulam: 190 Kms. Madurai: 135 Kms. The nearest railway station to Thekkady is Kottayam, located 114 kilometres away.You can hire a cab from Kottayam to get to Thekkady, or even board a government or private run bus.
The most inexpensive way to get to Thekkady from nearby cities like Cochin, Trivandrum and Kottayam are the government or private run buses. Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses are available at regular intervals from Kottayam, Cochin and Trivandrum to Thekkady. There are frequent buses available fromMunnar& Madurai.
Distance from Thekkady to Lower Camp – 12kms. Distance from Thekkady to Munnar – 110kms. Distance from Thekkady to Kumarakom – 138kms. Distance from Thekkady to Kodaikkanal – 120kms.