Tag: Kerala

Ezharakund waterfalls in Kudiyanmala, Kannur is a tourist destination maintained by the Kannur District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC).

This is one of the most picturesque waterfalls of Kannur district, situated on the Paithalmala valley close to the Kerala-Karnataka border, located at about 50 Km Northeast of Kannur via Sreekandapuram and Kudiyanmala.

Address: Kudiyanmala Pottenplave Rd, Pottenplave, Vellad, Kerala 670582

Roads in this part of Kannur are really good (mostly tarred roads). At some places, it’s a bit narrow.

The name Ezharakund  literally translates to seven and a half pits in malayalam (local language widely spoken in Kerala, India).

This waterfalls comprises of multiple levels of rocky natural pools of varying sizes and depths that contain crystal clear water for most period of the year.

We covered this destination as a part of a day trip from Koyilandy. During this one day trip we covered Parassinikadavu Temple, Palakayyam thattu and Ezharakund waterfalls.

We parked our taxi (parking charge for Innova was around Rs.50) near to the base station.  

Please remember there is an entry fee of Rs.100/person.

You are not allowed to take your vehicle directly to the falls (at the top) from the base station.

From the base station we hired a local jeep to reach the top of the waterfalls.

You can request for a jeep at the reception of the base station and they will arrange one for you.  The jeeps are not readily available at the base station. It will take some time for the jeeps to arrive at the base station. There are seats available near the base station and you can also capture some photographs while waiting for the jeep.

The jeep charges was around Rs. 300 (one side) and you can pay the money (cash only) to the jeep driver after reaching the top of the falls.

Our recommendation is to take a jeep one side (preferably onward journey to the falls) and you can return from the falls to the basestation by walk.

However we have seen people who walk both up and down the falls and please remember that it would really test your fitness levels.

The jeep journey is really nice and you would love that trip, for sure.

While going in jeep, you will find few houses on both sides of the road.

The jeep will take you to the topmost part of the falls. After getting down, you need to show your tickets to the staff at the gate. From that gate, it is hardly few meters to the falls.

There is also a small observatory tower, from where you can capture some good photographs of the falls.

The falls make a unique scene. It is like few kettles stacked one after the other. As the water over flows the first, it fills in the second kettle and so on. The area is still a hidden treasure although the state government is working to develop it.

We had visited this place in December and during that time,  we could see people swimming / bathing in the water.

There are two pools which is safe to swim. These are watched over by life guards and life jackets are also available. There are also changing rooms near the falls.

After exploring the falls, you can walk back (at your own time convenience) to the base station.

Its almost 1.2 km walk from the falls to the base station and would easily take around 1 hour to reach down. Children can also easily walk.

Tourism department has constructed a pedestrian pathway  from the base station till the falls.  

The pathways are properly marked and safety rails are fixed in many places in order to prevent people from entering the stream. These metal rails are very  helpful to hold, while walking.

On certain points throughout the walkway, there are guards on duty. We were told that there are around 20 guards in and around this place at any point of time.

In many sections of the trail, benches are placed to rest and enjoy the views. Overall, this is a very family friendly place, catered for  any age group.

Please note that this place is relatively busy on Saturday/Sunday and on Public Holidays. There is a small shop serving snacks and tea are present near to the base station. There are a few home stays and resorts near by.

Best time to visit: 

Due to the abundance of shades along the walking trail, you can visit here anytime of the day and will have a good experience.

People say that Monsoon time mainly june – August is the best time to visit this falls.

However, it might not be a good idea to visit during heavy rainy days  as the stream and the waterfall can overflow to the trails

Opening time is 9AM – 6 PM

How to reach
Ezharakund Waterfalls is located from Kannur around 50 km via Chirakkal – Kololam Rd. The nearest railway station is Kannur, about 39 km and Kannur International Airport, about 59 km.

Popular destinations near by:

1. Parassinikadavu Sree Muthappan Temple
2. Palakkayam Thattu
3. Paithalmala

Summary : Ezharakund falls in Kannur is a real gift of nature . Though not that popular yet, we definitely recommend you to visit this place to experience the beautiful waterfalls and the walking trail. You would never be disappointed, that is a GUARANTEE..

Updated in September 2019: Seems this property as now been acquired by Sterling group and is now called as Sterling Guruvayur. Website: https://www.sterlingholidays.com/resorts-hotels/guruvayur

Stayed here with family in November 2017.

Pros:

Extremely courteous staff.

Just 4-5 months old as of Nov2017. Very neat and tidy.

Well Furnished Restaurant. Food is very tasty.

Close to Mamiyur junction and temple.

Very good parking facility.

Very good interior wood work throughout the hotel, especially at the reception/restaurant region.

Branded sanitary fittings in the bathroom.

Was offered a complimentary breakfast and the items spread was good.

Cons:

This hotel is slightly far from Guruvayur temple, but good thing is that the hotel provides free cab service to the temple. (things might have changed after Sterling acquisition)

Even if you don’t get the service on time, you will definitely get some public transport options like auto (may be 20-30 rupees), bus and so on.

Remarks:

If you are looking for a very neat and clean hotel to stay during your Guruvayur visit, this is one place that you should definitely look for. Highly recommended.

Try booking via some online sites to get more discounts.

The hotel has around 71 rooms in total.

Its Only Vegetarian and I believe almost 95%+ hotels in Guruvayur serves Vegetarian food only.

This resort is around 21 Kms from Munnar town. We stayed here for 3 nights (in August 2017). Its located in Chinnakanal, near to Suryanelli.

One of the oldest property of sterling with around 130+ rooms.

But it’s still decently maintained considering the year in which it was constructed.

There are some outdoor games arranged within the resort but with some nominal charges.

Theni- Munnar route would be a better option to reach this resort.

If you are not comfortable driving in hill station, I would suggest you to take up a taxi (Taxi stand is right in front of main gate) for sight-seeing.

Kolukkumalai jeep safari is one of the most important attraction in this part of Munnar . There are jeeps available outside the resort (near to the main gate). Any person visiting this resort should not miss that Jeep Safari. Also, ensure to visit the 100-year-old tea factory, as a part of that safari.

The top attractions in Munnar is in and around the city Center and this resort is in Chinnakanal which is around 21 Kms. So keep a buffer of an hour or so for one side travel. There is a road widening work going on in this route.

Pros:

1) The staff is very polite and supportive, especially the house keeping staff.

2) Complains are properly solved. We had some issues with the Bathroom outlet flow and it was rectified as soon as the complaint was registered.

3) There are some good attractions nearby this resort.

Cons:

1) The restaurant food is extremely costly, not experienced this with any other Sterling resorts. There are decent restaurants outside the resort where you can have food (Kerala delicacies as well as North Indian/Tandoori type aswell)

2) Many of the rooms are in a steep area. So you will have to climb a lot of steps. If you have some senior citizens in your group, try getting rooms in the main reception building area.

3) No Bar (may be as per the government rules prevailing in Kerala that time)

4) Doesn’t have that old charm.

5) All rooms doesn’t have a great view.

I stayed here for 2D/1N along with my family, in April 2018.

Got an upgrade from Keys room to keys Indulge room.

Pros:

1. Check-in and Check-out was smooth.
2. Staff (Security, Reception, House-keeping and Restaurant) was extremely courteous and helpful.
3. Breakfast spread was good.

5. We had a partial view of the back water from the room, but there are some good views from the Corridor.

6. Good place to stay during a business / short trip.

7. Fort Kochi and Mattancherry is around 30 minutes from here.

8. Its next to Folklore Museum.

Cons:

1. The Mini Bar in the room was empty (Anyway, I see this trend these days in many hotels)

2. The main road to the hotel is little congested with lot of taxi and other private parking.

3. The basement parking and parking space within hotel campus is limited.

4. All the toiletries (like Shaving and Dental Kits) were not provided in the room.

5. No shops nearby.

6. No Swimming pool (I guess)

Room Tips: Try to get a room as high as possible, and the corner rooms towards the old city. Will get good backwater views from there.

One Line Summary: Nice and affordable stay in Kochi.

We had stayed in this resort for 3 days / 2 nights in November 2017. This resort was inaugurated during the mid of October 2017.

Pros:

1) The property is excellent and has been developed giving full attention to the existing landscape.

2) The pool is really good.. Same depth across the pool.. Kid’s pool also available.

3) Restaurant is good and the managers give special attention to guests.

4) Good activity room with options like chess, kids area and so on.

5) They arrange visit to nearby tribal village / Paddy fields.

6) If you are looking for a place to relax yourself in a silent location, this should be a good option.

Cons:

1) If you are looking for resort having spectacular views from your room, this is not the right place.

2) This is located slightly away from the main Wayanad attractions.

3) Since this is relatively new (a month old), you might find issues in the following, but over a period of time, things should change.
a) Proper attention/ swimming costume at the swimming pool
b) Restaurant staff not fully sure about the menu
c) Lack of proper support/issue addressing from the reception
d) Frequent power fluctuations
e) Lot of trainees been deployed in various departments. So you will see some laziness / inexperience from those guys
f) No Specific connection numbers to housekeeping / restaurant (not sure if its specific to the rooms that I had taken)
h) Issues with Wifi connectivity (not sure if its specific to the days that I have stayed)
i) Main door lock doesn’t work at times

Other points to note:

1) Balcony doors have a slightly different lock mechanism. Contact the resort staff, if you face any issues.

2) Better avoid to and fro journey between 10 PM- 6 Am, as the resort is located in the wildlife area.

3) The wet area (bathroom) should have been a little more bigger.

4) Sterling needs to have more direction boards for guiding people coming from Bangalore via Gundalpet / Bandipur area.

5) All the 120 rooms are not operational yet. Construction work is going on in some places.

6) Spa is yet to be ready, I guess.

7) Special mention to the excellent support from Anu (Manager) and Ajith (Restaurant in charge).

8) Need more guidance from Front office/ activities team in guiding the customers on various tourist attractions.
(Ex: We had driven from resort to Kuruwadeep 46 Kms / 1.45 Hours and then realized that its been closed since many days due to some civil case).

Stayed here for 2D / 1N, along with my family in April 2018.

Took Superior room which doesn’t have a Backwater view.

Key Points:

1) As mentioned by all fellow travellers in various blogs / sites, the swimming pool is the main attraction of the resort and it was very clean. One of the best pools that I have ever seen.

I stayed here for a night with my family in April 2018.

We had taken a Superior Lake View + Breakfast option

Pros:

a) The Location of this hotel is excellent. Great view of Ashtamudi lake.

b) Near to Kollam Boat Jetty.

c) Good Parking available (basement parking also available).

d) They provide a 30 min Free House boat service during Sun Set time.

e) The Breakfast spread was excellent.

f) The Restaurant staff was helpful.

g) The pool is excellent.

h) A Gym facility is also available.

Cons:

(This is especially with Room 108 in the old block)

a) Being a 5 star Property, the room size did not meet our expectation.

b) The connection to Room Service was not working from the Telephone provided in the room.

c) The bath tub was not working properly.

d) Basic items like Dental Kits were not provided.

e) The Minibar was empty.

g) Shower needs a makeover (a very normal one).

h) Room Slippers were not provided,

i) AC was not cooling the rooms even after proper settings.

j) Restaurant menu was not provided in the room.

k) There wasn’t any laundry bag or laundry list in the room.

l) Did not find much outdoor playing options for small kids.

Summary: Overall, apart from the views and location, the resort did not meet 5 Star Expectations. Excellent Resort (in terms of location) but disappointing room and service.

“I travel because it makes me realize how much I haven’t seen, how much I’m not going to see, and how much I still need to see.” – Carew Papritz

This is the first time, am booking a home stay in Kerala.

Was little skeptical while choosing Haris sea shell, but Trip advisor reviews gave me the confidence.

To be frank, this is a very nice property, worth recommending others.

Location is quite nice and have a very good sea view from most of the rooms.

The attractions within Kannur are also not far.

One Line Summary: A nice and decent Sea View Home Stay, Most rooms are Sea facing rooms.

I stayed in Hotel Rainbow Suites in Kannur for 2 nights in October 2018.

It’s a minimum distance (20 Rupees) charge in autorickshaw from Kannur Private Bus stand and its very near (you might have to take an auto, though) to the railway station (in Bellard Road)

Positives:

Restaurant is available. In case if you want to try some other restaurants, ‘Chifonets’ is just 1-minute walk from this hotel.

Rooms are clean and comfortable.

This is a Budget hotel.

There is parking space available in front of the hotel. A couple of vehicles can be parked there.

An auto stand is available nearby.

Service was prompt.

Some of the Kannur Attractions are nearby (like Payyambalam beach is 1.5 Kms)

Negatives:

Restaurant food was slightly costly.

“Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind”– Seneca

I recently visited one of my relative’s upcoming home stay in Wayanad. Since it is not officially launched, I cannot reveal the name of the home stay as of now. It’s actually located in Lakkidi (inside the forest/tea plantation area, around 1 kms from the Bathery-Calicut Main road)

Lakkidi is located in the gateway of Wayanad district of Kerala state, south India. Lakkidi is one of the highest locations in Wayanad and is situated 700m above mean sea level, atop Thamarassery ghat pass. Vythiri is the nearest town, distancing 5km from Lakkidi. Chain tree, Pookot Lake, Sight seeing point on ghat road and number of tourist resorts are within five km of Lakkidi. It is about 58 km northeast of Kozhikode district.

The route to this home stay is amazing. You can reach this homestay from the main road only with the help of a 2/4 Wheel drive vehicle. But the resort management have provided the parking slots at a house near the main road, where you can park your vehicle.

Currently they have only 2-3 rooms. They are in the process of adding more facilities.

The Website and online reservation has not started yet. Probably they might launch it officially soon.

The view from this homestay is amazing. The climate is very cool, as it is situated inside the plantation.

I was told that we can get a chance to view elephants at a distant location.