Enchanting Kerala

KERALA TOURISM NEWSLETTER

Thollayiram: A virgin paradise

Ever wanted to tuck into an ethereally beautiful, utterly isolated paradise? ‘Thollayiram’ might just be the place for you. Thollayiram is a pretty little secret, a green hideaway, nuzzled in the hidden reaches of Wayanad. 

The surprise the name of the destination (Thollayiram which in Malayalam language means 900) evokes is mirrored by the beauty of the place and one may wonder how a stunner like Thollayiram could evade the tourism radar. It is this untouched beauty that makes Thollayiram an escapist’s refuge. 

With a gurgling stream set against the backdrop of green carpeted hills, billows of mist swirling about shrouding your vision and embracing you in its bear hug and crisp air laden with the smells and sighs of the mountain caressing you, Thollayiram is every bit a charmer.

This serene strip of earth in the hidden reaches of Wayanad can be accessed by taking the route that goes to Soochipara Waterfalls from Meppadi, near Kalpetta. Beyond the first bridge after Kalladi Makham, your journey to this lesser known destination starts. The scenic drive through the trail to reach Thollayiram is every bit as intriguing and refreshing as it sounds and adventurous as well.

Amble up the trail studded by leaf litters and flanked by forest land on one side and coffee or cardamom plantation on the other side to reach this pristine stretch. Grand views are offered at each bend as you enter this incredible landscape. 

Thollayiram is the name of the estate located inside the forest land. Years ago, this pristine stretch of land was part of the 900 acres of land owned by one Parel Pappan which later got fragmented into innumerable land masses. However, the name stuck and the place is still called Thollayiram. 

As you reach the top, the chimes of a waterfall start pulsating through the woods revealing a wild beauty- a strikingly lovely stream set against a highly dramatic backdrop of lush rolling hills.

The paradise that Thollayiram is, it sure will be lodged in the memory forever. Once here, immerse in the magic conjured up by nature. 

Getting there:
Travel 23 km from Wayanad town to Meppadi via Meenangadi-Panamaram road. 13 km off Meppadi is Thollayiram which can be reached via Kalladi Makham.

Nearest railway station: Kozhikode, 62 km from Wayanad
Nearest airport: Calicut International Airport, about 65 km from Wayanad