Thick mists sweep across the small town surrounded by dense green forests and its majestic mountains. This fog is unlike others you’ll find on the lower lands. This is the cloud itself making its way across the hills of Vagamon, a place where nature is in control and their inhabitants resepect it.

Vagamon Hills is a scenic location in Kerala, South India, and is a heavily underrated spot in the state. What sets Vagamon apart from the rests of the forests in Kerala is it’s location that touches the clouds and a temperature that’s always either chilly or rainy and at most times, both.

Unlike the more tropical destinations that’s found in Kerala, Vagamon is known for it’s erratic and sudden-changing climate where it might be sunny one minute and zero visibility fog with lashing rains take over the next.

Photo: The highest view point of the Vagamon jeep safari. Clouds cover the entire area in a dense mist. Credit: Ameena Navab

During the monsoon season and foggy days, Vagamon in Kerala is akin to a thriller movie with smoky mist sweeping across its small town and dense forests, hiding people and even humungous buildings behind its cotton balls of mists.

This is one of the reasons that makes Vagamon’s off road places so popular among visitors. The jungle safari takes you to the uninhabited places of the hill’s forests showing you the serene beauty as you experience the thrill the place has to offer. This is where wild animals inhabit the area, heavy waterfalls come down in thick rushes and rains pierce the earth in its monsoon season.

The Top 10 Best Hotels in Vagamon.

So, buckle up because this is a Kerala jeep safari that’s destined for a bumpy ride on the unpaved roads. Read on to get the gist of what you will see out there before booking your trip.

Drive Through Ulipooni Wildlife Sanctuary

Left and bottom right: Deers and wild squirrels spotted in the Ulipooni Wildlife Sanctuary. Photo Credit: Bibin R
Top right: The jungle of Ulipooni and the surrounding forest seen from a viewpoint. Photo Credit: Ameena Navab

One of the best places in Vagamon and belonging to the wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala, Ulipooni is a famous spot in this misty hill town.  While Ulipooni can be visited via it’s normal route, the off-road jeep safari lets you experience its dense jungle with the surrounding rugged mountains and the whistling of the forest trees.

The wildlife sanctuary is home to tigers, elephants, wild cats, squirrels, kingfishers, woodpeckers, Deers, Bisons, leopards and the lot. During the month of July to September, heavy rains and fog makes the place all the more scenic and wilder. The place also becomes less crowded during the off seasons meaning you can take your time to explore the place in peace.

Marks Left by the British

When the British invaded India and overtook the nation, Kerala was also subjugated by them. Because of almost a century of tyranny, enslavement and dominance, there are marks left by the empire that still stands today – some of them which Keralites use for their advantage in the current era.

Other than the railways and bridges that runs through the state that was once built by the British, on your off-road Vagamon Jeep ride, you can see an almost century old hut that was built for the tea estate workers and farmers by the same English, as per our tour guide. These huts are still in use for the workers of the plantation and despite its run-down look, they are pretty sturdy constructions that can withstand Vagamon’s heavy rain and storms.

Another clever hack that the British planted are the trees that produce flame-like flowers. These are used as a natural remedy to repel mosquitos and other plant-destroying insects around the tea estates and plantations.

A View of Asia’s Biggest Dam

From a view point high above the ground, you can see a water-pool reflecting the sunlight and tucked between multiple mountains as far as the eye can see. From a distance spanning hundreds of kilometers, this dam might seem like just a gigantic river but don’t let that fool your naked eyes.

Even from such a long way away, you can tell that this is no small body of water. Our guide pointed out and said that this one of Asia’s biggest dam stretching like an ocean connecting three main dams into one large area known as the Idukki Reservoir. This reservoir was built in 1969 and connects the Cheruthoni, Idukki and Kulamavu dams into one, turning it into a sea of water.

Seeing Tribals

If you haven’t been to Kerala before, then you should know that the state is covered in green. Jungles and forests grow in abundance making forest trekking and hiking a common thing to do in Kerala. Because of its vast majority of forests, the land is home to a group of people called the “Adhivasi”, the indigenous people of Kerala living in its forests.

Jungles are home to these tribal folks and they grow up amidst the trees and animals of the forests, preferring the sounds of the jungle to modern cities. In some places, the government has appointed them as care-takers of the forests since these tribals don’t prefer living anywhere else. These folks are helpful, kind and know how to behave with travelers and strangers visiting their grounds.

In Vagamon’s off-road trips, you can see these tribal folks making their way around the forest while going about their daily lives.

Waterfalls and Cave – A Movie Location

Photo: Waterfalls and rushing streams seen during the Vagamon off-road jeep ride.
At World’s Origins journalist, Ameena Navab, explores the forest grounds

Away from the hands of civilization and tucked into the deeper forests of the Vagamon hills, a cave runs through the mountains with a thick rushing waterfall nearby. This cave, situated in Ulipooni-Kappakanam, was featured in the popular period-thriller Malayalam movie (Keralite movie), “Iyobinte Pushthakam” (transl. Book of Job).

In the wetter months accompanied by rainfall, this cave becomes part of a rushing stream with thick jets of water spraying out of the cave like someone had turned on the nature’s. Standing at the edge of the stream and the water-filled cave, it becomes apparent why this place would be chosen as a filming location. It makes a perfect backdrop or as a central spot for adventure movies, thrillers, survival films or even as a place for a fantasy forest.

During the dryer months, the water levels are low, almost below the ankles and adventure seekers can walk into the tunnel. Those who think they can take a quick walk through the cave might have to guess again. While the cave does remain dry, it’s 5.5km long with total darkness enveloping the cave. This spells danger for anyone seeking to walk into the other side of the cave. They might find themselves in the “other side” of life and death as water can rush through any minute.

What’s more, the tunnel might open into a reservoir, river or a large body of water surrounded by the intimidating jungle so be warned and stay on the bank of the stream where it’s safe. This way you can admire the beauty without betting your life.

Book Your Vagamon One Day Trip and Off Road with Our Guide

While you can find tons of off-road and jeep services in Vagamon, not all of them guarantee safety or an experience worth your money and time.

Book your Vagamon off-road trip with us and guide Bibin, a knowledgeable local Jeep driver that grew up in this cloudy abode, knows the woods like the back of his hand and will drive you safely back to your hotel even when the fog makes road visibility low.

Contact us through our page or drop us an email at atworldsorigins@gmail.com for your Vagamon tour package in affordable prices and an exciting itinerary that takes your time into consideration.

Things to remember:

• If you start at 5am, you can see the sunrise from Vagamon’s “Frog Mountain”.
• The off-road is a very bumpy ride so carry a small bag with you to put your phone and important belongings in it so it doesn’t get thrown off from the jeep during the major shakes and bumps
• The off-road ride is three hours – carry a bottle of water with you as there no vendors or shops during the ride
• This place is blessed with nature, do not litter and trash during your stops at certain destinations.
• If you spot wildlife, be careful and do not approach or throw food at it. This can provoke them and put you in danger.

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