There is a quaint beautiful village in the Idukki district of Kerala exuding the countryside charm. This village is the last village on the Kerala-Tamilnadu border. You have to travel 40 km from Munnar through the Pampadum Shola National Park to reach this village. Yes, we are talking about Vattavada or the winter farm village.

Vattavada is an agricultural village. Without any doubt, you can call it the vegetable capital of Kerala as it produces various varieties of vegetables and fruits including carrots, peas, oranges, strawberries, plums, apples, passion fruits, and many more. Vattavada is particularly popular for its organic garlic cultivation. Because of this, the village has a significant role in farm tourism in Kerala.  

 Vattavada  attractions

 Vattavada Beauty Point

It is the starting point of Vattavada. From here, you’ll get a panoramic view of the entire Vattavada. Vattavada is famous for its terrace farming, and you can see the village adorned with terrace farms and dotted with chalets. The sight of these terrace farms, surrounded by tall mountains is truly a beauty to behold. This landscape and the village settlements resemble Bali’s farming villages.

 Strawberry Farms 

 Pluck strawberries, taste them, and buy strawberry jams and wines at Vattavada. Vattavada is popular for its strawberry farms. The locals of Vattavada run these farms, and there are a few farms located near the Vattavada viewpoint. Tourists can visit them for free. You can also buy organic veggies like cabbage and carrots from these farms. Among the many attractions, these farms are a must-visit.

 Pazhathottam View Point 

 If you want to enjoy the beauty of Vattavada from a vantage point, then Pazhathottam viewpoint is the ideal choice. From here you can see the entire Vattavada village along with the majestic mountains, luscious tea gardens, and villages.

 Pampadum Shola National Park

Though it is the smallest national park in Kerala, the abundant wildlife and dense shola forest in the park is something you must experience. You need to pass through the park to reach Vattavada. The park has trekking trails through the woods. You can use it to reach Vattavada. You can also book your jungle stay and jungle trek through Munnar’s wildlife tourism website. Please note that the entry is allowed from 6 am to 6 pm.

Kundala Dam

Built on the Periyar River and surrounded by the Western Ghats, Kundala Dam is one of the main attractions in Munnar. You just need to travel 20 km from Vattavada to reach this picturesque spot. Apart from the dam, there is Kundala Lake. It is another highlight. You can enjoy boating on the waters of Kundala Lake. Do not forget to get there before 5 pm.

 Chilanthiyar waterfalls

This waterfall’s location is inside a reserve forest. It is located at a distance of 8 km from Vattavada. Since it is an untrodden destination, you won’t find it crowded. The dense forest surrounding the waterfall gives it a whimsical charm.

At the entrance, you can park your vehicle, and trek around 2km to reach the waterfall. Alternatively, hired jeeps, SUVs, and other off-road vehicles can also take you there. Avoid visiting during the summer and try to plan your tour during the monsoon to see the waterfall in its full glory.

 How to reach Vattvada?

 You need to pass through the Pampadum Shola National Park to reach Vattavada. As it is a reserved forest, entry is restricted. That means you can enter only between 6 AM  and 6 PM.

From the Munnar town, you have a few transportation options. Either you can travel in shared jeeps or you can hire a cab service. Besides, public transport(KSRTC) is also available from Munnar town.

The best season to visit Vattavada.

As the village falls under the rainshadow region, the weather is pleasant all through the year. Having said that, if you want to see Vattavada in full bloom, plan your trip during the winter months. Sometimes, the temperature drops to even five degrees Celsius. So, be prepared for a misty stay back.

Activities

Trekking

To reach Vattavada, you can plan three hours of trekking through the Pampadum Shola National Park. An adventurous trek through the dense shola forest will be an experience of a lifetime.

Strawberry Picking

It is fun and refreshing to take part in strawberry-picking activities in Vattavada. From the sour and sweet strawberry farm, you can set off to visit other fruits and vegetable farms.  

 If you are searching for an offbeat trekking trail or rugged terrain for mountain biking, then set off to Vattavada.