Kerala · 2 days
Where the Manimala River is born — mountains, myth, and memory
A two-day expedition tracing the Manimala river upstream from Mundakkayam to its origins in the high ranges near Vagamon and Peruvanthanam. Travelling as close to the riverbank as possible against the current, the journey covers sacred groves, waterfalls, streams, and landscapes of rare biodiversity — including Kokkad Falls, Panchalimedu, Urumbikkara, Poonjar Bhoomika, and the Kokkayar valley — while tracking the river's northern tributaries via the Pullakayar. Beyond its scenic route through the hills and valleys of the region, the trip is designed as a cultural and ecological study: exploring heritage groves, traces of early human settlement, tribal worship sites, and the springs that feed the river, to build a fuller picture of the Manimala basin's history, geography, and ecology.
This study trip to explore the origins of the Manimala river begins its exploration upward from Mundakkayam. Starting from Mallappally, the journey will reach Mundakkayam and then follow the Nedumthodu stream — which joins the Pullakayar river — toward Paloor Kavu and Thekkemala. After reaching Panchalimedu, the group will arrive at Kuttikkanam and visit the streams and waterfalls at Kokkad Falls, Ashley Bungalow, Madammakulam, Urumbikkara, and Uppukulam. The group will then reach Vagamon and stay overnight there.
The next morning at 9 a.m., the group will reach Mithranikethan at Vazhikkadavu in Vagamon, followed by a visit to Poonjar Bhoomika. Moving on to Valyentha and Ilamkadu, the group will observe and study the northern tributaries of the Pullakayar river. At Enthayar, they will visit J.J. Murphy Memorial School. After viewing the waterfall at Pappanithodu and the Meloram and Ekayam falls at Kokkayar, the group will reach Peruvanthanam, where the return journey will begin. This is a beautiful travel experience passing through the mountains and valleys of Panchalimedu, Urumbikkara, Amrithamedu, Kolahalamedu, Vembly, and the Kokkayar region — areas of rare biodiversity.
The trip aims to travel, as much as possible, along roads hugging the riverbank, moving upstream against the current, to visit sacred groves (kavus) of ecological and heritage significance, traces of early human settlement, tribal worship sites, and the springs and streams at the river's source — thereby gaining an understanding of the river basin's culture, history, geography, and ecology. Participants may join the trip either from Mallappally or from Mundakkayam.
Highlights
Itinerary
Mallappally / Mundakkayam - Nedumthodu stream - Paloor Kavu - Thekkemala - Panchalimedu - Kuttikkanam - Kokkad Waterfall - Ashley Bungalow - Madammakulam - Urumbikkara - Uppukulam - Vagamon (overnight) - Mithranikethan, Vazhikkadavu - Poonjar Bhoomika - Valyentha - Ilamkadu - Enthayar (J.J. Murphy Memorial School) - Pappanithodu Waterfall - Meloram Waterfall - Ekayam Waterfall - Peruvanthanam (return)
Mithranikethan, Vazhikkadavu - Poonjar Bhoomika - Valyentha - Ilamkadu - Enthayar (J.J. Murphy Memorial School) - Pappanithodu Waterfall - Meloram Waterfall, Kokkayar - Ekayam Waterfall, Kokkayar - Peruvanthanam (return journey begins)
Included
Not Included