Vattavada Travel Guide: Explore Kerala’s Strawberry Village, Scenic Stays & Trekking Trails

Experience the Untouched Beauty of Vattavada – A Paradise for Nature Lovers, Adventure Seekers & Strawberry Farms in Kerala

Munnar is a place of scenic beauty, surrounded by the most exquisite flora and fauna, the fascinating tea plantations, as well as large dense forests beckoning forth masses of people who'd love to enjoy the nature. Whilst most locations are known for a beautiful view of the valleys, the slopes and lush greenery, there is a hidden gem 45 kilometres from Munnar known largely for its vegetables. This is Vattavada, in Idukki district.
Vattavada is an unexplored and hidden gem of Munnar known for its topography and climate. Vattavada is home to lands, animals, and birds. Those who are keen on exploring the culture and nature will love their visit to Vattavada. Travelling is going to be a splendid experience through this landscape. It has beautiful woods, climate, wildlife, vegetation, and more.
Unknown to many travellers, Vattavada is a quaint agricultural village neighbouring Munnar in Kerala.It is known as the ‘vegetable capital of Kerala’ as it produces a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables like strawberries, butter beans, and the famous Vattavada garlic, known for its unique medicinal properties.
Vattavada is famous for strawberry wine and jam made from berries freshly picked from the farm.  Trekkers are fascinated by Vattavada as the streams and woods welcome them with grace and glory. The hilly path and topography are something to be explored on foot. One can enjoy the trekking routes of Vattavada that lead to Kodaikanal, Kanthalloor, Meesapulimala, Mattupetty, etc.

Top Reasons to Visit Vattavada: Kerala’s Hidden Paradise Near Munnar

Vattavada is a place for those who always run short of unexplored and hidden places. It is for those who love travelling offbeat and those who love exploring unknown cultures. Here, apart from relishing the natural beauty of mountains, hills and valleys, you can also learn about the lifestyle and traditions of locals. The region around Vattavada is home to several beautiful sanctuaries and protected areas where you can witness the rare and endangered species of plants, animals and birds. Silent, and decked away in Munnar town tourists can be pampered with some awesome trekking expeditions in Vattavada and known for mountain biking, camping and trekking.
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.
 
Best Places to Visit in Munnar on the Way to Vattavada – The best Vattavada Travel Guide

The one-day trip from Munnar to Vattavada offers breathtaking views of various landscapes, including tea plantations, dams, towns, and national parks. Each location adds to the allure of this path, providing an ideal balance of natural beauty and cultural depth.
 

• Rose Garden (2 km from Munnar)

Rose Garden is located on the National Highway 49, just two kilometres away from the Munnar city centre; at 3,500 feet above sea level and is a wonderful place to explore. Rose Gardenis a visual delight, featuring an array of colourful and fragrant roses alongside other exotic flowers. This peaceful spot is perfect for garden lovers and those seeking a tranquil environment. Visitors can stroll through the vibrant displays and enjoy the aromatic ambience. One can visit the Rose Garden any time from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm. The look and feel created by the attractive blossoms make the garden a mini-heaven on earth.
 

• Photo Point: Capturing Nature’s Splendor(4.8 km From Munnar)

The picturesque Photo Point, a photographer’s haven, is located only 4.8 kilometres from Munnar. Surrounded by Tata Tea gardens and silver oak trees, this place offers breathtaking views. Visiting Munnar in the morning provides a more serene experience that captures the essence of its beauty.
 

• Mattupetty Dam: A Symphony of Water and Wildlife(12 km From Munnar)

The Mattupetty Dam and Lake are the most prominent attractions in the region, drawing visitors with their laidback ambiance and scenic beauty. The dam, built in the late 1940s, is a concrete gravity dam constructed to conserve water for hydroelectric power generation and irrigation. The reservoir created by the dam, known as Mattupetty Lake, is a stunning water body surrounded by lush hills and tea plantations.The calm waters of Mattupetty Lake offer a perfect setting for boating, allowing visitors to enjoy the scenic views and the peaceful environment. Pedal boats and speed boats are available for hire, providing a delightful way to explore the lake and its surroundings. The lake is also an ideal spot for picnics and leisurely walks along the shoreline.
One of the unique attractions in Mattupetty is the Indo-Swiss Dairy Farm, also known as Mattupetty Livestock Research Centre. Established as part of a collaboration between the Government of India and Switzerland, the farm is a centre for livestock development and research. It houses various breeds of high-quality cattle and focuses on improving milk production and dairy farming techniques.Visitors to the dairy farm can take guided tours to see the different breeds of cattle and learn about modern dairy farming practices. The farm is set amidst beautiful surroundings, with green pastures and rolling hills, making it a pleasant and educational experience.
 

• Echo Point: Nature’s Symphony in Nilgiri Hills (15 km from Munnar)

Nestled amidst the verdant hills, about 15 kilometres from the charming town of Munnar, Echo Point beckons with its mystical allure and natural wonders. Renowned for its unique echo phenomenon, this picturesque spot draws eager visitors year-round, seeking to experience its enchanting acoustic marvel amidst the tranquil beauty of Kerala's Western Ghats.
Perched at an altitude of approximately 600 feet, Echo Point unfolds like a lush green oasis, inviting leisurely walks and serene picnics amidst nature's embrace. Here, the air is crisp with the scent of wildflowers, and the gentle rustle of leaves accompanies every step, creating an atmosphere of serene tranquility.Echo Point isn't just about its acoustic wonders; it serves as a gateway to even grander vistas.
 

• Kundala Dam and Lake: Tranquil Beauty Amidst Blossoms (25 km from Munnar)

One of Munnar's top tourist destinations, Kundala Dam was built in 1946 for the Pallivasal Hydroelectric Project. Cherry blossom trees add to the landscape. If it is the season when Neelakurunji flowers are in bloom, once every 12 years, you’ve just gotten even more lucky. Kundala Lake has boating amenities to explore the entire stretch of the waterbody. There are rental options for Kashmiri shikara boats. Those who love nature can enjoy the dense foliage that take up space here with a view of the tea plantations around, boats on the lake and the cool breeze adding to the serenity. The tall dam, colourful boats on the lake and dense forests make it ideal for photographers too. The slightly more adventurous can rent a coracle, bamboo raft or Kayak.

 

• Yellappetty Farming Village: Nature’s Bounty and Night Sky(27 km from Munnar)

Yellappetty, located just two kilometers from Kundala Dam, is a lovely village known for its green hills, gushing waterfalls, and strawberry orchards. The winter night sky is blanketed with stars, making it a great spot for stargazing. Cloud Farm and Camp Footprint provide a one-of-a-kind camping experience.
 

• Top Station: A Bird’s-Eye View of Munnar (34 km from Munnar)

Located more than 1,700 meters above sea level, Top Station provides an unparalleled viewpoint. With magnificent views all around, the scenic heights of Top Station will make you wish for wings to soar in the misty blue sky one of the most beautiful spots in Munnar. The cool breeze and wild flowers make this a great place to wind away the hours. The heights offer a striking view of the nearby State of Tamil Nadu.
A place with history dating back to the Colonial times, Top Station has much to offer in terms of scenic views. The lush tea plantations, the huge mountains, the misty skies and the colourful blooms dotting the valleys…a drive past Top Station is often rewarding and wonderfully pleasant. It used to be part of a monorail line established by the British from transporting tea leaves, from where they would export back to Britain. A flood, however, in 1924, destroyed the railway line and not much of it remains. The signs left by the British are now part of the Munnar Tea Museum, another favourite of tourists.
 

• Pampadum Shola National Park: A Nature Lover’s Paradise(37 km from Munnar)

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.
 

• Vattavada: The Vegetable Market in the Clouds(45 km From Munnar)

Vattavada, 9 kilometres from Pampadum Shola National Park. Vattavada, located 6500 feet above sea level, is known for its terraced slopes and valleys that produce a variety of crops. This location, also known as Kerala’s market, provides a unique experience with its different crops and relaxing ambiance.

• 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 (54 km From Munnar)

Located 9 km from the Vattavada Beauty View Point is the Pazhathottam View Point. If you want to enjoy the beauty of Vattavada from a vantage point, then Pazhathottam viewpoint is the ideal choice.You can see the whole of Vattavada at an elevation, including the mountains, tea plantations, villages, step-cut farms and houses. The addition of mists and the blue sky makes the landscape stand out.The ride to this viewpoint is equally exciting. You’ll cross through narrow roads inside forests and pass through local houses. While the road conditions are not ideal, the adventurous ride to the Pazhathottam Viewpoint makes the trip worth it.
The surrounding is full of striking beauty and a clean, green, and healthy atmosphere. It has become popular among enthusiastic tourists from different places.The best time to visit this viewpoint is during the morning/evening. 
 

• Chilanthiyar waterfalls(59 km From Munnar)

Chilanthiyar Falls is the most popular one among all the Vattavada waterfalls.It is only 5.5 km away from the Pazhathottam Viewpoint.It is a cascading waterfall deep inside a reserve forest. The dense forest surrounding the waterfall gives it a whimsical charm. Being a hidden gem, you’ll hardly find any crowds here. The area is quite calm and peaceful.
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.

 
Best Time to Visit Vattavada: Ideal Seasons for a Perfect Getaway
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.At night, it is even better as you can see the Milky Way Galaxy (on certain nights) and shooting stars.
Being a rain shadow village means Vattavada receives less rainfall compared to Munnar.
In summary, you can visit Vattavada anytime from September onwards to see clear blue skies, green valleys and waterfalls.
If you want to experience the mist additionally, you can visit Vattavada during December and January.
 
Top Things to Do in Vattavada: Adventure & Nature Activities Guide in Vattavada
 

• 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.
If you love adventure and the outdoors, do not forget to enjoy trekking, mountain biking, jungle safari, camping, etc. during your visit. You can plan day trips to major Vattavada tourist attractions and explore the place to your heart’s content.
 

• Exploring local organic gardens

If you are an offbeat traveller, who loves to stay away from tech, then explore their local organic gardens, join the locals in veggie and fruit picking, have a walk on their terraced slopes that reflects the aura of Munnar life, and even capture plenty of pictures of the diverse fauna and flora in the area.
You can indulge in some of the best varieties of fruits and vegetables. Fresh fruits like plum, apple, orange, gooseberry, blackberry, peach, passion fruit, and egg fruits can be found in abundance in this tiny village. This enchanting hill station has a lot to offer to its visitors.
 

• Strawberry Picking

The strawberry farms are often welcoming of the eager visitors, sharing with them the goodies hidden away and taken excellent care of at their farms. The strawberries, although quite popular, are not the only crops grown. There is much to be seen and much to be enjoyed. Strawberry jams, strawberry wines and more are available at these quiet farms, often accompanying the jolly farmers who send one off to explore more of Vattavada.
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.  
 
How to reach Vattvada?
Vattavada is on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, 45 km from Munnar, i.e. almost two hours by car.
It is 10 km after Pampadum Shola National Park, the smallest national park in Kerala, which is the entry point for Vattavada.
Pampadum Shola National Park is a further 2.5 km from Top Station, one of the popular tourist destinations in Munnar.
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.
Being an agricultural village, you’ll find plenty of farms in Vattavada growing various kinds of fruits and vegetables amidst the background of tall mountains.
 
How To Reach Vattavada by Air: The nearest airport to Vattavada is located in Kochi at a distance of around 158 km. Once you have reached Kochi, you can either hire a direct cab to Vattavada or take a bus to Munnar and then from there, a cab to Vattavada. Munnar is located at a distance of about 45 km from Vattavada and 125 km from Kochi.
By Rail: Aluva has the nearest railhead to Vattavada at a distance of about 160 km. From Aluva, you can either hire a cab or catch a bus to Vattavada. But you need to reach Munnar first.
By Road: Vattavada has a good road network and is well connected to Munnar and Munnar is well connected to other cities of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Hence, you can easily approach it by road.