Kanthalloor is the orchard village most Munnar travellers miss, and the one that rewards the extra drive. Sitting high in the eastern Western Ghats of Idukki district, Kerala, Kanthalloor (also spelled Kanthallur or Kanthaloor) grows apples, oranges, plums, peaches and strawberries that almost no other part of the state can ripen. Locals and travel writers call it the “Kashmir of Kerala” for its cool air, terraced farms and frost-tipped winter mornings. This guide covers when to go, how to reach it from Munnar, what to see, and the farm-stay stays that make the trip.
Kanthalloor is a high-altitude farming village in the Devikulam taluk of Idukki district, Kerala, set at roughly 1,525 m in the eastern Western Ghats near Marayoor and the Tamil Nadu border. Kerala Tourism describes it as the only place in the state where apples are commercially cultivated, alongside temperate fruit and vegetables.
Key takeaways
- Kanthalloor is in Devikulam taluk, Idukki district, Kerala, about 50 km east of Munnar via Marayoor, per Kerala Tourism (as of October 2026).
- It sits at roughly 1,525 m (about 5,000 ft); winter mornings can fall to around 5-10°C, with frost and fog common from December to February.
- Kerala Tourism calls it the only place in the state where apples are grown commercially; orchards also carry oranges, plums, peaches, pears and strawberries.
- Best season is September to March; the fruit-picking window runs roughly August to November.
- Nearest major railheads are Aluva (about 160 km) and Ernakulam Junction (about 175 km); nearest airport is Cochin International (about 160 km), per Kerala Tourism.
- In 2023 the Kanthalloor panchayat won the Union government’s Gold award for Best Rural Tourism, for its STREET responsible-tourism project.
About Kanthalloor: quick facts
Kanthalloor is a grama panchayat and farming village in Devikulam taluk, Idukki district, Kerala, on the eastern edge of the Western Ghats close to the Tamil Nadu border. According to its Census and gazetteer records, the village sits at about 1,525 m (5,003 ft) above sea level, which gives it the cool, temperate climate its orchards depend on.
The village is best understood as a working farm belt first and a tourist spot second. Kerala Tourism describes Kanthalloor as the only place in the state where apples are commercially cultivated, with farms also growing oranges, plums, peaches, pears, strawberries, gooseberries and passion fruit, plus cold-climate vegetables like cabbage, carrot, beans, potato and garlic. The neighbouring Vattavada belt shares the same soil and altitude, and the two are often spoken of together as Idukki’s temperate-produce bowl.
Kanthalloor is surrounded by the shola grasslands of Anamudi Shola National Park (spelled Anaimudi Sholai on some signage), and parts of the forest road are closed to vehicles because the area is now a protected park. The village won national attention in 2023, when, as Onmanorama reported, the Kanthalloor panchayat received the Union government’s Gold award for Best Rural Tourism on World Tourism Day, one of five gold winners from 767 villages, for its STREET (Sustainable, Tangible, Responsible, Experiential, Ethnic Tourism) project under Kerala’s Responsible Tourism Mission.
| District / taluk | Idukki district, Devikulam taluk, Kerala |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 1,525 m (5,003 ft); local reports cite around 1,550 m |
| Coordinates | Approx. 10.217°N, 77.183°E |
| Known for | Apples and temperate fruit, strawberries, terraced farms, farm stays |
| From Munnar | About 50 km via Marayoor (Kerala Tourism) |
| Best season | September to March; fruit-picking roughly August to November |
Best time to visit Kanthalloor
The best time to visit Kanthalloor is September to March, when the air is cool, the roads are clear and the orchards are at their most photogenic. Winter (December to February) brings the coldest nights, with early-morning frost and fog; a 2019 Onmanorama report noted village temperatures dipping to around 5°C, and a December 2025 report put the Marayoor-Kanthalloor region at roughly 10-15°C during a cold spell (both as reported, not official normals).
If fruit is your reason to come, aim for the harvest window. Travel reports place the main fruit-picking season from roughly August to November, when strawberries, oranges and apples are on the trees and farm gates sell direct. The southwest monsoon (June to August) turns the hills green but can make the mountain roads foggy and slow; some travellers come specifically for the misty, post-shower light.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Post-monsoon / autumn | Sep-Nov | Clear green hills, fruit harvest, comfortable days; the sweet spot |
| Winter | Dec-Feb | Cold nights, frost and dawn fog; carry warm layers |
| Spring / early summer | Mar-May | Mild, dry, fewer crowds; days warm up by April |
| Monsoon | Jun-Aug | Heavy green, misty light, slow foggy roads; drive with care |
How to reach Kanthalloor
Kanthalloor is reached by road from Munnar, about 50 km away via Marayoor, according to Kerala Tourism. There is no railway or airport in the village, so most travellers drive or take a bus from Munnar or Marayoor, which is only about 12 km down the hill.
By air: The nearest airport listed by Kerala Tourism is Cochin International Airport (COK), about 160 km to the west; Madurai (Tamil Nadu) and Coimbatore are the other practical options from the east, though road distances vary by route and should be reconfirmed. From Kochi, the drive climbs through Adimali and Munnar.
By rail: Kerala Tourism lists Aluva (about 160 km) and Ernakulam Junction (about 175 km) as the nearest major railway stations. Travellers approaching from Tamil Nadu sometimes use the Pollachi or Udumalpet railheads, which are geographically closer on the eastern side; confirm current services and road distances before booking.
By road: The usual route is Munnar to Marayoor to Kanthalloor. The Munnar-Marayoor stretch is scenic but prone to fog, and local reports repeatedly warn against night driving and careless overtaking on the hill bends. State-run KSRTC and private buses connect Munnar and Marayoor; from Marayoor, local buses and jeeps run up to Kanthalloor. For a wider plan of the region, see our Munnar travel guide.
| From | Approx. distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marayoor | ~12 km | Nearest town; sandalwood and dolmens |
| Munnar | ~50 km | Via Marayoor; the main gateway |
| Kundala Dam | ~14 km | Nearby reservoir on the Munnar side |
| Cochin International Airport | ~160 km | Nearest airport |
| Aluva railway station | ~160 km | Nearest major railhead |
| Ernakulam Junction | ~175 km | Alternative railhead |
Things to see and do in Kanthalloor
The main thing to do in Kanthalloor is walk the terraced orchards and buy fruit at the farm gate, which Kerala Tourism frames as the village’s signature farm-tourism experience. Beyond the farms, the draws are viewpoints, a waterfall, old tree ferns and the megalithic heritage just down the hill at Marayoor.
- Orchards and strawberry farms: Many farms let visitors walk the rows and buy apples, oranges, plums, peaches and strawberries direct. Ask before entering or picking; these are working farms, not attractions.
- Keezhanthoor waterfalls: A seasonal waterfall near the Keezhanthoor area, named by Kerala Tourism; fullest after rain.
- Viewpoints: The farm belt has several vantage points for sunrise and sunset over the ghats; ask your host for the nearest safe spot and go at first light for the frost and fog.
- Ancient tree ferns: Onmanorama describes old tree ferns near the Perumala Forest Office, a short walk from the market; entry needs a ticket and a forest guide.
- Mannavan shola and Anamudi Shola National Park: The evergreen shola forest wraps the village; part of the access road is closed to vehicles as it is now within the national park.
| Spot | What it is | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Farm belt / orchards | Terraced apple, orange and strawberry farms | Buy at the gate; seek permission to walk or pick |
| Keezhanthoor falls | Seasonal waterfall | Best after monsoon; check access locally |
| Tree ferns, Perumala | Ancient ferns in forest land | Ticket and guide required (forest department) |
| Marayoor dolmens | Megalithic burial chambers (muniyara) | ~12 km down at Marayoor; Stone Age heritage |
| Chinnar WLS | Rain-shadow wildlife sanctuary | Entry/trek fees apply; see nearby section |
A suggested two-day itinerary
Two days is enough to enjoy Kanthalloor’s farms and pair them with Marayoor’s heritage. Build the trip around early mornings, when the light and the frost are best and the roads are quiet.
- Day 1: Drive up from Munnar via Marayoor (about 50 km, half a day with stops). Settle into a farm stay by afternoon, walk the nearest orchard, buy fruit at the gate and catch sunset from a local viewpoint.
- Day 2, morning: Head out at dawn for frost, fog and birdsong; visit the tree ferns near Perumala (ticket and guide) and a waterfall if the season is right.
- Day 2, afternoon: Drop down to Marayoor for the sandalwood forest, the dolmens (muniyara) and jaggery stalls, then continue to Munnar or stay a third night for Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary.
If you have a third day, add the Chinnar sanctuary and the Thoovanam trek, or detour to Vattavada’s vegetable terraces. Our wider Kerala travel guide helps slot Kanthalloor into a longer high-range trip.
Where to stay: homestays and farm stays
Most stays in Kanthalloor are family-run homestays and farm stays rather than large hotels, in keeping with the village’s responsible-tourism model. Expect simple, clean rooms on or beside working farms, often with home-cooked meals and a cooking fire against the cold.
Book ahead for winter weekends and the Christmas-New Year rush, when Munnar overflow pushes travellers up to Kanthalloor, Marayoor and Vattavada. Rooms are limited, so a confirmed booking matters more here than in Munnar town.
| Type | Indicative tariff / night | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget homestay | ₹1,200-₹2,500 (indicative) | Basic farm rooms, home meals; book direct |
| Mid-range farm stay | ₹2,500-₹5,000 (indicative) | Better rooms, orchard setting, meals included by some |
| Premium cottage / resort | ₹5,000+ (indicative) | Fewer options; some on the Marayoor-Munnar road |
The tariff bands above are planning estimates gathered from listings, not official rates; confirm the current price, meal plan and heating with the property before you travel.
Food to try
The food to try in Kanthalloor is the farm produce itself, eaten fresh or turned into simple local dishes. Farms sell seasonal apples, oranges, plums, peaches and strawberries, and many homestays cook what the kitchen garden gives that day.
- Fresh orchard fruit: Apples, oranges, plums, peaches and strawberries, bought at the farm gate in season.
- Marayoor sharkara (jaggery): The unrefined cane sugar from nearby Marayoor, sold in blocks; carry some home.
- Kappa and kari (tapioca with a spiced curry): A Kerala highland staple served at homestays.
- Nadan chicken curry (country-style chicken): A common dinner at farm stays, with rice or appam (fermented rice pancake).
- Kattan chaya (strong black tea): The default hot drink against the cold; often with locally grown produce on the side.
Budget breakdown
A two-day Kanthalloor trip can be done on a modest budget because stays are small and the main activity, walking the farms, is free. The figures below are per-person planning estimates for a two-night trip, assuming two people sharing a mid-range farm stay and a shared vehicle from Munnar.
| Item | Indicative cost | Assumptions |
|---|---|---|
| Stay (2 nights) | ₹2,500-₹5,000 | Mid-range farm stay, two sharing |
| Meals | ₹800-₹1,500 | Home-cooked meals and fruit |
| Transport from Munnar | ₹1,000-₹2,500 | Share of taxi/jeep or bus fares |
| Fruit, tickets, guide | ₹500-₹1,200 | Farm fruit, tree-fern/forest tickets |
| Chinnar / Thoovanam (optional) | ₹250-₹600+ | Chinnar trek fees (see permits) |
| Approx. total | ₹5,000-₹10,800 | Per person, excludes long-distance travel |
These are indicative bands, not quotes; actual costs swing with season, group size and how much you drive. Reconfirm current fares and tariffs before you travel.
Permits and responsible-tourism rules
No special entry permit is needed to visit Kanthalloor village itself; the restrictions apply inside the surrounding forests and sanctuaries. Because the shola around the village lies within Anamudi Shola National Park, part of the forest road is closed to vehicles, and forest-managed spots like the tree ferns near Perumala need a ticket and a guide.
For the nearby protected areas, official fees apply. At the Thoovanam waterfall trek via Chinnar, Kerala Tourism’s ecotourism page lists a trek fee of ₹250 for Indians and ₹600 for foreign visitors, with timings of 8 am-2 pm (as of October 2026); the Marayoor-Kanthalloor jeep safari is listed at ₹3,000 for 3 hours or ₹6,000 for 5 hours. Reconfirm fees at the check post, as they change.
- Respect that these are working farms and tribal settlements; ask before entering land, photographing people or picking fruit.
- Carry your own water and take all plastic back out; the village’s STREET project is built on responsible tourism.
- Do not drive into closed forest stretches or off marked roads inside the national park.
- Drone use over forests and parks needs permission; check with the forest office first.
Practical tips
Come prepared for cold, thin mobile coverage and cash-first transactions in Kanthalloor. This is a remote high-range village, so plan for self-sufficiency rather than town conveniences.
- Warm layers: Even in autumn, nights are cold and winter mornings can hit single digits; pack a fleece or jacket, a cap and closed shoes.
- Cash and connectivity: Mobile signal and data are patchy in the hills; carry cash, as ATMs and reliable UPI cannot be assumed in the village. Draw money in Munnar or Marayoor.
- Driving: Avoid night driving on the Munnar-Marayoor road; fog cuts visibility and the bends are tight. Fuel up in Munnar or Marayoor.
- Health: The nearest larger hospitals are in Munnar and Adimali; carry a basic kit and any personal medicines. The altitude is modest and rarely a problem, but the cold and sun both bite.
- Solo and women travellers: The village is quiet and family-run stays are welcoming; still, plan to arrive before dark and keep your host’s number handy.
- Packing by season: Rain gear and grippy shoes in the monsoon; warm layers September to February; sun protection year-round at this altitude.
Nearby places
Kanthalloor pairs naturally with Marayoor, Munnar, Vattavada, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and Top Station, all within a short hill drive. The eastern high range packs heritage, wildlife and tea country into a compact loop.
| Place | Approx. distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Marayoor | ~12 km | Natural sandalwood forest, megalithic dolmens (muniyara), jaggery |
| Vattavada | Short hill drive | Sister farm belt; temperate vegetables and viewpoints |
| Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary | Near Marayoor | Rain-shadow sanctuary, grizzled giant squirrel, Thoovanam trek |
| Munnar | ~50 km | Tea estates, Eravikulam, the regional hub |
| Top Station | Via Munnar | High viewpoint on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border |
Marayoor is the essential add-on: Kerala Tourism and the forest department describe it as the only part of Kerala with natural sandalwood forests, and its dolmens (Stone Age burial chambers locally called muniyara) sit on the road up to Kanthalloor. For the tea-country side of this region, use our Munnar travel guide, and for a full state plan, the Kerala travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Kanthalloor and which district is it in?
Kanthalloor is a high-altitude village in Devikulam taluk, Idukki district, Kerala, in the eastern Western Ghats near Marayoor and the Tamil Nadu border. Kerala Tourism places it about 50 km east of Munnar at roughly 1,525 m, where the cool climate lets farmers grow apples and other temperate fruit found almost nowhere else in the state.
What is the best time to visit Kanthalloor?
The best time to visit Kanthalloor is September to March, when days are cool and roads are clear. Winter (December to February) brings frost and dawn fog with nights around 5-10°C. For fruit-picking, travel reports suggest roughly August to November, when strawberries, oranges and apples are in season and sold at the farm gate.
How do I reach Kanthalloor from Munnar?
Reach Kanthalloor by road from Munnar, about 50 km via Marayoor, per Kerala Tourism. There is no railway or airport in the village; the nearest airport is Cochin International (about 160 km) and the nearest railheads are Aluva and Ernakulam Junction. Buses and jeeps run from Munnar and Marayoor; avoid night driving due to fog.
Can you really see apples growing in Kanthalloor?
Yes. Kerala Tourism describes Kanthalloor as the only place in the state where apples are commercially cultivated, alongside oranges, plums, peaches, pears and strawberries. Many farms let visitors walk the orchards and buy fruit directly, mainly in the August-to-November harvest window. Always ask the farmer’s permission before entering or picking.
Do I need a permit to visit Kanthalloor?
No permit is needed for Kanthalloor village itself. Restrictions apply inside the surrounding Anamudi Shola National Park, where part of the forest road is closed and forest spots need a ticket and guide. The nearby Chinnar sanctuary and Thoovanam trek charge official fees (₹250 for Indians, ₹600 for foreigners, as of October 2026); reconfirm at the check post.
Is Kanthalloor worth visiting over staying in Munnar?
Kanthalloor is worth it if you want quiet farms and orchards rather than Munnar’s crowds and tea estates. It is smaller, cooler and more rural, with family-run farm stays and direct fruit sales, and in 2023 its panchayat won the Union government’s Gold award for rural tourism. Many travellers do both, using Munnar as the base and Kanthalloor as a one- or two-night add-on.
Last updated and sources
Go to Kanthalloor if you want a cool, quiet farm village rather than a busy hill resort, and time it for September to March. Winter visitors should pack hard for frost and fog, and book farm stays well ahead.
Last updated: 19 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change – reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Kerala Tourism – Kanthalloor destination; Kerala Tourism newsletter – Kanthalloor (distances, railheads, airport, fruits); Kerala Tourism ecotourism – Thoovanam/Marayoor trek and Chinnar fees; Wikipedia – Kanthalloor (elevation, coordinates, panchayat); Onmanorama – Kanthalloor Gold award / STREET project; Wikipedia – Marayur (sandalwood, dolmens). Accessed October 2026.
