A cool day in the hills above Palakkad: Pothundy dam, ten forest hairpins, then cliff-top views at Seethargundu, Kesavanpara, orange farms and tea estates.
Highlights: 10 hairpin bends, Seethargundu view, Orange farm, Pothundy dam
Itinerary
7:00 AM — Pickup Palakkad Junction (Olavakkode) · Palakkad KSRTC bus station · your hotel in town (Breakfast stop at Nenmara)
8:45 AM — Pothundy dam A quick stop at the old earth dam at the foot of the hills, by the forest check post. (Photos only)
9:15 AM — Up the ten hairpins A 17 km forest climb to Kaikatty, with stops at safe viewpoints. (Forest check post on the way)
10:15 AM — Seethargundu viewpoint Cliff-top views over the Kollengode plains and a seasonal waterfall. (Short walk)
11:45 AM — Orange farm & Kesavanpara The government orange farm, tea and cardamom estates and the Kesavanpara rock view. Lunch in the hills, own expense.
5:30 PM — Drop-off Palakkad Junction, KSRTC bus station, or your own stop in town
Good to know
🛣️ Hairpin road: About 10 hairpins between Pothundy and Kaikatty — carry motion sickness tablets if needed. Vehicles are logged at the forest check post; we go up early and come down before dark.
🌧️ Weather: Best from September to February; cool and misty most mornings. Heavy monsoon rain can bring landslips on the ghat — we re-check the day before.
🍽️ Food & cash: Few places to eat in the hills — we stop for breakfast at Nenmara on the way up. No ATM up there: carry cash for entry, lunch and the farm shop.
🐘 Wildlife: Elephants and gaur sometimes cross near the estates at dawn and dusk. Everyone stays inside if animals are on the road; we wait.
