Your own vehicle for a cool day in the hills: Pothundy dam, ten hairpins through the forest, then orange farms, tea estates and cliff-top views at Seethargundu — two hours from Thrissur.
Highlights: 10 hairpin bends, Seethargundu view, Orange farm, Pothundy dam
Itinerary
6:30 AM — Pickup From your door, hotel, Thrissur station or the bus stand; via the Kuthiran tunnel and Vadakkanchery, breakfast on the way.
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.
6:30 PM — Drop-off Down the ghat by mid-afternoon; back to your door in Thrissur.
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 a proper breakfast on the way up. No ATM or fuel up there: carry cash for entry and shops.
🐘 Wildlife: Elephants and gaur sometimes cross near the estates at dawn and dusk. Stay in the vehicle if animals are on the road; your driver will wait.
