It is home to a colonial era golf course. It is part of the catchment area of the Thamirabharani river and its tributaries. It is a gorgeous mix of grasslands, tropical forests and tropical evergreen forests. It is one of the wettest places in Tamil Nadu and definitely part of the wettest region during the North East Monsoon in India. This remote hill station, located at an altitude of close to 5000 feet above MSL is the highest point in the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. I am talking about Kakkachi that is located above the hill station of Manjolai in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu.
Everything about Kakkachi screams remoteness and beauty. Should I talk about the narrow and bumpy forest road that leads to Kakkachi from Manjolai or should I mention that you hardly see any people here. May be, a few tea estate workers who commute between Oothu and Manjolai. But, apart from that, all you have for company is the gorgeous nature and the rich wildlife here.
If you happen to arrive here before 8 AM, you will most likely see this place enveloped in dense mist and only when the mist clears, will you get to see the rolling greens of the colonial era golf course and the beautiful man-made lake next to it. This golf course is not in use anymore as this place falls under the purview of the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, but you will certainly find lots of leeches here especially during the wet season or close to the lake shore.
This highest point inside the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve is your remote hill station in the Western Ghats that is full of natural beauty and charm. Thankfully, the forest department requires prior permission to visit Kakkachi. Else, lots of visitors will change the sanctity of this place. If you like this offbeat hill station inside a tiger reserve, do plan in advance and prepare yourself to be bowled over by its rich nature and gorgeous landscapes.
Other tourist attractions inside Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve:
1) Manimuthar Falls: The herbal waterfall inside a tiger reserve
2) Agastyar Falls: A gorgeous waterfall on the Thamirabharani river
3) Manjolai: The offbeat hill station of Tamil Nadu
4) Kudrevetty: The remote and windy hill station of Tamil Nadu
5) Nalumukku: The wettest place of India during the North East Monsoon
6) Oothu: A quiet hilly village inside a tiger reserve and surrounded by tea estates
7) Scenic Iron bridge of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve: Pristine nature overloaded
8) Karaiyar Dam: Offbeat wildlife and nature holiday destination in India’s deep south
9) Cycling through the backyards of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
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