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If Kerala had a little pocket of magic tucked away in a quiet corner, it would be Kanthalloor. Just a short drive from Munnar, which features on almost every tourist itinerary in the state, this sleepy high-altitude village has everything you’d want from a winter vacation: clean mountain air, fruit-laden orchards, green hills and no crowds! Plus, it has many firsts to its name, including the fact that this is the only place in Kerala where apples are grown, earning Kanthalloor the epithet of 'Kashmir of Kerala'. A Shop That Still Runs On BarterIn Kanthalloor, money takes a backseat, and that’s not a metaphor. There’s an actual shop here that’s been running on the barter system since 1962. Locals walk in with their farm produce, be it ginger, garlic, mustard, coriander or beans, and walk out with rice or essentials. More than 160 households depend on this store, making it one of Kerala’s most heartwarming throwbacks to a simpler time. The Hills Turn Blue Every 12 YearsEvery twelve years, Kanthalloor become blue, quite literally, when the Neelakurinji flowers burst into bloom. It’s a sight so rare that travellers from around the world fly in just to witness it. The last bloom was in 2018, so if you missed it, start planning for 2030. Fun fact: local tribal communities once used the bloom to mark their age, one flower season equalled twelve years of life! Kerala’s Home Of ‘Liquid Gold’Kanthalloor and its neighbour Marayoor are the only places in Kerala where sandalwood trees grow naturally. The government protects these sacred forests, where the air smells faintly sweet and earthy, like nature’s own perfume. The locals call sandalwood oil ‘liquid gold’, and once you see the glistening bottles at the forest department’s factory, you’ll know why. Places To See In Kanthalloor About 55 kilometres from Munnar lie the Muniyara Dolmens which are massive stone burial chambers from the Neolithic Age, which makes them go back to 3000 BC! These megalithic structures are popular travel spots in the area. And if you like your vacations green and quiet, Kanthalloor delivers. The village is packed with organic farms, fruit orchards, butterflies, and birds. You can go apple or strawberry picking, walk through orange groves, or just sip fresh juice as you watch the mist roll in. If you're the adventurous kind, you can find hidden forest trails that lead to waterfalls, or make a pit stop at the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary or Anamudi Shola National Park for a bit of wild exploration. Another worthy addition to your itinerary is the Cure Monastery which is surrounded by sandalwood trees and silence. Best Time To Visit KanthalloorKanthalloor is at its prettiest between September and March, when the air turns cool, and the hills take you away from the heat of South India. Travel News - Find latest news and tips based on Indian and World travel including top 10 travel destination, tourism information, how to reach visit and more at Times Now.
