Vagamon Tour Packages from Coimbatore

How far is Vagamon from Coimbatore?

Vagamon is about 245 km from Coimbatore by road, roughly 5.5 hours of driving with a meal stop. The usual route runs through Palakkad, Thrissur and Thodupuzha before the climb. The Kottayam district site puts Vagamon 64 km from Kottayam, on the border of Kottayam and Idukki districts, and the nearest airport is Cochin, about 98 km away. Because the drive takes most of a day, we do not sell a Vagamon one day tour from Coimbatore. You would spend about 11 hours in the vehicle for a few hours on the hill.

What is Vagamon known for?

Vagamon is a hill station at about 1,100 m above sea level, with tea gardens, grassy meadows and pine trees along the hairpin roads. DTPC Idukki describes it as a chain of three hills: Murugan hill, Thangal hill and Kurisumala, sacred to Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Tea planting started on a large scale in 1926 with Walter Duncan and Company, and the Kurisumala Ashram, a Trappist monastery, was founded here in 1955. Kerala Tourism and the Adventure Sports and Sustainable Tourism Academy (AASTA) hold an international paragliding festival in Vagamon every year.

It is quieter than Munnar. There are fewer shops and no big town centre, so the trip is about walks, views and cool air.

Vagamon tourist places: what to see

Most Vagamon tourist places sit within a short drive of each other, so two days on the hill cover them at an easy pace.

• Kurisumala. The name means mountain of the holy cross. Pilgrims climb to the church at the top, in large numbers on Good Friday, and the monastery and ashram sit at the foothills. DTPC Idukki suggests giving it half a day.
• Thangal Para. A large rock at about 2,500 feet at Kolahalamedu, with the tomb of a Sufi saint, Sheikh Fariduddin. It is also a viewpoint over the town.
• The meadows and Vagamon Lake. Open grassland next to a small lake ringed by tea bushes. Boating is paid at the counter, and boat types and timings change.
• Pine forest. Planted pines near Kolahalamedu, on the road towards Elappara. Entry is paid at the gate.
• Marmala waterfall. A walk from the road. Access can close in heavy rain.
• Murugan hill. The third of the three hills, sacred to Hindus.

Vagamon also has a glass bridge, which Wikipedia lists as the longest cantilever glass bridge in India. It is not in our standard plan, so ask us if you want it added and we will check whether it is open on your dates.

Which Vagamon tour package from Coimbatore should you pick?

We run one trip built around Vagamon itself: the Vagamon 3 days tour package from Coimbatore, with two nights on the hill. Day 1 is the drive up, the pine forest, Kurisumala and the lake. Day 2 is Marmala waterfall, the meadows and Suicide Point. Day 3 is Pine Valley and Thangal Para before the drive home.

Our Munnar and Thekkady routes do not stop in Vagamon, because the detour cuts into the time at the other places. If you want Vagamon and Thekkady on one trip, we add one night to the 3 day plan.

What does a Vagamon package cost?

The Vagamon 3 day package starts at ₹8,499 per person, based on 2 travelling together. One price covers the AC vehicle, driver, fuel, toll, parking, Kerala permit and entry tax, and a 3-star or similar hotel named in your quote. Meals, entry tickets, boating and personal expenses are extra. The total changes with your dates, the hotel, room sharing and the vehicle: two people fit a sedan, a family of five or six an Innova, and a larger group a Tempo Traveller.

How many days do you need in Vagamon?

Three days with two nights works for most people. With about 5.5 hours of driving each way, a one night trip leaves you only one real day on the hill. Two nights give you a full day for the meadows and the waterfall, and the mornings for Kurisumala and Thangal Para when the mist is still low.

When is the best time to visit Vagamon?

September to May is the usual season, with clear mornings and cool evenings. The southwest monsoon from June brings mist, slippery paths and closed viewpoints on some days, though the meadows turn very green. December and January nights can be cold, so pack a jacket. The hilltops are open ground, and Wikipedia records two tourists killed by lightning there in August 2014, so on stormy afternoons we keep you off the bare tops.

Can you combine Vagamon with Thekkady, Kottayam or Munnar?

Yes. Thekkady is about 45 km away by road, the easiest pairing, and our Thekkady weekend trip covers the Periyar boat ride. Kottayam is 64 km down the hill if you want backwaters. Munnar is about 95 km north, and the Munnar Thekkady 4 day plan suits people who want the bigger tea hills. See all our Kerala trips from Coimbatore, or call or WhatsApp +91 86101 62373 with your dates.