Kumily: Plantation town on the edge of Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Kumily combines the character of a plantation town with experiences involving tea, coffee and spices. The town lies on the edge of Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, and there are also various places to visit nearby. You can tailor your stay to suit your interests, whether you want to learn about production processes, include historical and religious sites, or spend time in nature.

A plantation town with a historic past

Kumily was formerly known as Kuzhumoor and was the capital of the Thekkumkoor kings. This historic role adds to the town’s character today as a plantation town on the edge of the sanctuary. If you like to incorporate a range of interests into your stay when choosing a holiday apartment, Kumily offers opportunities to explore history, agriculture and nature—without requiring these interests to fit into a single type of excursion.

Experience tea, coffee and agriculture

In Kumily, visitors can experience tea and coffee production up close. You can observe cultivation, picking and processing in factories. The farm tourism program also offers visits to farms where you can learn about agricultural methods. The two offerings focus on different aspects of agriculture: the processing of tea and coffee as well as cultivation methods. If these kinds of insights match your travel interests, they may factor into your decision to choose Kumily as a holiday destination.

The Tribal Heritage Museum also adds to the activities available to visitors in Kumily. Along with insights into agriculture, it makes for a stay that does not rely solely on trips into nature. Check the current options in advance if you have specific plans to visit.

Spices and special purchases

Spices are a popular purchase in Kumily. Other items on offer include spiced chocolate, spiced preserves, and specialty teas and coffees. In addition to its plantations and agricultural experiences, the town also has a distinct culinary shopping scene. If you have a particular product in mind, ask locally about current availability, as selections may change. A holiday apartment in Kumily may be worth considering if you want to combine these purchases with experiences and excursions; this says nothing about the amenities or availability of individual accommodations.

Excursions in the surrounding area

Nearby Kurisumala is a Christian pilgrimage center about two kilometers by road from Kumily. At nearby Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, activities include jeep and elephant safaris, bamboo rafting, and boat safaris on Periyar Lake. These activities offer different ways to experience the sanctuary. Before making specific plans, check current dates and availability.

Chellarkovil offers a different experience: The nearby village is about 15 kilometers from Kumily, on the border between Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It has cascading waterfalls that originate in Kerala and flow into Tamil Nadu. The ecotourism program includes tree houses and a medicinal plant garden, where huts provide rest stops for visitors. The waterfalls and the facilities described make Chellarkovil a destination in its own right in the surrounding area, not part of Kumily.

Choose Kumily as your base

The main bus station for the Periyar region is in Kumily. When choosing your holiday apartment, consider which interests you want to shape your stay: insights into tea and coffee production, spice shopping, the museum, or excursions to nearby destinations. If you have several of these interests, Kumily offers various ways to explore them. If one particular destination is your main focus, take its location and current visiting options into account when planning.

Discover more destinations: Vandanmedu, Idukki, Pallivasal, Nedumkandam, Munnar, Poonjar Vadakkekara, Marayoor, Vagamon.

Back to the parent travel overview: Idukki.