Vandanmedu, Thekkady Overview

Located in the Idukki district in Thekkady, Vandanmedu is a quaint village known for its picturesque vistas and sprawling tea plantations. It is situated at an altitude of 4000 feet above sea level and is an excellent destination for adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. It offers a mesmerizing panoramic view of the Western Ghats and is a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the busy city. The village is filled with spice plantations and tea estates and leaves all the travelers feeling rejuvenated.

Vandanmedu is also popular for its Ayurvedic treatment center known as the Vandanmedu Ayurveda Hospital. This center offers a range of ayurvedic therapies and treatments for various ailments and is, therefore, a renowned destination for wellness and health seekers.

1. Tea Plantation Tour

Vandanmedu is home to several tea plantations and therefore you must take a tour of the tea estates here. The timings and ticket prices vary according to the plantations, however, you will be able to (Read More)witness the daily lives of the workers at the plantations and even learn about the process of harvesting and processing the tea leaves.

2. Spice Plantation Tour

Vandanmedu is sprawling with spice plantations that are famous for producing pepper, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon. This tour will provide you an insight into the growing and processing of several sp (Read More)ices. Spices Lap Plantation Resort Thekkady provides a spice plantation tour along with an elephant ride. This program takes place from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM daily, with 30 minutes for each ride.

3. Visiting the Cardamom and Tea Auction Center

These auction centers in Vandanmedu attract buyers from all across the globe and are one of the largest in all of Asia. Here you will be able to witness the ongoings of tea auctions and trade. The fol (Read More)lowing plantations will provide you with the best experience in Vandanmedu: Odamade, Murukady, and Vellaramkunnu.

4. Birdwatching

Vandanmedu is home to exotic birds and is a bird watcher's paradise. Set amidst a forest, you can spot several rare species of birds such as the Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Malabar Grey Hornbill, and Indian (Read More)Pitta. Carmelia Haven Resort is about half an hour away from Vandanmedu and is one of the best places for birdwatching. Set amidst a deciduous forest, this resort is a paradise for birdwatchers and wildlife photographers.

5. Trekking

Vandanmedu is set amidst a hilly, dense forest and therefore has several trekking trails. These trails can also be used for bike riding. Such places can be extremely slippery during monsoons, so it's (Read More)best to go on a trek in Vandanmedu in the summer and winter months.