Kallar, Thiruvananthapuram District, Trivandrum Overview

Kallar is ideally, a scenic location of small, gorgeous and less polluted hamlets situated on the way from Ponmudi hill station to Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. In an offbeat track of 15 km away from Ponmudi, Kallar provides a perfect weekend getaway in the laps of nature.

The term ‘Kallar’ has been derived from the two words, ‘kallu’ which means stone and ‘aru’ meaning river, thus getting its name from river Kallar flowing nearby, known for beautiful round boulders and pebbles, flowing primarily in the upper reaches of its course. It lies on the bank of Vamanapuram River, which is a tributary of Neyyar River. People in Kallar speak Malayali and being a small, lesser-known village; it is not a multilingual place of attraction.
Kallar, being relatively unknown and unexplored is a tranquil hub, perfect for anyone looking for a non-cliché destination or merely a family picnic.

Best Time to Visit

Kallar is apt to be visited throughout the year as the weather remains pleasant. However, it is better to avoid the summer as the waterbed remains dry, and the lush green environment cannot be enjoyed. The perfect time to visit Kallar is after monsoon, although the trails can be quite slippery.

Local Sightseeing

1. Kallar Forest, Vamanapuram River Beaches, Golden Valley picnic spot offers clean dive sites.
2. Kallar Bridge, Meenmutti Waterfalls and its surrounding rainforest create a picturesque location.

Activities

Kallar is perfect for trekking. The trail starts from Kallar Bridge and ends at Meenmutti Waterfalls, a trek of 3 km meandering through the forest. Other than that, one can also opt to angle in the small streams or bird watching. It is favourite among local photographers due to the less crowd. Camping spots are beautiful near the river, and a few sites provide the facility along with swimming, wildlife watching, bonfire etc. While in the proximity, a dip in the crystal clear water of the Golden Valley is a must.

Food and Accommodation

Albeit costly due to its less popularity, there are good hotels as well as bed and breakfast available in Kallar. Visitors can always opt for cheaper accommodation in Thiruvananthapuram or Ponmudi, which also have a better transportation network.

Tips

Get a guide from Tourist Facilitation Centre run by District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) in Thiruvananthapuram because the trails can be a little tricky to trek.
Besides, guides can offer a better background of the place.
However, you are in for a keen adventure if you have enough time to venture into the unexplored.

How To Reach Kallar

Kallar is 40 km away from Trivandrum International Airport (TRV), and visitors can opt for either a bus or a cab to Kallar which takes approximately an hour and a half. The major railway station is in Thiruvananthapuram Pettah which is 43 km away from Kallar. Buses and taxis frequently ply to Kallar Bus Stand from the station at nominal rates. The other major town near Kallar is Ponmudi from where one can take buses or rent cabs to Kallar for a day trip.