Kumily

Kumily (Malayalam: കുമളി Kumaḷi) is a town in Kerala State in South India. It is in the Cardamom Hills near Thekkady and the Periyar Tiger Reserve, in the Idukki District.

Understand

Kumilly

A major tourist destination and spices trading center. Kumily is an access point for many Kerala bound merchants and labourers, and in close proximity to the bordering points in Tamil Nadu.

Get in

The nearest airport is Madurai and so is the Railway Station but since it is on the Kerala side it would be wise to get in via Kottayam.

Bus from Kottayam. Buses from Tamil Nadu, especially Madurai at a distance of 120 km.

Get around

Taxis and Autorickshaws.

See

• Chellarkovil. 
• 1 Cheruthoni. 
• Hill View Park. 
• 2 Idukki Arch Dam. This is the world's second and Asia's first arch dam.  
• 3 Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, Idukki. 
• 4 Kurishumala Church, Vagamon. 
• Spice fields. 
• 5 Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary (Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary).  
• 6 Vandiperiyar. 
• 7 Vagamon. A nice place to visit, with pine trees to explore! (updated Jun 2017)
• Kollampattada, Kumily

Do

• Spices. Enjoy the Spicy flavours of Kerala. Walk among the cardamom plantations. Shop for spices. 
• jeep safari. the safari here is quite bad, you pay rate for whole car, price starting at 2000-3000 Inr/car (2023). It consist of 2h drive through vandiperiyar to "safari" place and 1h in nature. No chance of animals, it is really rare to see them far in horizon, there is too much people and noise. I can recommend it for people who like crazy off-road, better to go it by walking because you can at least enjoy the scenery. 
• boat safari. Better chances of animals you will get in morning with the boat ride from thekkady. 500 inr is entry fee to the reservation and 225 inr is for the 1,5h boat ride on periyar lake. (2023) 

Buy

Spices and Condiments, Various types of Tea (Masala, Vanilla, Coca late, Cardamom), Coffee beans and powder

• Hilltop Spices, J549+M23, Kottayam - Kumily Rd, Thekkady, ☏ +91 9953865830, +91 9447472413. Wholesale and retail dealers in cardamom, pepper, cloves, cinnamon and other spices, which are locally grown. 
• Red Frog, ☏ +91 4869 224560, redfrog@dataone.in. for Musical instruments, home accessories and spices (updated Jun 2015)

Eat

• Lord's Family Restaurant on the main road of Kumily, in the center. The "Navrathan Kurma" is wonderful.
• Spice Village (Buffet Restaurant). (updated Jun 2015)

Sleep

Lot of hotels and home stays are available.

• Coffee Inn. ₹400. (updated Jun 2015)
• Michales Inn (on way to Thekkady). 
• The Pepper Valley Stay (on way to Thekkady). Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. Budget. 
• Spice Village. 210 dollars.. (updated Jun 2015)
• 1 Tree Top Hotel. ₹2,500. (updated Jun 2015)
• Woodlands Prime Castle (on way to Thekkady). Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. Budget.