Thenmala
Situated 67 km east of Kollam, Thenmala is a small village at the foothills of Western Ghats covered by dense forest, rubber and tea plantations. In local jargon Thenmala means ‘honey hills’ and the honey collected from this region is famous for its medicinal value and quality. The major attractions here are the reservoir, dam and meter gauge.

Thenmala is the first eco tourism destination in India and the eco-tourist center provides all the needful assistance and facilities and enables the tourist to enjoy the nature at the very best. To explore every tourist destination, the region has been divided into culture, leisure and adventure zones. Musical dancing fountain along with amphitheatre, shop court and restaurants are the main attractions of the culture zone. In the leisure zone, sculpture garden, sway bridge, broad walk etc offers amazing view to the tourists. Besides the sculptures of father and child, some of the charecters of Indian myths such as Ekalavya, Vikramadithya and Vethalam are there in the sculpture garden. Adventure zone comprises of Elevated Walkway, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, River Crossing, Nature Trails, Resting Spots, Lotus Pond etc.

One of the important resources of Thenmala Ecotourism is Shenduruney, declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1984, with a large variety of flora and fauna. Sprawling over an area of 100.32 Sq. km., this deciduous man made rain forest consists of around 1500 flowering plants, 43 species of mammals and 475 species of birds. The construction of the Parappar Dam across the confluence of the Shenduruney, Kazhuthurutty and Kulathupuzha rivers has resulted in the creation of an artificial lake of about 26 Sq. Km. which spreads along the middle of the sanctuary. Boating through this lake is the major attraction of the sanctuary.

Palaruvi waterfall that is 16 km from Thenmala towards Shenkotah is mind blowing.

Contact:
Thenmala Ecotourism Promotion Society,
Thenmala Dam Junction, Thenmala PO 691308 Kollam District, Kerala, India.
Phone: 91-475-2344800
E-mail : Contact Now

Corporate Office :
Thenmala Ecotourism Promotion Society
(A Government of Kerala Undertaking)
Gokulam, TC 15/1170, Krishnavilasom Road, Vazhuthacaud,
Thiruvananthapuram 695013, Kerala, India
Phone: 91-471-2329770
Fax: 91-471-2337037

Achencoil
Situated 80 km away from Punalur, Achencoil alias Acchankovil is an important pilgrim centre in Pathanamthitta district. The Sastha temple here, located amidst dense forests, attracts tourists during the Sabarimala season. The two important festivals of this temple are Mandala Pooja (December-January) and the festival held at 'Ravathi' (January-February). The two notable features of the festival are the Therottam (Chariot festival) and Pushpabhishekam (offering of flowers).

Courtallam falls
Sharing the boundary with Kollam, Courtallam alias Kuttalam falls is situated on the Western Ghats in Tirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. Offering a picturesque view, Courtallam consists of nine water falls. The water her is said to have medicinal value. The nine falls are

Main Falls ( Peraruvi)
Small Falls (Chitraruvi)
Shenbagadevi falls is not safe to have a bath
Honey Falls (Thenaruvi) - It is tedious to reach
Five Falls (Aindharuvi) is the most popular waterfall which separates into five small waterfalls as it hits the ground.
Tiger Falls (Puli Aruvi)
Old Falls (Pazhaya Courtallaruvi)
New Falls (Puthu Aruvi)
Fruit Garden Falls (Pazhathotta Aruvi)
The ideal season for viewing the falls is from June to late August during the monsoon. A guest house and a number of medium range hotels are available for stay in Courtallam.