Palukachimala
Kottiyoor: When the folds of Palukachimala opened for visitors for the first time after launching a tourism project here, 140 trekkers hiked the hills on the initial day.
Travellers were allowed to mount Palukachimala, which is located 2,347 feet high from the sea level from Sunday. The Palukachi forest protection committee will manage the trekking and tourism ventures in these hills. The committee has appointed six temporary staff to guide the trekkers here.
The trekking begins through the shades of lush green forests in Kottiyoor. The 2 kilometre long path piercing the forest takes the visitors to Palukachimala. Once reached at the peak, the visitors become mesmerised by the spellbinding visuals offered by the heights of the hills.
A ticket counter, parking area and lavatory facilities are set up in the base camp at St Thomas Mount.

Routes
Three routes are there to reach Palukachimala base camp accessible to the fourwheelers.
- Kelakam- Vendekkumchal- Shanthigiri- Base Camp
- Kelakam- Adakkathode- Shanthigiri- Base camp
- Kottiyoor- Palukachi- Base camp
- Elders- Rs 50
- Children- Rs 20
- Foreigners- Rs 150
- Camera- Rs 100