10 Not To Miss Hill Stations In Kerala In October 2026

October is an excellent month to explore the hill stations of Kerala. By this time, the intense southwest monsoon has largely withdrawn, leaving behind lush forests, vibrant tea plantations and rejuvenated waterfalls. The cooler mountain climate also provides a refreshing break from the warmer coastal areas and backwaters.

While Kerala is widely known for the houseboats of Alleppey and the heritage charm of Kochi, its Western Ghats offer an entirely different travel experience. Munnar is surrounded by rolling tea estates, Thekkady combines dense forests with wildlife experiences, and Vagamon is known for misty meadows and peaceful mountain roads. For travellers seeking quieter destinations, places such as Nelliyampathy and Peermade offer a slower and less commercialised escape.

October is also a transition period, so occasional afternoon showers, mist and wet roads can still be expected, particularly in higher-altitude areas. These conditions add to the beauty of the mountains, but travellers should avoid planning overly packed itineraries.

For a longer Kerala holiday, Tusk Travel’s Kerala tour packages combine hill stations with popular destinations such as Kochi, Alleppey, Kumarakom and the state’s beaches. The current collection includes itineraries covering Munnar, Thekkady and other major attractions.

1. Munnar

Munnar is one of the first destinations that comes to mind when considering the best hill stations in Kerala in October.

Located high in the Western Ghats, Munnar is famed for its expansive tea plantations, misty valleys, reservoirs and forest-covered hills. The post-monsoon landscape is particularly vibrant, while many waterfalls continue to flow strongly during this period.

Begin your sightseeing at Eravikulam National Park, known for the endangered Nilgiri tahr and spectacular mountain landscapes. Other popular stops include Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point and Top Station, along with the scenic tea-growing areas around the town.

A visit to a tea museum or working plantation can make the trip more enriching, especially for travellers interested in learning about Kerala's tea cultivation and processing traditions.

Mornings in October can be cool and misty, while the daytime weather is generally pleasant for sightseeing. Since occasional showers are still possible, carrying a light rain jacket is advisable.

For a detailed itinerary, explore our guide to the best places to visit in Munnar, covering attractions such as Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, Top Station, tea gardens and Eravikulam National Park.

First-time visitors can also refer to our complete Munnar travel guide or learn more about how to reach Munnar.

Ideal stay: 2-3 nights
Best for: Tea gardens, couples, photography and scenic drives
Nearest major airport: Kochi International Airport

2. Thekkady

Thekkady offers a very different experience from Munnar.

The region is centred around the forests of Periyar Tiger Reserve and Periyar Lake. Instead of endless tea plantations, visitors encounter dense evergreen forests, spice plantations and opportunities to experience Kerala's wildlife.

A boat ride on Periyar Lake is one of the area's signature activities, although wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. The reserve and surrounding forests are home to elephants, deer, gaur and a wide variety of birds.

Visitors can also enjoy guided nature walks, bamboo rafting when available, spice plantation tours and cultural experiences such as Kalaripayattu performances.

October is an appealing time to visit because the forests remain lush following the monsoon, while temperatures are generally more comfortable than in Kerala's low-lying areas.

The existing Tusk Travel Kerala itineraries often combine Thekkady with Munnar and Alleppey, allowing travellers to experience hill landscapes, wildlife and Kerala's famous backwaters in one journey.

For longer holidays, explore the Kerala tour packages for itineraries connecting Munnar, Thekkady and the backwaters.

Ideal stay: 2 nights
Best for: Wildlife, nature, spice plantations and families
Nearest major airport: Madurai or Kochi, depending on your route

3. Vagamon

Vagamon is a great choice for travellers who want beautiful mountain scenery without the relatively busy atmosphere of Munnar.

The hill station is characterised by rolling grasslands, pine forests, valleys and winding mountain roads. Following the monsoon, the surrounding hills become remarkably green, while morning mist often creates an atmospheric setting.

Popular things to do include exploring Vagamon Meadows, walking through the pine forests, visiting viewpoints and taking scenic drives through the surrounding countryside.

Depending on weather and local operating conditions, adventure enthusiasts may also find opportunities for paragliding.

October is a favourable month to visit Vagamon as the monsoon leaves the landscape lush while outdoor conditions generally begin to improve.

Tusk Travel's guide to the top places to visit in Kerala also features Vagamon for its meadows, pine forests and adventure experiences.

Those planning a road trip can refer to the best road trips in Kerala guide, which includes the scenic route from Kottayam to Vagamon.

Ideal stay: 1-2 nights
Best for: Couples, peaceful getaways, road trips and photography
Nearest railway station: Kottayam

4. Ponmudi

Ponmudi is among the most convenient hill destinations to visit from Thiruvananthapuram.

Located around 60 km from the city, the drive to Ponmudi is an attraction in itself. The route winds through the Western Ghats, passing forested stretches, plantations and numerous bends.

At the hilltop, visitors can expect misty mountains, rolling landscapes and open viewpoints rather than a large, commercialised hill town.

Nearby attractions include Kallar, Golden Valley and forested walking areas. The region is also appealing to birdwatchers and nature lovers.

October brings lush greenery and lingering mist following the monsoon, although travellers should exercise caution on wet roads.

For detailed information, explore Tusk Travel's guide to Ponmudi Hills, places to visit and things to do.

Ideal stay: Day trip or 1 night
Best for: Scenic drives, short hikes and couples
Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport

5. Wayanad

Wayanad is not a single hill town but a large highland district filled with forests, plantations, reservoirs, caves and scenic viewpoints.

Its diversity makes it an excellent choice for travellers looking to spend several days surrounded by nature.

Major attractions include Edakkal Caves, Banasura Sagar Dam, Pookode Lake, Lakkidi View Point and the wildlife areas around Muthanga.

October follows the rainy season, making Wayanad's forests and waterfalls particularly attractive. However, some trails can remain wet and slippery, so comfortable footwear with good grip is recommended.

Wayanad is also well suited to road trips from Kozhikode, Mysuru and Bengaluru.

For sightseeing recommendations, read our guide to the best places to visit in Wayanad, which covers Lakkidi View Point and several of the area's major attractions.

Travellers interested in the region's spiritual and cultural heritage can also explore our guide to famous temples in Wayanad.

Ideal stay: 2-3 nights
Best for: Families, nature, wildlife and road trips
Nearest major airport: Kozhikode International Airport

6. Palakkad

Palakkad city itself is not a traditional hill station like Munnar or Vagamon. However, it serves as an excellent gateway to several fascinating Western Ghats landscapes, including Nelliyampathy, Silent Valley and the forested areas around the Palakkad Gap.

For this reason, Palakkad works particularly well as a regional base for exploring nearby hills rather than simply as a mountain destination.

Within the city, visitors can explore Palakkad Fort and Malampuzha before heading towards Silent Valley National Park or the mountain roads leading to Nelliyampathy.

October brings fresh post-monsoon greenery across the region, making it a pleasant time for exploring both cultural and natural attractions.

Our detailed Palakkad travel guide covers Palakkad Fort, Silent Valley, Nelliyampathy, waterfalls and other attractions.

You can also explore the top places to visit in Palakkad for more ideas.

Ideal stay: 1-2 nights as a regional base
Best for: History, nature and access to nearby hill regions
Nearest major airport: Coimbatore International Airport

7. Idukki

Idukki is among Kerala's most mountainous districts and is worth considering for travellers who want to explore beyond the state's conventional tourist circuit.

The region features forest-covered mountains, reservoirs, waterfalls and dramatic viewpoints.

The Idukki Arch Dam is its most recognisable landmark, while Hill View Park, Kalvari Mount, Ramakkalmedu and various waterfall areas provide additional scenic experiences.

October is a particularly attractive period to explore Idukki because the monsoon leaves the forests and reservoir landscapes fresh and green.

Idukki also connects naturally with Munnar, Thekkady and Vagamon, making it a useful part of a longer road trip through Kerala's highlands.

For more ideas, explore our guide to the best places to visit in Idukki and the detailed guide on things to do in Idukki.

Ideal stay: 2 nights
Best for: Road trips, viewpoints, waterfalls and nature
Nearest major airport: Kochi International Airport

8. Peermade

Peermade, also known as Peerumedu, is a relatively peaceful hill destination in Idukki district.

The surrounding landscape is dotted with tea, coffee, cardamom and rubber plantations, creating a distinctly different setting from Kerala's coastal regions.

Rather than focusing on a long list of tourist attractions, Peermade is better suited to travellers who enjoy slow mornings, plantation walks, scenic drives and panoramic valley views.

Nearby Parunthumpara is known for its dramatic views across the Western Ghats and can be especially atmospheric when clouds and mist move through the valleys.

The post-monsoon greenery makes October a pleasant time to explore the plantation country around Peermade, while the cooler weather adds to the appeal.

Peermade can conveniently be included in a journey between Kottayam and Thekkady rather than requiring a separate trip.

Ideal stay: 1 night
Best for: Slow travel, plantations, couples and scenic drives
Nearest railway station: Kottayam

9. Nelliyampathy

Nelliyampathy is an appealing option for travellers looking for less crowded hill stations in Kerala.

Located in Palakkad district, the route into the hills winds through the Western Ghats, with forested stretches, plantations and scenic bends along the way.

Tea, coffee and orange plantations add character to the landscape, while viewpoints provide expansive views over the plains below.

October is especially scenic here, as the forests and plantations remain lush following the monsoon.

Wildlife may occasionally be spotted in the surrounding forested areas, but visitors should always maintain a safe distance and avoid disturbing animals.

For detailed sightseeing suggestions, see our guide to Nelliyampathy tourist attractions and things to do.

Our guide to places to visit in North Kerala also features Nelliyampathy among the region's scenic mountain destinations.

Ideal stay: 1-2 nights
Best for: Offbeat travel, plantations, road trips and nature
Nearest major transport hub: Palakkad

10. Lakkidi

Lakkidi lies on the approach to Wayanad and is renowned for its misty landscapes, winding mountain roads and panoramic views of the Western Ghats.

Rather than planning Lakkidi as a separate multi-day destination, it is more practical to include it as part of a wider Wayanad itinerary.

The Lakkidi View Point is one of the area's most popular stops, particularly when clouds and mist drift through the valleys below.

Nearby Pookode Lake offers another easy nature excursion, while several of Wayanad's other attractions can be reached conveniently by road.

October is an attractive time to visit Lakkidi because the post-monsoon landscape is exceptionally green. However, showers can still make the mountain roads slippery, so motorists should take care around the hairpin bends.

Our Wayanad sightseeing guide covers Lakkidi View Point along with other nearby attractions.

Ideal stay: Part of a 2-3 night Wayanad trip
Best for: Viewpoints, misty landscapes and photography
Nearest major airport: Kozhikode International Airport