The first planned eco-tourism centre in India, Thenmala is located in Kollam district of Kerala close to the in the state of Kerala. At an elevation of 1,640 ft, the town is about 73 north of Thiruvananthapuram.
Thenmala is formed by two words Then means honey and Mala means mountain and literally means the mountain where honey flows. The place abounds with beehives and honey collected from the region is considered to be of very good quality.
A very popular tourist attraction is the rhythmic ballad of water along with sound and light at the Musical Fountain. There is also an amphitheatre where local art forms and cultural programmes are performed. Various aquatic plants can be seen at the Lotus Pond. There is a children’s eco-park which has swings and tree-top huts. There is a deer rehabilitation centre. The sculpture garden is a must see with sculptures that depict the relation between nature and man. The Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary located near the town, is also a popular tourist attraction.
As part of responsible travel, guided eco-trips are managed by local communities.
Adventure activities like mountain biking, rock climbing, rappelling, river crossing and leisure activities like bird watching and canopy walking can be done in Thenmala. All the different individual activities like river rafting require separate tickets which can be bought at the spot.
The climate of the region remains pleasant for most of the year except summer months. Thenmala is best avoided during the monsoon as the region receives heavy rainfall.
Various products made from forest produce are available at the Shop Court. There is an assortment of products for women ranging from cosmetics to jewelry.
There are tents and dormitories along with budget hotels in Thenmala. Government run inspection bungalows are also good option for budget accommodation. Eating options are limited. Shacks selling local cuisine can be found. The best time to visit Thenmala is between December and February.
The average minimum and maximum temperature of Thiruvananthapuram is as given below. The best time to visit Thiruvananthapuram is also specified.
