Kolukkumalai Tea Estate is located in the Western Ghats, about 7,000ft above sea level. It's the highest tea estate in the world and offers a thrilling jeep ride through the rugged terrain. The plantation has been around since the early 1900s, and you can witness tea processing from the leaf to the cup. The view from the tea estate is breathtaking, and on a clear day, you can even see Tamil Nadu from the top.
Periyar National Park is a wildlife sanctuary that spreads across 300 square miles of tropical forest. The park is home to many endangered species like the Bengal tiger, Indian elephant, and Nilgiri tahr. You can explore the sanctuary by taking a bamboo rafting tour through the Periyar river or go on a guided trek through the forest. Make sure to visit the Periyar Lake, which is a great spot for birdwatching and boating.
Vagamon is a beautiful hill station located in the Idukki district of Kerala. The place is known for its scenic valleys, tea gardens, and pine forests. You can go paragliding from the top of the hills, trek through the meadows, or visit the Thangal Para viewpoint to get a panoramic view of the entire town. Make sure to visit the Vagamon Lake, which offers boating and fishing facilities.
If you have more time, consider visiting the Backwaters of Alleppey, which is a network of brackish lagoons and lakes lying parallel to the Arabian Sea coast. You can go on a houseboat tour through the backwaters and witness the local life. If you have less time, you can skip Vagamon and spend more time in Periyar National Park or visit the Athirapally falls, which is a spectacular waterfall located on the Chalakudy river.