Kanthalloor, village in Idukki District, Kerala, India
Kanthalloor is a village in Idukki district nestled in the Western Ghats at around 5000 feet elevation, surrounded by green hills, valleys, and extensive fruit orchards. The landscape features orange trees, strawberries, blackberries, apples, and numerous other crops spread across hillside slopes, making it Kerala's primary apple-growing region.
The village has a long history of human settlement, evidenced by ancient megalithic tombs and dolmens dating back centuries. Over time it developed into an important agricultural region, with its farming traditions shaping the Idukki district landscape for generations.
The name Kanthalloor reflects the gentle and quiet character of this place, deeply rooted in its agricultural heritage and local way of life. Daily routines here center on farming, tea cultivation, and traditional crafts like jaggery making and lemongrass oil production, with visitors welcomed to observe or participate in these simple activities.
The village is best explored on foot or by bike to properly enjoy the fruit farms and winding roads. For hikes to nearby waterfalls and forest trails, wear comfortable shoes and allow time to move slowly through the landscape.
It is the only place in Kerala where apples grow naturally in large quantities, a feature that earned the village its nickname as the Kashmir of Kerala. Visitors can purchase these apples directly from farms, tasting a genuine regional specialty found nowhere else in the state.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
