Major city · India
Ponmudiപൊന്മുടി
A half-day hill station escape from Thiruvananthapuram: go for the morning, return by evening. One night only if you want to trek Agasthyarkoodam.
Ponmudi (The Golden Peak) is a 62 km drive north-east of Thiruvananthapuram, a compact hill station with tea gardens, a deer park and the Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary. Most visitors arrive by taxi or bus, spend 4–6 hours on the ridge, and return the same day. The place is quiet on weekdays, busy on Sundays.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid Jun–Sep (heavy rain, landslides possible)
- Airport
- TRV
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Ponmudi112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Ponmudi, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetySafe for tourists.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 112 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTRV Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (62 km (39 mi); taxi about 1.5 h).TRV Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (39 mi (62 km); taxi about 1.5 h).
- Getting aroundOn foot along the ridge; a private taxi for the access road and to reach trailheads.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealKTDC Restaurant breakfastcheck₹250 (≈ US$3)
- Museum or sight ticketDeer Park entrycheck₹20–50 (≈ under US$1)
- Budget bedPWD Rest House room, a night, per room₹1,500 (≈ US$18)
- Mid-range bedDouble room at KTDC Hotel, a night, per room₹2,500 (≈ US$30)
- High-end bedDouble room at KTDC Hotel, a night, per room₹3,500 (≈ US$40)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹2,000 (≈ US$25) · Mid ₹4,000 (≈ US$50) · High ₹7,000 (≈ US$80)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TRV Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (62 km (39 mi); taxi about 1.5 h)TRV Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (39 mi (62 km); taxi about 1.5 h)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Jul (18 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Ponmudi: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
2 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
3 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
17 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
18 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
On foot along the ridge; a private taxi for the access road and to reach trailheads. Buses are infrequent.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 1.5 h
Taxi or KSRTC bus, about 1.5 h
Most visitors start from the city.
Door to door: 2.5 h
Taxi via Thiruvananthapuram, about 2.5 h
A long day; better as a separate trip.
Door to door: 30 min
Taxi, about 30 min
Tea estate and colonial bungalow; combine with Ponmudi.
Kollam
goDoor to door: 1.5 h
Taxi, about 1.5 h
Backwater town and ferry terminal.
Punalur
goDoor to door: 1 h
Taxi, about 1 h
Hanging bridge and river town.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Ponmudi hilltop
KTDC Hotel and PWD Rest House; basic, book ahead.
Thiruvananthapuram
Most visitors stay in the city and day-trip.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹1,500–2,500 (≈ US$18–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹3,000–5,000 (≈ US$35–60) excl. bed
- High
- ₹6,000 (≈ US$70)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room at KTDC Hotel1 × 1 night × ₹2,500 | ₹2,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₹4,000 | ₹8,000 |
| Taxi from Thiruvananthapuram, round trip1 × ₹3,500 · check | ₹3,500 |
| KSRTC bus from Thiruvananthapuram, round trip2 × ₹300 · check | ₹600 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ₹500 | ₹1,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹1,560 |
| Trip total≈ ₹8,580 per person per day, bed included | ₹17,160≈ US$200 |
2026 estimate in rupees; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| KTDC Restaurant breakfastcheck | ₹250 (≈ US$3) |
| KTDC Restaurant lunchcheck | ₹450 (≈ US$6) |
| Taxi Thiruvananthapuram → Ponmudi (one way)check | ₹1,500–2,500 (≈ US$18–30) |
| KSRTC bus Thiruvananthapuram → Ponmudicheck | ₹100–150 (≈ US$2) |
| Deer Park entrycheck | ₹20–50 (≈ under US$1) |
| Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary entrycheck | ₹100–200 (≈ US$2–3) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Sundays are crowded; go on a weekday.
- Monsoon (Jun–Sep) brings road closures and leeches on trails.
- Agasthyarkoodam trek requires a permit from the Forest Department; open only Jan–Feb.
- No ATM on the hill; carry cash.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
Pocket card
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Ponmudiപൊന്മുടി
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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ഈ വിലാസത്തിലേക്ക്, ദയവായിTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Fire and ambulance112
Embassy
Most embassies are in New Delhi; the US has a consulate in Chennai. For emergencies, contact the Kerala Tourism helpline or dial 112.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Thiruvananthapuram → Ponmudi, taxi: ₹1,500–2,500 (≈ US$18–30), about 1.5 h (check)
- Thiruvananthapuram → Ponmudi, KSRTC bus: ₹100–150 (≈ US$2), about 2 h (check)
Say or show
- നമസ്കാരം — Hello (namaskaram)
- നന്ദി — Thank you (nandi)
- എത്രയാണ്? — How much? (ethrayaanu)
- ടോയ്ലറ്റ് എവിടെയാണ്? — Where is the toilet? (toilet evideyaanu)
- കാർഡ് ഉപയോഗിച്ച് പണമടയ്ക്കാമോ? — Can I pay by card? (card upayogichu panam adaykkamo)
Carry cash; no ATM on the hill.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Ponmudi. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb · avoid Jun–Sep (heavy rain, landslides possible) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 8 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages with verified opening hours (deer park, lion safari, Peppara sanctuary).
- Eat pages with last orders (KTDC Restaurant).
- Trek pages for Agasthyarkoodam with permit links.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for TRV airport.
Sources
Ask about Ponmudi
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