Sentinel Rock Estate
Vellarampara Tourism Healing the Wounds of Puthumala
Puthumala is slowly recovering from the wounds and impact of the landslide disaster. Harrison Malayalam Limited's Sentinel Rock Estate is slowly uplifting Puthumala through eco-tourism. The estate is spread over Meppadi, Mundakai, Chuooralmala and Puthumala. Sentinel Rock at Mundakai is reached after Soochipara waterfalls and 900 Kandi. KSRTC and four wheel drive vehicles run services through the tea plantations. Vellarampara was given the name “Sentinel Rock” because it's considered as the guardian of the tea plantations. That is why the estate under Harrison Malayalam Plantation also got the name Sentinel Rock. The name is written on the rock in large size.
'Sentinel Rock Estate' Guardian of plantations
Harrison Malayalam Limited owns five tea estates in Wayanad around 2500 hectares of tea, one CTC factory and three orthodox factories. These are located at Achoor, Chundail, Arapatta, Chooramala and Sentinel Rock. Sentinel Rock Estate was originally owned by the East India Tea and Produce Company Limited (1907-08). They first planted coffee in the 1890s. Later, in 1909-1910 they turned to tea cultivation. Sentinel Estate is one of the oldest tea-producing areas. The estate is approximately 914 meters above sea level and is located 15 km from Meppadi on the Kozhikode - Ooty road. The present factory was constructed in 1958 after the original building of Sentinel Estate was demolished in 1956-57. Zip line and cycling at Chumala, view point at Attamala and camping at Puthumala attract tourists to Sentinel Rock Estate.
Sunrise and Moon set at Attamala
Attamala view point is at Chooralmala near Meppadi. It is 28 km away from Chundale to Attamala. A ticket to be taken to the Attamala viewpoint. The viewpoint is now run by Dexon, a private company. The ticket price was 40 rupees. There is a watch tower for viewing the sights. If you climb the Attamala view point surrounded by snow-covered mountains, you will get a distant view of Chembra Peak, Edakkal Cave, Meenmutti waterfalls. From this point we can also see part of Kalpatta Town, Soochipara Falls, a part of Gudalur and the origin of Chaliyar. The estate also plans to build an artificial lake at Attamala to attract tourists.
Puthumala Bungalow Royal Camping
Puthumala Bungalow is about one hundred and fifty years old. The mist covered bungalows on top of a table-top hill is a marvelous eye-feast. Private firms have constructed huts on lease near the bungalows under Harrison Malayalam Limited. Camping has been arranged on the name of The ‘Glamping Village’. beautiful huts have been constructed at the courtyard of the bungalow. Puthumala is reached by turning from Wayanad Meppadi. This is a road where vehicles like jeeps can climb without difficulty. Puthumala bungalow camping will be an unforgettable experience. The tariff is 1550 rupees for a one-day camping. The package includes live music, a campfire, food, a plantation visit, indoor games and hiking.
Zip line at Chooralmala
Chooralmala zip line is 12 km away from Meppadi. It is a 450 meter long zip line. Zip cycling is also experinced here. The fare is Rs.300. The facility is run by a private company on lease.
How to reach
People from Kozhikode should get off to Chundale town and reach Meppadi via Ooty Road. From there you can reach Chooralmala, Puthumala and Mundakai. Those who come from Kalpatta, can reach Meppadi and reach Chooralmala, Puthumala and Mundakai.
Tourism Potential of Wayanad Tunnel
Tourism in Sentinel Rock Estate will flourish with the Anakamppoil-Kalladi-Meppadi tunnel becoming a reality. People can easily access the tourist spots like Puthumala and Meppadi via the upcoming tunnel road. The tunnel will accelerate the tourism activities of this area. The other end of tunnel should open near the estate, so the estate will get more advantage in tourism developments.