Arippa is located 52 km from Trivandrum city on the Trivandrum -Shencottai State Highway. This is a deeply wooded area and has an area of about l,000 hectares of forests in a compact area. Kallar is a quiet little town on way to Ponmudi. Kallar is 45 km from Trivandrum. Ponmudi is a further 15km from here. The Vamanapuram River flows through this place. Forested patches of the Western Ghats surround this belt, offering a quiet area for nature travelers. Arippa is renowned for its great diversity of birds and wildlife and is a notable birding destination in South Kerala . 

Jyothismathy, the beautiful forest lodge atop a small hill with a picturesque view of the area is an ideal place to stay. This is close to the Thiruvananthapuram-Shencottai Road. Constructed during 1981 with three double rooms, this bungalow is an excellent retreat for serious nature lovers and birders.