» Introduction
» Prime Attractions of Idukki
» Tour from Idukki
How To Rach Idukki
By Rail
The nearest railway station is at Kottayam, 133 km away.
By Air
The nearest airport is at Cochin 132 km away.
By Road
Idukki can be reached by mortable roads from most parts of Kerala.
Idukki - The Unspoilt Nature
Located in the southern part of Kerala, Idukki is a landlocked district spread over an area of 5019 sq. kms. Blessed generously by Mother Nature, Idukki offers diverse attractions like wild life sanctuaries, hill stations, spice plantation centres and mountain treks.
Idukki district was formed on January 26, 1972 carving out Devikulam, Peerumedu and Udumbanchola taluks from the erstwhile Kottayam district and Thodupuzha taluk from the erstwhile Ernakulam district. The name 'Idukki' is supposed to be derived from the Malayalam word `idukku', which means a narrow gorge.
Prime Attractions of Idukki
Munnar
Munnar is the best known of Kerala's hill stations. You can see the scenic attractions of Munnar on Kerala tours. The British Government of South India used this incredibly beautiful hill station in Kerala, as their summer resort, during colonial times.
The tea plantations in Munnar are a result of the British government discovering that is was possible to grow tea in the pleasant climate of Munnar. Munnar is situated at an altitude ranging from 1500 to 2695 m and has some of the highest tea estates in India. More»» |
|
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Located at Devikulam taluk of Idukki district Kerala, the sanctary occupies the forested region on either side of the Marayoor - Udumalped road. This is the second habitat of the endangered giant grizzled squirrel of india. The location of sanctuary offers the unique advantage of watching its fascinating wildlife at close quarters from the road without venturing deep into the jungle. The Marayoor sandal forest and the beautiful Thoovanam waterfalls are located here. More»»
Kuthumkal Waterfalls
The misty waterfall provides a picturesque view of the water, cascading down from scintillating heights. The sheer beauty of the place allures thousands of visitors every year.
This is a beautiful hill located at Nedumkandam. It's a perfect location for people who are interested in watching the heavenly bodies, as the sky here is free from pollution.
Devikulam
How to Reach
By Air
The nearest airport is at Cochin 149 km away.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is at Kottayam, 133 km away.
Located 16 kms from Munnar, this gorgeous hill station symbolises nature in her pristine glory. The crisp and cool mountain air heavily laden with the fragrance of wild flowers and rare herbs is any nature lover's paradise.
The Sita Devi Lake offers rejuvenating springs of mineral water and is also a favourite picnic spot among tourists. Besides the expansive tea plantations, a spice garden run by the district tourism promotion council nurtures a wide variety of spices.
The idyllic hill station with its velvet lawns, exotic flora and fauna and the cool mountain air offers a rare experience to visitors. The Sita Devi Lake is an ideal place for trout fishing.
Irresistibly green slopes touching the sky at a thousand metres. Silent clusters of slender red and blue gum trees. A lovely, little lake hidden within the rolling hills. This is Devikulam. A dainty town sixteen kilometres southwest of Munnar.
A perfect picture of fairy-tale enchantment. The legend has it that once Sita Devi, the holy consort of Lord Rama, came down to frolic in the lake and the place came to be spoken about as 'Devikulam' (meaning the lake of the goddess), ever since.
General Information
Altitude : 1800 m Above Sea Level.
Best Time : September To May.
Location : 16 Kms From Munnar, Kerala.
Marayoor
Marayoor is 40 kilometers away from Munnar. It is the only place in Kerala having a natural growth of sandal wood trees. The relics of new Stone Age civilization have been unearthed here.
 |
The sandalwood factory of the forest department, the caves (muniyars) with murals and relics and the Children's Park spread across the canopy of a single banyan tree are of great interest to tourists. Thoovanan Waterfalls and Rajiv Gandhi National Park are also nearby. |
General Information
Unique Features
Only Place In Kerala Having Natural Growth Of Sandalwood Trees
Mattupetty
How To Reach
By Air
Nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, about 130 km.
By Rail
Nearest railway station is at Kottayam about 142 km from Munnar.
By Road
Mattuppetty is just a 13 km drive from Munnar, the most enchanting hill station of south India.
Situated at a height of 1700 m, Mattupetty is famous for its highly specialised dairy farm, the Indo-Swiss live stock project. Over 100 varieties of high yielding cattle are reared here.
Visitors are allowed into three of the eleven cattle sheds at the farm. The Mattupetty Lake and Dam, just a short distance from the farm, is a very beautiful picnic spot.
The sprawling Kundala tea plantations and the Kundala Lake are other attractions in the vicinity. DTPC Idukki provides boating facilities on the Mattupetty Dam. Speed Launch and slow speed motor boats are available on hire. |
|
General Information
Location
13 Kms From Munnar, Kerala.
Altitude : 1700 m Above Sea Level.
Top Station
Topstation, the idyllic hill station is located 32 kms from Munnar, on the Munnar-Kodaikanal Road. Perched at an altitude of 1700 m above sea level, Topstation is the highest point on Munnar-Kodaikanal Road.
The rare Neelakurinji (Strobilanthus), the flower that blooms once in every 12 years, belongs to this region of Kerala.
When the flower blooms, the dales and meadows of the enchanting hill station are all painted in different hues of blue. Top station also offers panoramic views of the neighbouring state of Tamilnadu. The Significance of Topstation is highest point on Munnar-Kodaikanal Road.
General Information
Location : 32 Kms From Munnar.
Altitude : 1700 m Above Sea Level.
Speciality : Nellakurinji.
Thekkady
Thekkady, located in central Kerala, is a popular hill station and a wildlife centre. This town, which is an important plantation centre, conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice scented plantations.
 |
The Periyar National Park was slated under the Project Tiger in the year 1972. The Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve is situated on an area of 777 square kilometers in the Cardamom hills region of the Western Ghats the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the largest and most frequented wildlife reserves in India. More»» |
Mangala Devi Temple
Mangala devi temple, the ancient temple is located 15 kms from Thekkady. It lies hidden in the dense woods at the top of a peak 1337 m above sea level.
The temple is built in the traditional Kerala style of architecture. Visitors are allowed here only on the Chithra Pournami festival day.
The peak commands a panoramic view of the eastern slopes of the ghats and some hill villages of Tamil Nadu. Permission to visit the area can be obtained from the Wildlife Warden, Thekkady.
Architectural Style : Traditional Kerala Architecture
Fairs & Festivals : Chithra Pournima
General Information
Altitude : 1337 m Above Sea Level
Location : 15 km from Thekkady, Kerala
Chellarkovil
Chellarkovil s around 20 kms from Thekkady and 4 kms from Kumaly. This plantation town, closely associated with Thekkady, is situated on the outskirts of the Periyar Sanctuary. It is an important shopping centre and spice trade centre, the main bus station and most of the medium range accommodation in the Periyar region is in Kumily.
Murikkady
Murikkady is 5 kms away from Thekkady. Washed in fresh spice scented air, Murikkady is a panorama of cardamom, coffee and pepper plantations.
Pandikuzhi
This picturesque place is cradled between Chellarkovil and the Tamil Nadu State border is a popular picnic spot. Pandikuzhi offers great opportunities for trekking and is a photographer's delight.
Pullumedu
The winding journey to this hill town, along the Periyar river, offers a stunning view of the rolling hills draped in lush greenery. Velvet lawns, rare flora and fauna add to the beauty of Pullumedu, which can be accessed from a jeep.
Vandanmedu
This is one of the world's largest auction centres for Cardamom. A walk through the sprawling cardamom plantaions of Vandanmedu is a pleasent experience.
Vandiperiyar
Vandiperiyar is situated about 18kms away from Thekkady. The river Periyar flowing through the centre of this town nourishes its vast tea, coffee and pepper plantations. A major trade centre, Vandiperiyar is also home to a number of tea factories. The Government Agriculture Farm and Flower Gardens have a delightful array of rose plants, orchids and anthurium.
Handicrafts: Gram Shilpa, Kumily; Kairali Handicrafts.
Peerumedu
Peerumedu is a small hill station, snuggled at an altitude of 914 m above sea level, on way to Thekkady. The famous plantation town takes its name from Peer Mohammad, a Sufi saint and close associate of the erstwhile royal family of Travancore. Clouds drop gently on the peaks that flank the verdant slopes of Peerumedu. Rich with mile upon mile of plantations falling away in precise steps.
Coffee, tea, pepper, cardamom and rubber flourish in what is the most fertile part of the Western Ghats. Broken only by spectacular waterfalls in the distance and wide open grasslands in places.
On a fairly warm day, the mercury reads between five and ten degrees celsius. Little wonder then, that the former Rajas of Travancore sought this tiny hill station out as their summer resort.
Grampi
The picturesque hill station of Grampi, situated 5 kms from Peerumade is also known as the Parunthupara, meaning the eagle rock. It is so called because of the panoramic view it affords from its high peaks.
Rocky plains, lush hillsides, forests trekking trails and picturesque views lend charm to this destination. The road to Grampi is flanked by unending stretches of cardamom, tea and coffee plantations.
Unique Features : Offers a Panoramic view of the Surroundings from its peaks
Idukki Arch Dam
Idukki arch dam is the world's second and Asia's first arch dam, constructed across the Kuravan and Kurathi hills. 550 feet high and 650 feet wide, the dam lies close to the Cheruthoni Barrage. To its west is the Kulamavu Dam. Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is located closeby. |
|
The sanctuary spreads over 77 sq. km and is about 450-748 m above sea level. The Idukki Reservoir fromed by three dams, namely, Cheruthoni, Idukki and Kulamavu extends to 33 sq. kms.
Significance
World's Second And Asia's First Arch Dam.
General Information
Location
Idukki, Kerala.
Main Attraction : Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary.
Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is located at a distance of 40 kms from Thodupuzha. This sanctuary extends over the Thodupuzha and Udumpanchola taluks of Idukki district spreading over 77sq. kms, at 450 - 748m above sea level, this sanctuary occupies the forest land between the Cheruthoni river and the Periyar river. More»»
Cheruthoni
5kms from Painavu, it encompasses areas in and around Idukki Arch Dam and Cheruthoni Dam. Constructed across the Periyar river, between two granite hills, the picturesque Idukki Dam is the first arch dam in India.
Moolamattom
If you are interested in seeing the workings of a power house, visit Moolamattam, 40 km from Idukki. The Idukki Hydroelectric Project’s underground power house is located here. You can get permission from the KSEB office to enter the power station.
General Information
Location : Southern Part of Kerala.
Main Attraction : Munnar, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Origin : January 26, 1972.
Best Time to Visit : August to March.
Area : 5019 sq.km.
Altitude
2200 m above sea level.
Temperature
Min 22.5°C
Max: 37.5°C.
270 cm (annual).
Tour from Idukki
Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary
The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary (also commonly known as the Thattekad Sanctuary) is located in the Kothamangalam Taluk of Ernakulam district on the northern bank of the Periyar river. The sanctuary was notified in 1983 based on a recommendation made by Dr. Salim Ali many years previously. Ali described Thattekad in the 1930's as the richest bird habitat in peninsular India, comparable only with the eastern Himalayas. Since then much of the forest has been diverted to cultivation and teak and mahogany plantation but what survives gives a glimpse of the phenomenal bird diversity of the once widespread lowland forests of Kerala. More»»
Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
Eravikulam National Park is situated in the Idukki district of Kerala. Located in the Devikulam taluk, Eravikulam National Park was created as a wildlife sanctuary in 1975. More»»
Rajamala Wildlife Sanctuary
Rajamala Wildlife Sanctuary, located 15 kms from Munnar is the natural habitat of Nilgiri Tahr. Half the world population of the rare mountain goat is concentrated in this region.
 |
The animal is fast becoming extinct. The sanctuary is a part of the Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, and visitors are allowed only to the tourism area in the Rajamala region.
The Nilgiri Tahrs are now reduced to small herds found in Eravikulam-Rajamala region. |
General Information
Location : 15 Kms From Munnar, Kerala
Main Attraction : Nilgiri Tahr
|
