Idukki - Tourist Attractions

Idukki, one of the largest and beautiful hill stations in. Located only at a distance of 105 kilometers from Kochi and just 47 kilometers from Munnar, you can enjoy several diverse attractions and activities for a memorable vacation. The district headquarters is at Painavu. Idukki is the second largest district in area but has the lowest population density. Idukki has a vast forest reserve area; more than a half of the district is covered by forests. The name of the district is derived from the Malayalam word Idukku (ഇടുക്ക്), meaning narrow gorge Peerumedu. Thodupuzha, Devikulam, Idukki and Udumbanchola are five taluks in Idukki district.

Kairos Institute, one of the best aviation, tourism, logistics academy in Kerala is located in the most promising and fast developing city of Idukki - Thodupuzha.

Tourist Attractions in Idukki

Munnar

Munnar is considered one of the best tourist destinations in the world. Greeted by virgin forests, savannahs, rolling hills, scenic valleys, numerous streams, gushing waterfalls, sprawling tea plantations and winding walkways, Munnar is one of the most picturesque locations in the world.

Munnar was the summer resort of the British Government in the south. The town is situated at the convergence of three mountain streams namely Muthirappuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Munnar has some of the largest tea plantations in the world. This hill station, which is more than 5000 feet above sea level, is a well-known tourist attraction noted for its scenic and picturesque landscapes. Most of the native flora and fauna of Munnar have disappeared due to severe habitat fragmentation resultant from the creation of the plantations. However, some species continue to survive and thrive in several protected areas nearby, including the new Kurinjimala Sanctuary to the east, the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Manjampatti Valley and the Amaravati reserve forest of Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary to the north east, the Eravikulam National Park and Anamudi Shola National Park to the north, the Pampadum Shola National Park to the south and the proposed Palani Hills National Park to the east. These protected areas are especially known for several threatened and endemic species including Nilgiri Thar, the grizzled giant squirrel, the Nilgiri wood-pigeon, elephant, the gaur, the Nilgiri langur, the sambar, and the neelakurinji (that blossoms only once in twelve years) Munnar also has the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, which towers over 2,695 m. Anamudi is an ideal spot for trekking.

Nearest railway station: Aluva about 108 km and Angamali, about 109 km

Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, via Aluva - Munnar Rd, about 108 km

Eravikulam National Park

One of the main attractions near Munnar is the Eravikulam National Park. This park is famous for its endangered inhabitant - the Nilgiri Tahr. Spread over an area of 97 sq. km., this park is also home to several species of rare butterflies, animals and birds. A great place for trekking, the park offers a magnificent view of the tea plantations caressed by blankets of mists. The park becomes a hot destination when the hill slopes here get covered in a carpet of blue, resulting from the flowering of the Neelakurinji. It is a plant endemic to this part of the Western Ghats which blooms once in twelve years.

In and Around Munnar

Anamudi Peak

Located inside the Eravikulam National Park is the Anamudi Peak. This is the highest peak in South India, standing at a height of over 2700 m. Treks to the peak are allowed with permission from the Forest and Wildlife authorities at Eravikulam.

Mattupetty

Another prime draw for visitors, located about 13 km from Munnar Town, is Mattupetty. Situated at a height of 1700 m above sea level, Mattupetty is known for its storage masonry dam and the beautiful lake, which offers pleasurable boat rides, enabling one to enjoy the surrounding hills and landscape. Mattupetty's fame is also attributed to the dairy farm run by the Indo-Swiss Livestock Project, where one can encounter different high yielding breeds of cows.

Kundala Dam Lake

Kundala is a picturesque place, about 20 km from Munnar on the way to Top Station. In Kundala, cherry blossoms appear twice in a year. The famous Neela Kurunji flowers which bloom once in twelve years, bloom in the hills and valleys around Kundala lake.

There is an artificial dam in Kundala which is another major attraction here. It is Asia’s first Arch dam. The boating experience at this dam is a wonderful experience beyond words. Boating facilities namely pedal boats, Kashmiri shikkara boats and row boats are available on rent. A Golf Course is also located here which belongs to Tata Tea Ltd. Aruvikkad Waterfall is also situated nearby Kundala. The Sethuparvathi dam built in 1946 as a part of Pallivasal hydroelectric project is a sight to behold.

Idukki Arch Dam

The amazing architecture of the Idukki Dam is what attracts people in the first instant. The dam, built across the river, and located between two hills is one of its kind in Asia and world’s second.

Legend has it that these two hills were actually two tribals, Kuravan and Kurathy who were cursed by Lord Rama when they were caught watching Devi Sita bathing in the river.

Pallivasal

Pallivasal, located at about 3 km from Chithirapuram in Munnar is the venue of the first hydro-electric project in Kerala. It is a place of immense scenic beauty and is often favored by visitors as a picnic spot.

Chinnakanal & Anayirangal

Near Munnar Town lie Chinnakanal and its waterfalls, popularly known as the Power House Waterfalls, which cascade down a steep rock 2000 m above sea level. The spot is enriched with a scenic view of the Western Ghat ranges. When you have traveled about seven kilometers from Chinnakanal, you reach Anayirangal. Anayirangal, 22 km from Munnar, is a lush green carpet of tea plants. A trip on the splendid reservoir is an unforgettable experience. The Anayirangal dam is surrounded by tea plantations and evergreen forests.

Top Station

Top Station, which is about 32 km from Munnar is at a height of 1700 m above sea level. It is the highest point on the Munnar-Kodaikanal road. Travellers to Munnar make it a point to visit Top Station to enjoy the panoramic view it offers of the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu. It is among the prime spots in Munnar to enjoy the Neelakurinji flowers blooming over a vast area.

Tea Museum

Munnar has a legacy of its own when it comes to the origins and evolution of tea plantations. Taking account of this legacy and to preserve and showcase some of the exquisite and interesting aspects of the genesis and growth of tea plantations in Kerala's high ranges, a museum exclusively for tea was opened some years ago by Tata Tea in Munnar. This Tea Museum houses artifacts, photographs and machineries; all of which have a story to tell about the origins and growth of tea plantations in Munnar. The museum is located at the Nallathanni Estate of Tata Tea in Munnar and is worth a visit.

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary

The sanctuary is located at a distance of about 58 kilometers from Thodupuzha and extends over Udumpanchola taluk of Idukki. Spread over 105 square kilometers and situated at a height of about 450 – 748m above sea level, the sanctuary is home to plenty of endemic flora and fauna.

You can see herds of elephants, gaur, boar, deer, wild dogs if you are lucky. The sanctuary is also home to jungle cats, bears and several varieties of poisonous snakes. The avian population is also no less attractive as you can see plenty of woodpeckers, kingfisher, myna, jungle fowl, black bulbul and so on.

The sanctuary has different kinds of forests within it, including tropical evergreen trees, semi-evergreen forests, meadows and more.

Thommankuthu Waterfalls

The scenic waterfalls near Thodupuzha have a dark past. People say there was once a tribal named Thomman who fell into the waterfall, hence the name. The most curious thing about the waterfall is that it is a seven-step waterfall. Adventure tourism is allowed here. Forest trekking and bathing are other activities.

Meesapulimala

Is a peak in the high ranges of Idukki and an ideal place to start your hiking or trekking trails in Kerala. The mountain forest ecosystem is an attractive feature of Meesapulimala.

Nedumkandam Hills

These hills provide the perfect backdrop of a typical village life, and since it is located at a height of about 3200 feet above sea level, you have many scenic spots as well.

Ramakkalmedu

Ramakkalmedu or Ram + Kal + Medu, is a popular hill station now. This place has a very tall rock that Lord Ram stepped on to search for Devi Sita after she was abducted by Lord of Lanka, Ravan. If you sit here at dawn, you can enjoy mesmerizing views of the sun rising. Absolutely beautiful!

Ramakkelmedu is also famous for the statue of Kuravan and Kurathi. The statue is placed on the top of the Ramakkalmedu hills. C B Jinan is the architecture behind this beautiful statue, which was erected in 2005. From here you can have a panoramic view of villages and towns in Tamil Nadu like Theni, Cumbum, Kombe, Thevaram etc. It is not a tough job to reach on the top of the hills as you can use vehicles or if you want to walk that is also possible. But vehicles are not allowed to enter the statue premises. From here you can also sight the wind farm.

There is an interesting story behind this statue of Kuravan and Kurathi. It is said that Kuravan and Kurathi are two historical characters behind the construction of the Idukki dam. The rocks between the Idukki dam are named after them. According to the sources, Kuravan and Kurathi helped the authorities to find the right place for constructing the dam. You can see the statue of Kuravan with his family along with a cook upon the hills.

Kalavari Mount

Right near Thekkady, and on the way to Kattappana lie Kalavari Mount or Calavary Mount. You can spot an elephant or two if you are lucky. Visitors come here to view beautiful views of the Idukki Reservoir as well.

Kulamavu Dam

A huge power project of Kerala and with a picturesque dam, the waters of Kulamavu reaches an underground power station, located at Muvattupuzha Valley. The Canada Government funds the dam project.

Cheruthoni Dam