Idukki

Idukki - This beautiful High range district of Kerala is geographically known for its Mountainous Hills and Dense Forests. For the people of Kerala, Idukki is always associated with Power Generation. About 66% of the State's Power needs come from the Hydroelectric Power Projects in Idukki. Idukki accounts for 12.9 percent of the area of Kerala and only 3.7 percent of the population of Kerala.


Idukki district was formed on 26 January 1972.The district consists of Devikulam, Udumbanchola and Peermedu taluks of the erstwhile Kottayam district and Thodupuzha taluk (excluding two villages Manjallore and Kalloorkadu) of the erstwhile Ernakulam district. At the time of formation the district headquarters started functioning at Kottayam and from there it was shifted to Painavu in Thodupuzha taluk in June 1976, where it is proposed to build a new planned forest township.

Idukki District Map :

THEKKADY (265 km from Thiruvananthapuram) Periyar Tiger Reserve – Most popular wildlife sanctuary in Kerala. Animals can be observed from boats in Periyar lake. Trekking with guides in small groups.

Kumily (4 km from Thekkady) – Plantation town with accommodation & shopping facility.

Mangala Devi Temple (15 km from Thekkady) – Located in dense woods at 1337 ASL. Trekking route. Peak commands a picturesque view.

MUNNAR (310 km from Thiruvananthapuram) – Hill station & popular resort town (1600 to 1800 m ASL) situated at the confluence of three mountain streams – Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni & Kundala. Mountain scenery with craggy peaks, tea estates, picture book settlements & winding lanes. Facilities for boating, cycle rental, trekking packages & tea factory visits.

DEVIKULAM (7 km from Munnar) – Hill station with velvet lawns. Sita Devi lake with mineral water springs & picturesque surroundings is a picnic spot. DTPC’s spice garden. Mattupetty (13 km from Munnar) – 1700 m ASL. Indo-Swiss livestock project & dairy farm. Mattupetty lake & dam nearby provide a picnic spot with boating facility.

Lock Heart Gap (13 km from Munnar) – View point. Adventure tourism and trekking Echo Point (15 km from Munnar) – Scenic place with natural echo phenomenon. Kundala (20 km from Munnar) – Picturesque tea plantation town on way to Top Station. Dam and lake, Tata Tea’s golf course. Aruvikkad Waterfalls is nearby.

Top Station (32 km from Munnar) – 1700 m ASL. Highest point on Munnar – Kodaikanal road. Offers a panoramic view.

ERAVIKULAM National park (15 km from Munnar) –Established to protect Nilgiri Tahr. Rajamala, forms the tourism zone of the Park. Nilgiri Tahr can be seen here. Anamudi (17 km from Munnar) – (2695 m ASL). Highest peak in south India in the southern periphery of the Park. Suitable for trekking.

Marayoor (40 km from Munnar) – Natural sandal wood trees. Forest dept’s sandalwood factory. Children’s park under canopy of a single banyan tree. Relics of megalithic age - ‘Muniyaras’ (tombs) believed to date from 1000 B.C. to 200 A.D. have cave paintings.

Cheeyappara & Valara water falls - Cheeyappara cascades down in seven steps. Place for trekking. Valara (10 km from Adimali) has a chain of waterfalls surrounded by forests.

CHINNAR Wildlife Sanctuary (60 km from Munnar) – Watch towers provide fascinating view. Massive Thoovanam water falls on river Chinnar is deep within the sanctuary.

Idukki Arch Dam – World’s second & Asia’s first arch dam, 550 ft high & 650 ft wide. Boating facility in dam reservoir & hill view park. IDUKKI Wildlife Sanctuary is nearby.

Cheruthoni (1194 m ASL) – Near PAINAVU, headquarters of Idukki district. Breath taking views of distant areas. Accessible only by jeep.

PEERUMEDU – Plantation town, takes its name from Peer Mohammed – Sufi saint and close associate of erstwhile Travancore royal family. Once the summer retreat of the Travancore Maharajas; the palace is now converted to a government guest house.

Kuttikanam (3 km from Peerumedu) – Hilly cardamom plantation area. Trekking. Thrissanku Hills (near Kuttikanam) – Rolling landscape – Ideal for long walks. Grampi (5 km from Peerumedu) – Parunthupara (eagle rock), view from high peaks. Pattumala (17 km from Peerumedu) – Means hill draped in silk. Lofty peaks, little streams & tea plantations. Velankanni Matha church at the hill top. Flower garden nearby.

VAGAMON (25 km from Peerumedu) – Trekkers’ delight at an altitude of 1100 m ASL, surrounded by meadows, valleys and tea gardens. Chain of three hills with religious shrines nearby. Vagamon is proposed to be developed as a prime eco-tourism destination.

Malankara (near Thodupuzha) – Picnic spot; Muvattupuzha Irrigation Project’s reservoir.

Kudayathoor Mala (6 km from Thodupuzha) – Picturesque hillock, suitable for trekking.

Thommankuthu waterfalls (20 km from Thodupuzha) – Small, but scenic waterfall.