Idukki

Idukki

Thekkady - 114 kms off Kottayam and 65 km from Idukki

One of the best wildlife sanctuaries of the nation, Thekkady is complete with exotic flora, fauna, and evergreen forest. The vast area of 777 sq kms of forest has an exquisite sanctuary in it, and is the largest in India . It has earned a special place as one of the hotspots on any tourists agenda.

The 360sq kms of dense forest in the The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary provides home to a wide variety of remarkable birds like Malabar Grey Hornbill, Grey Jungle Fowl, Heron, Egret, Jungle Myna, Wood Pecker, Rose Winged and Blue Winged Parakeet, Ceylon Frog-Mouth and Rose Billed Roller. This fascinating spot where visitors can often spot many kinds of wild animals is also a noted Tiger reserve. The guided tours arranged by the sanctuary provide opportunities to watch these animals at close quarters. Walks through the acres of plantations and up the mountainous area provide excellent trekking opportunities. A large portion of the sanctuary is surrounded by the Periyar River . Apart from the many varieties of fish here, the river is also noted for the long lovely boat rides that are arranged by the sanctuary. These rides are another excellent way to discover the myriad wildlife that thrives in and around the water. Rowing along the splendidly constructed Mullaperiyar dam, one can always manage to spot herds of wild elephants frolicking in the river water.

Kumily- Located 4 kms from Thekkady

This is a noted town, close to the Periyar sanctuary. Acres of lush plantations constitute most of the town. Plantation town is situated on the outskirts of the Periyar sanctuary. Kumily is also one of the best places to shop for spices.

Murikkady- 5 km from Thekkady

Murikkady is a beautiful location that is known for its well looked after coffee plantations. Cardamom and pepper are also extensively grown here. The place is a significant supplier to the many spice shops at Kumily.

Pandikuzhi- 5 kms from Kumily

The beautiful location of Pandikuzhi is situated at the outskirts of the state. It is now growing to be a popular tourist destination and an enchanting picnic spot. Pandikuzhi is noted for the many species of bird and animal life and rare plants and herbs that thrive there. The landscape of the place makes it an appealing holiday venue for trekkers and adventure travelers as well.

Mangala Devi Temple- 15 kms from Thekkady

This is a famous temple in Idukki. The temple is a classic example of temple architecture of ancient Kerala. The well preserved relics of this ancient Devi temple is situated upon a hillock that stands about 1337 m above sea level. The long way through the dense forest and up the dilapidated steps leading to the temple makes the trip a lovely trek.

Chellarkovil- 15 kms from Kumily

This is a beautiful village that shares its borders with Tamil Nadu. The place presents visitors with a fantastic opportunity to observe the typical life of simple people settled in the villages at high ranges. The scenic extravaganza including acres of luxuriant fields, plains and gurgling waterfalls make it a much sought out tourist destination.

Vandiperiyar- 18 kms from Thekkady

With many tea processing sites and factories, Vandiperiyar stands out as a major trade and commercial center of the district and the state. There are many beautiful nurseries here. It is also the chosen location for the operations and research by the Government Agriculture Farm and Flower Garden.

Munnar - 70 kms from Idukki

Munnar, was the most popular summer resorts during the British reign and is still a very well known hill station. Located at an altitude of 1800m above sea level, this 'Kashmir of the East' is the first hill resort in the State.

The chilly climate here is ideal for cultivating tea. It is home to one of the biggest tea plantations in the world- the Kannan Devan Tea Plantations. The sight of mist topped tea plantations spread across acres of Munnar, is indeed soothing to the eye.

The most splendid sight would definitely be that of thousands of the exotic blue flower- Neelakurinji, that inundate the hills every 12 years (the next bloom will be in the year 2006). There are many lovely spots that are ideal for rock climbing and trekking as well. The noisy waterfalls, gurgling streams and rows of tiny cottages add more life and colour to the vivid picturesque location that Munnar already is.

Pothamedu - 6 kms from Munnar

This is a popular location with trekkers and adventure tourists. The magnificently beautiful mountainous place has many hills making it a perfect spot to set out on challenging treks and mountain walks. Pothamedu is also known for the beautiful tea and coffee plantations and also the lush cardamom plantations.

Devikulam - 7 kms from Munnar

The chill climate, fresh air exclusive to high ranges, acres of green lawns, exotic wildlife, and the marvelous Sita Devi Lake, all attract tourists from all over the globe. Sita Devi Lake that is known for its mineral water also provides boating and fishing facilities.

Chithirapuram - 10 kms from Munnar

Picturesque Chithirapuram is the site for the Pallyvasal Hydel Power Project. Long arrays of beautiful cottages, bungalows, shopping areas, playgrounds and courts, all designed in an old town's style, gives one the feeling of being part of an exquisite painting. Many lovely tea plantations make the place even more exotic.

Mattupetty - 13 kms from Munnar

Mattupetty, situated at a height of 1700 m, is specially known for its highly specialised dairy farm - the Indo Swiss Livestock Project. Over a 100 varieties of high yielding cattle are reared here.

The Mattupetty also has a lake and dam, just a short distance from the farm. These are beautiful picnic spots and the boat cruises (Speed launch, slow speedboat and motorboats) along the dam are quite popular. The sprawling Kundala tea plantations and the Kundala Lake are other attractions in the vicinity.

Lock Heart Gap

This is a location in Mattupetty. The place is ideal for adventure tourism and trekking. The fresh mountain air, the mist-clad hills and panoramic view make it worthy of a visit.

Echo Point - 15 kms from Munnar

This is a very scenic place and it gets its name from the natural echo phenomenon here. Echo Point is on the way to Top Station from Munnar

Iravikkulam National Park

The 97sq kms area of Iravikkulam National Park embraces an exotic landscape complete with green meadows, dense forests, tall rock and mountains. The myriad species of animals and birds here include many rare ones as well. Many unusual plants can also be found in the park.

Anamudy

This is the highest mountain peak in the state. The colossal mountain that stands as tall as 2694metres is situated on the southern boarder of the Iravikulam national park. It provides excellent opportunities for trekking.

Other Attractions

The Hydro Electric Project at Pallivasal (8 km from Munnar) and breathtaking waterfalls at Attukal (9 km from Munnar) and Nyayamakad (10 km from Munnar) are other attractions.

The lovely tea plantations at Peerumed, the Wildlife Sanctuary at Chinnar (60kms away from Devikulam) and the magnificent falls at Thommankuthu (21 kms from Thodupuzha) are also much sought after tourist destinations.

Meenuliyarmudi, Keezharkuthu and Irukallumud near Thommankuthu are also famous small tourist centers. Kuttikkanam and Vagaman are wonderful hill stations and are known as Kerala's Kodaikanal.

Transport Facility

Air: Nearest airports are Kochi : (60 kms from Idukki), Madurai : (72 kms from Idukki), Coimbatore : (97kms from Idukki). It can also be reached from airports at Kozhikode : (217 kms from Idukki), Thiruvananthapuram: (232 kms from Idukki)

Rail: No railway track in Idukki.

Road: Idukki is well connected by roads.

Ernakulam

Ernakulam

Tourist Attractions in Ernakulam
The main tourist attractions in Ernakulam are Hill Palace Museum, Madhavan Nayar Foundation, Kaladi, Kodanad, Chendamangalam, Malayatoor, Bhoothathankettu and Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary.  

Hill Palace Museum The Hill Palace was the official residence of the royal family of Kochi and built in 1865. This palace is located on the Ernakulam-Chottanikkara route, about 10 km from Ernakulam. The palace complex consists of 49 buildings built in the traditional

Kerala style of architecture and surrounded by 52 acres of terraced land with a deer park and facilities for horse riding. A full-fledged Ethno-archaeological Museum and the Kerala’s first ever Heritage Museum are the main attraction of the palace. The Hill Palace museum is the largest museum of archaeological remain in Kerala. Rare coins, manuscripts, sculptures of stone and Plaster of Paris, oil paintings, 19th century paintings, murals and inscriptions of the royal Kochi family can be seen in this museum.   Madhavan Nayar Foundation
Madhavan nayar Foundation is only 8 km from Ernakulam, at Edappally. The Foundation houses the Museum of Kerala History and its Makers. The museum showcases the historical episodes from the neolithic to the modern era through life size figures. There is also a gallery of paintings and sculptures, that displays over 200 original works by contemporary Indian artists. The centre for visual arts has a collection of the authentic reproduction of selected world masters and larger than life mural reproductions of Indian art.

Kaladi
Kaladi is the birthplace of Adi Shankaracharya, the great Advaita philosopher of the 8th century. The temples dedicated to Sri Shankaracharya, Sharada Devi, Sri Krishna and Sri Ramkrishna are also located here. A place called Crocodile Ghat is also situated here where Sri Shankaracharya took his vows of renunciation. According to the legend, a crocodile caught hold of him and refused to release him until Shri Shankaracharya's mother Aryamba permitted him to accept Sanyas (renunciation).  

Kodanad Kodanad is situated in the high ranges on the southern bank of the Periyar, and one of the largest elephant training centres in south India. There is also a mini zoo for wild animals here. Chendamangalam Chendamangalam is a rare

geographical combination of three rivers, seven inlets, hillocks and vast expanses of green plains. The Paliam Palace, abode of the Paliath Achans, hereditary Prime Ministers to the erstwhile Maharajas of Kochi, represents the architectural splendour of Kerala. The Palace houses a collection of historic documents and relics. The hillocks at Kottayil Kovilakom presents the unusual sight of a temple, a church, a mosque and the remains of a Jewish synagogue, all situated next to each other.   Malayatoor
Malayatoor is famous for the Catholic Church built on the 609 m high Malayatoor hill. This hill is dedicated to St. Thomas. Thousands of devotees visit this shrine to participate in the annual festival of Malayatoor Perunnal, in the month of March. St. Thomas is believed to have prayed at this shrine.

Bhoothathankettu
Bhoothathankettu is a picturesque place situated in a vast virgin forest. This mythologically popular picnic spot lies close to the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary at Thattekkadu. Two of the main irrigation projects of Ernakulam district - the Periyar Valley Irrigation Project and the Idamalayar Irrigation Project are also located nearby. Trekking to the old Bhoothathankettu provides excitement to adventure lovers.

Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary
The Thattekad Bird Sanctuary is nestled in the evergreen forests in the Devikulam Taluk district of Ernakulam. This sanctuary was discovered by the renowned ornithologist of India, Dr. Salim Ali and thus named after him. About 167 birds were identified by Dr. Salim Ali and 207 birds by his student, Dr. Sugathan. The Bombay Natural History Society has identified about 253 species of birds. The sanctuary is known for the various indigenous birds like the Malabar grey-hornbill, woodpecker, rose-ringed and blue-winged parakeet, Indian rollers, cuckoos, common snipes, crow pheasants, jungle nightjars, kites, grey drongos, Malabar trongs, large pied wagtails, baya sparrows, grey jungle fowls, Indian hill mynas, robins, jungle babblers, sunbirds and darters. etc. Rare birds like the Ceylon frog-moth, Rose-billed roller, Crimson-throated barbets, bee-eaters, shrikes, fairly bluebirds, grey-headed fishing eagles, black winged kites, night herons, grey hornbills and Malabar hornbills can also be seen here. Various migratory birds migrate here during winter.