With
 a vast area of 4478 sq km, Idukki is the largest district in Kerala,. it covers 13% of the state. This  is one of
 the most nature riches areas in Kerala. The huge misty mountains, dense
 forests, and splendid rivers makes this region ideal for outing. The 
district is nourished by three huge rivers and they are Periyar, 
Thalayar, and Thodupuzhayar. The river has its origin here. Idukki 
consists of wildlife sanctuaries, hill stations, spice plantations, 
mountain ranges ideal for trekking etc. A large number of tribal people 
living in this region. The flora here is described in the ancient Hindu 
scripts also. There is historical evidence to prove that from ancient 
times Idukki was a major trading center for timbers like ivory, teak, 
rosewood, and sandalwood and also birds like peacocks. The name Idukki 
is derived from the Malayalam word '
idukki' which means a 
narrow gauge. Idukki is Keralas forest district with an astonishing more
 than half of the total area under the forest session. Idukki is most 
famous for the Arch Dam here across the Periyar River and the 
hydroelectric project. The district headquarters is located at Painavu. 
The
 district economy mainly dependent on agriculture. Lush green paddy 
fields, Spice plantations; cash crop and timber industry plays a huge 
role in the district economy. Another main revenue earning industry here
 is tourism. 
The district is well connected with road. KSRTC 
operates bus services to Thodupuzha, Kumily, Munnar, Thekkady, 
Peerumede, the main towns in Idukki from all major cities and towns in 
Kerala. The district Idukki dont has any rail paths. The nearest railway
 station to Painavu is Kottayam, which is 110 kilometers away. The 
Changanacherry railway station is 90 kilometes away from the town, but 
the inavailability of trains may cause a problem. The nearest airport is
 Madurai in Tamil Nadu which lies 140 kilometers away. The place Idukki 
is a fantastic destination for tourists from all over the world. The 
tourist places in Idukki are located in and around three major towns and
 they are Thekkady, Peermedu and Munnar. 
    Places of Attraction
1.   
Idukki Arch Dam     
 This magnificent parabolic dam is the world's second and Asia's first 
arch dam. The dam is 650 feet of length and 550 feet of height. The dam 
is built across the Periyar river for the hydroelectric project and also
 for irrigation purpose. The dam is made between two huge rocks namely 
Kuravan and 
Kurathi.
 The Cheruthoni dam and Kulamavu dam are located close to this dam. 
Together these three forms the largest reservoir in Kerala. The dam lies
 60 kilometers east of Thodupuzha and easily accessible. The dam gives 
panoramic views of the lake and surrounding areas including the Idukki 
Wildlife Sanctuary.
2.   
Cheruthoni     
Cheruthoni lies near to Painavu and is the area surrounding Idukki and 
Cheruthoni dams. The place lies around 4000 feet above sea level. The 
Cheruthoni dam is the largest and highest gravity dam in Kerala. To 
prevent water loss from the dam, another 328 feet high dam is 
constructed 50 kilometers away and that is the Kulamavu dam. The place 
Cheruthoni offers great trekking experiences.
3.   
Kalvari Mount     
 This hilltop is mainly a Christian pilgrimage center. On the day of 
Good Friday, people carry crosses and climb up to the mountain in memory
 of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion. The hilltop offers stunning views of the
 surrounding forests and dam. You can even see elephants roaming there. 
This place is ideal for trekking. The mount is located 35 kilometers 
from Thodupuzha on the Moolamattam-Idukki road.
4.   
Nadukani     
 This is an ideal place for day picnickers. This hilltop offers 
panoramic views of the surrounding valleys. The northern side of this 
are is filled with blue hills. There is two- storied pavilion 
specifically for the tourists sight seeing. The place lies 35 kilometers
 from Thodupuzha on the route to Painavu. The place is easily 
accessible.
5.   
Thommankuthu       
Thommankuthu is famous for the numerous waterfalls here. The seven-step 
waterfall that drops down a rock from a height of 1500 meters is the 
main attraction here. At each step there is a cascade and a pool 
beneath. If you are willing to undertake a trekking of 12 kilometers you
 can reach the top of the mountain, the best way to enjoy the place. The
 falls were named after a great tribal leader 
Thomban. The place lies 17 kilometers from Thodupuzha.
6.  
 Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary    
 The sanctuary covers an area of 105 square kilometers and lies at an 
altitude varies from 450 to 750 meters. The sanctuary spread over the 
Thodupuzha and Udumbanchola Taluks. The space is filled with tropical 
evergreen forests, semi evergreen forests and moist deciduous forests. 
There is a lake having an area of 33 square kilometers inside the 
sanctuary. This biosphere is home for vast herds of elephants, deer, 
bear, wild boars, sambar, wild dogs, jungle cats and tigers. There is 
also various species of snakes like Cobra, viper, python, kraits etc. 
Besides that the sanctuary has an astonishing variety of bird life. 
Several aquatic birds like ducks can be seen here. Boating in the lake 
and traveling through the wooden forests are the main attractions here. 
Photography is prohibited at some corners of the sanctuary. November to 
May is the best time to visit here. The sanctuary is located 65 
kilometers from Munnar and 55 kilometers from Thodupuzha. The sanctuary 
is easily accessible.
7.  
 Munnar      
The splendid and most popular touist spot Munnar is located 1600 meters 
above sea level. This hill station was the summer resort of erstwhile 
British administration in South India. The place is famous for the tea 
and coffee plantations here. The splendid tea and coffee plantations, 
beautiful valleys, rolling hills, waterfalls etc makes Munnar as one of 
the prime tourist center in South India. The name Munnar literally means
 three rivers, its because the land is nourished by the three rivers 
Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. The highest peak in South India 
Anamudi is located at Munnar. The place Munnar is well connected with 
road. KSRTC and private vehicle companies operates services to Munnar 
from all major places in the State. 
     a) 
The Tea Museum
 here at Munnar is an attraction. It is the only tea museum in the whole
 country. If you are interested in  the history of tea and tea 
plantations in high ranges, you need to visit here. The tea museum is 
located in an old tea estate in the Kannan Devan hills under the Kannan 
Devan company.
    b) Another splendid spot for weekend picnickers, 
Mattupetty
 is located 13 kilometers away from Munnar town. The place lies 1700 
meters above sea level. The lake and the Hydro electric project here 
draws attraction. Boating is possible here at the lake from 9.30 am to 
5.30 pm.
    c) The place 
Kundala is famous for the 
Sathuparvathipuram
 dam here. The reservoir offers boating and its an ideal place for 
people love tranquility. The dam is located 4 kilometers from Mattupetty
 on Top Station road.
    d) 
The Mount Carmel Church, which was believed to be established in 1898, is one of the main pilgrimage centers in Munnar.
    e) 
The Devikulam Lake
 is the highest lake in the region. It is an ideal place for fishing. 
This place offers marvelous views of the highest ranges of the Western 
Ghatts. There is a temple nearby, dedicated to 
Sita, the wife 
of Rama in the Hindu epic Ramayana.  Perhaps this temple is the only 
temple is Kerala , where only Sita is worshiped. Prior permission needed
 here for trekking and fishing.
    f) 
The Blossom Intenational Park
 here offers boating, cycling, roller skating, campfire and games. It is
 located at Kerala Hydel Tourism center. Entry is permitted in between 
10.00 am and 7.00 pm.
   g) Besides of these attractions Munnar is an 
ideal place for trekking.   h) 
Top Station
 is the highest point in the Munnar -Kodaikanal road. The rope way here 
to reach the top is the main attraction here. The place lies 35 
kilometers from Munnar and an ideal place for trekking.
   i) 
Kolukkumalai
 is the highest tea plantation in the country. The place is located 7900
 feet above the sea level. The journey to this hilltop is an adventure 
itself because of the narrow road on which you are moving through the 
sprawling tea plantations. The tea factory visit here is worth. This 
hilltop is an exceptional one for trekking. Kolukkumalai lies 50 
kilometers from Munnar ans is accessible only by road. 
   j)  
The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
 is located 20 kilometers fro Marayur at the Devikulam Taluk. The 
sanctuary is rich in flora and fauna. The sanctuary is famous for the 
giant squirrel seen here. the only sandalwood cultivation happens here 
in the state. The sanctuary lies 60 kilometers from Munnar and 
accessible by road.
   k) 
The Eravikulam national Park
 is situated at the Devikulam Taluk between Kannan Devan hills and 
Anamudi. It is the home to the endangered species Nilgiri Tahr. This 
sanctuary is also rich in flora and fauna. Trekking is the another 
attraction here. Visitors are not permitted here during the Monsoon. The
 place lies 13 kilometers northeast of Munnar.
  8. 
  Thekkady     
 Perhaps the most famous tourist spot in Kerala, Thekkady lies 4 
kilometers from Kumily. The land have immense popularity because of the 
images of elphants roaming here, beautiful hill ranges and spice scented
 plantations. Thekkady offers fantastic trekking options and mountain 
walks. Theis bio diverse region is rich in flora and fauna. This 
mesmerizing region have very good tourist spots.
a)  
The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
 is one of the world's most fascinating natural wildlife reserves. The 
sanctuary covers an area of 780 square kilometers of which 360 square 
kilometers are thick evergreen forests. The sanctuary's richness in 
wildlife attracts people from all over the world. The splendid 
artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar dam across the Periyar River 
is mind refreshing. Boating is possible on the lake and the greatest 
attraction here is the herds of elephants that come down to play and 
bath in the lake. The sanctuary is located 4 kilometers from Kumily and 
easily accessible.
b)  The place 
Kumily lies near to Thekkady and it famous for the spice plantations here. It is an important spice trading center in this region. 
c)  
Murikady
 lies 5 kilometers from Thekkady and is also a main plantation town. 
Spice plantations of cardamom, coffee and pepper can be seen here.
d) 
 Chellar Kovil
 is located about 15 km from Kumily and leads to the Theni district of 
Tamil Nadu. This place has a lot of waterfalls and cascades. It is 
another splendid tourist spot in this region.
e) The place 
Pandikuzhi
 is cradled between Chellarkovil and the Tamil Nadu State border and is a
 popular tourist spot. This place is an ideal spot for trekking and 
nature photography. Pandikuzhi lies 5 kilometers from kumily.
f)  
The Mangala Devi Temple is located 15 kilometers from Thekkady. The presiding deity here is 
Kannaki,
 the heroine of famous tamil poem written by Elanko Adikal. This ancient
 temple is hidden in the forest and is a good example for traditional 
kerala temple architecture. Visitors are allowed only on the day of 
'Chaitra pournami' (the full moon day in May) here . Prior permission needed to visit the place.
g)  
Vandiperiyar
 is one of the main centers of spice plantation. Its  a major trading 
center and a lot of tea factories are settled here. The Government 
agricultural farm and Flower garden located here draws huge attraction. 
The river Periyar is flowing through the center of the town and the town
 is 18 kilometers away from Thekkady.
i)  
Vandanmedu
 is one of the main trading center of cardamom in the world. Visiting 
the cardamom plantations here is the main attraction. The place lies 25 
kilometers from Kumily.
j)  
Pullumedu is a misty
 hill top lies 43 km from Thekkady. The winding journey to this hill 
town offers stunning views of the neighboring hills. The place Pullumedu
 is accessible only by Jeep or other vehicles suitable for mountain 
travel. The Sree Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala and the very famous 
Makarajyothi is visible from this hill top. Special permission is needed here for  entry.
 9.   
Peermedu     
 This splendid was once the summer retreat of the Travancore Kings. this
 place is filled with spice plantations. With natural grass lands, pine 
forests along with plantations makes this land ideal for nature lovers. 
The hilltop Peermedu is located on the Kottyam-Kumily state highway and 
easily accessible. The place got this name from Peer Mohammed, a Sufi 
saint lived here. The place is filled with plantations of Tea, cardamom,
 rubber and coffee. 
a)  
The CSI Church here is 
believed to be the first in high ranges, established in 1867. The church
 situated on a 17 acre land in Pallikkunnu and is surrounded by pine 
trees. With teak wood beams, arches, ceilings the church shows such 
artistic excellence of Europeans. In the churchyard, there are 
reminiscences of the first British and European planters came here.
b)  
Peeru Hills
 are named after  Peer Mohammad, A Afghan Sufi saint who came and lived 
here. This place is ideal for trekking. The mausoleum of the saint on 
the hill top is worth visiting
c)  
Parumthumpara
 (Eagle rock) is infarct a large sheet of rocks spread over half a 
kilometer in diameter. Its high peaks offer splendid views of the 
surrounding areas. The rocky station is also known as 
Padanthanpara. The rocky plains, lush hillside, and forests here makes this place beautiful. The 
Plakathadam (a tribal settlement) is near to the place. Paruthumpara lies 10 kilometers from Peermedu.
d) 
 Amrithamedu
 is the highest peak in Kuttikanam region. Right from the top of this 
peak one can see the entire Peermedu. The hills surrounds this place are
 known as Kokkad hills. This trekking spot lies near to Peermedu.
e)  The 
Madammakulam
 having 12 feet depth and lies under a gushing waterfall is the pond 
where the wives of British planters used to bath. The term 'Madamma' in 
local language means 'Madam' and 'Kulam' means Pond. Near to the 
waterfall there is a twin rock namely 'Irumulachippara' (twin breasted 
rock) . This rock offers panoramic views of the near areas.
f)  The 
Pattumala,
 in local language 'hill made of Silk', is famous for the endless 
plantations here. The very famous Christian Pilgrimage center Velankanni
 Matha Church is located here. The flower garden near also a good 
attraction. The place lies 7 kilometers from Peermedu, on the way to 
Thekkady.
g)  
Summer Palace is the summer 
residence of the erstwhile Travancore Kings and also the British. The 
endless corridors, underground escape passages, the prison cells, the 
administration hall here are worth watching. The palace is located 2 
kilometers from the Kuttikanam junction.
h)  
Panchalimedu is believed to be the resting spot of 
Padavas
 during their Vanavasa period. You can see some granite edicts of the 
Pandavas here. The Panchalimedu is came from Panchali, the wife of 
Pandavas. The 
Panchalikulam(pond of Panchali) here also draws attraction. The place is located near to the Mundakkayam valley.
i)  
Thrissanku Hills offers splendid views of the sunset. This place is ideal for long walks and is located 4 kilometers from Peermedu.
j)  
The Sahyadri Ayurvedic Center
 is a well established Ayurveda hospital located at Pallikkunnu. This 
hospital is is well known for its curative and rejuvenate treatment 
packages. The hospital is managed by the Peermedu Development Society. 
The center has excellent treatment and accommodation facilities, a unit 
for manufacturing Ayurvedic medicines and a well-maintained  drugs 
museum where more than 200 verities of rare and endangered herbs are 
preserved. Prior permission is needed to visit the Herb Garden here.
k)  
Mundakkayam
 is the gateway to the High Ranges of Kerala. This developed town 
includes plantations of Coffee, Pepper, Cocoa and natural Rubber. The 
Rubber plantations in India had originated from Mundakkayam. The river 
Manimala runs through Mundakkayam. Surfing through this beautiful 
plantations breathing spice scented air is memorable experience. 
Mundakayam is exactly 55 km from Kottayam to the East and 56 km from 
Kumily.