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.