A haven for the tourists, this is one place in Kerala where nature has bestowed her blessings in plenty. Idukki has been girded with three main rivers ie: Periyar, Thalayar and Thodupuzhayar. The famous Pampa River has its orgins here. Idukki is a place offering a number of tourists’ attractions such as wildlife sanctuaries, trekking, elephant rides and so on. This place is also the home to a number of tribes having unique customs and beliefs. Idukki, a landlocked district, derives its name from the Malayalam word “Idukku” meaning a narrow gorge. Idukki is the place to indulge in elephant rides, wildlife safaris, trekking, boating or simply to bask in the calmness of picturesque greenery.

By Air
The Cochin International Airport located at a distance of 104 km is the nearest airport.

By Road
Idukki is well connected by road to Ernakulam and Kottayam.

By Train
The nearest rail road station is located at a distance of 113 km at Ernakulam. Kottayam railroad station is at a distance of about 130 km from Idukki.

Cabs could be availed to travel to different locations. If you want to explore nearby locations you can rent a bike. Since most of the locations are scattered and inaccessible, we recommend you rent a cab to make your travels hassle free. Buses could be a little tricky as they are usually jam packed and the timings are not so convenient.

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary: Graced with tropical forests, dazzling blue lakes, and myriad wildlife this spectacular sanctuary lures visitors to explore and celebrate nature’s goodness in all its pristine glory. The sanctuary, situated at an altitude of 450 to 748 meters above the sea level, has a tropical green cover sprawling over 77 sq. km covering Udumpanchola and Thodupuzha thaluks of Idukki district. Biologically, this sanctuary is a natural habitat for an amazing assortment of wildlife including elephants, bears, tigers, bison, snakes and birds. The beautiful lake surrounding the sanctuary adds to the scenic beauty of the region. The perfect way to enjoy the beauty and natural wealth of the sanctuary is by taking a boat cruise around this picturesque lake. The sanctuary is located at a distance of about 40 km from Thodupuzha town.

Idukki Arch Dam: This magnificent dam is acclaimed to be one of the biggest arch dams in Asia. Constructed in the canyon between the Kuravan and Kurathi hills this dam towers to a height of 550 ft and spreads to a width of 650 ft. This dam, constructed across the Periyar River, caters to the immense power needs of the state. The tail water is diverted and used for irrigation purposes. Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary lies at a short distance from the Dam. The construction of this engineering marvel was aided financially by the Government of Canada through long-term loans and grants.

Hill View Park: This beautiful park situated close to Idukki and Cheruthoni dams offer breathtaking panoramic views of the reservoir and the adjoining wilderness. This park, perched on top of the verdant hills, sprawls over an area of 8 km dotted with emerald green lawns, exotic plants and views to thrill you beyond imagination. The park is an ideal place to spot elephant herds roaming in the wilderness and for taking boat rides in the tranquil lake. The medicinal plant garden and children’s play area add further charm to this beautiful park.

Thommankuthu Waterfalls: Sample some of the most breathtaking sceneries and gurgling waterfalls in one go at Thommankuthu. This enchanting waterfall, located at a distance of about 20 km from Thodupuzha, is an ideal place to glimpse natures ravishing beauty. This beautiful petite waterfall cascades down in seven steps with a small pool at each level. This magnificent setting also offers a perfect stage to indulge in adventure sports including trekking and mountaineering. The place is also ideal for boating and a quite afternoon of fishing. This unspoiled land of scenic beauty attracts thousands of tourists every year.

Nadukani: This idyllic site perched on top of a hill is surrounded by lush greenery and huge boulders. The place offers an ideal spot to catch panoramic views of breathtaking proportions of the nearby low lying areas. The name when literally translated means “see the lands”. A two storied pavilion has been erected here to better view the low lying areas draped in velvet greenery. The place is a photographer’s paradise offering picture postcard visions of the valley below with white streaks of silver streams cutting through the lush greenery. Located at a distance of about 70 km from Thodupuzha, the place can be easily accessed unlike most other tourist spots in the district.

Thumpachi Calveri Samuchayam: This mountainous terrain located at a distance of 35 km from Thodupuzha is a beautiful spot unexplored by mainstream travelers. Perched on top of a mountain, this is an ideal spot to enjoy a beautiful sunset - a vision painted in hues of dazzling orange with silhouettes of majestic mountains draped in rich robes of green in the foreground. It is also an ideal place to “rediscover yourself” in quite meditation and just relax in the tranquil surroundings.

Kulamavu: Kulamavu dam lies in the vicinity of the Idukki dam. The beautiful lake and adjoining wilderness adds to the beauty of the place making it an ideal picnic spot. The area is also perfect for a trekking expedition or mountaineering. The location is also a vantage point offering panoramic views of the beautiful countryside.

Painavu: This petite picturesque town is the headquarters of Idukki district. Painavu is a place of amazing scenic beauty surrounded by evergreen forests and verdant mountains. This forest township is an ideal location to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. It is also a preferred spot for trekking.

Kalliyanathandu: Located on top of a hill, this is an ideal place to enjoy a panoramic view of the Idukki reservoir, the adjoining forests and mountains. This vantage view of breathtaking splendor makes it a popular spot among tourists. The place is also favored by adventure tourists for trekking and mountaineering.

Malankara Reservoir: Located at a distance of about 6Km from Thodupuzha, this splendid artificial reservoir is a popular attraction among tourists. The shimmering golden water of the reservoir is sharply contrasted by the surrounding emerald greenery. The reservoir is an ideal setting to enjoy a boating trip or to just laze around and do some fishing. This lake could be accessed by road.

Keezharkuthu: The place is famous for its splendid Rainbow waterfalls cascading down from a height of about 1500 meters. The surrounding forests offer a picture perfect setting for this amazing waterfall. The forest is acclaimed to have an exotic variety of flora including those of medicinal value. The area is ideal for trekking, mountaineering and camp sites.

Palkulamedu: This popular adventure travel destination, located at a distance of about 12 km from Idukki, is set at an altitude of 3125 meters above the sea level. Views of the city of Cochin, Alappuzha and other towns could be seen from this peak on a bright sunny day. The panoramic views here are simply breathtaking.

Idukki is a paradise for adventure tourists and nature lovers. Some of the popular things to do are-

Boating and Fishing:- Boating is an ideal way to explore the scenic beauty of the place and to catch glimpses of wildlife. Most of the dams and lakes offer facilities for boating. Fishing is a peaceful way to laze around and enjoy the day in the emerald green lakes of Idukki.

Rafting:- Some of the lakes offer facilities for rafting. Check out the places where they have bamboo rafting, a perfectly exciting experience sure to leave you with thrilling memories.

Bicycle rides:- This is one of the best ways to enjoy the quaint towns and the countryside. You can explore the place at your own sweet pace and enjoy the charms of nature. This is a rather tranquil affair here with many isolated hamlets scattered around connected by small roads sans traffic.

Trekking and Mountaineering:- This is the true trump card of all. You can enjoy a quite trekking expedition or mountaineering here without much hassle. The opportunities are numerous and you are certain to enjoy a trekking in the exotic wilderness of Western Ghats.

Idukki has around 245 tribal settlements and a large number of migrant populations from Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The area retains its bucolic charms even now.

Adimali Agri-Fest:- This is one of the most celebrated fairs in Idukki. The region with its predominantly rustic population celebrates this fest with much pomp. This festival is celebrated during the last week of December in Adimali town. Many farmers bring their harvest and crops to this fair. This is one of the most prominent tourism attractions in the high ranges.

Sri Krishna Swamy temple festival:- This temple is located in Thodupuzha town. The temple dedicated to Lord Krishna is famous for its 9 day long festival. During the festive season various temple art forms and classical music recitals are held in the temple. On the last three days, considered the most auspicious, main celebrations are held. This includes processions with caparisoned elephants accompanied with traditional percussion music held in mornings and evenings.

Location
Idukki, the largest district in Kerala covering an area of 4476 sq. km or 13% of the total area, is located in central Kerala. The landlocked district shares borders with the districts of Ernakulam, Kottayam and Thrissur and the Western Ghats mountain range.

Climate
Idukki enjoys a temperate climate in the midlands (21-27 degree Celsius) with the High Ranges having a colder climate (5-17 degree Celsius in summer and minus 1-14 degree Celsius in winter).

Best Time To Visit
To escape from the heat of the plains, you can plan your visit during the summer. Summer is also an ideal time to spot wildlife as animals flock to the few remaining waterholes. Since the climate is temperate throughout the year, you can plan your visit any time of the year.

Eateries
Idukki is a good place to try some popular Tamil cuisines. There are good vegetarian restaurants here offering traditional south Indian or Kerala cuisines.

Shopping
The best buys here are handicrafts and tribal artifacts. If you are traveling to any of the tea growing areas, you may pick up tea leaves. If you are going to any of the plantations, you can buy fresh exotic spices and herbs. Wooden artifacts could be bought from many of the shops here.