To the humankind lost in the concrete jungle, Idukki tourist places acquaints them with the splendor of nature and God’s magnificent creation. Idukki, one of the quaintest districts of Kerala, is home to a number of prominent tourist places.
The district, which lies in the Western Ghats of Kerala, is topographically known for its rocky terrain and varied verdant vegetation. Places in Idukki is full of cliffs, lush greenery, lagoons, tranquil rivers and cascading waterfalls that hypnotize the tourists and leave them with everlasting memories. Having names of Painavu, arch dam, poonchira, Idukki shows a variety in its attractions.
The 3 rivers Thodupuzhayar, Periyar, and Thalaya along with their tributaries keep Idukki evergreen. They are not only a source for irrigation and power generation but also a place for the existence of diverse flora and fauna that add charm to the Idukki. The places to visit in Idukki range from popular hill stations, Wildlife Sanctuaries, to majestic waterfalls, dams, and not to forget, the historical places.
Best Time To Visit Kerala
Kerala has three main seasons; summer, monsoon, and winter. However, tourists plan their visit around the year.
- High season: The peak season of Kerala falls between September and March. During this time the weather is pleasant as the humidity and the heat is reduced. The Winter season is during November and January, this is the ideal time to enjoy the clear sky and to cruise through the backwaters of Alappuzha and Kumarakom.
- Off-season: The summer season is during April and May. During this period the humidity and heat are high. This is not the ideal time to explore beaches, backwaters, or cities. Even hiking and trekking during this season are dangerous. Visiting Wayanad and Munnar are the main choices in this season, as the climate will be cool and calm in the mountain regions.
- Ayurveda season: June, July, and August, the monsoon period is perfect for Ayurvedic therapy. The temperature during this period favors Ayurvedic massage and follows the recommended diet chart.
How To Reach Kerala
- By Air: Kerala has four international airports that connect with the rest of the country. The airports, Kochi, Kozhikode, Kannur and Thiruvananthapuram has flights operated by the major international and national airlines with flights to either of the cities. Emirates Airlines, Etihad, SriLankan, Malaysia Airlines Qatar Airways, aside from Air India, Vistara, AirAsia, GoAir, and each have flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Kuwait to Kerala.
- By Rail: The major railway stations in Kerala include Shoranur Junction Railway Station, Ernakulam Junction Railway Station, Kannur Railway Station, Kollam Junction Railway Station, and Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station.
- By Road: State-run buses connect Kerala with its neighboring states. The government-run buses and individual-owned Volvo AC seater, sleeper, and multi-axle buses are available to reach Kerala from other parts of the country.
Kerala Tour Packages- Kollam
DAy 1
Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary Overview
Away from the hustle and bustle of the cities, the Idukki Wildlife is located in the Thodupuzha and Udumpanchola taluks of Idukki at an altitude of 450 – 750 ft above the sea level.
The sanctuary, flanked on 3 sides by the tranquil waters of Idukki Lake, is housed amidst picturesque settings of tropical evergreen & semi-evergreen forests, meadows, and deciduous trees.The Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the places to visit in Idukki, houses hordes of wild elephants.
The other species from the animal kingdom include bison, sambar, deer, wild dogs, jungle cats, Malabar Giant Squirrel, wild boars, and tigers. Reptilians such as Cobra, viper, krait, etc will bewilder the visitor, while avian species Malabar grey hornbill, Purple Sunbird, Golden Oriole, and Black bulbul enchant him.
The Idukki dam is constructed across the Periyar River, in a valley between the Kuravan and Kurathi hills in Kerala. The awe-inspiring, majestic dam, which stands at 167.68 meters (550 ft), is one of the highest arch dams in Asia. The dam, which is one of the Idukki tourist places, constructed by the Kerala government in 1975 and supports 780 MW hydroelectric power station that draws electricity from this dam.
The sheer magnitude of the structure along with the mountains, verdant vegetation, and 60 sq. km placid lake, which is created by the 3 dams, Idukki dam, Cheruthoni and Kulamavu, captivate the visitors.
Day 2
Ilaveezha Poonchira, the Shangri-La of Kerala, situated in Melukavu village in Kottayam district is one of the places to visit in Idukki. Located at the foothills of the 3 floral hillocks – Mankunnu, Kudayathur, and Thonippara Hills at Kanjar, the bewitching valley is spread across thousands of acres.
“Ila-veezha Poonchira” which means “the pond of flowers where the leaves do not fall” has its roots in Mahabharata. The rains during the monsoon season transmogrify the valley and present an enthralling and hypnotic effect on the visitors. Words fall short to explain the beatitudes of the play of colors on the horizon during the Sunrise and Sunset. Ilaveezha Poonchira is also an ideal destination for trekking.
The cascading waters from a height of 1500 meters amidst the hills enveloped in lush greenery, adorns the skies with rainbows that takes the visitors’ breath away. A favorable hunting ground for photographers, the Keezharkuthu falls also referred to as rainbow falls immerse the visitors in an inexplicable experience.
The contiguous forests are believed to be endowed with medicinal plants and herbs, which are used by tribal inhabitants from centuries. It is also home for rich fauna.The rocky terrain of the Keezharkuthu, one of the Idukki tourist places, is renowned for its exploration activities such as rock climbing, mountaineering, camping, and trekking.
Day 3
Hill View Park, one of the Idukki tourist places, located at a distance of 2 km from Idukki Bus stand, is a magnificent and well-managed park. The park, stretching over 8 acres enthralls the visitors with hundreds of varieties of crotons, flowers, medicinal plants, and other woods.
The Hill View Park houses a natural water body, where visitors can enjoy boat rides. The view from the watchtower of both the dams, Idukki and Cheruthoni, the surrounding hills on all four sides and the lush greenery takes the breath away.
The Park remains open throughout the year and can be accessed through gentle slopes, though it is stationed at 350 ft above the level of Dam water. The herbal garden and children’s play area add appeal to the Hill View Park.
Vandanmedu is located 25 km north of Kumily, on the Thekkady-Munnar Highway. The place is famous for rich spices like cardamom and it is said to be the biggest auction centers for Cardamom. The visitors traversing the plantations can enjoy the aroma of cardamom wafting through the air.
The place is also a budding commercial center and is known for its historic colonial-era buildings. The anchel office constructed in the early 20th century by the British housed the first post office in Idukki.
Trivandrum Highlights
- Sight seeing, Boat Riding, Beach traveling, Piligrim Centers, Boat racing in season based, Lively food etc
