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Tourist hot spots in Idukki

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Thekkady

Thekkady (Idukki District) is the location of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, which is an important tourist attraction in Kerala state, India, close to the Kerala -Tamil Nadu border town Kumily, located about 257 km from Trivandrum. The sanctuary is famous for its dense evergreen, semievergreen, moist deciduous forests and savannah grass lands. It is home to herds of elephants, sambar, tigers, gaur, lion-tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs.

Thekkady has immense possibilities for Adventure Tourism. The Forest Department offers many programs including Periyar Tiger Trail, Nature walk, guided one day jungle treks, Bamboo Rafting etc. There are private organizations as well as government agencies (e.g.KTDC), who promote adventure tourism in Thekkady. Plantation tourism also is promoted by these agencies, so that the tourists can see and learn the cultivation of various spices of Kerala. Thekkady is considered as a heaven of natural spices such as black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, clove, chilly, tamarind etc.

The Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary at Thekkady is a 777 sq. km reserve on the western slopes of the Western Ghats is the most popular wild life sanctuary. A pleasant place to escape from the madding crowds of the cities and towns, a nice place to cruise on the lake, a place to enjoy a jungle walk with an opportunity to see the wild animals. The park is home to antelopes, bison, sambar, wild boar, elephants and a wide variety of birds in addition to tigers and leopards. The journey to Thekkady itself is quite enchanting as the road winds through tranquil countryside, green plantations and thick jungles. A study of the Periyar Tiger Reserve conducted by the Kerala Forest Research Institute has revealed the richness of diversity of the park. The reserve was found to have some 1965 species of plants signifying that it is easily among the richest areas in plant variety in the world. A parallel could be drawn only with the Agasthyamala region where 3800 species of plants were recorded. The high degree of endemism exhibited by the Reserve makes it all the more important from the point of view of bio-diversity conservation. About 150 species of plants, which have been placed under various threat categories by the World Conservation Union, have been identified from the Reserve. The park encompasses a 26 sq. km artificial lake created by the British in1895. The sanctuary offers an enchanting view of the wild life by taking a boat trip in the lake. Jungle walks can also be interesting. The best time to visit the sanctuary is between September and May.

There is a Wildlife Information Centre at Thekkady, which is inside the park. The nearest town is Kumily (4 km from the lake) on the Kerala –Tamil Nadu border. Kumily is a 4 hour bus journey from Kottayam (110 km). Thekkady has a nice weather and boating facility to see wild animals at close quarters safely.

Munnar

It is a popular hill station at a height of 1800 m ASL, 114 km from Ernakulam. The world's highest tea estates and the nice weather attracts a large number of tourists to here.

The etymology of Muannar is believed to be derived from the Malayalam words Muunu (three) and aaru (river), referring to the town's strategic location at the confluence of the mountain streams of Muthirappuzha, Chanduvarai and Kundala. With its craggy peaks, sprawling evergreen tea estates and tranquil rustic atmosphere, Munnar is a delightful alternative to the better known hill stations of Tamil Nadu. Once Munnar had been the favourite summer resort of the European settlers for centuries.

Anamudi peak (2269 m)

It is the highest peak in South India, 51 km from Munnar. Permission for trekking the peak can be obtained from the forest officials.

Marayur

It is famous for Sandalwood trees and jaggery. Sandalwood oil factory, Thoovanam waterfalls, Children's park, Rajiv Gandhi National Park, ancient muniyaras etc are the main attractions. It is 42 km from Munnar.

Chinnar wildlife sanctuary

Located on the sides of Marayur-Udumalpet road.

Devikulam

7 km from Munnar has a beautiful pond connected with Sita devi.

Kumily

It is a beautiful place with active spice trade. It is a place suited for trekking, 4 km from Thekkady.

Eravikulam - Rajamala National Park

It has a variety of herbals and wild animals. The park is famous for Nilgiri Tahr and the Neelakurinji flowers, which bloom once in 12 years.

Kuttikanam

Kuttikkanam, the land of lush green tea plantations, lofty peaks and gushing streams, lies in the Peermade village of Idukki district, 3500 feet above the sea level. Clouds gently touch the peaks that flank the verdant slops of Kuttikkanam. Indeed, the streams silvering down from the top hill peaks will fill your hearts with warm feelings.

The valleys and hills of Kuttikkanam are draped in mist all through the year. On a fairly warm day the mercury reads around 15°C.The beauty of Kuttikkanam is a 'JOY FOR EVER': We can see the sunset and the sea as we tune our ears to the symphony of the winged choristers!.

Thattekkad bird sanctuary

This sanctuary has a variety of rare and beautiful birds. The sanctuary is located 12 km from Kothamangalam.

Thenmarikuthu waterfall

Located at Udumbannur Velore.

Thommankuthu waterfall

Located 29 km from Thodupuzha.

Valakuthu waterfall

Located on the Aluva - Munnar road.

Valara - Cheeyapara waterfall

Located near Adimaly.

Vandiperiyar

It is a natural garden of rare flowers.

Pullumedu

A grassy hill area from where Makara jyoti can be viewed with permission.

Ramakal medu

A windy place with scenic beauty. There is a windmill power station too.

Kuruvan - Kurathy hills

India's first arch dam is located in between these two hills.