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A landlocked district with an area of 5019 sq kms and an altitude of 2200 metres above the sea level, Idukki is one of the most nature rich areas of Kerala.
Three main rivers - Periyar, Thalayar and Thodupuzhayar - and their tributaries, gird high ranges and wooded valleys. The river Pamba also has its origin here. As a tourist destination, Idukki also offers diverse attractions like wildlife sanctuaries, hill stations, spice plantation tours, mountain treks and elephant rides etc.
Idukki has a large population of tribals, the main tribes being Muthuvan, Malayarayan, Mannan, Paliyan, Urali, Ulladan, Malavedan and Malampandaram. The tribes of Kerala have unique customs and beliefs and maintain an ethos, which is distinctly different from that of the mainstream culture.
The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
About 4 km from Kumili. The most renowned destination is the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary at Thekkady, one of India's major sanctuary areas. The pride of Kerala and a testimony to nature's splendor and human innovation, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Periyar lake - an artificial lake, at Thekkady. Here the high ranges of the Western Ghats are clothed in dense evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savannah grasslands. Below this thick green canopy roam herds of elephants, sambars, tigers, gaurs, lion tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs.
The sanctuary offers a lovely and comfortable way to see the animals via boat rides on the man-made lake, which the wildlife areas encircle. In addition to the wild life, there are water and land birds galore here, and one can sometimes find dedicated bird watchers setting in for one or two weeks of serious observations. This sanctuary offers the unique opportunity to watch and photograph wild elephants at close quarters.
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Eravikulam National Park
130 km from Ernakulam. This sanctuary was established specially for the preservation of Nilgiri Tahr, one of the most endangered animals on the planet. Now the number of tahrs has increased and they constitute the largest known population of tahrs existing in the world. In addition to tahr, the park houses elephants, sambars, gaurs, lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, tigers and leopards. Accommodation and board facilities are available at Munnar, the nearest town, which is connected to Kottayam (148 km.) and Ernakulam (130 km.) by road. There is a motorable road up to Rajamally. Further, travel is on foot, which makes for some great trekking.
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Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary extends over the Thodupuzha and Udumpanchola taluk of Idukki district, spreading over 77 sq km and is about 450-748 m above sea level. The Idukki Reservoir formed by three dams - Cheruthoni, Idukki and Kulamavu - extends to 33 sq km. Fauna: Elephant, bison, sambar deer, wild dog, jungle cat, tiger, wild boar, cobra, viper, krait... Birds: jungle fowl, myna, laughing thrush, black bulbul, peafowl, woodpecker, kingfisher.
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Chinnar Wild life sanctuary
About 60 km from Munnar, Idukki district. Proximity to Eravikulam National Park and Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu makes Chinnar rich in wildlife. This sanctuary is easily accessible from Udumalpet in Tamil Nadu and Munnar in Kerala.
A unique thorny scrub forest with xerophyte species, Chinnar is the habitat for the endangered Giant Grizzled Squirrel of India.
The last world count of these squirrels was less than 200. Located in the rain shadow area of the Western Ghats, unlike other sanctuaries in Kerala, Chinnar gets only 48 days of rain every year. Rich in wildlife, the mixed deciduous forests here are ideal for trekking.
An extensive Sandalwood forest nearby is an added attraction. This is also an ideal place to watch herds of Bisons march past. Dry deciduous forests, high sholas and wet grasslands add to the diversity of the sanctuary. As one travels from Karimuthi to Chinnar, Elephants, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Hanuman monkey and even Peacocks can be spotted on either sides of the road.
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Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
About 58 km from Kochi. Thattekkad is made up of dense tropical evergreen and deciduous forest and grassland patches, housing a population of over 500 species of exotic birds.
This globally acclaimed bird sanctuary owes much of its fame to Dr. Salim Ali, the internationally renowned ornithologist. It is the exotic microcosm of India's bird population that brought Dr. Salim Ali to this place. His efforts were instrumental in the formation of this sanctuary to a large extent Spread across 25 sq. km. the sanctuary lies between the tributaries of the river Periyar like a peninsula.
Rare birds like the Crimson-throated Barbet, Bee eater, Sunbird, Shrike, Black Winged Kite, Night Heron, Falcon, Grey Jungle Fowl, White-Breasted Water Hen, Hornbill, Ceylon Frogmoth, Rose-billed Roller and Blue-winged Parakeet live here.
Thattekkad also has extensive plantations of teak, rosewood, mahagony, etc. The dense forest is also the home of nearly 28 varieties of animals and nine varieties of reptiles.
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Thekkady
Lies at an altitude of 900-1800 m above sea level. Rainfall: 2500 mm. The very sound of the word Thekkady conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice scented plantations. In the Periyar forest of Thekkady is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India, and spread across the entire district are picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold great opportunities for treks and mountain walks.
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Idukki Arch Dam
Idukki Arch Dam is the world's second and Asia's first arch dam, constructed across the Kuravan and Kurathi hills. 550 ft high and 650 ft. wide, the dam lies close to the Cheruthoni barrage. To its west is the Kulamavu Dam. The Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is located close by.
Cheeyappara Waterfalls
The Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls are located between Neriamangalam and Adimali on the Kochi - Madurai highway. The Cheeyappara Waterfalls cascade down in seven steps. It is a real feast for the eyes. This is also a great place for trekking. It is noted for two acres of evergreen forests upon a huge rock. The rock is more than 500 acres in area and an ideal spot for mountaineering. Back
Nyayamkad Waterfalls
10 Kms from Munnar. Located between Munnar and Rajamala Nyamkad is a land of breathtaking waterfalls. The Waters cascade down a hill from a height of about 1600 meters, the enchanting surrounding make an excellent picnic spot and trekking point.
Thommankuthu Waterfalls
28 km from Thodupuzha. Thommankutthu is famous for its numerous waterfalls. This place is ideal for natural lovers as the seven-step waterfall here is a much loved picnic spot. At each step, there is a cascade and a pool beneath to enjoy the panoramic beauty; the best way is to undertake a trek that takes one to the top of the mountain, a 12 km. climb.
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Peerumed
On the way to Thekkady, Peerumed is a small hill station. It is a fertile land at an altitude of 914 meters. Formerly the summer palaces of Travancore Rajas this tiny and cool hill station is full of rubber, tea, coffee, pepper and cardamom plantations. Surrounded by rolling hills and valleys, Peerumed is well known for its waterfalls, open grasslands and delightful trekking trails.
Sabarimala
A well-known pilgrim centere, Sabarimala is situated amidst dense forests in the rugged terrains of the Western Ghats. The temple is situated 5 Km away from Pamba and can be reached only by trekking. The main festival is during December / January.
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Munnar Hill Station
Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni, Kundala. 1600 m. above sea level, this hill station was the summer resort of the British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes, and holiday facilities make this a popular hill station. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji. This flower which bathes the hills in blue once every twelve years, will bloom next in 2006 AD. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India, Anamudi - which towers over 2695 m. Anamudi is an ideal spot for trekking.
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Devikulam
Situated 16kms south-west of Munnar, is a small hill station Devikulam, which means 'Pond of the Goddess', as it is believed that goddess Sita once, had a bath in the pond near by and hence this place was named after it. This place has a lot of natural beauty and many tourists come here to enjoy its serenity.
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Anayirankal
This is an ideal picnic spot with its bush green carpet of tea plantation. A trip on the splendid reservoir is an unforgettable experience. The Tata Tea plantation and evergreen forests surround the Anayirankal Dam.
Marayoor (Sandalwood Plantation)
This is the only place in Kerala that has a natural growth of sandalwood trees. The sandalwood factory of the forest
department.
The caves (Muniyars) with murals and relics from the new Stone Age civilization and the children's' park spread across a hectare of land under the canopy of a single banyan tree are of great interest to tourists.
Thoovanam waterfall and Rajiv Gandhi National Park are also near by. Back
Rajamalai
13 Kilometers away, this the place you can see the Niligiri Tahr.
Anamudi
It is the highest peak in South India, 8883 feet This peak is 20 Kilometers away.
Mattupetty
Just 13 Kilometers away, is located at a height of 5510 feet.Here you can see the Indo Swiss Livestock project and go boating on the Mattupetty dam.
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Top Station
Located at a height of 6300 feet,it offers panoramic views of Kerala and Tamilnadu border areas. |
