Destination Kerala - Idukki
Sprawling over an area of 5061 Sq. Km., this district is marked by undulating hills and valleys. The high ranges vary in altitude from 2500 feet above sea level to more than 5000 feet. Idukki has at present about 1500 Sq. Km. of reserved forest which is rich in flora and fauna. Periyar, Thodupuzhayar and Thalayar are the important rivers of the district and the Pamba river also originates from here.
There are frequent buses to Thekkady and Thodupuzha from Idukki.
Tourist Office
The DTPC Idukki (Ph: 0486-232248) has an office at Idukki collectorate building, Painavu. They operate trekking packages at Munnar.
Places of Interest
Cheruthoni : It is the area surrounding the Idukki Arch Dam and Cheruthoni Dam. The Idukki Arch Dam, the first of its kind in India, is constructed across the river Periyar between two huge granite hills. Painavu, the headquarters of Idukki district is situated 5 Km. away from Cheruthoni at a height of 3917 feet above sea level from where one can see the sunrise and sunset and certain areas of Cochin.
Moolamattom : It is situated 40 Km. away from Idukki and 20 Km. from Thodupuzha. The underground power house of the Idukki hydro electric project is situated here. There are frequent buses from Idukki and Thodupuzha to this place. Visitors are allowed to enter the Power station with permission from the KSEB Office.
Peerumedu : This place is situated 75 Km. away from Kottayam and the Summer Palace of the Rajas of Travancore here is an important monument. Peerumedu is a hill station and an ideal place for a break on the way to Periyar wild life sanctuary.
Thommankuthu Waterfalls : Situated 18 Km. away from Thodupuzha, the waterfalls here present an enchanting sight and is a place of great scenic beauty. There are direct buses from Thodupuzha to Thommankuthu. There is a PWD Rest House at Thodupuzha and the reservation authority is the District Collector, Idukki. There are also hotels and restaurants in Thodupuzha.
Other places of interest in Idukki are Kulamavu, Pallivasal, Kuttikkanam, Neriyamangalam and Kallarkutty dam.
Adimali :
Adimali is the gateway to the Idukki Highranges. It is located 100 kms away from Cochin on the way to munnar.
Munnar :
Munnar is a beautiful hill station on the Western Ghats at about 1600 metres above sea level. The town is situated at the confluence of the three mountain streams Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. There are lakes, reservoirs, forests and several tea estates. Anamudi, the highest peak in south India is close to this place. There is a wildlife sanctuary in the Eravikulam-Rajamala area in the Munnar forest division.
Chinnar wild life sanctuary is very near to Eravikulam National park. Munnar was the summer resort of the British Government in the south.
Anamudi : Among the many lofty peaks of Western Ghats-often called Sahyadri - Anamudi peak is the highest in south India with 2695 Mts. above sea level. This is an ideal spot for trekking.
Eravikulam National Park : This National park lies at the crest of the Anamalai ranges near Munnar spreading over 97 Sq. Kms. of evergreen tropical forest. The Nilgiri Tahr in Eravikulam is the rare breed of mountain goats in the world. Until a few years ago, the species was fighting a lost battle for survival; now herds of 30 and more can be seen at a time. In the park, and around the estates in the Anamalai, elephants move across the border; Nilgiri langurs, lion-tailed macaques and other monkeys abound; samburs are often seen; wild dogs regularly trace the path of their prey; and with the new consciousness of conservation, even a leopard or tiger can be spotted. Eravikulam is accessible by foot (18 Kms.) from Rajamalai which is 17 Kms from Munnar town.
Chinnar wild Life Sanctuary : This Sanctuary bordering Tamilnadu is situated 60 Kms. away from Munnar. It spreads over an area of 92.44 Sq Kms, fully inhibited by wild animals like elephants, leopards, bears, gaurs, samburs, spotted dears, boars and several other species. Chinnar wildlife Sanctuary is different from other sanctuaries of Kerala in its vegetation. This is the only protected area in Kerala with semi arid and dry deciduous shrub forests, the preferred habitat of the Starred Tortoise.
The high peaks of Rajamali steeps down to the deep valley at Deobolic Point. This place is often called as the suicidal point - really a frightening mountain scape.
Accommodation : The Forest department has a watch tower and a dormitory with a capacity of 30 beds. Tariff is Rs.50 per person.
Marayoor : It is the nearest town near chinnar wild life sanctuary. It is the only place in Kerala having a natural growth of sandal wood trees. The relics of New Stone Age civilization have been unearthed here. The childrens’ park covering about a hectare of land under the canopy of a single Banyan tree is quite interesting. The sandalwood factory run by the forest department is also worth seeing.
Transport
Rail : The nearest railheads are Alwaye and Bodinai-kkannur. The train from Bodinaikkannur to Madurai is at 11.05 and 17.25 (3hrs) and from Madurai to Bodinaikkannur is at 07.45 and 14.20.
Bus : There are buses to Munnar from Cochin, Coimbatore, Kottayam, Madurai, Trivandrum, Thekkady etc.
Tourist Office
District Tourism Promotion Council, Idukki operates a Tourist Information Counter in Old Munnar (Ph:531516 ).The private tourist office (Ph : 530349) is located opposite the Gandhi Statue. The DTPC hires boats for cruising in the Munnar lake.The hire charges are:
Pedal Boats: Rs.40 for 2 persons per hour.
Row Boats: Rs.10 per person per hour.
Motor Boat: Rs.300 for10 ersons per hour.
The DTPC also hires bicycles @ Rs.10 per hour.
The privately run Munnar Tourist Information Centre
(Ph : 531136) and DTPC arrange trekking tours to different parts of Munnar. |
