Location : In central Kerala, India
Tourist Attractions :Idukki, Thekkady, Mangaladevi Temple, Kattappana, Thommankuthu, Eravikulam National Park, Chinnar wild life sanctuary, Malankara Dam.
Best Activity : Trekking, fishing, camping, boating, plantation.
Nearby Tourist Destinations : Munnar, Mattupetty, Idukki arch dam, Idukki wildlife sanctuary,
Thekkady, Nyayamakad
When to Visit : May to September
This beautiful high range district of Kerala is geographically known for its mountainous hills and dense forests. For the people of Kerala, Idukki is always associated with power generation. About 66% of the State's power needs come from the hydroelectric power projects in Idukki. Idukki accounts for 12.9 percent of the area of Kerala whereas it accounts for only 3.7 percent of the population of the state. About 50% of its area is reserved forests.
There are moments sometimes when you long to get away to peace and tranquility on a virgin landscape where nature shimmers in its freshness with nothing but green rolling hills all around and a morning dew feel that keeps you energetic throughout the day.
A land-locked district, Idukki is one of the most nature rich areas of Kerala.
The name Idukki has been derived from the Malayalam word 'idukku' meaning narrow gorge. The district was formed on January 26, 1972 carving out Devikulam, Peerumedu and Udumbanchola taluks from the erstwhile Kottayam district and Thodupuzha taluk from the erstwhile Ernakulam district.
Located in the southern part of Kerala, Idukki is a landlocked district spread over an area of 5019 sq.kms. Blessed generously by Mother Nature, Idukki offers diverse attractions like wild life sanctuaries, hill stations, spice plantation centers and mountain treks .
It is one of the districts in the state which has a number of wild life sanctuaries and offers abundant scope for promotion of eco tourism if infrastructure facilities and proper promotional activities are provided. It is also famed for its spice production, tea plantations and rubber cultivation. Idukki also boasts of having the highest arch dam in Asia. Idukki is one of the districts in the state where linguistic minority exists. The linguistic minority consists mainly of Tamil origin. They are mainly workers in the tea and cardamom plantations, spread in Peermade, Udumbanchola and Devikulam taluks. The district is highly heterogeneous in the matter of its people in their culture, climate, cropping pattern, physiographic features etc.
How to Get There :
Idukki can be reached by all the means of transportation.
By Air : Cochin international airport is 12 k away from Idukki. Cochin is very well connected to all major domestic airports and many of international locations. From Cochin, Idukki is almost 3 hours drive. Taxi or local bus are easily available from Cochin.
By Rail : Kottayam is the nearest railway station, 133 km from Idukki. Taking a bus or hiring a taxi take you easily to Idukki.
By Road : National Highway 49 (Kochi-Mathura) passes through Idukki. Excellent motorable roads from many of the prime destinations like Madurai, Kottayam, Coimbatore, Kodaikanal and Devikulam lead you to reach Idukki very easily.
