IDUKKI TOURISM | TOURIST PLACES TO VISIT & TRAVEL GUIDE TO IDUKKI
Hill Station
About Idukki
#18 of 24 Places to visit in Kerala
Ideal Trip Duration: 1-2 Days
Nearest City to Idukki: Kochi (100 Kms)
Best Time to Visit Idukki: October to May
Peak Season: December to January & May to June
At a distance of 47 km from Munnar, 101 km from Kottayam, 105 km from Kochi, 171 km from Madurai, and 239 km from Trivandrum, Idukki is a pristine hill station in Kerala. It is one of the stunning Kerala hill stations, and among the most prominent places to visit as part of Kerala packages.
Idukki district was formed on 26th January 1972 by carving out Devikulam, Peerumedu, and Udumbanchola taluks from Kottayam district and Thodupuzha taluk from Ernakulum district. It is the second-largest district in Kerala state (Painavu as headquarters). Idukki is home to a large population of tribal population. It is one of the famous hill stations near Kochi.
The name Idukki is supposed to be derived from the Malayalam word Idukku which means a narrow gorge. Periyar which is one of the largest rivers of Kerala, flowing through the Idukki gorge formed between the two high massive rocks called Kuravan and Kurathi, which is the site of the gigantic Idukki Arch Dam, among the must visit places as part of Idukki tour packages. Kulamavu Dam and Cheruthoni Dam are the other important dams in Idukki. Idukki can be called the Power House of Kerala as it caters to 66% of the state's Hydroelectric Power consumption.
According to History, Idukki was part of the Chera dynasty and was later ruled by the Kulasekhara Kings from the 9th to 11th century AD. John Danial Manroe, a British planter was leased a piece of land by the then Raja of Poonjar, Kerala Varma in 1877. Manroe has set up a Land Planting and Agriculture Society where the members were allowed to set up their own tea estates.
Idukki has a mix of diverse attractions like wildlife sanctuaries, hill stations, spice plantation centers and mountain treks. Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, Idukki Dam, Thommankuthu Waterfalls, Ramakalamedu, Kalvari Mount / Calvary Mount, Malankara Dam, and Ilaveezha Poonchira are some of the prominent places to visit in Idukki. Idukki district is also home to South India's highest peak, Anamudi (2695 meters), along with 13 other peaks with a height of over 2000 meters. Idukki can also be visited along with Madurai tour packages.
Cochin Airport is the nearest airport, which is 94 km from Idukki, Kottayam Railway station, at a distance of 101 km from Idukki serves as the closest railway station. Being a major tourist destination in Kerala, Idukki is well connected by bus from Kochi, Munnar, Trivandrum, and Kottayam.
The best time to visit Idukki is between October and May while the peak season is from March to May. It usually takes 1-2 full days to explore this area.
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