Idukki Tourism

Idukki

Idukki district  is one among the 14 districts of Kerala state,  The district headquarters is located at Kuyilimala in Painavu.The name of the district is derived from the malayalam word Idukki, meaning narrow gauge.Idukki is a hilly district having many unique topographical and geographical characteristics.

The altitude varies from 2500 ft above MSL in Kulamavu to more than 5000 ft above MSL in Munnar.

There are eleven peaks in the district, which exceed a height of 6000 ft above MSL. The highest peak in Kerala, Anaimudi is located in the Kannan Devan Hills village of Devikulam taluk.

The High land area is covered by forest soil (Alluvial soil) and the other parts by laterite soil.The climate undergoes a sudden variation as we go from west to east.

Munnar is a tourist centre 113 km away from Kochi, situated at a height of 6000m above sea level. Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Munnar is almost full of tea estates and has thick forest cover. Climate is cool and fine. In fact, the entire area is known as the Kannan Devan Hills, from which the famous brand of the Tatas gets its name. Unlike other tourist places in India, Munnar doesn't have many artificial parks or gardens.

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Thekkadi

Thekkadi is located about 117 km from Kottayam and 20 km from Kothamangalam. Periyar Lake, Periyar Wild Life Sanctury and a Bird Sanctury are the major tourist attractions. Boating in the lake is a pleasureful experience. KTDC is providing lodging facilities here. The Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. The splendid artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River adds to the charm of the park. The greatest attraction of Periyar are the herds of wild elephants that come down to play in the lake. Thekkady has immense possibilities for Adventure Tourism.

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Eravikulam National Park

The National Park situated 144 km away from Cochin and 15 km from Munnar. A variety of animals and medicinal plants are seen here. This is the place where 'Neelakurinji' blossoms. Half of the world population of rare mountain goat is in Rajamala Wild Life Sanctury. Eravikulam National Park is home to the Nilgiri Tahr. The total number of Nilgiri Tahrs in Rajamala is estimated at 1000. The Anamudi peak (8841 ft) is located in the southern region of the park.
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Marayoor

Marayoor is situated 41km from Munnar. The Sandal forests, Sandal Wood Factory of the Forest Department, Children's Park, Rajiv Gandhi National Park, Thoovanam Waterfalls, Marayoor Jaggery, Century old cells of Hermits etc. are the major attractions of this place. Marayoor is also a unique place where tourism meets adventure. The rare Neelakurinji flower is native to this region.
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Peerumedu
Peerumedu is a place famous for Coffee and Tea estates, situated 75 km away from Kottayam on the way to Idukki. Peerumedu is a small hill station. Peerumedu is 85 kms east to Kottayam (travel time: 2 hours), on the way to Thekkady. There are frequent bus services from nearby cities of Kumily and Kottayam. Coffee, tea, pepper, cardamom and rubber flourish in what is the most fertile part of the Western Ghats. Broken only by spectacular waterfalls in the distance and wide open grasslands in places.
For Further details visit,
http://idukki.nic.in/places.htm
http://www.tripbase.com/Idukki-Tourism-India.html
http://tripsguru.com/places/Idukki/links.html