Visitors to Idukki are introduced to God’s magnificent creation and the beauty of nature through its tourist attractions. Idukki, one of Kerala’s most beautiful districts, is home to a number of well-known tourist destinations. The district, which is located in Kerala’s Western Ghats, is well-known for its rocky topography and variety of vegetation. Travellers are drawn to Idukki by its abundance of cliffs, lush vegetation, lagoons, peaceful rivers, and cascading waterfalls, which also provide them with lifelong memories. Idukki has a vast variety of attractions, with places with names like Painavu, Arch Dam, and Ponchira. The three rivers Thodupuzhayar, Periyar, and Thalaya, as well as their tributaries, are responsible for keeping Idukki green.
Idukki Arch Dam:
The Idukki dam, which is located in a valley between the Kuravan and Kurathi hills in Kerala, covers the Periyar River. The stunning building is one of Asia’s tallest arch dams, standing at 167.68 metres (550 feet). The Kerala government constructed the dam, one of the top tourist destinations in Idukki, in 1975. A 780 MW hydroelectric power plant uses the dam’s energy to generate electricity. Tourists are mesmerised by the construction’s sheer scale, the mountains, the rich vegetation, and the 60 square kilometres of the peaceful lake created by the three dams—Idukki, Cheruthoni, and Kulamavu.
2. Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
Idukki Wildlife is located in the Thodupuzha and Udumpanchola taluks of Idukki, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, at a height of 450–750 feet above sea level. The sanctuary is surrounded on three sides by the serene waters of Idukki Lake. Beautiful deciduous trees, meadows, tropical evergreens, and light forests surround it. One of Idukki’s attractions, the Wildlife Sanctuary, is home to a large population of wild elephants. Tigers, wild boars, bison, sambar, deer, wild dogs, jungle cats, and Malabar giant squirrels are a few of the other animal species. Reptiles like the cobra, viper, and krait will confuse the tourist, but he will be charmed by bird species like the Malabar grey hornbill and Purple Sunbird.
- ilaveezha Poonchira:
One of the attractions in Idukki is Ilaveezha Poonchira, also referred to as Kerala’s Shangri-La. It is located in the village of Melukavu in the Kottayam district. In the vicinity of Kanjar, in the foothills of the three flower-covered hillocks known as Mankunnu, Kudayathoor, and Thonippara Hills, is the breathtaking valley, which spans hundreds of acres.
- Keezharkuthu Falls
Tourists’ breath is taken away by the cascading waters, which plunge from a height of 1500 metres amid thick vegetation. The Keezharkuthu falls, also referred to as the rainbow falls, are a well-liked photo location. Tourists are engulfed in an indescribable experience by them. The nearby forests are reputed to be abundant in medicinal plants and herbs, which the locals have long used. It has a variety of wildlife. Keezharkuthu, a well-known tourist site in Idukki, is known for its hilly terrain and adventure sports like rock climbing, mountaineering, camping, and hiking. Along with other well-known tourist attractions, the Thommankuthu waterfalls, Kalvari Mount, and Ramakkalmedu Peak are close by.
5. Valara Waterfalls
The Valara Waterfalls, which are located on the Munnar-Kochi Highway, are one of Idukki’s main attractions. A magnificent sight is created by a series of waterfalls that flow as they descend from a height of 1000 metres. It is a superb location for bird watchers and wildlife aficionados because it is surrounded by lush vegetation, different kinds of woodlands, and a wide range of animal species.
On the area’s steep slopes, adventure sports like rock climbing and trekking are common. Throughout the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, a lot of people are drawn to the falls due to their breathtaking panoramic beauty and the lush surroundings. It’s a well-liked vacation spot for honeymooners, romantics, and photographers.
