This astounding hill station in Kerala is well-connected with other major tourist destinations in God’s Own Country. The roads are also in good conditions and offer an amazing experience while driving or riding to Idukki. Visitors from neighboring hill stations like Ooty and Kodaikanal can also reach Idukki through the roadways.
Theni in Tamil Nadu; around 60km, serves as the nearest railway station to reach Idukki. Other than this, visitors can also board a train to Changanassery (95km) and Kottayam (114km) to reach Idukki.
Kochi International Airport at a distance of 132km serves as the nearest airport to reach Idukki. Upon arrival at this airport, visitors can avail regular buses or private taxis to reach the hill station.
Munnar was the summer resort of the British Government in the south. The town is situated at the convergence of three mountain streams namely Muthirappuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Munnar has some of the largest tea plantations in the world. This hill station, which is more than 5000 feet above sea level, is a tourist attraction noted for its scenic landscapes. These protected areas are especially known for several threatened and endemic species including Nilgiri Thar, the grizzled giant squirrel, the Nilgiri wood-pigeon, elephant, the gaur, the Nilgiri langur, the sambar, and the Neelakurinji (that blossoms only once in twelve years).
Vagamon is a hill station situated 1200 meters above sea level, 37 km from Pala and 42 km from Thodupuzha. This hill station provides option of trekking, paragliding or rock climbing for adventurous seekers. The place has many variety of flora and fauna located in various parts of hilly region. Evergreen trees tall grasses and shrubs are present in the lower regions of Vagamon. Many rare species of birds, insects, wild buffaloes and elephants can be easily located in the forests. The main attractions here are mist-covered mountains and lakes, Pilgrim centers – Kurishumala, Murugan temple, Burial chamber of Sufi saint and pine forests.
Ramakalmedu stands tall in the Western Ghats at a height of 3500 feet above sea level. The ecosystem of the area consists largely of grass land Shola forest type which is laced by sporadic bamboo forests. Constant wind is another factor which makes Ramakkalmedu unique. Wind blows at a speed around 35 km/ hour at Ramakkalmedu throughout the year irrespective of the season and time.Tourism villages like Pushpakandam and Kuruvikanam near Ramakkalmedu is one of the places in Kerala where wind energy farm is installed, though it is private holdings.
Thekkady is located about 257 km (160 mi) from Trivandrum, 140 km from Madurai City and Madurai Airport, 145 km from Cochin International Airport and 114 km from Kottayam railway station. Thekkady is located near to Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. The sanctuary is known for its dense evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savanna grass lands. It is home to herds of elephants, sambar, tigers, gaur, lion-tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs. The splendid artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River adds to the charm of the park.
Marayur is a remote village on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats. The relics of new stone-age civilisation has been unearthed here. It has ancient stone cabins, called ‘Muniyaras’. Marayur has more than 1000 species of flowering plants and is a well known repository of medicinal plants. There are 114 endemic species and the sighting of Aibizia lathamii, a critically endangered tree, was recently reported from the dry forests. Maryoor has got a number of sandalwood forests. Processing of sandalwood and its associated oil forms part of local economy and a depot near Marayur town is supporting this industry.
Eravikulam is another wild life sanctuary proclaimed as a National Park. It supports the largest population of Nilgiri tahr in the world. Anamudi peak is on the southern part of this park. Most of the park is grassland and the average altitude is more than 5000 feet above sea level. Heavy rain and gushing winds makes the area inaccessible during the monsoon season. The famous Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) grows here. It has a flowering cycle of 12 years. Endemic butterflies confined to the shola-grass land ecosystem like the red disk bushbrown and Palni four wing are among the 101 species in the park.