Location	121 km from Kottayam in the southern part of Kerala Idukki lies en route to Munnar.
Area	5019 sq.km.
Population	1,079,369
Altitude	2,200 m above sea level
Temperature	Mean Min. 22.5 deg. C, Mean Max. 37.5 deg. C
Best Time to Visit	August to March (All round the Year)
Clothing	Tropical Cottons. Warm clothes and rain gear for places like Munnar and Thekkady.
Language Spoken	Malayalam, English
Rainfall	270 cm.(annual)
Religion	Hindu, Christian, Muslim

One of the largest districts of Kerala, Idduki offers diverse attractions from wildlife sanctuaries to hill stations. Idukki is one of the most nature rich areas of Kerala. It derives its name from the Malayalam word idukku which means a narrow gorge. Idukki lives true to its name and the Periyar River has the hills of Kuravan and Kurathi on its sides forming a gorge. Idukki is immensely appealing for travelers seeking an escape to the mist layered mountains and an adventure with a difference.

As a tourist destination, Idukki is incomparable - forests, wildlife sanctuaries, hill stations, spices & plantation tours, mountain treks, elephant rides and some of the most spectacular landscapes anywhere in India.

Tourist Attractions of Idukki, Kerala

• Munnar
  Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams namely Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Sprawling tea platations, picture book towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular hill station. . Due to its beautiful surroundings and so natural, Munnar has been christened as 'Virgin Munnar', in the tourism and travel industry. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, which towers over 2695 m Anamudi is an ideal spot for treakking. Munnar is also famous for the exotic blue flower - Neela Kurinii - which blooms once in every 12 years.
  
  
• Idukki Arch Dam
  Idukki arch dam is the world's second and Asia's first arch dam, constructed across the Kuravan and Kurathi hills, which lies in the heart of the District. It measures a staggering 550 feet in height and is 650 feet wide. To its west is the Kulamavu Dam. The Idukki arch Dam is also one of the attractions of Idukki district and attracts a large number of visitors.
  
  
• Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary
  The very sound of the word Thekkady conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice-scented plantations. While you travel to Thekkady, you will see nature in its purest form. Uninterrupted rows of lush green trees, chirping birds, velvety hills and stunningly beautiful landscape are what make Thekkady a hot tourism center. It is one of the finest Wildlife reserves in India, and spread across the entire district are picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold great opportunities for treks. The vegetation, the flora and fauna and the birds of Thekkady are uniquely rich, vast and varied that it does not bear semblance to any other wildlife sanctuaries in the world. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary provides home to a wide variety of remarkable birds like Malabar Grey Hornbill, Grey Jungle Fowl, Heron, Egret, Jungle Myna, Wood Pecker, Rose Winged and Blue Winged Parakeet, Ceylon Frog-Mouth and Rose Billed Roller.
  
  
• Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
  The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the rain shadow region of Western Ghats of Kerala. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is a unique thorny scrub forest with numerous xerophytes species. You can also spot the highly endangered species of the Grizzled Giant Squirrel and the Star Tortoise. The added feature of this Wildlife Sanctuary is the Thoovanam Falls on the river Chinnar.
  
  
• Devikulam (Hill Station)
  Devikulam a small hill station , which means 'Pond of the Goddess', as it is believed that goddess Sita once, had a bath in the pond near by and hence this place was named after it. This idyllic hillstation with its velvet lawns, exotic flora and fauna and the cool mountain air is rare experience. The crisp and cool mountain air heavily laden with the fragrance of wild flowers and rare herbs is any nature lover's paradise. Silent clusters of slender red and blue gum trees. A lovely, little lake hidden within the rolling hills. This is Devikulam. Devikulam is one of the fascinating destinations in the Gods own country with its breathtaking scenic views and is bestowed with the green slopes touching the skies and hushed clusters of willowy red and blue gum trees.
  
  
• Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
  The sanctuary extends over the Thodupuzha and Udumpanchola taluka of Idukki district, spreading over 77 sq km and is about 450-748 m above sea level . There is a scenic lake around the sanctuary and the wildlife found here are similar to those in other wildlife sanctuaries nearby. The rich greenery and forests are abode to numerous flora and fauna giving Eco tourists a fine treat. The Idukki Reservoir formed by three dams - Cheruthoni, Idukki and Kulamanu - extends to 33 sq.km.
  
  
• Mattupetty
  Mattupetty lake is another place of tourist attention, which is famous for its lush green meadows and one should never miss the speed boat drive here in this lake. Boat ride in the lake is also a prime attraction. The sprawling Kundala tea plantations and the Kundala lake are other attractions in the vicinity. Over a 100 varieties of high yielding cattle are reared here.
  
  
• Marayoor
  This remote village on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats is in the outskirts of Munnar.It is the only place in Kerala having a natural growth of sandal wood trees. The relics of new Stone Age civilization have been unearthed here. There is a megalithic burial sites consisting of dolments and cists.The children's park spread across a hectare of land under the canopy of a single Banyan tree are of great interest to tourist's. The stone cabins, called 'Muniyaras', attract a lot of research scholars.
  
  
• Eravikulam Wild Life Sanctuary
  Eravikulam National Park with Barren hills, meadows, rock rafts and wild animals can fascinate any one The sanctuary stands out for the stark beauty of its rolling grasslands and sholas, spread over 97 sq. kms of unblemished natural splendour. Eravikulam is another wild life sanctuary proclaimed as a National Park since it supports the largest population of Nilgiri Tahr existing in the world now. The Eravikulam national park, Kerala is home to one of the biggest moths in the world called the Atlas moth. Eravikkulam National Park embraces an exotic landscape complete with green meadows, dense forests, tall rock and mountains. It is the core area, the butter area and the tourism area.
  
  
• Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary
  In the dense tropical evergreen and deciduous forests and grassland patches is located the Thatekkad Bird Sanctuary. The sanctuary is spread over an area of 25 square kilometers. Home to a microcosm of India's bird population with about 500 winged species The presence of varieties of birds in this area attracted the renowned ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali and his efforts are also behind the formation of this sanctuary. The fascinating birds that are found here are Bee-eater, Falcon Grey, Jungle Fowl, Black Winged Kite, Shrike, Crimson-throated Barbet, Ceylon Frogmoth, Sunbird, Night Heron, Blue winged parakeet, white-breasted water hen, rose-billed Roller, Hornbill, etc. And also more than 28 varieties of animals and nine varieties of reptiles have accepted this area as their natural habitat. The sanctuary is a paradise for bird watchers and nature lovers.
  
  
• Kuthumkal Waterfalls
  This breath-taking waterfall cascading down from dazzling heights is a stunning sight. The misty waterfall provides a picturesque view of the water. The sheer beauty of the place allures thousands of visitors every year.

How to reach Idukki, Kerala

• By Air
  Cochin International Airport, about 190 km and Madhurai about 140 km, are the nearest Airports
  
  By Rail
  No rail line passes through the Idukki district. The nearest Railway station is at Kottayam, which is133 km away.
  
  
• By Road
  The N H 49 (Kochi-Madura) passes through Idukki district. Thodupuzha, the major town in the district, is well connected with other parts of the district and the state. KSRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) operates bus services from Thodupuzha station to several cities including district headquarters.