TravelingBeats

Location: Idukki District is located around the south eastern part of Kerela. It shares boundary with Ernakulam and Kottayam district in the east, Thrissur district and Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu in the north, Pathanamthitta district in the south and Theni, Dindigul and Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu in the east.

District Headquarter: Painavu

Distance: 132 km from Cochin, 238 km from Kollam, 43 km from Munnar, 240 km from Palakkad, 293 km from Thiruvananthapuram, 205 km from Madurai, 570 km from Chennai, 547 km from Bangalore, 275 km from Mysore, 408 km from Mangalore.

Journey time: Around 9 hrs by road from Bangalore

How to reach there: By train, KSRTC, KSTC, private bus or hired vehicle. Also, one can fly to the nearest airport Nedumbasseri (160 km) or Madurai (204 km). The nearest rail station is Theni (60 km) in Tamil Nadu.

Route: Bangalore -Hosur – Krishnagiri – Dharmapuri – Salem – Thiruppur – Coimbatore – Palakkad – Mannuthy – Chalakkudy – Angamaly – Muvattupuzha – Thodupuzha – Idukki

Where to stay:

Budget:

1. Chandana Annexe
Marayoor P.O, Idukki
Kerala – 685620

2. Chandana Residency
Udumalpet Road, Marayoor P.O
Kerala – 685620

3. Edassery Resorts
Kumily Road, Kattappana
Idukki, Kerala – 685501

4. Madeira Residency
Kattappana, Idukki

5. Green View Home Stay
Thekkady Bypass Road
Hotel Ambadi Junction
Thekkady P.O, Kumliy, Idukki Dist.
Kerala – 685536

Average:

1. Summer Sand Hill Resort & Ayurvedic Centre
Kolahalamedu P.O, Vagamon, Idukki
Kerala – 685501

2. Ananya Hill Resort
Vagamon, Idukki
Kerala – 685531

3. Pepper County
Amaravathy (Ottakathalamedu)
P.O Kumily,Idukki, Kerala

Where to eat: Rapsy Restaurant, Hotel Saravan Bhavan (veg), Guru’s (south Indian), Royal Retreat.

Language spoken: Mainly Malayalam and English. Many people know Tamil and Hindi to an extent.

Recorded history of Idukki started with the Chera kingdom. It was under different rulers like Vembolinad kings, Poonjar Raja. Tea plantation etc started in the late 19th century with the British planters. Idukki is a hill district and has various kind of plantations. The altitude of the hills various from 2500 ft to 6000 ft. It is also a popular tourist destination with beautiful places like Munnar, Thekkady etc. Idukki district was formed on 26 January 1972.

What to See:

Destinations in Idukki can be seen from four destinations. So I will group them under four places as follows:

1. Munnar: Munnar is a beautiful hill station situated around 1600 meters above sea level. The forests here are famous for the Neelkunji flower which once in every 12 years. Now lets check the places we can see in Munnar:

Devikulam: Located around 7 km from Munnar town Devikulam is a nice picnic spot near Sita Devi Lake. The beautiful scenery along with pure water makes a treat here.

Pothamadu: At Pothaamedu you can see plantation of tea, coffee and beautiful hill side. It is located 6 km from Munnar town.

Pallivasal: Pallivasal located around 8 km from Munnar is the site of first hydro electric project in Kerela. At Chithirapuram (10 km from Munnar), you can see old cottages and bungalows.

Attukal: View point for beautiful waterfalls and scenery, located around 9 km from Munnar.

Nyayamakad: Located around 10 km from Munnar at Nyayamakad you can see a beautiful waterfalls descending from 1600 meters.

Mattupetty: Here visit the Indo Swiss Livestock dairy farm.

Time: 0900-1100 hrs and 1400-1530 hrs.
Entry fee: Rs 5
Ph :0486-530389

Do go for Mattupetty lake and dam. Boating facility is available. It is around 13 km from Munnar.

Nearby around 20 km from Munnar is the Kundala tea plantations and Kundala lake. Also, you can watch Aruvikkad waterfalls located nearby.

Eravikulam National Park: Located around 15 km from Munnar this 97 square kilometer national park houses the Nilgiri Tahr. You can also see Nilgiri Tahr at Rajamala .

Chinnar Wild Life Sanctuary: It is located around 60 km from Munnar on the Tamil Nadu border boast a variety of wildlife.

You may visit some other places like Power House waterfalls on the way to Thekkady, Echo point around 15 km from Munnar, Anayirankal Dam around 22 km from Munnar, Top station 32 km from Munnar, Cheeyappara water falls and Lock Heart Gap around 13 km from Munnar.

2. Thekkady:

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary: Periyar is one of the best forest reserves in India which boasts of various flora and fauna. The sanctuary was formed in 1978 and extends over 777 square km. The Mullaperiyar Dam and water reservoir is also a treat to watch.

Time: 6 am – 6 pm

Kumily: It is mainly associated with plantation and a trade center of spice. It is located around 4 km from Thekkady. Around 5 km from here, you can visit the beautiful picnic spot of Pandikuzhi. One can also do trekking here.

Mangala Devi Temple: The ancient temple of Mangala Devi is located around 15 km from Thekkedy on top of a hill inside dense forest. Public darshan is allowed on only one particular day in a year. To visit here one need to take permission from Wildlife Wadren, Thekkady (Ph.0486-322027).

Vandanmedu: Located around 25 km from Kumily, Vandanmedu has the largest auction center for candamom. One can also visit candamom plantations here.

You can also visit the hill towns of Pullumedu, Ramakalmedu, Murikkady, Chellarkovil and Vandiperiyar for beautiful scenery of hills, lush green forest and plantations.

3. Peermede: peermede is basically a plantation area of tea, coffee etc. It was also the summer retreat of the then local kings.

Grampi: Located around 5 km from Peermede Grampi overs excellent view.

Pattumala: Pattumala is typically popular for tea plantations. There a church called Velankanni church made entirely of granite stones. It is located around 17 km from Peermede, 28 km from Thekkady.

Vagamon: A beautiful holiday escape located around 25 km from Peermede offers green forest, pure oxygen and much more for peace of mind.

Sahyadri Ayurvedic Centre: This ayurvedic center offers curative and rejuvenate treatment packages. It has a medicinal plant garden and drug museum. To visit the garden one can take permission from the Director, Peermede Development Society, Peermede, Idukki. Phone: 332097, 332247.

Ilaveezhapoonchira: A nice picnic spot with beautiful surrounding scenery located around 55 km from Kottayam, 20 km from Thodupuzha.

Tribal settlements in Peermede: You can visit the tribes of Oorali, Malappandaram and Malayarayan who lives in the hills of Peermede. The main tribal settlement here is at Plakkathadam

You can also visit some other places like Kuttikkanam, Thrissanku Hills,
Peeru Hills which offers beautiful scenery and view points.

4. Idukki

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary: Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary located near Idukki dam extends over 77 square km. There are three dams namely – Cheruthoni, Idukki and Kulamanu which formed a 33 square km reservoir .

Idukki Arch Dam: Idukki Arch Dam is the first arch dam in Asia and the second one in the world.

Hill View Park: This enchanting park of 8 acres offers panoramic of the nearby Idukki dam and water bodies.

Thumpachi Calveri Samuchayam: A nice picnic spot located around 35 km from Thodupuzha. Good for sunset viewing.

Nadukani: It is a nice picnic spot.

Kalliyanathandu: View point along with Cheruthoni, Kalamavu.

Malankara Reservoir: Located around 6 km from Thodupuzha on the Thodupuzha-Moolamattom road is this artificial lake. One can go boating or do fishing there.

Thommankuthu: Beautiful 7 steps waterfalls located around 17 km from Thodupuzha.

Keezharkuthu: Here you can see another waterfalls called rainbow water falls located around 35 km from Thodupuzha.

Location: Ernakulam District is located in the south – west of Kerela. It shares boundary with Thrissur district in the north, Idukki district in the east, Kottayam and Alappuzha district in the south and Arabian sea and Alappuzha district in the west.

District Headquarter: Kochi or Cochin

Distance: Around 533 km from Bangalore, 1919 km from Bhubaneswar, 684 km from Chennai, 2360 from Kolkata, 2594 from Delhi, 3402 from Guwahati, 1095 from Hyderabad, 220 from Thiruvananthapuram.

Journey time: Around 8 – 9 hours from Bangalore and 10 – 11 hrs from Chennai.

How to reach there: By Train, bus and flight from various parts of India.

Route:

From Bangalore: Bangalore – Hosur – Krishnagiri – Dharmapuri – Salem – Coimbatore – Palghat – Trichur – Cochin

From Chennai: Chennai – Tindivanam – Salem – Coimbatore – Thrissur – Cochin

Where to stay:

Luxuary:

1. Hotel Arches
1/341, Rose Street, Next to St. Francis Church,
Fort Cochin, Kerala, India, Pin: 682001
Phone: 91 484 221 50 50
Fax: 91 484 221 57 04
Email: hotelarches@gmail.com
Website: http://www.hotelarches.com/

2. Trident
Bristow Road, Willingdon Island,
Cochin – 682 003
Ph: 91 484 308 1000
Fax: 91 484 308 1002
Website: http://www.tridenthotels.com/

3. Abad Atrium
M.G Road, Cochin-682 035
Ph: 91 484 23811221
Website: http://www.abadhotels.com/atrium/

4. You are looking for heritage stay or theme based stay try Koder House or Victory Dawn
Website: http://www.koderhouse.com/

Budget Hotels

1. Kimansion
Napiers Street,
Opp : St : Andrews Parish Hall
Fort Cochin – 682 001
Ph : 91- 0484 – 2216730
Fax : 91- 0484 – 2215757
Cell : 09847- 032117
Website: http://www.kimansion.com

2. Hotel Luciya
Near KSRTC Bus Stand,
Stadium Road, Cochin – 35
Ph: 91 484 – 2381177, 2382471, 3043179, 3043177
E-mail: lucialuci102@gmail.com
Website: http://www.hotelluciya.com

3. Hotel Cochin Tower
Lissie Junction, Kochi-682 018, Kerala
Website: http://www.hotelcochintower.com/

4. Hotel Saas Tower,
Cannon Shed Road,
Near Main Boat Jetty – 682011
Ph : +91 484 2365319, 2365322, 2368545, 4069999
Fax : +91 484 2367365
Email : saastower@yahoo.co.in
Website: http://www.saastower.com

5. Hotel Aiswarya
MG Road, Cochin-16
Ernakulam, Kerala – 682016
Ph: 0484 2364454
Website: www.aiswaryahotels.com‎

6. ATS Willingdon Hotel
Willingdon Island, Cochin – 682 029
Tel : +91 484 2667643, 2667282, 2669223
Email:mail@atshotelcochin.com
Website: http://www.atshotelcochin.com

Where to eat:

1. Hotel Thali
opposite Little Flower Church, near Kadavanthra

2. Bimbis Foodcourt
Jos Junction, MG Rd
Note: It is a good budget restaurant which offers north Indian, south Indian, continental and Chinese food.

3. Hotel Unnikrishnan
opposite Medical Trust Hospital, Pallimukku

4. Mughal Restaurant
South Railway Station Rd

5. Sree Krishna Cafe
Gujarathi St, Mattencherry.

6. Thai BBQ House
Kunnumpuram Road,
Njaliparambu Junction,
Fort Kochi

7. Khyber Pass
First floor,
Bimbis Restaurants,
Jos Junction, MG Rd

8. Royal Food Court
Near North Railway Station

Language spoken: Malayalam, Hindi, English

Ernakulam is one of the most flourishing district in Kerela. Its headquarter Cochin has been a major sea port and trade center from centuries. Gochin has cultural impressions from various traders from Arabian countries, Chinese, Dutch, Portuguese, British etc. On 01/04/1958 the district of Ernakulam was formed with Cochin (Kochi) as its district headquarters. The word Ernakulam was derived from a Tamil word Erayanarkulam which means abode of Lord Shiva. The Portuguese first established a base in Cochin followed by the Dutch and British. Since 1814 Cochin was part administered by British and the local Kochi Raja (king). In 1947 the parts of British Malabar region and Kingdom of Travancore were merged to form one Malayalam speaking state. In 1948 this merged entity joined the dominion of India.

What to See:

1. Bastion Bunglow: This bunglow built by the Dutch in 1667 was in Indo – European style. Located the end of Church street, Fort Kochi this a beautiful residential place built by the then Dutch traders.

2. Hill Palace Museum: Hill palace museum is located around 12 km from Ernakulam on Hill Palace road, Thripunithara. It is the largest archeological museum in Kerela. The royal family of Kochi kingdom used to stay here. There is also a deer park and a zoo.

Timings: 10 am – 12.30 pm and 2 pm -4.30 pm (Crown gallery closes at 4 pm)
Entry fees: Rs 20 for Indian and Rs 100 for foreigners

3. Chinese Fishing Nets: China has century old trading relation with the kingdom of Cochin. The Chinese fishing nets gifted by then emperor of China can be seen at Beach road near Fort Kochi beach.

4. Bhoothathankettu: Bhoothathankettu dam is located around 50 km from Cochin in the village of Pindimana. The dam is built on river Periyar. Local myth says that the dam was built by demons to submerge the nearby Trikkariyoor (Lord Shiva) temple. But they were not successful and here you can see many different shaped stones. Here river Periyar flows through a thin gorge. However, geologists attribute to huge floods in the past. Also, you can see Bhoothathankettu reservoir, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary and Idamalayar reservoir (12 km from here).

5. Bolghatty Island: Bolgatty island is famous for Bolghatty Palace built by dutch traders in 1744. It was the residence of the then Dutch governors followed by British. After India’s independence the palace has been concerted into a heritage hotel run by KTDC.

Hotels:

1. http://www.bolgattyislandresortkochi.com/

2. http://www.bolgattypalacekochi.com/

Courtesy: Roshni

6. Chendamangalam: Chendamangalam town is located around 35 km from Cochin. This place is full of natural beauty with rivers, hills, green trees. The most important sightseeing here is the Paliam Palace. This place used to be the residence of Paliath Achans – prime minister of Kochi kings. You can also see some Jewish synagogue, church, mosque and the Hindu temple of Sri Venugopala Krishna Swami.

7. Cherai Beach: Cherai is very popular beach located on Vypin island around 25 km from Cochin. This 15 km beach is clean and not crowded. A perfect place for sun, sand and sea. You stay at some of the following hotels:

1. Cherai Beach Resort – http://www.cheraibeachresorts.com

2. Raja’s Residency

3. Brighton Beach House

4. Sea Line Beach Resort

5. Holiday Hotel

8. Dutch Palace: The Dutch palace is located in Mattancherry and is also know by Mattancherry Palace. This palace was built by the Portuguese and the gifted to the then Kochi king Veera Kerala Varma in 1555. Later the Dutch renovated this palace and it became popular by Dutch palace. The palace houses many works of Kochi kings and their artifacts.

9. Historical Museum: The Museum of Kerela history is located on national highway 47 near Edappally Toll Gate.
Website: http://artandkeralahistory.org/

10. Jewish Synagogue: The Paradesi Synagogue is located besides Mattancherry Palace. It was built in 1568 by the Cochin Jewish community. It has a beautiful design and architecture.

11. Kodanad: This place is popular for its natural beauty and a small elephant zoo – Elephant Kraal . It is located around 50 km from Cochin. It is the only elephant training center in kerela and you go for a elephant safari in Kodanad Park.

12. Marine Drive: Marine Drive in Cochin is a sea front walkway. Here no vehicles are allowed and this area is full of fast food restaurant, malls and shops. The beautiful promenade is a popular hangout place. Sunrise or sunset view is amazing from here.

13. Pallipuram Fort: Pallipuram fort was originally built by the Portuguese and then captured by the Dutch. Later, it came to the hand of Kochi kings. One can also visit the museum there.

14. Parikshit Thampuran Museum: It is also called Pareekshith Thampuran Durbar Hall Art Gallery. It houses the paintings from various era and various artifacts of Kochi kings. This place used to be the darbar hall or court room of the Kochi kings.

15. Willingdon Island: Willingdon island is the largest man island constructed during British time in Kochi. It was constructed with the sand which came out of dredging the sea to deepen the Kochi port. It was named after the then viceroy of India Long Willingdon. The southern Naval command of India Navy, Kochi port and many prominent building and hotels are located here.

16. Santa Cruz Bascillica:  Santa Cruz Bascillica is located near Saint Francis church. This is a Roman catholic church built in 1503 based on portuguese architecture. Located in fork Kochi area.

17.  St.Francis Church: Saint Francis church built in 16th century and built by Portuguese is the first European church in India. Explorer Vasco Da Gama was buried in this church. Located in fork Kochi area.

18. Thrikkakara Temple: In this temple lord Vishnu is prayed as Vamana avatar. It is an old temple built in around 10th century. It is located around 8 km from Cochin.

You also visit other temples like Thirumala Devaswom Temple at Mattencherry, Ernakulam Siva Temple, Chottanikara Devi Temple and Poornathresya Temple around 15 km from Cochin at Thripunithara, Gujarathi Mandir (Jain temple) at Gujarathi street, Mattencherry, Kalady around 45 km from Cochin which the birth place of Hindu preacher Adi Shankaracharya, Kallil Bhagavathy temple around 23 km from Kalady and Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha on MG road.

19. Indian Naval Maritime Museum: Indian Naval Maritime Museum in Cochin is built on the navy ship INS Dronacharya. It is located in Fort Kochi area.

20. Indo-Portuguese Museum: The museum located in fort Kochi area showcase the colonization of Kochi and the Portuguese affairs here.

21. Mastyafed Milky-way Aqua-Tourist Village: Mastyafed Milky-way Aqua-Tourist Village is located in Malipuram Village in Vypin island and located around 12 km from Cochin. It is run by Mastyafed – the Kerela government fishery department. One can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, boating etc. Entry fees is Rs 100 per person which includes breakfast and lunch.

Website: http://matsyafed.org/home.htm

22. Kumbalangi Integrated Tourism Village: Kumbalangi island is a water front village located around 15 km from Cochin. It is promoted as India’s first eco tourist village. One can experience here fishing, country side, mangrove forest etc. for more info visit – http://kumbalangy.com/

One can visit Kanjiramattam Mosque located 30 km from Cochin and Chembittapally Mosque in fort Kochi area. Also there many parks in Cochin and prominent among them is Subhash Park at Park avenue, Children’s Park, Indira Renewable Energy Park, Beach Children’s Park at Beach Rd, Managalavanam onTatapuram-Pachalam Road. You can also visit Poru around 14 km from Cochin to enjoy the serene beauty of the bank of river Periyar. If you are looking for wet day out visit Veegaland Amusement Park in Kakkanad.