Idukki district tour

Day 1: Thekkady, Pattumala, Grampi, Thrissanku hills
starting Point - Tuticorin
Time - 10 pm(Day before Reaching Thekkady)
Route - Madurai -> Kambam -> Kumily -> Thekkady
Season - Monsoon (June)

Tour was planned from my home town to Munnar via thekkady. We entered thekkady through kambam-kumily route. Plan is to reach thekkady by 7 am. there are only four boat trips 7 am, 10 am, 2 pm, 4 pm. lucky we made it to the time. It was the starting of the monsoon period so the climate was cold n drizzling..but the water in the lake was very low.so we got a chance to walk into the forest about a km to reach the boat..we were able to see the bottom of the lake...the ride was shorter than usual bcoz pf low water level but the climate was awesome..we were able to see Wild boar,birds and bison. Althou facilities are available around the boat club they are too costly..
Please Note - When you enter the periyar wild life sanctuary you have to buy tickets for yourself and the vehicle.please retain those tickets until you exit the forest..You have to buy tickets for boating at the boat club which is there inside the forest.when you get into the boat you will be asked for those tickets which you got first while entering the forest.

Vegetarians - when you get out of periyar forest road and enter into Kottayam main road there you can see goddess Mary with Jesus Statue opposite to that you can see a hotel with a veg retaurant in the basement..its quite good..and this is not an advertisement..

Then after boating we went to Pattumala a valley of green mountains actually mountains were covered with tea plants..Its after Vandiperiyar.route kottayam-kumily high way..its not a view point nor no need to take a side branch road..you can see it on the main road itself..when you stop your car beware of speedy vehicles.

Next is Parunthumpara(means eagle rock) also know as grampi..its after Peermede..its a branch road ask locals for the route..Its a facinating view point but when we went heavy mist were approaching with chill winds..wow when the mist moves you see the valley its really not spoiled place..you can see true natures beauty..

After that we hit the main road back and went to Thrissanku hills..on the way there will be a sign for some kerala govt restaurant..They will start preparaing after you order so we placed and went to thrissanku hills..reach kuttikanam..you will head an roundabout..before that on your left there will be an uphill route..make sure you take the right path ask locals..these are places were tourist go very rarely..so they are not famous and not spoiled.. but we didnt enjoy in this place much bcoz of heavy rain..so we hit back to the retaurant..

Note: Vagamon is another place to be seen after thrissanku hills but we didnt go there bcoz of rains and our driver was too tried..there a lots of Spice gardens out there on the roads side..if you want to go there you should be ready to pay more than Rs100/- per person..
we came back to thekkady booked a room and we planned for idukki the next day..At 4 pm in thekkady there will kalaripayattu(kerala Martial arts) and Kathakali Show tickets Rs 250/- person but worth watching it..
Day2: Chellarkoil medu, Ramakal medu, Idukki dam, Cheruthoni dam, Cheeyappara n Valara Waterfalls and Nyayamakad Waterfalls

We started from Thekkady at 8 am and headed to Munnar road. On the way after about 10-15 km there is a diversion for Chellarkoil medu. We took that and we reached the Point. It has breath taking view of neighboring state of Tamilnadu and the wastern ghats itself. It has a forest Eco point were there is an 18ft hifh bamboo house for the panoramic view. You can get all ayurvedic Plants to grow them in your house.Please dont miss Aruvikkadu medu its near-by this place. It has seasonal waterfall and dont play in this Waterfall bcoz it falls steep down the hill into tamilnadu and no life saving possibilities.
Then we hit the main road and headed on the way to munnar. When you Reach Vadanmedu there will be a diversion on the left thats the way to idukki and on the right, its the way to Ramakalmedu and if you go straight you will reach munnar.

We took right and headed to Ramakalmedu. Rolling green hills and the fresh mountain air make Ramakalmedu an enchanting retreat. The hilltop also offers a panoramic view of the picturesque villages of Bodi and Cumbum on the eastern slope of the Western Ghats.

Then we came back the same route and headed to idukki arch dam and cheruthoni dams. you would need permission for electricity board to go on top of cheruthoni. Only during christmas and Onam its opened for public.
Then we headed for munnar on the way we went to cheeyappara and valara waterfalls and reached pallivasal throu that we entered munnar and we headed to marayoor 40 km from munnar bcoz our plan is to go for trekking in chinnar wild life sanctuary early in the morning.
On the way we went to Nyayamakad Waterfalls its in front of Rajamala pick up point. we asked for the help of a shopkeeper in rajamala to go there as it was closing time (5pm). He came with us to show the Place..

Note: Please beware of Leaches in Nyayamakad Waterfalls bcoz we got into quite a lot of them there. Its advice to keep common salt in hands. after you come out that place you check your leg and pant for them.

For Dinner we had problem with the restaurants bcoz only non veg was available(in marayoor).
so while leaving munnar get a parcel if you want.

Paralikkadu/Baralikkadu

Paralikkadu, a boat house developed by Tamilnadu forest department, coimbatore zone. An excellent scenic location located behind Pillur dam.

Tips: Best to take a taxi/Bike ride. plz Dont Believe Govt bus.
you have to pay Rs250/-(for the Boat house) to the forest officer at karamadai.
timings 10 am to 12.30 pm the boats starts their trips & Only on saturdays and sundays.

Route: from Coimbatore, direct buses are available to pillur dam from Gandhipuram Bustand.
from Mettupalayam, goto karamadai from there you have to take a bus to pillur dam(eventually you will end up taking the bus which is coming from coimbatore).