Kuttikkanam is one of the beautiful hill stations of Kerala. It is situated in the Idukki district of Kerala. Its fascinating scenic natural beauty and pleasant climate attracts tourists visiting Kerala. The best time to visit here are the months of April and May. The place is enriched with misty hills, greenish tea and cardamom estates, variety of green woods, beautiful waterfalls and chill weather with refreshing winds.
[caption id="attachment_293" align="alignnone" width="300"]
Kuttikanam[/caption]
Peeru Hills is a tourist spot located at a distance of about 1 km from Kuttikanam. Parunthupara or Grampi is a rock sculpture near the hill station. Another tourist spot is Thottapura, where the Travancore royal family stored weapons. Thrisangu Hills or Baker Hills is a best place for enjoying the scenic beauty of the place. Nallathanni River is a tourist spot on the way to Kottayam & Kumily. Another tourist spot in Kuttikanam is Panchalimedu, which has its role in Hindu mythology. It is believed that this was one of the hiding places of the Pandavas and Panchali. The other speciality of Panchalimedu is a pond known as Panchalikkulam. From here, the godly flame light of "Makarajyothi, can be seen during the pilgrimage season in Sabarimala.
[caption id="attachment_289" align="alignnone" width="245"]
Ninnumullippara Waterfalls[/caption]
Ninnumullippara or Valanjanganam Waterfalls is one of the main attractions of Kuttikkanam. This mist covered waterfalls is a beautiful scenery to watch. There is an artificial dense pine forest in Kuttikanam covering an area of 100 acres safeguarded by the Kerala Forest Department. This forest is inhabited by very rare endangered species as well as about 30 species of birds.
Vagamon is another beautiful hill station situated in the Idukki district of Kerala. It is about half an hour journey from Kuttikanam. The beautiful series of hillocks, valleys and waterfalls add more to the beauty of the hill station. The climate here is s0 pleasant throughout the year that the place is known as, the 'Scotland of Asia'. The hill station is also famous for the varieties of orchids found here.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="260"]
Fog caped hills of Vagamon[/caption]
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="300"]
Wagamon Hills[/caption]
The three hill stations found here in a series are; Thangal hill, Murugan hill & Kurisumala, representing the three religions of Hindu, Muslim and Christian and thereby the cultural harmony in Kerala. Thangal Hill is the burial chamber of Sheikh Fariduddin, the Murugan Hill is devoted to Hindu God Murugan & the Kurisumala Hill, is a spiritual place of Catholics.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300"]
Kurisumala Hill[/caption]
Near to the Kurisumala hill, in the heart of the Sahya Mountains is the Kurisumala Ashram of Christian monks. You can also see Indo-Swiss Project dairy farms managed by the monks here in Kurisumala Hills.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="300"]
Pine Forest[/caption]
Vagamon Pine Forest, is another place that you shouldn't miss in your trip to Vagamon. These pine forests are on the way to Kuttikanam. This is a shooting site for many of the South Indian films. Here you can see huge lofty pine trees lined in rows.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="259"]
Vagamon Suicide Point[/caption]
Suicide point is a high rocky mountainous hill tract in Vagamon. The cliff and the gap in earth's surface here are ideal for adventure activities. There are caves formed out of rocks in the vertical surface of the hill. Vagamon Green Meadows are another pleasant scenery to watch giving freshness to both the eyes & mind. Another attraction here is Ulipooni Wild life Sanctuary at about 10 km from Vagamon town. You can explore this sanctuary by boating. Vagamon Tunnel & Kuttiyar Dam are the other two attractions in this hill station. This tunnel is about 6 kms from Vagamon town.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="203"]
Paragliding in Vagamon[/caption]
Tourists can enjoy doing adventurous activities such as trekking, paragliding, mountaineering and rock climbing here. You can go for trekking in the wonderful valleys & the canyons which will surely provide you with a marvelous experience in Vagamon. There are many Govt. as well as private owned budget holiday rental properties in & around Vagamon & Kuttikanam providing standard facilities for the safe & comfortable stay of tourists visiting the hill station. The nearby tourist places of Vagamon are Thekkady, Kulamavu & Peermade.
Anjuruli is also a tourist place in Idukki district of Kerala. It is about 24 kms from Vagamon. This is a water drainage basin of Idukki Arch Dam. This small village is in Kattappana Taluk. The main attraction here is the waterfalls from Erattayar River. This water is stored here for the Idukki hydro-electric project. You can reach here with the help of the villagers. The grasslands, semi-evergreen forest, and hilly areas of the Western Ghats make the place a perfect holiday spot. You can also have fun with fishing here. The best time to visit Anjuruli is after the rainy season.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300"]
Anjuruli[/caption]
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="300"]
Anjuruli Tunnel[/caption]
Those interested in adventurous activities can have mountain trekking here. For trekking you need prior permission from the Divisional forest Office, Kanchiyar. On your way to the top you may see wild elephants, snakes, different species of birds, etc. You can also visit Labbakkandom settlement of the Periyar Lake which is about 5 kms from Anjuruli. Pullumedu is another place that you should visit in your trip to Anjuruli. Erattayar and Anchuruli are connected by a tunnel passing through the mountain. It is through this tunnel that the water from Erattayar River pass and fall into the lake. If you are confident then you can walk into the tunnel during summer.
The tourist spots of Anjuruli that you shouldn't miss in your trip are Edapalayam, Para Valavu, Nellippara, Kozhikkannam, Chakkuppara & Nellikkampetty. There are many Govt. as well as private owned budget holiday rental properties in & around Anjuruli providing all amenities for the safe & comfortable stay of tourists visiting the hill station. You can opt those, which suit your needs.
The nearest railway station to Kuttikanam, Vagamon & Anjuruli is Kottayam & the nearest airport is Kochi International Airport.