A boat ride on a placid blue lake with a delicious canopy of evergreen and deciduous trees enveloping it sounds too Amazonian to be true. But there’s rainforest here too in the heart of Kerala, at the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary. Situated between two rivers, Cheruthoni and Periyar, the sanctuary spans an area of 105 sq km at an altitude of 450-748m above sea level in the Thodupuzha and Udumpanchola talukas of the landlocked Idukki district. Adjacent to the Idukki Arch Dam, the sanctuary is home to a wide range of wildlife including jungle cats, tigers, elephants, bison, sambars, wild dogs, etc. Snakes too: cobra, vipers, and krait can be found rustling on the forest floor here. Birding enthusiasts can train their sights on the laughing thrush, Malabar grey hornbill, woodpeckers, bulbuls, flycatchers, etc in the area.
Idukki is blessed with so many tourist attractions and wildlife sanctuaries and the famous Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is one among them. With many captivating hill stations and exciting adventure activities, Idukki is one of the most preferred vacation destinations in Kerala. This forest-filled district is rich in scenic nature and exotic wildlife. Travelers can conveniently watch wild animals while driving through the roads of this district or during trekking.
Awe-Inspiring Idukki
Being an enchanting hill station in Kerala with extensive tea plantations and thick forests, Idukki is one of the most preferred tourist destinations in the state. It is certainly a great destination for travelers, wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers, and honeymoon couples. Exotic flora and fauna is the main highlight of this district. Nature is at its best in this marvelous travel destination and you can spend some time close to nature by visiting this place. Remember to carry a camera so that you can capture some beautiful photographs in the breathtaking backdrop of this holiday retreat.
Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
The nature-rich picnic spot of Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is relatively small compared to the Periyar Wildlife Reserve in this district. But this sanctuary also houses varieties of wild animals. With more than105.364 sq km, this wildlife sanctuary spreads across in the Thodupuzha and Udumpanchola taluks of Idukki district. Besides, this wildlife park which lies at an altitude of 450-748 meters above sea level occupies the forest land between Cheruthoni and Periyar Rivers. There is a beautiful lake inside this wildlife sanctuary covered by an astounding canopy of tropical evergreen and deciduous trees. People who visit this picnic spot love to enjoy a bit of boating in this lake.
Exotic Wildlife
Add Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary to your travel itinerary to Kerala especially if you are a wildlife enthusiast or a nature lover. Many family vacationers prefer to visit this sanctuary with their children as they can spot rare wildlife. Some of the animals that you can watch in this sanctuary include elephants, tigers, wild boar, bison, wild dogs, sambar deer, and jungle cats. A wide range of reptiles is another highlight of this park. Visitors can spot some snakes like cobras, vipers, kraits, and many non-poisonous snakes in the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary.
Plenty Of Attractions
Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is in a rich forest area which is a part of Periyar. Many wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers visit this area in order to enjoy its exotic flora and fauna. There are three beautiful dams with enchanting surroundings near the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary. Out of which the Idukki Arch Dam is a major tourist attraction in this district. Travelers to this arch dam can enjoy boating in the artificial lake. Visit the website of Kochi Taxi to get information about the tourist attractions in Idukki and plan your holidays.
Some parts of the sanctuary can be trekked, with permission from the forest department. Kottayam is the nearest railway station (120km); Madurai in neighboring Tamil Nadu is around 140km away. Munnar (50km) offers a range of accommodation options.