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A foggy highway at Kulamavu, Idukki

A view of Siruvani Hills, Palakkad

Kanthanpara Water Falls at Kalpetta, Wayanad

Kuttikanam [Idukki District]

I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in. Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.

Kuttikanam [Idukki District]

  • Kuttikanam is one destination that gets into the list of best trekking and adventure sport locations in Idukki. The trek trails are fantastic and one gets to drink in a breath-taking view of the hills and greenery that surround the area. Cardamom and tea plantations are seen everywhere and the aroma flooding the vicinity can truly swipe your feet off. Bison and monkeys can be viewed in the area along with a host of other rare fauna. The mist covered slopes will never be completely erased from your mind and make for experience worth.
  • In the 16th century this inhabited territory was ruled by the Changanacherry kings. In 1756 Sri Moolam Thirunal dethroned the Changanacherry kings and brought the place under his supremacy. A Church Mission Society missionary, Henry Baker, started coffee plantations, under the regency of Sri Moolam Thirunal which later became one of the tea planting region.
  • Under the British Raj in India, Kuttikkanam was transformed into an up-market resort. The British started the Aerial Ropeway Ltd, Travancore state's first public limited company as there was no road connectivity.  The summer palace of the Travancore kings was located in Kuttikkanam. The terrains were rough so the British brought manpower to Kuttikkanam from various parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The descendants of these migrant workers constitute the major part of the population of Kuttikkanam.

Places of Interest

  • Valajanganam Waterfalls: A beautiful waterfalls located on the way to Peermade from Kottayam, 8 kilometers before Peermade. The stream which originates from Kuttikanam falls down 100 feet with cascades at the highway, crosses the road under a bridge and falls into the valley, several hundred meters down. A kilometer further up the waterfalls along Peermade route is a good viewpoint from where you get a bird’s eye view of Panchalimedu and the valley.
  • Tea Plantations: Extensive tea plantations over lofty hills can be seen all around Peermade. Most of the tea estates belongs to large holdings of plantation companies and church. A few of the places where you can see beautiful plantations are the places on the way to Elappara from Vagamon and a drive to a place called Kochukarinthari 3kms from Elappara.
  • Pine Forest: Pine, a tree exotic to Western Ghats was brought from the west and planted by the early British planters in the 18th century. Pine wood was used as fuel to fireplace inside offices and residences during winter months, as there was no electric heater available during the time. Pine wood was also used as firewood for domestic use and to run tea factories. A good part of the farmland was reserved for pine tree plantations, and pine was also planted in-between tea plantations to provide shade during summers. Pine tree wood was also used in the construction of houses and factories. The thick evergreen canopy of pine trees and, long biological degradation period of fallen needles entertain very little undergrowth, keeping land clean from bushes and other plants. Most of the pine plantations have been cleared recently for large scale construction.
  • Pallikkunnu CSI Church: European Planters and architects who came in the 18th Century were the first to discover this beautiful plateau. They built a church in the name of Saint George and planted a garden in 16 acres around it. One of the best gardens of Asia in those times. The place was named Pallikkunnu which means Church Hill in Malayalam. The bell tower and the acoustic grand piano were unique. The first pastor of the church was Henry Baker Jr.
  • Henry Baker Ridge: Suicide point of Kuttikkanam, got its name when a 13 year old kid, accidently fell down the cliff and died, a century ago. The sheer high cliff with 500 meters depth is one of the rarest in this kind in Western Ghats. Down the cliff is dense forest through one can find way to Memala, connected by public transport to Mundakayam. The ridge is located inside the Misty Mountain Estate and visitors have to get prior permission from the estate officers to visit this place.
  • Kolahalamedu view point: Kolahalamedu view point, also called Kolahalamedu Suicide Point is one of the must visit places. One can see the valley with cascades of hills till the horizon. The landscape around the viewpoint is just never ending barren hills, with short grasses. On the left one can see the Annan Thampy hill range, the highest ranges across this part of the Western Ghats.
  • Pattumala Church: Pattumala is a popular pilgrim spot, for its beautiful granite stone made church amidst tea plantations. The meaning of Pattumala is Hill of Silks in Malayalam. In 1966 the Franciscan Missionary Brothers built an Asramam at Pattumala and worked for the empowerment of local community. The interest of people in worshiping the Velankanni Matha or the Lady of Velankanni forced the authorities, in 1982 to bring a sculpture of the Lady of Velankanni from Velankanni.
  • Parunthumpara a rocky ridge and a view point near Peermade is 12 kms from Kuttikanam. Parunthumpara means ‘Eagle Rock’ in Malayalam, named due the vast rock resembling the shape of an eagle. Paranthumpara gives a bird’s eye view of the valley down below.

Pre Plannng:

  • October to February: Winters are by far the best time to visit Idukki as the weather is cool and pleasant, making it ideal for sightseeing.
  • March to May: March marks the beginning of summer in Idukki and temperatures begin to rise.
  • June to September: The monsoons are another great time to visit Idukki.
  • Whenever you are travelling, it is important that you have all necessary documents with you. So, make sure you have packed all the necessary ID proofs.
  • Make sure you have packed comfortable clothes. When on a trip, we would always suggest for you to pack comfortable clothes chosen accordingly to the season in which you have planned the trip.
  • It is mandatory that you pack handy medicines especially if you are on prescribed drugs.
  • Also, don’t forget to carry a handy first aid kit with you. Bandages can come in handy especially if you are into trekking and hiking. 
  • Bring on your adventure spirit. A trip might not always turn out as you have expected. A lot of things can go right and some can turn out to be unexpectedly wrong. So, you need to be prepared for any change of events
  • Always stay with the guide
  • Consuming alcohol or visiting sanctuary under the influence of alcohol is strictly prohibited.
  • Do not wear colorful clothes or perfumes. Khakis, browns and greens are best suited for forests
  • Do not disturb or tease animals.

Stay

  • This place doesn’t have the long array of hotels to boast about, being a modest hill station the onlookers opt for either Kottayam or Mundakayam for a worthy stay

How to Reach

  • By Air: Kuttikanam is 90 kms from Cochin International Airport. This airport offers better connectivity to all parts of the world and places with in the country. One can hire a cab from the pre-paid taxi counter at the airport.
  • By Rail: Kottayam the nearest railway station from Kuttikanam is located at a distance of 66 kms. This railway station offers better connectivity from Kuttikanam to all parts of India.
  • By Road: Kottayam town is the nearest town to Kuttikanam.Mundakkayam, Erumeli, Kanjirapalli are located 21 km, 26 km, 34 km respectively. Cochin is 94 kms from Kuttikanam and the state capital is 203 kms from Kuttikkanam.

Other Info

  • Coordinates:  9.5783° N, 76.9729° E
  • Weather      :  5-22°C
  • Elevation     : 1100 m above sea level.

Trivia

  • There were a class of hill tribes who were also known as Hill Arayans, the people who invited Henry Baker to the hills-a reformer and a missioner. They were good hunters and cultivators and never worked for hire or carry head-loads. Mala Arayans lived in small groups along the slopes between Mundakayam and Peermade. There were a number of settlements mostly at an altitude of more than 3000 feet above sea level. They lived in ravines which were not accessible to elephants and villages were surrounded by gigantic trees. Mala Arayaans were good hunters and were fond of eating monkey flesh. They were dread by the low-country flocks as wizards on account of their reputations as magicians. It was believed that, they had an ancestor called Telanini, who was their priest of hunting deity of Ayyappan, whose chief shrine is at Sabarimala. Sabarimala is a Hindu Pilgrim center about twenty five kilometers from Kuttikanam.

Updated on 9th July, 2023

Things to Do

  • Paraglide

    Blessed by the pleasant climate and good accessibility, Kuttikanam-Vagamon gets thousands of visitors everyday who come and enjoy the charm of this wonderful land. The Kerala Adventure Carnival, an international event with paragliding and motor racing is held at Vagamon 18 kms from kuttikanam every year.

  • Visit a Historic Tomb

    Terk to Thangal para which is a rugged hill located near Kolahalamedu of Vagamon. Thankalpara is considered sacred by Muslims for the tomb of Sheikh Fariduddin, a Sufi saint from Afghanistan who lived and died here about 800 years ago. West side of Thankalpara is picturesque with beautiful views of barren hills and valleys down below.

  • Visit a tea factory

    There are many tea factories around Peermade. Except for a couple of them, most others were constructed by the British in the 18th century. The tea factory before Kuttikkanam run by the Catholic Church under the name Sahyadri Organic Tea and MASCO tea, manufactured by Malanad Service Co-Operative Bank Ltd is popular among domestic tea drinkers. (open all days 8am-6-pm)

  • Visit a Religious Monument

    Evening walk Peeru hill, is named after the Sufi saint Peer Mohammed who spent his last days at Peermade is a sacred site for Muslims. The Mausoleum of the saint and the summer palace of the Travancore royal family are situated near to the hill. This hill two kilometers away from Kuttikkanam, offers the best views of the valley, and has been one of our favorite destinations for evening walks.

  • Visit a Heritage Monument

    Ammachi Kottaram: This summer palace of Travancore Maharajas at Kuttikkanam, was built by His Highness Sree Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma. A part of the palace has already fallen down due to lack of maintenance. Many pilgrims visiting Peeru Hills also visits this palace.There is an escape route from this palace-a cave connecting to Peermade and far off places.

  • Trek to a mountain

    Amruthamedu is one of the highest peaks near Peermade. It is the first hill facing west, of the range of hills across Western Ghats at Peermade. Amruthamedu looks so high, for several decades, it was wrongly considered as the second highest peak in South India. Amruthamedu can be seen to the north-west from Kuttikanam. Panchalimedu is an another ideal place for trekking near Kuttikkanam.

  • Meet a tribal

    Meet Adivasis (Tribals) who used lived in the deep forests, they were the masters of the hills who were well adapted to live inside the thick forests dominated by venomous snakes and wild animals. They live usually inside small houses built on the top of large trees called “Erumadam” (a kind of primitive Tree House) from where they could get a birds-eye view of their surroundings.

  • Village Walk

    No tourist would want to miss a stroll through a meek Kuttikanam village. The natives live in close tandem enjoying all the bounties of nature lavishly. It is a beautiful experience to explore intimacy of humans with Mother Nature. A bare foot walk through the rugged terrains of Kuttikanam is with which one can endure the pulse of Mother Nature.

  • Cycle to a Village

    Pedaling through the misty hills and the salubrious plantation areas is in fact one of the best things you can do in Kuttikanam. Cycling through the scenic meadows, narrow trails throughout the plantations and captivating slopes has its own fun and thrill quotient. 

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