Thekkady
Very near Idukki is the place called Thekkady, which is well known for its unending forests and wildlife.

Grampi
Known as Parunthupara (eagle rock), Grampi is famous for its high peaks from where one can get a bird's eye view of the scenery below. Undulating mountains and lush forest cover lend a mystical and picturesque charm to this place.

Idukki Arch Dam
The Idukki Arch Dam is India's first and world's second arch dam. It is constructed across the Kurathi and Kuravan hills. It measures a staggering 550 feet in height and is 650 feet wide.

Kumily
Kumily is a plantation town and an important trade center that deals with trade and shopping of spices.

Kuthumkal Waterfalls
A beautiful waterfall in this place, the cascading waterfalls lend the finishing touches to this paradise.

Kuttikanam
This place is ideal to for treks and other adventure sports like mountain climbing or simply a walk among the winding paths that lead up the steep hills. The place is famous for cardamom plantations and one can really smell cardamom in its air.

Observatory Hills
This beautiful hill is an observing point for all nature lovers and sky gazers. One can locate many constellations and stars in the night sky from this point.

Pandikuzhi
An amalgamation of unique flora, fauna and breath taking locales, this place is a must visit for all and definitely should be visited by photography enthusiasts.

Sahyadri Ayurvedic Center
This is a well-known Ayurvedic center and is known for its wonderful Ayurvedic packages and treatments. One can visit this place and indulge in some very relaxing massage therapies.

Chendamangalam
This place is situated at a convergence point of 3 hills and 7 inlets and is a geographical wonder. The place is a photographer's paradise and houses some really wonderful architectural works. The Paliam palace is an architectural marvel and houses the hereditary Prime Ministers to the Maharajas of Cochin. Apart from this, you will find temples, mosques and churches together on one piece of land, symbolizing the peaceful coexistence of religions in this place.

Malayatoor
Malayatoor is located around 50 kilometers from Cochin. It is famous for the Catholic Church located on the Malayatoor hill and is dedicated to St. Thomas. Every year, thousands of worshippers embark on a pilgrimage to the shrine to take part in the annual festival of the Church, which falls during the months of April or May. It is believed that St. Thomas prayed in this sacred place.

Kaladi
Kaladi is located around 35 kilometers from Cochin and is the birthplace of the great Adi Shankararcharya, who was a great philosopher in ancient India. It is said that a crocodile caught hold of his leg and left it only when his family agreed to Shankararcharya's decision to become a saint.

Kodanad
This place is around 30 kilometers from Cochin and is located in the high ranges on the southern bank of the Periyar. Kodanad is renowned as the largest center for training elephants in South India. Elephants are specially trained here for riding and do work that humans can't, like transporting logs, exploring the jungles, etc. Infact, there is a mini zoo here for tourists that houses wild animals.

Boothathankettu
in near the Thattekadu bird sanctury, periyar valley and Idamalayar irrigation project for adventure tourism of white water rafting down periyar and forest lodging at tree houses along side the lake formed by the barrage built across river periyar and Idamalayar.

Old Boothathankettu
a Km deep in the forest adjoining the new barrage at Boothathankettu the place holds the legend that the devils decided to block the siva temple at Thrikkariyoor by blocking the periyar river beyond the temple . Today we can see breath taking view of large boulders across the river and a gap only through water gush down even at heaviest of monsoons.

Thattekkadu Bird Sanctuary
This sanctuary is located around 20 kilometers from Cochin. Dr. Salim Ali, the famous ornithologist of India, discovered it among the evergreen forests of Cochin. The sanctuary houses indigenous and rare birds like the Malabar gray-hornbill, woodpecker, rose-ringed and blue-winged parakeet, Ceylon frog-moth, Rose-billed roller, etc. The sanctuary comes to life during the migratory season and monsoons as many species of birds come here to take refuge.

Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
Spread over an area of 97 square kilometers, the Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is a vast expanse of lush green forests and rolling grasslands. This sanctuary was set up to protect the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. This sanctuary is an ideal place to visit as excursions from Idukki.

Moolamatton
Moolamatton is well known for the fact that the Idukki Hydroelectric Project's underground powerhouse is situated over here. The hydroelectric station is an interesting place to visit amidst the scenic beauty of the place.

Peermade
Yet another scenic hill station, Peermade used to be the favorite getaway place of the former rulers of Travencore district. It is a beautiful place to visit from Idukki.

Rajamala Wildlife Sanctuary
This is yet another sanctuary that preserves the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. In fact, almost half of the population of the Nilgiri Tahr around the world is concentrated here.