About Kuttikkanam

Kuttikkanam, the land of lush green tea plantations, lofty peaks and gushing streams, lies in the Peermade village of Idukki district, 3500 feet above the sea level. Clouds gently touch the peaks that flank the verdant slops of Kuttikkanam. Indeed, the streams silvering down from the top hill peaks will fill your hearts with warm feelings.
The valleys and hills of Kuttikkanam are draped in mist all through the year. On a fairly warm day the mercury reads around 15°C.The beauty of Kuttikkanam is a 'JOY FOR EVER': We can see the sunset and the sea as we tune our ears to the symphony of the winged choristers!

Why Kuttikkanam Is Different?

The place had been the destination of the 'glitterati' from the times of imperial sway. It served as the summer sojourn for the Travancore Kings and as a home away from home for the English.
The seamless mingle of sky and land lends a heavenly aura to Kuttikkanam. Here all the amenities a well-groomed person seeks for are within a hands reach. The place has a golf course, some of the finest Multi-Cuisine restaurants, an ayurvedic rejuvenation center & many a modern facility that would make one's holiday a time worth reminiscenting.

Acres of green meadows on which cattle grazes, an endless carpet of tea plantations, serene places where wind whispers, rocky patches and nimbling waterfalls..... the list is endless. It is beyond the scope of description. Kuttikkanam is a place which defies description; it is an experience to take home rather than to be read aboutHere what lies in store is the surprise of a lifetime!

History of Kuttikkanam


The history of Kuttikkanam dates back to 1750's. In 16th Century the place was under the rule of Changanacherry Kings. In 1756, the King of Travancore conquered Changanacherry, and brought the place under his supremacy. At that time Kuttikkanam and Peermade outside human haunt. It was a CMS Missionary, named Henry Baker who first discovered the uniqueness of this place and he started coffee plantations here. But the plantations were shifted to tea, during the regency of Srimoolam Thirunal. After that the spread the fame of this place was just a matter of time . Soon many Europeans toed the line of Henry Baker.

With their arrival the place began to prosper and soon became the destination of the glitterati .At that time there were no good roads connecting Kuttikkanam with any towns . To reach the place there was only a pathway. The English started Aerial rope way LTD; which was incidentally Travancore states' first public LTD company, however poor economic aspects crippled the company, and they shifted their focus to road transport The renaming of company into Road Transport Corporation marked the complete change. Later in 1960's, owing to political and social reasons the company was taken over by Mr. Michael Kallivayalil, a brilliant young entrepreneur from Kerala. By that time, most of the English owned properties had been handed over to native entrepreneurs.

During the British reign and after, man power was brought to Kuttikkanam from various places of Kerala and Tamilnadu .They constitute the major part of the population of Kuttikkanam.

Kuttikkanam, which came into the social stream as a plantation town was slowly transformed into that you could see today, thanks to the vision and determination of many a sterling soul. Many educational and other institutions have come up in Kuttikkanam. Now it is no more the old plantation town, but a place which has all the modern facilities, yet sustaining the security and tranquility of mother nature.
HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT PLACES

1.Summer Palace
Built by His Highness Srimoolam Thirunal ,this was the favorite summer residence of Travancore Rajas. A place where history sleeps, It is now a private residence.
2 . Hope Church
One of the oldest churches in Kuttikkanam,it boasts of a history of more than 150 years. As the name suggests, it was the hope for hundreds for many a generation. A must see place for the spiritually inclined.
3 . Ashley Bungalow
The first ever of its kind:Ashley Bungalow still remains as a spot of example, for the beauty of Colonial Architecture. Flanked with spectacular surroundings, you will find it hard to leave the place in a hurry.

4 . Tomb Of Peer Muhammad
The Tomb of the Muslim Saint, to whom Peermedu owes its name, is situated at the footage of Peer hills. A walk through the jungle towards it quite refreshing.
5 . Panchalimedu
As the legend goes, the 'Pandavas' of Mahabaratha stayed here during their 'vanavasam' (exile).
6 . Amrutha Mala
If trekking is in your blood, you will just love it. The second highest peak in Kerala offers many beaten and not so beaten paths to conquer.And there is always an attractive bonus of discovering a new path.