Ramakkalmedu is a small hill station 2500 feet above sea level in the Idukki District of Kerala. The rocks on top of the mountains after a kilometer of trekking can give a Panoramic view of the plain valley in Tamilnadu and Tamil Nadu towns of Cumbum, Theni, Thevaram, Kombe, Bodinaykannor, Vaigai, etc.

It is said that the Hindu Lord Rama set his foot here. Hence, the name Ramakkalmedu. Kaal means foot. Medu means plains. When combined, Ramakkalmedu means the plains where Ramans set his foot.

The Sangam landscape of Kerala and Tamil Nadu is at Ramakkalmedu. Kerala’s biggest statue of Kuravan & Kurathi is a stone statue of the Sangam Period. Kuravan and Kurathi have special significance for the people of this area.

These areas are rich in grass and bamboo trees.

Furthermore, surrounding areas of Ramakkalmedu have many tourist spots like Thekkady Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Vandanmedu, Peerumedu, Munnar, etc.

Lastly, steady winds blow all through the year. This makes Ramakkalmedu an ideal location for wind wills. There are a few wind wills, and many more are in the pipeline.

How Do I Go to Ramakkalmedu?

Painavu, the district headquarters, is about 47 kilometers from Ramakkalmedu. Jeep is the best mode of travel to this hill. It is at a distance of about 40 kilometers from Idukki Dam.

Idukki Dam and Cheruthoni Dam

The conception of Asia’s highest arch dam and the world’s third tallest arch dam, Idukki Dam, began in 1919. They generated power in 1975. Markedly, this dam is across River Periyar, Kerala’s longest river, with an approximate length of 244 kilometers.

Engineers constructed the Idukki Dam and Cheruthoni Dam so that Kuravan and Kurathi hills are on two opposite sides while the dams cover the other two sides.

Visitors are allowed to take a boat cruise inside the dam area. It’s just three kilometers from Painavu, a small town, and the administrative headquarters of the Idukki district. Typically, boating is available only on Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays.  During the Onam Holidays (state festival), the Christmas – and New Year season, boating is available every day.  Boating starts at 10 a.m. and stops at 5 p.m.

Markedly, after its commissioning, the Idukki Dam made Kerala self-sufficient in its power requirements for decades. It continues to be a significant power source for the state.

Eco-friendly Cottages Near Idukki Arch Dam

On the 9th of November, 2023, 12 eco-friendly wooden cottages were inaugurated near the Idukki arch. It is in the Vazhathope Panchayat. If you are coming from Ernakulam or Todupuzha side, these cottages are about one and a half kilometers distance from the Cheruthoni junction. Summing up, the tariff is Rs 4130 per cottage as of November 2023.

Moreover, Hill View Park, D.T.P.C Park (District Tourism Promotion Council Park), Idukki Dam, and Cheruthoni Dam are all close to these eco-friendly wooden cottages near Cheruthoni. Also, it is within 10 kilometers of Calvary Mount in Idukki district.

Aamappara Rock Caves

Aamappara (aama means tortoise and paara means rock) is a rock cave near Ramakkalmedu. It is emerging as a tourist destination, especially for adventure-seeking tourists. Markedly, those who have a fat belly can not go inside this cave, as the pathway to the cave is in between two giant rocks that are lean on each other, very, very close to each other. Nevertheless, Amappara gives an excellent view of the valley and surrounding hills.