Hilltops and the reservoir
- Saturday
- Ramakkalmedu in the late afternoon, for the wind and the view over Tamil Nadu.
- Sunday
- Calvary Mount in the morning, then the Idukki Dam if it is open to visitors.
Weekend trips from your Idukki workation
Pachady sits between Munnar and Thekkady, so some of Kerala's best-known hill country is within a day trip, and quieter waterfalls and viewpoints are close enough for a weekday evening.
Waterfalls, hilltops and hill stations nearby
Grouped by how much time you have. Distances are approximate, by road from Work From Village, and hill roads are slow, so allow more time than the kilometres suggest.
After work
Close enough for a weekday evening.
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3kmOpen in Google Maps
Thooval Falls
A waterfall a short drive from the house, at its best after the rains.
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1–3kmOpen in Google Maps
Kallar river
Easy walks along the river through the valley below the village.
Half day
A Saturday afternoon or a Sunday morning.
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21kmOpen in Google Maps
Ramakkalmedu
A windswept hilltop looking out over the Tamil Nadu plains.
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25kmOpen in Google Maps
Calvary Mount
A hilltop view over the Idukki reservoir.
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25kmOpen in Google Maps
Chathurangapara
A rocky ridge with wind turbines and long views east.
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27kmOpen in Google Maps
Idukki Dam
The arch dam set between the Kuravan and Kurathi hills. Public visits are only open at certain times, so check before you go.
Full day
Leave early and make a day of it.
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47kmOpen in Google Maps
Thekkady
The Periyar Tiger Reserve, spice gardens and forest walks around Kumily.
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49kmOpen in Google Maps
Munnar
Tea estates and the best-known hill station in the Western Ghats.
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53kmOpen in Google Maps
Vagamon
Rolling meadows, pine forest and a cool climate.
Two easy weekend plans
Ideas, not a schedule. Tell us what you enjoy and we will help you shape your days off.
One big day out
- Saturday
- Start early for Munnar's tea estates, or for Thekkady and the Periyar Tiger Reserve.
- Sunday
- Stay close: a slow morning, then an evening walk to Thooval Falls or the Kallar river.
Getting to Pachady
Work From Village is in Pachady, 7 km from Nedumkandam in Idukki district. Most guests arrive by overnight bus from Bangalore or Chennai, by train to Aluva, Kottayam or Bodinayakanur, or by air to Kochi or Madurai.
From Bangalore or Chennai
Overnight bus to Cumbum (10 to 12 hours), 39 km from the house, then a bus to Nedumkandam or a taxi of up to 1.5 hours.
From Kochi (Cochin International Airport)
About 113 km, roughly 3 to 3.5 hours by taxi.
From Aluva or Kottayam railway station
Aluva is about 114 km (3 to 3.5 hours by taxi). Kottayam is about 128 km (about 4 hours by taxi).
From Madurai
About 150 to 160 km, roughly 4 to 5 hours by taxi via Cumbum.
Times are approximate and run longer in the monsoon. Try to finish the hill section in daylight.