Kuttikkanam

Kuttikkanam is a hill station in the Idukki district of Kerala, situated at an elevation of 3,500 feet above sea level within the Peermade region. It is renowned for its lush green tea, coffee, and cardamom plantations that offer scenic views and a cool climate. The area serves as a tranquil destination for nature walks, trekking, and exploring colonial-era heritage sites like the Ammachi Kottaram palace.

Visitors can expect a serene highland environment characterized by mist-covered valleys, rolling tea estates, and pine forests. The area offers panoramic viewpoints such as Mottakunnu and Parunthumpara, along with opportunities for plantation walks and tea tasting. Colonial heritage structures and roadside waterfalls like Valanjanganam are accessible, providing a mix of natural beauty and historical interest in a quiet setting.

Kuttikkanam was developed during the British colonial era for tea and spice plantations. It features the Ammachi Kottaram, a 130-year-old summer palace built by Maharaja Moolam Thirunal of the Travancore royal dynasty in the late 19th century.

The region holds cultural importance due to the influence of plantation communities and the presence of the Pattumala Church, a significant Roman Catholic pilgrim shrine. The name Peermade is derived from Peer Mohammed, a Sufi saint believed to have meditated in these highlands.