Anchuruli Waterfalls — Kerala's Best Kept Secret

Most waterfalls announce themselves with a roar. Anchuruli is different — it begins with a mystery. A mountain. A tunnel carved through its heart. And on the other side, a waterfall born from an engineering wonder hidden inside the rock.

Located just 4.9 kilometres from Friends Valley Home Stays, Anchuruli (also spelt Anjuruli) is our closest attraction and arguably our favourite. It sits in the Kanchiyar village of Idukki district, perched at 2,430 feet above sea level, within a catchment area of the famous Idukki Arch Dam.

The Tunnel — An Engineering Marvel

What makes Anchuruli truly unique is the 5.5-kilometre circular tunnel built by KSEB in the 1970s to carry water from the Erattayar Dam to the Idukki reservoir. The water gushes out of the circular mouth of this tunnel with tremendous force, cascading down into a natural pool below — creating a waterfall unlike any you've seen before.

The tunnel was famously featured in the acclaimed Malayalam film Iyobinte Pusthakam starring Fahadh Faasil, which brought national attention to this previously overlooked gem. Since then, it has become a must-visit for travellers exploring Idukki.

The Waterfall & Natural Pool

The pool beneath the tunnel outlet is calm and surrounded by lush greenery. On sunny days, the mist from the waterfall creates small rainbows in the air. The grasslands and semi-evergreen forest surrounding the pool make it an excellent picnic spot. The deep blue sky reflecting in the pool, the silver waterfall, the green hills — it feels like a painting.

In the monsoon season, the flow is powerful and dramatic. In summer, the water level drops enough that adventurous visitors can walk a short distance inside the tunnel itself — though this should be done with extreme caution.

Trekking Around Anchuruli

For those who want to explore deeper, Anchuruli offers some excellent trekking routes through the surrounding forest. The most popular spots include Nellipara, Kozhikanam, Para Valavu, Edapalayam and Chakkupara. Trekking requires prior permission from the Divisional Forest Office at Kanchiyar — our team can help you arrange this if you ask in advance.

How to Get There from Friends Valley

Anchuruli is our nearest attraction — just 4.9 km away. Take the road towards Kanchiyar from Kattapana. From Kanchiyar town, it's a short taxi or auto ride to the Anchuruli site. The road passes through beautiful spice plantations and misty hillsides — the journey itself is worth it.

What to Bring

Wear sturdy footwear with good grip — the rocks near the pool can be slippery when wet. Carry water, a light snack and a rain jacket if visiting during or after monsoon season. The area has no shops or food stalls, so come prepared.