Thekkady Kerala

Thekkady

Thekkady, is one of India's most fascinating natural wildlife sanctuaries, where you can watch wildlife at close range. The vegetation, the flora and fauna and the birds of Thekkady are uniquely rich, vast and varied that it does not bear semblance to any other wildlife sanctuaries in the world. Even a casual visitor to this place will not fail to observe the special ecological pattern of Thekkady.

Thekkady - The very sound of the name conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hill and spice scented plantations. In the crisp, cool air of the Western Ghats you will experience the most enchanting holiday. With the animals of the wild and the simple mountain people. In the Periyar forest of Thekkady is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India, and spread across the entire district are picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold great opportunities for treks and mountain walks. The Thekkady sanctuary is one of the best in the country for watching and photographing wild life. Thekkady is on the border with state of Tamil Nadu , in fact just 5 kilometers from the border town of Kumily which is very well connected by bus to both Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Notable among the denizens of Periyar are the tigers, the majestic Asiatic wild elephants and the distinctive Nilgiri langur. Other animals include the wild boar, wild dog, bison, bear and leopards. Amongst the avifauna, the most profuse are herons, egrets, darters, kingfishers and the great Malabar grey hornbill. A cruise through the waters of Periyar lake around which the wild -life sanctuary is situated, offers a soul - stirring pleasant experience.

THINGS TO DO IN THEKKADY
Plantation Tours
Plantation Eco-Tours are arranged from the District Tourism Information Office at Thekkady jn. in Kumily. Tours cover cardamom, pepper, coffee and tea plantations, tea factories, tribal settlements and the surrounding hill regions .

Elephant rides
The forest Department, Thekkady offers facilities for elephant rides through the jungle. Time : 1000 to 1700 hrs. Duration of a trip : 30 minutes Fare : Rs. 30 per person. Tickets are available from the wildlife information Counter .

Trekking
Main trekking areas in Thekkady : Kurisumala near Kumily, Pullumedu, Ottakathalamedu : 5 km from Kumily, Grampi near Vandiperiyar. The Forest Department conducts daily treks from the boat landing station at Thekkady to the Nellikkampetty area and Manakkavala. Starting : 0700 hrs. Fare Rs. 10 + entrance fee. Booking can be made with the Wildlife Preservation Officer, Thekkady.

Boat cruises on the Periyar Lake
0700, 0930, 1130, 1600 hrs. Fare : Lower deck : Rs 25 + 10 ( entrance fee) Upper deck : 50 + 10 (entrance fee). The forest Department (Contact Ph : 322023) conducts boating trips from Thekkady. Entrance fee at check post. Foreigners : Rs. 50 (valid for 3 days) Domestic tourists.