Thekkady
Thekkady (Idukki District) is the location of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, which is an important tourist attraction in Kerala state, India, close to the Kerala -Tamil Nadu border town Kumily, located about 257 km (160 miles) from Trivandrum. The sanctuary is famous for its dense evergreen, semievergreen, moist deciduous forests and savannah grass lands. It is home to herds of elephants, sambar, tigers, gaur, lion-tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs.
The Periyar Widlife sanctuary is spread across 777 km˛ (300 sq. miles), of which 360 km˛ (139 sq. miles) is thick evergreen forest. The Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. The splendid artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River adds to the charm of the park. The greatest attraction of Periyar are the herds of wild elephants that come down to play in the lake.
Thekkady has immense possibilities for Adventure Tourism. The Forest Department offers many programs including Periyar Tiger Trail, Nature walk, Bamboo Rafting etc. There are private organizations as well as government agencies (e.g.KTDC), who promote adventure tourism in Thekkady. Plantation tourism also is promoted by these agencies, so that the tourists can see and learn the cultivation of various spices of Kerala.
Thekkady is considered as a heaven of natural spices such as black pepper, cardamom,cinnamon,clove,chilly,tamarind etc.
Attractions
Periyar National Park
National Park is open from morning 0600 hrs to 1800 hrs daily. Boating is the only way to view the wildlife in Periyar National Park.
Boating
Timing: From 07:00 hrs to 11:00 hrs
From 14:00 hrs. to 16:00hrs.
Trekking
Trekking is another wonderful way to view the wildlife from close quarters. Early morning trekking to the jungles can be arranged. It will be good if you can carry your trekking boots and gear. 4 days trekking into the Periyar jungles with overnight Tea Plantationtent camping can also be arranged.
Plantation Tours
Spices are found in abundance in Periyar. A guided Plantation tour to familiarize you with different spices and plantations like cardamom, pepper, tea, coffee, cloves, ginger, turmeric, nutmeg, cumin seed, garlic etc. is a main attraction of Thekkady.
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Visitors are allowed here only on the Chithra Pournami festival day. The peak commands a panoramic view of the other side of the ghats and the vast plains of Tamil Nadu. Permission to visit the area can be obtained from the Wildlife Warden at Thekkady.