Thekkady - Kerala
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Thekkady, situated in central Kerala at an altitude of 900-1800 m above sea level.It is a popular hill station and a wildlife centre. This town known as an important plantation centre, conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice scented plantations. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary offers a fairly good chance of seeing the great Indian tiger in its natural habitat.
Excursions from Thekkady
Mangala Devi Temple
Mangala devi temple, the ancient temple is situated at a distance of 15 kms from Thekkady. It lies hidden in the dense woods at the top of a peak 1337 m above sea level.
Kumily
This plantation town, closely associated with Thekkady, is located on the outskirts of the Periyar Sanctuary and is 4 km. away from Thekkady. It is an important shopping centre and spice trade centre and most of the medium range accommodation in the Periyar region is in Kumily.
Murikkady
Washed in fresh spice scented air, Murikkady is a panorama of cardamom, coffee and pepper plantations.
Pandikuzhi
This picturesque place is 10 km. away and is cradled between Chellarkovil and the Tamil Nadu State border is a popular picnic spot. Pandikuzhi offers great opportunities for trekking and is a photographer's delight
Pullumedu
The winding journey to this hill town placed 43 km. from Thekkady along the Periyar river, offers a stunning view of the rolling hills draped in lush greenery. Velvet lawns, rare flora and fauna add to the beauty of Pullumedu, which can easily accessed from a jeep.
Vandanmedu
This is one of the world's largest auction centres for Cardamom. A walk through the sprawling cardamom plantaions of Vandanmedu is a pleasent experience.
Vandiperiyar
The river Periyar flowing through the centre of this town nourishes its vast tea, coffee and pepper plantations. A major trade centre, Vandiperiyar is also home to a number of tea factories. The Government Agriculture Farm and Flower Gardens have a delightful array of rose plants, orchids and anthurium.
Periyar
Set high in the ranges of the Western Ghats, in Kerala, is the Periyar famous for its National Park and Tiger Reserve. The park has a picturesque lake at the heart of the sanctuary formed with the building of a dam in 1895, this reservoir meanders around the contours of the wooded hills, offering a perennial source of water for the local wildlife. Herds of elephant and sambar, gaur and wild pigs wander down to the lakeside and can be observed from the launches that cruise the lake.
The elephants can be seen bathing and swimming in the reservoir. A glimpse may be had even of the tiger during this season, as it comes to the water. Periyar also harbors the leopard, wild dog, barking deer and mouse deer. On the rocky outcrops along the lake, monitor lizards can be seen basking in the sun. Visitors who trek into the Park often see a python and sometimes even a king cobra.
Although an excursion on the splendid artificial lake is the standard way to experience the sanctuary, you can also walk around with the local guide in a small group. Wild Elephant herds come to the lake to frolic in the water. There are boat services are also available. The best season to visit the park is between October and June.
How to reach Thekkady
By Air: The nearest Airport is Madurai, situated at 140 km and Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram about 265 km.
By Rail: The nearest railway station is Kumarakom,about 114 km and Madurai station is about 136 km.
By Road:An excellent road network from Kumily connects the town to all major towns and cities in Kerala and India.
