Perched at the border of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Thekkady is home to South India’s most popular wildlife sanctuary, Periyar Tiger Reserve. This 777 sq. km. national park has a 26sq. km. artificial lake and is home to gaur, sambar, wild boar, langur, around 40 elusive tigers, and a large population of almost 1000 elephants.
The terrain is also a spice paradise with an abundance of cardamom, vanilla, pepper, cinnamon, coffee, tea, cloves and nutmeg thriving in these wild environs. Calls of the pachyderms from the distant and the excited chirping of birds ring through the air to signal that you're in Thekkady. The riveting sight of the elephant herds as they troop down to the water's edge is a truly magical experience.
State: Kerala
Destination Type: Jungle
Nearby Resort: Sterling Munnar
Languages: Malayalam, English
Nearest Railway Station: Kottayam Railway Station
Nearest Airport: Madurai
Summer: March to May. Temperature ranges from 26°C to 36°C. Evenings are pleasant.
Monsoon: June to September. Rainfall is heavy. This time of the year portrays the jungle in a different hue.
Winter: October to February. Temperature ranges from 15°C to 21°C.
Make a memory of a lifetime by interacting with elephants that live in The Elephant Junction. The mahouts supervise the interactions to make sure that there is nothing to be afraid of these friendly giants.
Periyar Lake was the preferred holiday destination of the Indian Royals for its scenic beauty. Today, it is a picturesque place for a boat ride and getting a glimpse of wildlife.
Ottakathalamedu translates to ‘the cliff of the camel’s back.’ A short 4 km drive from Thekkady, the grassy cliff serves as a great viewpoint.
Bamboo rafting is organized by the Forest Department of Thekkady. This day-long programme begins with a hike and is a memorable adventure.
The gentle sway of the bullock cart, the pleasing smell of hay, the chatty driver – all come together in Thekaddy to transport you back in time.
Thekkady provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the world of plants and how they are used in medicine. If you are interested, make some time for a tour of the spice plantations.
The Kedathanadan Kalari Centre has regular shows in the ancient martial art-form of Kalaripayattu for its visitors, who come from all over the world.