Savour the splendour of Kerala's mesmerizing hills, delight in the fragrant spice-perfumed air and observe her unique wild life at close quarters.

KERALA The traveller's paradise has many a breath-taking wonder to offer. From the hills to the backwaters, this land is bestowed with some of the most enchanting bounties of nature. Kerala owes much of its renown and popularity to its evergreen hills in the Western Ghat Mountain Ranges spread across the eastern border of the State. The Western Ghats home many Wildlife Sanctuaries, National Parks, Botanical Gardens and Hill Stations, the most famous among them being the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary at Thekkady.

The thick evergreen rain forest of Periyar is South India's most popular and picturesque wild life sanctuary spread across an area of 777 sq.km. encompassing a 26 sq.km. lake. Periyar is a natural haven for thousands of species of both flora and fauna. A designated Tiger Reserve under The Project Tiger, Periyar's beauty are the herds of wild elephants that come down to play in the lake. Other than Tigers and elephants, the Sancutary also homes Leopards, Wild Boars, Bison, Sambar Deer, Bonet Macaques, Malabar Flying Squirrels, Stripe necked Mongooses, Jungle Cats, Sloth Bear, etc. Birds like Hornbills, Storks, Cormorants and reptiles like Cobras, Vipers, Kraits and Monitor Lizards are frequently sighted in the forest. Over 260 species of rare birds are present while these forests sustain exquisite and unique species of plant life too.

THE PERIYAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY also referred to as the THEKKADY WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, is one of the most popular wild life habitats in India. The unique stretch of tropical rain forest is the repository of an amazing array of rare, endemic and endangered life forms. The dense rainforests along the Western Ghats slope down into a manmade lake which serves as a major watering hole for the animals. Water Safaris across the lake permit viewing of wild life in their natural habitat at close quarters. Wild Elephant herds frolicking in the lake are a common sight. Delve into the details at : http://www.periyartigerreserve.org/

THEKKADY FACT FILE Location : Idukki District, Kerala State, South India Western Ghats 9degree15' and 9degree 40' north latitude and 76degree 55' and 77degree25' east longitude.

Altitude : 900-1800m above sea level

Area of Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary : 777 sq.km out of which 360 sq. kms. are evergreen forests.

Lake Area : 26 sq. kms.

Temperature : 15 - 32 degree Celsius

Rainfall : 2500 mm

Best time to visit : August to May

Local Transport : Bus, Tourist Car, Jeep, Auto-rickshaw and Bicycle.

THINGS TO DO AT THEKKADY

You can take part in the Eco-Tourism Programmes conducted within The Periyar Wildlife Sancuary. Know more about these Programmes at: http://www.periyartigerreserve.org/

Boat cruise in the Periyar Lake :- The Forest Department and The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation conduct boating trips from Thekkady.

Trekking, Elephant Rides, Plantation Tours, shopping at Art Emporiums for antiques, tasting the traditional food of Kerala; watching the cultural Art Forms including Kalaripayattu, Kathakali and unique dance forms including Mohiniyattom, Bharatanaattiyum, Folk dance and the Tribal dance which originated with the tribes from the surrounding forest regions; visiting the Heritage village amidst the forest; the healing touch of Ayurveda, all these and much more is what Thekkady and it's neighbouring town of Kumily, all in walking distance, can offer you.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS NEAR THEKKADY

Chellarkovil falls - 15 km. Churuli falls - 40 km. Mangaladevi hills - 18 km. Munnar Hill Station - 103 km. Peerumedu Tea Gardens - 40 km. Plantation Tours ( Tea, cardamom, pepper and coffee plantations surrounding the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary)

TOURIST SPOTS IN & AROUND THEKKADY

Chellakovil :- a beautiful village on the mountain slopes bordering Tamil Nadu( a State of South India, adjacent to Kerala).

Mangala Devi Temple :- An ancient Temple in the dense forest on the top of a peak.

Murikkadi :- a place blended with Cardamom, Coffee and Pepper plantations.

Pandikuzhi :- a popular picnic spot offering great opportunity for trekking.

Vandenmedu :- A plantation township and the world's largest auction centre of Cardamom.

ACCESS TO THEKKADY By Air : Cochin airport - 175 kms. Madurai airport - 140 kms. By Rail : Kottayam - 112 kms. Madurai - 136 kms. By Road : Direct bus services to Cochin, Kottayam, Thiruvananthapuram, Munnar, Kodaikanal, Madurai, etc.

NEARBY DESTINATIONS Cochin - 180 km. Munnar - 103 km. Madurai - 145 km. Kodaikanal - 153 km. Kottayam - 110 km. Kumarakom - 135 km. Trivandrum/Thiruvananthapuram(the Capital of Kerala) - 260km.

PLACES FOR STAY

Star Hotels, Budget Hotels, Home Stays, Dormitories are available for the tourist.

Author's Note:

Hotel Mount Sinai provides the basic amenities for stay with additional modern facilities, topping it all off with good services and friendly atmosphere. http://www.mountsinai.co.in/
Post your enquiries at: infomounts @ gmail.com

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