Thekkady is one of India's most fascinating natural wildlife sanctuaries, where you can watch wildlife atOrientation The sprawling Periyar Tiger Reserve, which falls in the southern segment of the Western Ghats in the Cardamom Hills at an altitude of 2900-6,000ft, is the largest sanctuary in the state of Kerala. Declare a protected area way back in 1933 by the Maharaja of Travancore, the sanctuary covers an area of 777sq km. The Kottayam-Thekkady Road ends at Kumily on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. There is only one entry point to the Periyar Tiger Reserve and that is through the small village of Thekkady, 4km from Kumily. 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.
The reason for this being that this small village is the only gateway to the most famous wildlife sanctuary of the south - the Periyar Wildlife Sanctaury. To some this might sound strange since not long back, this was a place known for its elephant poaching. However, today, things have changed and the poachers have turned into protectors of animals. What more you also get to interact with the tribals who still stay within the park premises. With such an awesome combination of nature and culture, it is hardly surprising that Periyar boasts of a distinctive place in the hearts of people. For someone visiting Kerala on a holiday, it is quiet unlikely that a trip to this sanctuary is missed.
Fast Facts When to do: September to Marchis the best time, when you can enjoy greenery without the accompanying rains. If you are a birdwatcher, this is also the time to spot migrant birds. Summer, thought hot, is also good for wildlife-spotting.
STD Code 04869Thekkady is all about Periyar. And visiting Periyar is like looking at the vast green patches of Kerala wildlife through a pair of binoculars! Aptly located in the most dramatic of settings - amidst soul-soothing mountain ranges, lush valleys, picture book lakes and shimmering rivers - the tropical rainforests affords one of the world's most ancient and complex enviornments. The definition is transparent. Say Thekkady and the whole of Kerala will cheer up to playful herds of elephants wandering in the unending chains of hills. However, if you visit Thekkady (named after 'thekku', or teak trees), you will find that it is not as simple as it seems. For time immeorial, Kerala is known for its spices and traders crowd here for commercial gains. So how these slanting hills of Western Ghats cannot encourage, but sit idle to the ambrosial aroma of the Indian spices? It is a country that exudes the spirit and ethos of nature. Plan a holiday tour to the place where you can feel nature at every twists and turns. Stay in one of those raw cottages modelled after the jungle dwellings of the local tribal inhabitants. And a trip to Thekkady will make you articulate enough to describe your experiences in God's own country so vividly, that many people will soon be eager to follow your itinerary in India.
Getting There
Air: The nearest Airport is Madurai, which is 140 km and Kochi (185 km), and Thiruvananthapuram (265 km).
Rail: The nearest railway station is Kumarakom, 114 km and Madurai station is about 136 km.
Road: An excellent road network from Kumily (4 km) links the town to all major towns and cities in Kerala and India.
