Thekkady in Kerala is a very popular tourist destination renowned for its rainforests, wildlife and spice plantations. The very sound of the word Thekkady conjures up images of a beautiful vast lake, elephants, unending chains of hills and
spice-scented plantations. 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 Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary at Thekkady is also a Tiger Reserve. This is the only sanctuary in India where you can have the unique experience of viewing wildlife at close quarters from the safety of a boat in the lake.
Thekkady is an example of nature’s bounty with great scenic charms, rich bio diversity and providing variable visitor satisfaction.
In addition to elephant rides, cruises in the lake, rainforest walks and the Periyar tiger trail,
the various spice plantations of cardamom, vanilla, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves in the area are another major attraction.
Tourists trek along the Tiger Trail and thick vegetation of the reserve along with guides and Forest Department officials is an experience worth remembering. Tourists can also spot elephants, sambhars, and tigers there.
Spread across an area of 300 square miles, Periyar National Park is covered by lush evergreen and deciduous forests serving as home to various animals such as deer, elephants, sambar, Nilgiri Langurs, etc.
Plantation is an ecological park founded to grow medicinal herbs and spices and disseminate the knowledge of growing them with the help of advanced agricultural techniques. The park expands over an area of five acres and has a Spice Garden and an Organic Farm that one can explore along with the stunning landscape.
Tucked in the heart of the jungle, Thekkady or Periyar Lake is famous for its wide varieties of wildlife. You can also take a boat ride in the reservoir that provides water to the forest.
Thekkady, an unending chains of hills and spice plantations, is an ideal picnic spot in Idukki. Murikkady, about 5 km from Thekkady is an ideal place for a visitor to see plantations of various spices
Kalari is a traditional martial art of Kerala & it's known as the mother of all martial arts. Kadathanadan Kalari Center offers a Small venue with stadium seating featuring traditional Indian martial arts performances.
Vandanmedu is the biggest cardamom plantation in India. Vandanmedu is swarmed by those who seek the rare and high-grade cardamom cultivated and sold here, resulting in the world's largest auction center for cardamom. Located In Idukki district,
Pandikuzhi about five km from Kumily is one of the favorite destinations of Thekkady. A popular picnic spot, Pandikuzhi offers great opportunities for trekking and is a photographer's delight.
Chellarkovil Viewpoint is located in the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border in the Anakkara Panchayath of Thekkady. Its a view point of the town and mountains. Just a km away is the Chellarkovil Waterfall which is a different experience as you will be standing on the edge or the starting point of the waterfall.
Kumily, on the outskirts of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, is a plantation town closely associated with Thekkady Kumily, situated in Periyar Valley, drops off to the plains of Tamil Nadu. Apart from being the main bus station in the Periyar region, the town also provides decent, affordable accommodation facilities to tourists.
Mullaperiyaru Dam is a masonry gravity dam on the Periyar River in the Indian state of Kerala It is located 881 m above mean sea level, on the Cardamom Hills of the Western Ghats in Thekkady, Idukki
Kurisumala, which means a ‘Mountain with a Cross on it’, is a Christian pilgrim centre that is a two-kilometer drive from Kumily. Pilgrims climb the mountain on Good Friday in remembrance of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the ultimate sacrifice for mankind.
Spring Valley Mountain is a favourite among hikers because of the unrivalled view of the Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary that it offers from its summit. One does not have to be a religious traveller to enjoy one’s time is Kurisumala!
Vandiperiyar is a spice town in Idukki district, Kerala, India. It is known for tourism, tea and coffee plantations, black pepper and other spice products. A number of tea factories are situated in the town. The Periyar River flows through the city.
Ramakkalmedu is a hill station and a hamlet in Idukki district in the Indian state of Kerala. The place is noted for its panoramic beauty and numerous windmills. The ecosystem of the area consists largely of grass land Shola forest type which is laced by sporadic bamboo forests.
Parunthumpara is a small village, located between Peermade and Thekkady.This area provides a bird's eye view of an endless stretch of green forest land and low-lying areas. Parunthumpara is six km from Peerumade on National Highway 220 and is increasingly being visited by tourists who are on their way to Thekkady and others as well. If the sky is clear, visitors can get the view of the Sabarimala forests.
Kurisumala, which means a ‘Mountain with a Cross on it’, is a Christian pilgrim centre that is a two-kilometer drive from Kumily. Pilgrims climb the mountain on Good Friday in remembrance of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the ultimate sacrifice for mankind.
Mangala Devi Kannagi temple is a historic temple located in the Idukki District of Kerala bordering Tamil Nadu, It is surrounded by lush greenery and is closed throughout the year except during the Chitra Pournami festival At other times tourists can still view it by getting a special letter from the forest ranger. The view from the temple premises is spectacular.
Enjoy boating along the scenic Periyar and experience its vast calmness. The stark, skeletal remains of trees that protrude from its waters give the area a primeval look. The mists that swirl ethereally over the water in the early morning heighten this impression. Kerala Tourism Department and Forest Department are conducting boating at Periyar lake/ Thekkady everyday for both international and domestic travelers.
It is another splendid entertainment option offered to the nature-lovers who visit Thekkady. This eco friendly program takes the tourists to the thick forests on trek and then to the catchments area of the Periyar Tiger Reserve on a bamboo raft.For nature-lovers, here is a chance to have some great times in the lap of Mother Nature. A comforting, yet exciting bamboo rafting through some of the dense forests of Periyar Tiger Reserve! This bamboo rafting is part of the 'nature walk' of eco-tourism project by the Periyar Tiger Reserve.
The wildlife comes together in perfect harmony with its scenic beauty to make Thekkady a right destination for nature lovers. Here, nestled in the southern Western Ghats of peninsular India, Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) is the oldest and largest protected areas of Kerala.
Enjoy boating along the scenic Periyar lake and experience its vast calmness. The stark, skeletal remains of the trees that protrude from its waters give the area a primeval look. The mists that swirl ethereally over the water in the early morning heighten this impression.
Enjoy Jeep expedition through this picturesque land and get a close view of those parts inaccessible through foot. The trip covers the dense green vegetation, thick forests, cascading waterfalls and aromatic spice plantations.
As you take a walk along the streets of Kumily or the winding pathways among the plantations, the thing that strikes you first is the lingering aroma in the air. The scent may be of cloves, nutmeg, pepper, cinnamon or cardamom and sometimes a fragrance that combines the scents of two or more spices. The geographical and climatic peculiarities of Kumily such as the cool climate and its elevation from the sea level make it ideal for spice cultivation. .
