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Thekkady

General Information
Other Name: Periyar, District: Idukki, State: Kerala, India
Area: 0
Languages Spoken: Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi and English.
Long Distance Code: +91-486
Importance: Houses one of the best sanctuaries in India, Periyar.
Best Time to Visit: September to March

Description
An Enchanting Plantation Town Thekkady, located in central Kerala, is a popular hill station and a wildlife centre. This town, which is an important plantation centre, conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice scented plantations.<br /><br />In the Periyar Forest of Thekkady is one of the finest wildlife reserves of India and spread across the entire district are picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold immense opportunities for treks and mountain walks. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary offers a fairly good chance of seeing the great Indian tiger in its natural habitat.<br />
Location
The drive to Thekkady itself is enchanting as the road winds through tranquil countryside, rich plantations & thick jungles. The sanctuary, 60 km from Idukki, 190 km from Cochin and 114 km away from Kottayam is open throughout the year, but the best season is from September to March.

Sanctuary Watch Towers

There are three watchtowers for observing wild life - at Edappalayam and Manakkavala and Thannikudi. Reservations can be made at the Forest Information Counter, Thekkady.

Vandanmedu

This is one of the world's largest auction centres for Cardamom. A walk through the sprawling cardamom plantations of Vandanmedu is a pleasant experience.\r\n(25 km from Kumily)\r\n

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 anthodium.\r\n(18 km from Thekkady)

Chellarkovil

This sleepy little village with its spectacular view of the plains and cascading waterfalls during the monsoons is a feast to the eyes. The village slopes down to the famous coconut groves of Kumbam in neighboring Tamil Nadu.\r\n(15 km from Kumily)\r\n

Kumily

This plantation town, closely associated with Thekkady, is situated on the outskirts of the Periyar Sanctuary. It is an important shopping centre and spice trade centre, the main bus station and most of the medium range accommodation in the Periyar region is in Kumily.\r\n(4 km from Thekkady)

Murikkady

Washed in fresh spice scented air, Murikkady is a panorama of cardamom, coffee and pepper plantations.\r\n(5 km from Thekkady)

Pandikuzhi

This picturesque place 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.\r\n(5 km from Kumily)

Mangala Devi Temple

This ancient temple is hidden in the dense woods at the top of a peak 1337 m above sea level. The temple is built in the traditional Kerala Style of Architecture. Visitors are allowed here only on the Chithra Pournami festival day. The peak commands a panoramic view of the other side of the ghats and the vast plains of Tamil Nadu. Permission to visit the area can be obtained from the Wildlife Warden at Thekkady.\r\n(15 km from Thekkady)

The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Lying close to the plantations, in the rich jungles of Periyar in Thekkady is one of the worlds most fascinating natural wildlife reserves - the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Spread across 777 sq. km, of which 360 sq. km is thick evergreen forest, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978.\r\nNoted for its geo-morphological diversity of wildlife and scenic beauty, the Reserve attracts visitors from all over the world. The splendid artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River adds to the charm of the park.\r\nThis 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 on the lake. The greatest attraction of Periyar remains the large herds of wild elephants that come down to the lake's edge.

Pullumedu

(43 km from Thekkady,)\r\nThe winding journey to this hill town, 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 be accessed from a jeep.\r\nThe famous Sree Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala and the Makara Joythi illuminations at the shrine are visible from here. Since it is part of the restricted forest zone, special permission to visit Pullumedu has to be obtained from the Wildlife Preservation Officer, Thekkady or The Range Officer, Vallakkadavu.\r\n

Spice Plantation

Tea Plantation

Best of Kerala
(9 Days / 8 Nights)

On Request

Details

Best of Kerala / PRKT-PI-41 (9 Days / 8 Nights)
Mumbai-Kochi-Thekkady-Kumarakom-Alappuzha-Mararikulam-Kochi-Mumbai

Kerala is a small strip of emerald land in the southwest of India. Fondly known as the God's Own country, true to its name is bestowed upon by profound natural wealth. Lush green forests and vast sea beaches are just the two things enough for a traveller to visit this land again and again.

Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Mumbai
Day 2 : Mumbai
Day 3 : Mumbai-Kochi-Thekkady
Day 4 : Thekkady-Kumarakom
Day 5 : Kumarakom
Day 6 : Alappuzha-Mararikulam
Day 7 : Mararikulam
Day 8 : Mararikulam-Kochi
Day 9 : Kochi-Mumbai

South India 16 Days 15 Nights
(16 Days / 15 Nights)

On Request

Details

South India 16 Days 15 Nights / PRKT-PI-47 (16 Days / 15 Nights)
Chennai-Mamallapuram-Thanjavur-Tiruchirappalli-Madurai-Thekkady-Kumarakom-Alappuzha-Kochi-Kovalam-Thiruvananthapuram

Chennai- Mahabalipuram-Tanjore-Trichy- Madurai-Periyar-Kumarkom-Allepy-Cochin-Kovalam-Trivandrum

Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Chennai
Day 2 : Chennai - Mamallapuram
Day 3 : Mamallapuram
Day 4 : Mamallapuram - Thanjavur
Day 5 : Thanjavur
Day 6 : Thanjavur - Tiruchirappalli - Madurai
Day 7 : Madurai-Thekkady
Day 8 : Thekkady
Day 9 : Thekkady-Kumarakom
Day 10 : Alappuzha - Kochi
Day 11 : Kochi
Day 12 : Kochi-Kovalam
Day 13 : Kovalam
Day 14 : Kovalam
Day 15 : Kovalam
Day 16 : Kovalam-Thiruvananthapuram

South India 14Days 13 Nights
(14 Days / 13 Nights)

On Request

Details

South India 14Days 13 Nights / PRKT-PI-58 (14 Days / 13 Nights)
Kochi-Munnar-Madurai-Thekkady-Alappuzha-Poovar-Thiruvananthapuram

Kochi-Munnar-Madurai-Trichy-Madurai-Periyar-Allepy-Poovar-Trivandrum

Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Kochi
Day 2 : Kochi
Day 3 : Kochi - Munnar
Day 4 : Munnar-Madurai
Day 5 : Madurai
Day 6 : Madurai-Thekkady
Day 7 : Thekkady - Alappuzha - Poovar
Day 8 : Poovar
Day 9 : Poovar
Day 10 : Poovar
Day 11 : Poovar
Day 12 : Poovar
Day 13 : Poovar
Day 14 : Poovar-Thiruvananthapuram

Thekkady, India Tours