G.B. International ::- Kerala Cities ::- Periyar (Thekkady)
| Alleppay | Kasaragod | Malappuram | Pathanamithitta |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idukki | Kozhikode | Palakkad | Thrisuur |
| Kochi (Cochin) | Kollam | Waynad | Thiruvananthapuram |
| Kannur | Kumarakom | Thekkady | South India |
Periyar (Thekkady)
Periyar, in Kerala, is the best-known wildlife sanctuary in south India. Though billed as a tiger reserve, Periyar is really famous for its wild elephants, 100-year-old artificial lake and it's setting in the beautiful thickly forested Western Ghats. This is not your best shot at spotting the Bengal Tiger considering there are less than 40 of them that inhabit an area of 777sq.km but there's plenty of other game like the Nilgiri langoor, Nilgiri tahr, bison, deer, antelope and about 700 elephants to make the trip worthwhile. The Asian elephant is diminutive compared to its larger African cousin but the thrill of spotting a herd of them lumbering through the dense shoal forest or wading into a lake is going to be no less than seeing the African elephant in the Masai Mara grasslands. There are more than 700 of these large gray animals that have for a long time been a symbol of Indian exotica. Over a 100 species of butterfly and at least 240 species of birds inhabit the area.
Around the park are some interesting aromatic spice gardens. Many have good guides who'll tell you about the medicinal value of each spice and maybe startle you with how much of the research is millennia old.
Places to Visit
KumilyThis plantation town, closely associated with Thekkady, is situated on the outskirts of the Periyar Sanctuary. It is an important shopping center and spice trade center, the main bus station and most of the medium range accommodation in the Periyar region is in Kumily.
Murikkady
Washed in fresh spice scented air, Murikkady is a panorama of cardamom, coffee and pepper plantations.
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.
Vandiperiyar
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.
How to Reach
By AirThe nearest airport is Cochin & Madurai.
By Rail
The nearest railhead is Kottayam from where it takes about 4 hours by bus.
By Road
The sanctuary is very well connected by bus to many towns in Kerala and neighbouring Tamil Nadu.