Thekkady(Periyar)
Thekkady one of the most popular wild life sanctuaries of India is better known for the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve spread across 777 sq km, of which 360 sq km being thick forest is an important tourist destinations of Kerala.. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the banks of an artificial lake, the Periyar Lake, high in the ranges of the Western Ghats. Here the Western Ghats is clothed in dense semi-evergreen tropical forests characterized by tall trees and a closed canopy. Widespread patches of grasslands spread towards the bank of the lake add to the beauty of the forest. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady is one of the 16 Project Tiger Reserves in India.
Attractions of Thekkady
The picturesque Periyar Lake is the pride of Kerala Tourism and a clear evidence to natures' luxury and human innovation. It is the major attraction of Thekkady. The marvelous artificial lake formed with the building of Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River in 1895 provides continuous water for the local wildlife and adds to the charm of the National Park. This permanent source of water, spans an area of 55 sq km slowly attracted wild animals. Thekkady is one of the few places where you can watch and photograph wild elephants at close quarters in their natural habitats.
The Periyar Lake offers excellent Boat cruises for tourists. In India it is only at Thekkady you can have the unique experience of viewing wildlife closely from the safety of a boat on the lake which makes this place one of the unique tourist destinations of Kerala.. Below the thick green canopy you can see wandering herds of elephants, sambar deers, tigers, gaurs, wild boars, lion tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs by the lakes' edge.
The flora and fauna of Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve in Thekkady is marvelous and is one of the most captivating wildlife parks in the world. The topography ranges from hilly to flat grassland areas. The vegetation is of dense and moist type. The population of elephants, bisons, antelopes, sambars, wild boars and tigers in the sanctuary is increasing appreciably. A wide range of birdlife includes darters, cormorants, kingfishers, great Malabar hornbills and racket-tailed drongoes is here to rich the sanctuary. The reptiles like Monitor lizards, Pythons, king cobras, flying lizards, flying squirrels, flying snakes and flying frogs are also the inhabitants of this incredible National Park and Wild Life Sanctuary.A visit to the state of Kerala without a retreat to Thekkady is not complete and you would be missing one of the most beautiful experience of life..
There is a beautiful old stone temple situated in the heart of the Thekkady forest, the ruined Mangala Devi temple. Treks to the temple in the dense forest are arranged for those who love adventures.
How to Reach
By Air: Kochi International Airport (200 km)
Madhurai Airport (140 km)
By Rail: Kottayam Railway Station on Ernakulam-Thiruvananthapuram line
By Road: Thekkady is connected by bus service from Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kottayam and Madhurai.
Thekkady one of the most popular wild life sanctuaries of India is better known for the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve spread across 777 sq km, of which 360 sq km being thick forest is an important tourist destinations of Kerala.. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the banks of an artificial lake, the Periyar Lake, high in the ranges of the Western Ghats. Here the Western Ghats is clothed in dense semi-evergreen tropical forests characterized by tall trees and a closed canopy. Widespread patches of grasslands spread towards the bank of the lake add to the beauty of the forest. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady is one of the 16 Project Tiger Reserves in India.
Attractions of Thekkady
The picturesque Periyar Lake is the pride of Kerala Tourism and a clear evidence to natures' luxury and human innovation. It is the major attraction of Thekkady. The marvelous artificial lake formed with the building of Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River in 1895 provides continuous water for the local wildlife and adds to the charm of the National Park. This permanent source of water, spans an area of 55 sq km slowly attracted wild animals. Thekkady is one of the few places where you can watch and photograph wild elephants at close quarters in their natural habitats.
The Periyar Lake offers excellent Boat cruises for tourists. In India it is only at Thekkady you can have the unique experience of viewing wildlife closely from the safety of a boat on the lake which makes this place one of the unique tourist destinations of Kerala.. Below the thick green canopy you can see wandering herds of elephants, sambar deers, tigers, gaurs, wild boars, lion tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs by the lakes' edge.
The flora and fauna of Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve in Thekkady is marvelous and is one of the most captivating wildlife parks in the world. The topography ranges from hilly to flat grassland areas. The vegetation is of dense and moist type. The population of elephants, bisons, antelopes, sambars, wild boars and tigers in the sanctuary is increasing appreciably. A wide range of birdlife includes darters, cormorants, kingfishers, great Malabar hornbills and racket-tailed drongoes is here to rich the sanctuary. The reptiles like Monitor lizards, Pythons, king cobras, flying lizards, flying squirrels, flying snakes and flying frogs are also the inhabitants of this incredible National Park and Wild Life Sanctuary.A visit to the state of Kerala without a retreat to Thekkady is not complete and you would be missing one of the most beautiful experience of life..
There is a beautiful old stone temple situated in the heart of the Thekkady forest, the ruined Mangala Devi temple. Treks to the temple in the dense forest are arranged for those who love adventures.
How to Reach
By Air: Kochi International Airport (200 km)
Madhurai Airport (140 km)
By Rail: Kottayam Railway Station on Ernakulam-Thiruvananthapuram line
By Road: Thekkady is connected by bus service from Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kottayam and Madhurai.
