THEKKADY

The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary:

One of the world's most fascinating natural wildlife sanctuaries, Thekkady is noted for its geomorphology, wildlife and science beauty. The Periyar Tiger Reserve attracts travellers from all over the world. 360 sq.km. of the 777 sq km sanctuary is covered by evergreen forests. The 26 sq km artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar /dam across the Periyar River offers boating facilities. This is the only sanctuary in India where the wild elephant can be observed and photographed at close quarters from the safety of a boat. A boat cruise on the lake is perhaps the best way to watch the wildlife in the reserve.

The Sanctuary Watch Towers:

There are two watch towers in the interior of the Periyar forest. Reservations can be made at Forest Information Centre, Thekkady. Ph:322028 Plantations: Tea, Cardamom, Pepper and Coffee plantations surround the Periyar Wildlife sanctuary. Twelve Varieties of spices grow in the neighbouring villages, pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, ginger, turmeric, nutmeg, cumin seed, garlic, staranise etc.

Conducted tours from Thekkady:

Spice Valley Tour:(One day). Departure: 06 30 hrs. Return: 21 30 hrs (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday). Tour covers: Vandanmedu-Kumily-Nedumkandam-Anayirankal-Chinnakanal-Gap Road-Devikulam-Munnar-Mattupetty-Rajamala-Chithirapuram and back to Thekkady. Fare: Rs.200 per head (Minimum 10 person required for operation.)

Green Valley Tour:(One day):

Depaarture: 06 30 hrs. Return: 21 30 hrs (Tuesday and Thursday) Tours covers: Pattumala-Peermede-Kuttilkkanam-Vagamon-Kattappana-idukki dam-top-painav-Kulamavu-Nadukani-Moolamattom-Malankara dam-Thekkady. Fare:Rs.200 per head (Minimum 10 person required for operation.) For reservation and hiring luxury buses, please contact: District Tourist Information Office, Thekkady Jn, Kumily Ph: 322620

Things to do in Thekkady

Plantation Tours are arranged from the District Tourism Information Office at Thekkady Junction in Kumily. Tours cover cardamom, pepper, cofee and tea plantations, tea factories, tribal settlements and the surrounding hill regions. Ph: 3222620

Elephant Rides:

The Forest Department, Thekkady offers facilities for elephant rides through the jungle. Time:10 00am to 5 00pm. Duration of a trip: 30 minutes. Fare: Rs.30 per person. Tickets are available from the Forest Information Counter Ph: 322028

The forest Department conducts treks from the boat landing station at Thekkady to the Nellikkampetty area and Manakkavala every day. Starting time: 07 00 hrs. Fare Rs. 10+ entrance fee. Bookings can be made with the Wildlife Preservation Officer, Thekkady Ph: 322027/322028

Boats cruises on the Periyar Lake: 07 00, 09 30, 11 30, 14 00, 16 00 hrs. Fare: Lower deck: Rs.25+10(entrance fee) Upper deck:Rs.50+10(Entrance fee) Entrance fee at check post. Foreigners: Rs.50(valid for 3 days) Domestic tourists:Rs.2 The Forest Department(contact Ph:322028) and the K.T.D.C.Ltd, (contact Ph: 322023) conduct boating trips from Thekkady.

Bus timings from Kumily:

Accommodation

				Tariff Range (Rs)	Phone
Thekkady
Lake Palace(KTDC)			8000		322024
Spice Village			4500-6000		322315
Taj Garden Retreat			4000		322273
Aranya Nivas(KTDC)			700-2500		322023
Periyar house(KTDC)		700 -1500		322026
Leela Pankaj Resort (Cottages)	500		322392
Ambady				425-990		322193

Kumily:

				Tariff	(Rs)		Tel:
Shalimar Spice
Garden(Cottages)			3450-5150		322132
Michaels Inn			900-2500		322355
Hotel Lissiya Inter.		300-1300		322288
Mukkumkal Regent Tower		100-1250		322570
Hotel Revathy Inter.		450-700		322434
Mukkumkal T.H.			150-450		322070

Homestays:

Murikkady-Thomas Mathew		322229
Biju Paul				322547
Vincent Joseph-Kadaplackal		322179
K.Murali-Thekkady			322196

Others:

Carmelia Heaven-Vandenmedu		870272
Edassery Resorts-Kattappana		872001
Idukki Tower-Thodupuzha		224193
Gemini Tourist Home Thodupuzha	222734

Peerumede:

Trissanku Heaven, Kuttikkanam	332491
Misty Mountain, Kuttikkanam		332065