Thekkady

Thekkady is an important tourist attraction in the Kerala state of India.Thekkady is situated 4km away from Kumily Town,of Idukki district.Kumily Town is close to the Kerala --Tamil Nadu border.Thekkady is located about 257km from Trivandrum,114km from Madurai Airport,185km from Cochin International Airport,115km from Kottayam railwaystation and 20km from Kothamangalam.Thekkady is a real dream destination for any tourist visiting India.Thekkady,is india’s sole Tiger reserve,with its bountiful treasures of tropical flora and fauna is the ultimate reservoir of many an endangered species and a rich tribal culture.Thekkady is considered as a heaven for natural spices such as black pepper,cardamom,cinnamon and clove.Thekkady is a real natural heaven where we can see herds of elephants,green 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 idukki district .The picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold great opportunities for treks and mountain walks.Thekkady is a pleasant heaven on earth for those who love nature in its wild manifestations.Thekkady offers facilities for Trekking,elephant riding and boating.Boating through the Placid Lake provides a rare opportunity to watch wild animals at close quarters.

Getting there:

Nearest Bus Station:Kumily Bus Station

Nearest Railway Station:No Railyway Line

Nearest Airport:Trivandrum International Airport

Distance From Thekkady to Major Towns:

Kumily-4km(15mts),Sabarimala via Pullumedu-50km(2hrs)
Idukki-65km(2 1/2hrs),Munnar-106km(4hrs)
Kalabham-128km(4hrs),Sabarimala via Erumeli-134km(4hrs)
Kodaikanal-149km(5hrs),Alappuzha-164 km(5hrs)
Kollam-220km(6hrs),Ooty-390km(11hrs),
Peermede-40km(1hrs),Vagamon-70km(2 1/2hrs)
Thiruvananthapuram-265km(7hrs)

Things to do In Thekkady

Plantation Tours:
Plantation tours are arranged from the District Tourism Information Office at Thekkady Junction in Kumily,Tele:0486-322620,Tours cover cardamom,pepper,coffee and tea plantations,tea factories,tribal settlements and the surrounding hill regions.
Elephant Rides:
The Forest Department,Thekkady offers facilities for elephant rides through the jungle.
Time: 10.00 - 17.00 hrs,Duration: 30 Minutes,Fare: Rs.30 per person.
Tickets:Wildlife Information Counter,Tele:0486-322028
Trekking:

Main trekking areas in Thekkady-Kurisumala near Kumily,Pullumedu,Ottakathalamedu near Kumily,Grampi near Vandiperiyar.The Forest Department conducts daily trels from the boat landing station at Thekkady to the Nellikkampetty area and Manakkavala.

Starting Time: 07.00 hrs,Fare: Rs.10 + entrance fee.
Booking:Wildlife Preservation Officer,Thekkady,Tele:0486-322027, 322028

Boat Cruises On The Periyar Lake:

Time: 07.00, 09.30,11.30,14.00, 16.00 hrs,Fare: Lower deck: Rs.50,Upper deck: Rs.90.

The Forest Department,Tele:322028
The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation Ltd,Tele: 322023

Entrance fee at check post:[Ticket is valid only for one day]
Foreigners People: Rs.50,Domestic People: Rs.2.

Tourism Hot Spot Around Thekkady

The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary:

Lying close to the plantations,in the rich jungles of Periyar in Thekkady is one of the world's 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. Noted for its geomorphology,diversity of wildlife and scenic beauty,the Reserve attracts visitors from all over the world.Entry Time: 06.00-18.00 hrs.

Kurisumala:
A place for adventure tourism and trekking.This will offer a panoramic view of Kumily town and Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Kumily:

This plantation town, closely associated with Thekkady,is situated on the outskirts of the Periyar Sanctuary. An important shopping centre ans spice trade centre, the main bus station and most of the medium range accommodation in the Periyar region are in Kumily.

Murikkady:

Washed in fresh spice-scented air,Murikkady is a panorama of cardamom,coffee and pepper plantations.

Pandikuzhi:

This picturesque spectrum of exotic flora,fauna and gurgling streams is cradled between Chellarkovil and the Tamil Nadu border.A popular picnic spot, Pandikuzhi offers great opportunities for trekking and is a photographer's delight.

Mangala Devi Temple:

This ancient temple is hidden in the dense woods at the top of a oeak 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 eastern slopes of the Ghats and some hill villages of Tamil nadu.Permission to visit the area can be abtained from the Wildlife Wadren,Thekkady,Tele:0486-322027.

Chellarkovil:

This sleepy little village with its breathtaking view of the plains and cascading waterfalls is a feast for the eyes.The village slopes down to the famous coconut groves of Cumbum in neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

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 Garden have a delightful array of roses,orchids and anthuria.

Vandanmedu:

This is one of the world's largest auction centres for candamom.A walk through the sprawling cardamom plantations of Vandanmedu is a heady experience.

Pullumedu:

The 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 only by jeep.The famous Sree Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala and the Makara Jyothi illumination 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,Tele:0486-322027
The Range Officer,Vallakkadavu,Tele:0486-352515.

Ramakalmedu:

Rolling green hills and the fresh mountain air make Ramakalmedu an enchanting retreat.The hills top also offers a Panoramic view of picturesque villages of Bodi and Cumbum on the Eastern slop of the western ghats.

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