Thekkady - Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

As with all hill stations, Thekkady, too, is bedecked with hills and vales, stunning waterfalls, undulating forest reserves and lots of natural sights and sounds. There are a horde of activities to choose from – boat cruises on the Periyar River, tea and spice plantations tours, bamboo rafting, elephant safari, trekking and bird watching.

The Mullaperiyar Dam is built across the Periyar River. It supplies water to Kerala as well as parts of neighbouring Tamil Nadu. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary around the Periyar Lake is probably the most known feature of the place. This artificial lake has government-organised boating, where you can spot elephants, sambar deer and wild boars. Tigers are rarely spotted in places where people visit. But you can catch one on a jungle trek, inside the sanctuary. Other animals you can see are lion-tailed macaques, gaurs, and Nilgiri langurs.

Ernakulam and Kottayam railway stations link Thekkady to other parts of Kerala. But the nearest railhead is in Theni, in Tamil Nadu, 60km away. Kottayam railway station is 113km away. Regular buses connect it to other cities and towns in south India as well. The nearest airport is at Madurai, 140km away in Tamil Nadu. The nearest airport in Kerala is in Nedumbassery in Cochin.