INDIALINE

Thekkadi Tourism

Periyar lake Thekkady- Kerala

186 km south east of Kochi is a small village by the name of Thekkady. Nevertheless its size, it attracts a whole lot of visitors. The reason for this being that this small village is the only gateway to the most famous wildlife sanctuary of the south - the Periyar Wildlife Sanctaury. To some this might sound strange since not long back, this was a place known for its elephant poaching. However, today, things have changed and the poachers have turned into protectors of animals. What more you also get to interact with the tribals who still stay within the park premises. With such an awesome combination of nature and culture, it is hardly surprising that Periyar boasts of a distinctive place in the hearts of people. For someone visiting Kerala on a holiday, it is quiet unlikely that a trip to this sanctuary is missed.

Apart from the sanctuary, there are plenty of tea and spice plantations that spread their aroma and draw you like a magnet. The tea and spices grown in these plantations also make for a good buy and just don't think of leaving Thakkady before you have picked up few packets.

The resorts of the area are also a huge attraction since they are set amidst natural environment and seem more like a part of nature. Stay in these resorts and let the feeling of oneness sink in deep in your soul.

Shopping

With a plenty of area under tea and spice plantation, Thekkady is a paradise for those who wish to shop endlessly for these items. Spices on sale include fenugreek, nutmeg, black, white and green pepper, rolls of cinnamon, cardamom, coriander and cloves.

Other good buys in this part of Kerala include banana chips and T Shirts with exclusive Periyar Tiger Resrve motifs of tigers and elephants.

Orientation & Tourist Information

Kumily, 4 km from the sanctuary and the closest town, is a great place to buy spics and handicrafts. Thekkady is the centre inside the park with the KTDC hotels and the boat jetty. There`s a Wildlife Information Centre in Thekkady ;the IDTIO (Iddiki District Tourist Information Office) and the TTDC (Thekkady Tourist Development Council). DC Books has a wide selection of books and cassettes and the Nature Shop sells WWF merchandise. You can change money at Mukkadans Money Exchange, have massage at the Ayurvedic Hospital or visit a spice garden.with a guide at the periyar.

The post office is near the park entrance and there are numerous STD/ISD kiosks. Faxes within the country are possible, but not overseas. Rissas Internet has email.

Getting There

By Air

The closest airport to Thekkady is the Cochin International Airport which is around 190 km away. Pre paid taxis are available from the airport that can bring you to Thekkady.

By Rail

Nearest Railhead from Thekkady lies at a distance of 119 km in Kottayam. Taxis are available to transfer you to Thekkady.

By Road

All buses originating or terminating at Periyar start and finish at Aranya Nivas, but they halt at the Kumily bus stand, at the eastern edge of town.
At least 10 buses daily operate between Ernakulam and Kumily (six hours) and buses leave every half hour for the 114 km trip to Kottayam (four hours).
At least two direct buses daily make the eight hour trip to Thiruvananthapuram. Another goes to Kovalam (nine hours), and another to Kodaikanal, in Tamil Nadu (6½ hours). Only private buses go to Munnar (4½ hours). They all leave Kumily in the morning (from 6 to 9.45 am).