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| Thekkady |
Thekkady is the location of the Periyar National Park, which is an important tourist attraction in the Kerala state of  India. Thekkady is situated close to the Kerala -Tamil Nadu border town of Kumily, it is located about 257 km
from Trivandrum, 114 km from Madurai Airport, 185 km from Cochin International Airport and 114 km from Kottayam railway station. The sanctuary is famous for its dense evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savanna grass lands. It is home to herds of elephants, sambar, tigers, gaur, lion-tailed Macaques and Nilgiri Langurs. the mouths of the many rivers flowing down from the Western Ghats range.Kerala has over 900 km of interconnected waterways, rivers, lakes and inlets that make up the Kerala backwaters. In the midst of this beautiful landscape there are a number of towns and cities, which are the starting and end points of backwater cruises.[1]National Waterway No. 3 from Kollam to Kottapuram, covers a distance of 205 km and runs almost parallel to the coast line of southern Kerala facilitating both cargo movement and backwater tourism.
The Periyar Wildlife sanctuary is spread across 777 kmē (300 sq. miles), of which 360 kmē (139 sq. miles) is thick evergreen forest. The Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. The splendid artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River adds to the charm of the park. The greatest attraction of Periyar are the herds of wild elephants that come down to play in the lake.
The backwaters have a unique ecosystem - freshwater from the rivers meets the seawater from the Arabian Sea. In certain areas, such as the Vembanad Kayal, where a barrage has been built near Kumarakom, salt water from the sea is prevented from entering the deep inside, keeping the fresh water intact. Such fresh water is extensively used for irrigation purposes.
Water birds, migratory birds, mangrove shores and the renowned bird sanctuary form
their niche. The resorts nearby offer comfortable accommodation and exclusive leisure options like an Ayurvedic massage, yoga, meditation, boating, fishing and swimming.The adventurous could indulge in water sports such as windsailing and waterskiing. You could even take a canoe out into the quite lakes and armed with a fishing rod, catch your own supper. Make sure you do not miss out on Karimeen and fresh toddy, the favourite fresh water food and the local wine. The local spring season emerges from August and coincides with the harvest festival of Onam, blooms the tourist and the local people.
Many unique species of aquatic life including crabs, frogs and mudskippers, water birds such as terns, kingfishers, darters and cormorants, and animals such as otters and turtles live in and alongside the backwaters. Palm trees, pandanus shrubs, various leafy plants and bushes grow alongside the backwaters, providing a green hue to the surrounding landscape. |
Tourist Attractions in Thekkadyn
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary |
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Thekkady: Draped in opulent greenery, this wildlife sanctuary sprawls over an area  of 777 sq. km. The man-made Thekkady Lake shimmers in a green hue, reflecting the surrounding evergreen forests. This stunning artificial lake is created by the Mullapperiyar Dam constructed across the scenic Periyar River. The sanctuary, declared a tiger reserve in 1978, is an ideal spot to catch a glimpse of this magnificent animal. It is also home to the endangered lion-tailed macaques, Nilgiri langurs, elephants, Indian bisons, boars, bears, a wide variety of
deer and exotic birds. Boating is the ideal way to explore the sanctuary and to catch a glimpse of the abundant wildlife in close quarters. The park is also famous as an adventure tourism destination. This sanctuary is a perfect example of how human intervention could positively enhance the ecology. Thekkady is located at a distance of 60 km from Idukky. |
| Pullumedu |
Literally translated the word Pullumedu means "green meadows". This charming little town lies along the banks  of the scenic river Periyar hidden by a lush green canopy. This is a good picnic spot to enjoy bucolic life intertwined with the beauty of nature. The place retains its closeness with nature partly because of its inaccessibility and remoteness. The famous Shabarimala Ayyappa temple can be viewed from here. |
| Vandiperiyar |
Vandiperiyar: Come fall and fall in love with the meadows, hills, plantations and woods of Vandiperiyar. This p lantation town is an important hub of commerce in the high ranges. The town is bifurcated by the scenic river Periyar which flows right through the middle of the town. The town is also famous for its myriad spice plantations along with coffee and tea plantations. A number of tea factories are located in the area. The town is located at a distance of 18 km from Thekkady. |
| Chellarkovil |
The petite town of Chellarkovil is famous for the magnificent panoramic views of the lush green valleys, the gurgling mountain brooks and the sparkling waterfalls. The breathtaking views of the plains and the sloping valleys attract large number of tourists to this vantage point. To the eastern side of Chellarkovil is the town of Cumbum - a part of Tamil Nadu. The lush coconut groves of Cumbum could be enjoyed from here. |
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