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About Thekkady (Periyar)  The
very sound of the word thekkady conjures up images of elephants, unending
chains of hills and spice scented plantations. In the periyar forest of
thekkady is one of the finest wildlife reserves in india, and spread across
the entire district are picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold
great opportunities for treks and mountain walks. Access Air : nearest airport : Madurai (Tamil Nadu) 140 kms, Kochi (Nedumbassery - 185 km), Thiruvananthapuram (265 kms). Rail : nearest railway station is Kumarakom 114 kms. Madurai station is about 136 kms. Road : an excellent road network from kumily (4 kms) links the to all major towns and cities in india. Places to visit  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. The
splendid artificial lake formed by the mullaperiyar dam across the periyar
river adds to the charm of the park. This is the only sanctuary in india
where you can have the unique experience of viewing wildlife at close
quarters from the safety of a boat on the lake. The greatest attraction of
periyar , however, are the herds of wild elephants that come down to play in
the lake. You can also see wild Elephant, gaur, sambar deer, tiger, jungle
cat, sloth bear and wild boar which can be sighted from the boats also 265
species of birds including migrants the hornbill, stork, woodpecker,
kingfisher, raptor, cormorant, grackle etc.
Kumily : 4 kms from thekkady this plantation town, closely
associated with thekkady, is situated on the outskirts of the periyar
sanctuary. An important shopping centre and spice trade centre.
Murikkady : 5 kms from thekkady. Washed in fresh spice scented air, murikkady is a panorama of cardamom, coffee and pepper plantations. Vandanmedu : 525 kms from thekkady, this is one of the world's largest auction centres for cardamom. A walk through the sprawling cardamom plantations of vandanmedu is a heady experience. Excursions Text Awaited Cities of Kerala Thiruvananthapuram | Kollam | Alappuzha | Kottayam | Idukki | Thekkady (Periyar) | Ernakulam | Thrissur | Palakkad | Malappuram | Kozhikode | Wayanad | Kannur | Kasaragod | Munnar | Guruvayoor |
