Thekkadi or Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary - is an important tourist destination in Kerala and it is located in the “green districts” of Idukki and Pathanamthitta. Thekkadi is located near to Kumily and it lies at the intersection of Kerala and Tamil Nadu borders and it is a famous tiger and elephant reserve.

Introduction to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over 777 sq.km area in the center of the Periyar Lake, formed, when Mullaperiyar dam was built in 1885. It is surrounded by mountainous area of the Cardamom Hills. About 300 sq.kms areas of this sanctuary are covered with thick, evergreen, moist deciduous forests, grasslands and are supported with lake and river ecosystems.

At Thekkadi, you get introduced to diversified and wide segment of flora and fauna including colorful and fragrant flowering plants, 171 species of grasses, 140 species of orchids, 35 species of mammals, 24 Bengal Tigers (in 2008), Indian Elephants and many other mammals along with 265 species of birds, 45 species of reptiles, 40 species of fish and 160 species of butterflies.

You will get enchanted with the lush green agricultural regions surrounding the National Park featuring plantations of cardamom, tea and coffee.

Most tourists hitting the place love to go for bamboo rafting, plantation tours, elephant rides, trekking and boat cruises around Periyar Lake.

The best time to visit the place is September to March.

You can find trusted and budget friendly accommodation at Kumily, Periyar and Thekkadi.

Accessibility - Thekkady is well -connected to other main and small cities in Kerala through public transport system - KSRTC. Also, you can alight at Kottayam railway station 114kms away or at Madurai Airport -114kms away or at Cochin Airport -100 Kms away.

From Periyar National Park, you can visit to Murrikady, Anakkara, Chellar Kovil, and Mangala Devi Temple.