The Sanctuary Is Spread Over An Area Of About 777sqkm And Comprises Of A Thick Evergreen Forest With Exotic Wild Life. The Sanctuary Was Declared A Tiger Reserve Sometime In 1978. It Has An Artificial Lake Formed By The Mullai Periyar Dam, Built Across The Periyar River.the Periyar Tiger Reserve, Named After The Periyar River, Is One Of Kerala�s Prestigious Possessions On The High Ranges Of The Western Ghats. The Forests Of Periyar Can Be Divided Into Four Categories. I) The Open Grasslands Are Home To The Elephants, The Bison And Herds Of Deer. Ii) The Moist Deciduous Forest Is Dominated By Trees Like Terminalia And Teak Which Shed Their Leaves Seasonally. Iii) The Semi-evergreen Forest Occurs Along Wet Stream Areas And Is Often Adjacent To The Tropical Evergreen Forest. Iv) The �sholas� Or Tropical Evergreen Jungle Which Is Typical Of The Entire Western Ghats In The State, Abounds In This Reserve . The Varied Habitat In The Sanctuary Supports A Number Of Species Of Terrestrial, Aquatic And Arboreal Animals. Apart From Elephants, Other Herbivores In The Reserve Are Gaur, Bonnet Macaque,sambar Deer, Barking Deer, Jungle Cat, Nilgiri Langur, Lion-tailed Macaque, Mouse Deeretc Wild Dog, Tiger, Leopard, Etc Are The Major Carnivores Seen In The Area. Other Important Animals Are Jackal, Pangoline, Porcupine, Indian Giant Squirrel, Bear, Small Indian Civet, Mongoose,wild Boar And The Malabar Flying Squirrel.

This Placid Lake Is Located Near The Periyar National Reserve. Tourists Can Go For Boating And Enjoy The Serene Surroundings. If You Are Lucky You May Even Get A Chance To See Herds Of Elephants Bathing On The Lakeside.

A Very Pleasant And Warm Town, Nestled Between Cardamom Hills, Kumily Is An Interesting Tourist Destination In Idukki District. Enveloped By Tea And Spice Plantations, This Town Is A Must-visit To Understand The Rural Lifestyle Of The Region. Tourists Can Enjoy Typical Kerala Cuisine Also In This Town.

Very Famous For Breathtaking Views Of Scenic Spice Plantations, Murikkady Is Situated At A Distance Of Around 5 Km From Thekkady. Beautiful With Misty Mountains, Lush Green Valleys, Cardamom, Tea And Pepper Plantations, This Is A Picture Prefect Picnic Spot.

Another Pretty And Idyllic Town Which Is An Excellent Picnic Spot Is Pandikuzhi. Small Wild Streams And Lush Vegetation Are The Main Features Of This Attractive Spot. Situated At A Distance Of 10 Km From Idukki District, This Spot Is Excellent For Trekking Also.

An Ancient Temple (almost 2000 Years Old) Designed In Pandian Style Of Architecture, This Temple Is Dedicated To Devi Kannagi Or Mangala And Is At A Distance Of About 15 Km From Thekkady. Situated On The Top Of A Cliff And Surrounded By Trees, This Temple Is Visited By Many Pilgrims. Please Note That It Is Necessary To Get Permission From The Wildlife Authorities In Thekkady To Visit The Area.

This Town Is Very Popular As An Auction Center For Cardamom Spice. The Whole Town Is Filled With Plantations Of Cardamom. The Aroma Of Cardamom In The Air Of This Town Is Exhilarating. Guided Tours Are Available For Those Who Are Interested In Learning About Cardamom Cultivation In Detail.

Well Known For Martial Arts, Kalaripayattu, This Center Is A Place Where You Can Get A Firsthand Experience Of The Renowned Art. A Sport Which Is Unique To Kerala And Well Designed For Self-defence, Kalari Is Popular In The World Of Martial Arts. In Kadathanadan Center Visitors Can Watch This Art Form Through A Specially Designed Gallery.

Pullumedu Or �green Meadows�, Is A Small Charming Town Situated On The Banks Of The Periyar River. As The Name Suggests This Place Is Filled With Scenic Green Canopy. This Is A Good Spot To Go For Picnic And Relax In Peace. The Famous Shabarimala Ayyappa Temple Can Be Viewed From Here. Prior Permission From The Forest Officials Is Required To Visit This Place.

Famous For Gushing Waterfalls And Panoramic Valleys, This Is A Must-visit Place For Every Nature Lover. There Are Several Small Mountain Brooks In This Place And The Overall Natural Beauty Is Enticing. It Is Very Near To Cumbum, Which Is Famous For Lush Coconut Groves. Tourists Can Enjoy The View Of Those Beautiful Imposing Coconut Groves From Here.

Thekkady Does Not Have Many Big Shopping Areas, But One Important Area Is Kumily, Which Is Located At A Distance Of 4 Kilometers. Shopping In Thekkady Is Fun And Really Entertaining. There Are Many Small Colorful Stalls Of The Markets.you Can Find All Spices Of Fenugreek, White And Green Pepper, Rolls Of Cinnamon, Cardamom, Nutmeg, Star Anise, Coriander And Cloves Etc . Must Buy Nice Quality T-shirts For Your Kids That Have Tiger And Elephant Motifs On Them As A Memoir Of Your Kerala Visit.

There Are A Few Spice And Handicrafts Items Is Available In This Market . Cardamom And Pepper Etc Are Locally Available In And Around Kumily.

The Chola Handicraft Center Is Quite Big And Has Nice Collection. You Can Buy Garments And Clothes Made Up Of Silk, Cotton, Linen Etc.

Souvenirs, Message T-shirts, Post Cards, Wwf Products, Wildlife Books Etc Is Available.

Organic Garden Fresh Spices Like Tea, Coffee, Vanilla, Saffron, Cardamom,pepper, Cloves, Nutmeg, Nut Maze, Star Anise, Honey, Cinnamon, Ayurvedic Oils And Home Made Chocolates.

From Bagels To Croissants To French Toasts, This Modest Little Shack On A Narrow Lane Is Hard To Miss. Serving Some Of The Best Teatime Snacks And Scrumptious Takeaway Options, You Must Gorge On The Freshly Baked Croissants Here. They Are A Treat To The Eye And The Palate Of Course. French Restaurant And Bakery, Lake Road, Thekkady, Thekkady

A Lovely Place Surrounded By Bamboo Groves, Bamboo Cafe Is A Wonderful Hangout To Meet And Socialise With People From All Around The World, As A Large Number Of Tourists, Both From The Country And Abroad Come Here For A Quick Snack, A Fast Meal And Some Coffee. Serving Italian And Savoury Indian Food Both, This Is A Perfect Place For A Palate Which Is Not Too Spicy But Retains The Flavours Of Traditional Dishes. Bamboo Cafe, Lake Road, Thekkady Call : +91-94474-31950

A Humble Restaurant Offering Traditional Kerala Platter, Located Inside The Local Ymca Complex, Head Here For Gorging On Some Appams, With Fresh Chutney And Coconut Water. Vandanmedu Junction. Kumily Thekkady, Kerala, India