Location:
Thekkady, about 4 km from Kumili in Idukki district, central Kerala
The pride of Kerala and a testimony to nature's splendour and human innovation,
the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Periyar lake
- an artificial lake, at Thekkady. Here the high ranges of the Western Ghats
are clothed in dense evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savannah grasslands.
Below this thick green canopy roam herds of elephants, sambars, tigers, gaurs,
lion tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs.
In addition to elephant rides, cruises on the lake and treks to the ruined
Mangaladevi temple - a beautiful old stone temple situated in the heart of
the Thekkady forest, this sanctuary offers the unique opportunity to watch
and photograph wild elephants at close quarters.
Lake Palace and Aranya Nivas are two idyllic accommodation options set in
the sylvan lake side background. The romantic Lake Palace, formerly a summer
retreat of the Maharaja of Travancore, is built on a small island accessible
only by boat. Aranya Nivas(Jungle Retreat) a stone lodge with rubble masonry
and colonial style of architecture at the head of the lake is a premium property
of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation.
Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Kottayam, about 114 km
Nearest airports: Madurai (Tamilnadu) about 140 km; Cochin International
Airport, about 190 km.
Interested
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