A land that is covered with evergreen forests, savanna grasslands, and deciduous forests. A land that encloses the famous Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and sprawls over an area of 300 square miles; a land that straddles the border between the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. That is Thekkady for you, a travellers’ paradise, a place which holds umpteen surprises around every bend in the road.

Thekkady is a beautiful place that can be visited any time of the year, however, if you are thinking of a summer getaway to Thekkady, here are ten reasons why you must.

A cool boat cruise in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Periyar National Park

You are seated on the upper deck of a boat as it glides through the pristine waters of the Periyar lake. As you enjoy the views of the serene and almost Nordic kind of landscapes, birds swoop down on the water. Your gaze rivets to the forests on either side of the river where you may see herds of buffaloes or elephants grazing or drinking water. If you are super lucky, you may even catch the majestic sight of a tiger.

 

A nocturnal trek in the jungles. It is pitch dark. You walk in single file behind the guide as he leads the way. He stops in his tracks and everyone freezes. What is it? The darkness has an eerie but fascinating aura as you glance towards the spot where the guide shows his torch. In the spotlight of the torch, you see an antelope and a fawn with wide-eyed innocent eyes. The thrill of watching animals in the forest in the dark is an altogether different experience.

An exciting off-roading experience

Thekkady offers excitement galore, and one of the most exciting things to do is to board a jeep and head off on a thrilling off-roading experience. As you hang on to the railing in the jeep for dear life, the jeep careens wildly across rocks and non-existent paths. You enter what seems like an impregnable forest, the jeep cuts across wild creepers, and you emerge on the top of a hillock. When you look back and see the sheer vertical drop below, a gasp of incredulity is sure to escape from you.

Bamboo rafting

periyar lake boat ride Thekkady kerala Image

Thekkady offers great opportunities for communing with nature. One of the very satisfying experience is trekking in the forests to reach a remote part of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and board a bamboo raft for an adrenaline dose of excitement.

Breathe in the aroma of a cardamom plantation visit

Thekkady is spice country which is flush with cardamom plantations. A visit to a cardamom plantation is something one must do in Thekkady. The fragrance of the experience is sure to linger for a long time just like the heady fragrance of the spice.

Frolic with some elephants

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

If you think Kerala or Thekkady, elephants can’t be far behind. Have a jumbo experience interacting with elephants at the Elephant Junction in Thekkady. You can bathe the elephants and take photos with them here.

Take a nature walk

Thekkady

The lush green cover of Thekkady, its lakes, and hills and vibrant flora and fauna are a naturalists’ delight. Arm yourself with a heavy dose of curiosity and follow your naturalist guide into the jungles of Thekkady for an enlightening and enriching experience amidst nature.

Stay in a cool tree house

The best way to cool off in summer is to stay like the birds. High up in the air. A treehouse stay in Thekkady is a unique and enjoyable experience. Waking up to the sounds of nature high up in the midst of trees is an experience that will remain etched in memory for a long time.

Go bird-watching and listen to the sounds of the Malabar Whistling Thrush

The environs of Thekkady are a paradise for budding bird watchers and seasoned ornithologists alike. Be enthralled by listening to the human-like whistle of the Malabar Whistling Thrush, a native of this region.

Just relax and enjoy the local cuisine

You want to do nothing on your holiday. You just want to soak in the atmosphere and laze around. Thekkady is the place for you. Enjoy your holiday by indulging in the local cuisine like Thoran, Inji Puli, Puttu, or a full-scale Sadhya.

There are so many reasons to head to Thekkady this summer and no reason not to. Get away amidst the natural bounty of Thekkady. Remember your home away from home Sterling Thekkady awaits to welcome you with open arms.