Sunday 29 November 2015

Periyar Tiger Trail



Periyar Tiger Trail and Thekkady trekking is unique in being conducted by a team of poachers who turned protectors of the forests. Thekkady trekking provides an opportunity for the visitors to explore wildlife up close, deep inside the forest. Periyar Tiger Trail is conducted by the forest department. The tourists will be protected by experienced and skilled guards. These people possess exceptional knowledge about the terrain and wildlife.
Inviting all serious nature lovers who are medically fit and aged between 15 - 65 and are willing to sacrifice some of the luxuries and comforts of a hotel. Periyar Tiger Trail team consists of a maximum of 5 visitors, 5 guides and one forest official. Usually, a distance of 20 to 35 km. will be covered during the trekking in Thekkady.  


Boating in thekkady lake provides a herd of elephants or a wandering family of deer are common sights near the lake. In the hot months of March and April, visitors stand a better chance of viewing wildlife as the animals come to the lake frequently for drinking water. In Thekkady boating You may be able to spot herds of Gaur, Sambar and wild boars in the grasslands adjacent to the shores in thekkady boating.

Monday 23 November 2015

Bamboo Rafting

Bamboo rafting in Thekkady is a relaxing and awe-inspiring experience, you surely don't want to miss. All you need is to just float in the water; it makes you feel that you are on top of the world!

Bamboo rafting is a dawn to dusk hiking and rafting program through the rich forest of the Periyar Tiger Reserve, on a bamboo raft. It starts at 8am and ends at 5pm. The team will consist of a maximum of 10 tourists accompanied by 4 guards, along with one armed guard for protection. The team will hitchhike back to the boat landing by about 5 pm.  



While on bamboo rafting, you get a panoramic view of forest-clad hills reflected on the lake. While on the raft, you feel the cold water splashing on your face. Anyone having a basic level of fitness can participate in bamboo rafting. Expert local guides are there to help you in riding the raft out and gliding it through the water.


Animals like elephant, gaur and sambar are sighted keeping close to the edges of the lake. The forests are very rich in avian species like cormorant, hornbill, heron, kingfisher, Brahmin kite, Snake bird and arboreal animals like Giant squirrel and Nilgiri Langur. Bamboo rafting offers a close view of these wildlife beauties.

Friday 30 October 2015

Clouds walk

Clouds walk is a must do activity when you are in Thekkady. It is a long guided trek for about 3-4 hrs up the mountains and forests.
The quest of a mountain trekker is for the freedom of the hills, to be at home in the high wilderness with no barriers that he cannot pass, no danger he cannot avoid with due caution and proper knowledge. This quest gives him/her true bliss. He develops real love for the mountain regions and appreciation of their grandeur.

Trekking leads to a closer interest in plants, trees, birds and animals, indeed in all forms of natural study. It inculcates the virtue of sacrifice, the value of physical exertion, sometimes to the limit of endurance, and above all, the spirit of comradeship. A sense of adventure adds excitement to the trek.

Trekking is an art which any healthy and young minded person can learn at any age. But it is best to start early in life to get the most out of it. Trekking does not demand great strength or immense wealth but merely your desire and willingness. A sound trekker is mindful of his own minimum needs; he must give up certain comforts and avoid burdening himself with the non-essentials.

By participating in the trek, you feel the lifestyle and the landscape of the tribal and non tribal communities. From the vantage point, you can have a look at grasslands, evergreen, deciduous and riverine forest and the expanses of irrigated arid land across the border where the nectar from the river Periyar provides the breath of life. Hotel Tigers Roare provides you an excellent opportunity to enjoy trekking if you choose to stay with us. Visit http://www.tigersroarperiyar.com/

Thursday 15 October 2015

Elephant Ride

Elephant ride is a very interesting activity, conducted in Thekkady. Elephants are and will always be a fantasy to people. One can enjoy a ride on an elephant through a spice plantation where a light gentle breeze will refresh you with the mild scented air.


Elephants are a common sight on our roads and temples and are still used in forestry operations. They are an ideal option to explore some inaccessible places in the jungles. Elephant safari helps the visitor to travel through such difficult terrains where even jeeps can't venture! Most of all, an elephant ride in the Periyar wildlife sanctuary gets you up close and personal with these majestic animals.

Riding an elephant takes you back to the royal era, when only the Kings used to ride on these majestic creatures. Elephant Safari in thekkady is equipped with a howdah, a large seat on which they and the visitors sit, and with an umbrella over the riders head. The elephant moves slowly and steadily, that's why this type of safari is ideal in and around the wild regions, where riding the elephant can give you an easy access for viewing the unknown wildlife. 


Usually this activity lasts from 30min to 1hr and will be accompanied by guards. At a time only two tourists can take the ride. During your ride, you can watch the wild elephants taking bath in the water bodies. If you are interested in photography, then you can easily take pictures of the wildlife while riding and cherish them as souvenirs of your fantastic journey into the forest. Hotel Tigers Roare provides you an excellent opportunity to enjoy this activity if you choose to stay with us. Visit http://www.tigersroarperiyar.com/ 

Friday 25 September 2015

Boating in Thekkady - Book your seats online!

Boating in the Periyar Lake is a wonderful experience. The lake was formed by the construction of the Mullaperiyar dam in 1895. The lake is surrounded by the lush greenery of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. There is a good chance of seeing wild animals drinking, bathing and resting along the shores of the lake.
Periyar Lake

Boating in periyar lake is arranged by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation. The ride will be for 1-2 hours and the boat trips are scheduled at 7 am, 9.30 am, 11.30 am, 2 pm and 4 pm. Seating capacity of the boats vary from 15 to 150. Lower deck fare: Rs 25 + 10 (entrance fee) Upper deck fare: 50 + 10 (entrance fee). Boating is a low intensity activity that everyone can enjoy. This was the first activity introduced in the Periyar Tiger Reserve. 
Herd of elephants

A herd of elephants or a wandering family of deer is common sights near the lake. In the hot months of March and April, visitors stand a better chance of viewing wildlife as the animals come to the lake frequently for drinking water. You may be able to spot herds of Gaur, Sambar, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer and wild boars in the grasslands adjacent to the shores during the boating in thekkady.
Common kingfisher

A variety of avian fauna such as darters, egrets, great pied hornbill, pigeons, galliform birds, and kingfishers can be seen resting on dead tree trunks that stick out over the lake. During your boat ride, there is also a high probability of observing the antics of the Smooth Indian Otter. It’s more fun if one is lucky enough to see the elephants playing with their babies in the lake!

Online booking option is available for boating. 25% of the total boat tickets in each schedule will be available online. Following is the link to book your tickets online. Plan a trip to thekkady and explore wildlife.

Tuesday 8 September 2015

Things to do in Thekkady

Plantation Tours

Plantation tours are organized by the District Tourism Information Office at Thekkady Junction in Kumily. The spice plantation tour is one among the most important activities outside the reserve that a traveler can engage in. It provides a chance to understand why the Kerala cuisine is different from most of the other Indian cuisines. 
Thekkady plantations
There are several spice gardens around this beautiful area. One has to spend two hours to understand different types of spice plants available around this area. The tour gives you a chance to enjoy cardamom, pepper, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and many other varieties of medicinal plants. Tour also covers plantations, tea factories, tribal settlements and the surrounding hill regions. The service of an experienced guide will give full and detailed explanation of the plants and its uses.

Elephant rides

The Forest Department, Thekkady offers facilities for elephant safaris through the jungle. In this safari, visitors will get a chance to be seated on top of an elephant and they are taken along rides in to the spice plantation to get the good views of hills, valleys and mountains. Time: 10:00 - 17:00 hrs.  Duration: 30 Minutes. Fare: Rs.30 per person. It may include elephant ride, elephant shower, elephant feeding etc.

Trekking

The main trekking areas in Thekkady are Pullumedu, Kurisumala near Kumily, Grampi near Vandiperiyar and Ottakathalamedu near Kumily. 
Jungle trekking
The Forest Department conducts daily treks from the boat landing station at Thekkady to the Nellikkampetty area and Manakkavala. Starting: 07:00 hrs. Fare: Rs.10 + entrance fee.  Booking can be made with the Wildlife Preservation Officer, Thekkady.

Boating

The tourist centre located at Thekkady offers two-hour boating trips, arranged by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, at the man-made lake close to the periyar wildlife sanctuary. 
A boat cruise on periyar lake
Herds of elephants or a wandering family of deer are common sights near the lake. Travelers stand a much better chance of viewing wildlife because the animals come to the lake often for drinking water. You will be able to spot herds of Gaur, Sambar and wild boars within the grasslands adjacent to the shores. Timings: 07:00, 09:30, 11:30, 14:00, 16:00 hrs.

Hotel Tigers Roare provides you an excellent opportunity to enjoy these activities if you choose to stay with us. You can explore the beauty of the wilderness and the purity of nature. Visit http://www.tigersroarperiyar.com/ 

Monday 31 August 2015

Tourist spots in and around Thekkady

Thekkady is a perfect destination for those who are in search of adventure, fun, wildlife and nature. There are a lot of interesting activities like bird watching, boating, jungle safari etc, which will give you a chance to spot wild animals in their natural habitat.

Periyar Lake
Periyar lake is located near the Periyar national reserve. Tourists can go for boating and enjoy the calm and serene surroundings. If you are lucky you will even get a chance to see wild animals. 

Periyar Lake

Periyar National Park
Periyar national park's environment is like a portrait of many shades. The fresh air of the moist deciduous forest provides one a chance to experience the peace and serenity and long to come back for more. The major animals to be seen in the Periyar wildlife sanctuary are Elephants, Tiger, Gaur, Wild Pigs, Sambar, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Dole or Indian Wild Dog, lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri Langur, Common Langur, Bonnet Macaque, Nilgiri Tahr, Monitor lizards, Python.

Mangala Devi Temple
It is an ancient temple designed in Pandian style of architecture around 2000 years ago. This temple is devoted to Hindu deity Devi Mangala or Kannagi and is at a distance of about 15 km from Thekkady.  
The Mangaladevi Temple
Located on the top of a cliff and enclosed by trees, this temple is visited by many pilgrims. It is necessary to get permission from the wildlife authorities of Thekkady to visit this area.

Murikkady
Murikkady is located at  5 kms from Thekkady. This place is popular for rich and varied plantations of cardamom, tea and pepper, the beautiful misty mountains, breathtaking views of scenic spice plantations, lush green valleys. A perfect picnic spot for nature lovers.
Spice plantations

Chellarkovil
This village lies on the Kerala-Tamilnadu border. Village is famous for the gushing waterfalls and picturesque valleys. There are many small rivers around this place. This place is located very close to Cumbum.

Wednesday 19 August 2015

Periyar Tiger reserve

Periyar Tiger Reserve, located in Idukki and Pathanamthitta districts of Kerala is one among the 27 reserves of India meant for the conservation of Tigers. The climate and the scenic beauty of the landscape makes this place unique from others. It is extended over an area of 777 sq.km. It forms the major watershed of two important rivers of Kerala, the Periyar and the Pamba. 

Periyar Lake

The tiger reserve has a rich diversity of animals. The diverse forest types found here supports rare and endangered animals, huge variety of birds and reptiles. It is also home to a large number of butterflies. The periyar tiger reserve is a real paradise for bird watchers. The great pied hornbill, water birds, pigeons, galliform birds, raptors etc. can be spotted there. Also, the reserve has around 30 species of snakes, 13 species of lizard  and 2 species of turtles.

Tiger

Even though the reserve is  dedicated for the conservation tigers, the Periyar Tiger Reserve is also noted for its good population of elephants. Elephants can be seen wandering around in herds, especially at the outskirts of lake. Other animals  that have a notable presence in the tiger reserve are the Malabar giant squirrel, the highly endangered Lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, the Sambar, the wild pig and the Gaur. Bamboo rafting, Day trekking programme, Jungle Inn, Tribal Heritage, Elephant ride, Boating etc. are some of the activities that you can enjoy at Thekkady.

Getting there:
By road: Periyar Tiger Reserve, Thekkady is about 4 km from Kumili in Idukki district, and is well connected by road from all major towns of Kerala.
Nearest railway stations: Kottayam, about 114 km; Changanassery, about 120 km.
Nearest airports:  Cochin International Airport, about 190 km; Madurai, about 140 km.