Thekkady || Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
The drive to Thekkady is enchanting as the road winds through tranquill countryside, rich plantations & thick jungles. Lying close to the plantations, in the rich jungles of Periyar in Thekkady is one of the world's most fascinating natural wildlife reserves - the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary, 60 km from Idukki, 190km from Cochin and 114km away from Kottayam is open throughout the year, but the best season for a visit is from September to March. The sanctuary is centered around the large (24 sq km) artificial lake formed by a dam across the Periyar river. The main attraction is a boat trip over this man-made lake of Thekkady, where you can have the unique experience of viewing wildlife at close quarters from the safety of a boat on the lake. The greatest attraction of Periyar remains the large herds of wild elephants that come down to the lake's edge. The forest department arranges elephant rides and trekking inside the sanctuary. Entry to the park is between 6am - 6pm.