Thekkady: Into the Wild Heart of Kerala

Step away from the cool, manicured tea gardens of the hills and plunge into a raw, untamed world where the jungle drums beat loudest. Welcome to Thekkady—Kerala's ultimate destination for wildlife, spice, and adventure.

Situated around the renowned Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Thekkady offers a powerful, immersive experience that is fundamentally different from any other spot in Kerala. It’s a place where you don't just observe nature; you become part of it.

Attractions at Thekkady

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary—The Floating Forest

The heart of Thekkady is the Periyar National Park, one of the most famous wildlife reserves in India.

The Unique Boat Safari:

Unlike traditional jeep safaris, the most iconic way to explore Periyar is via a boat ride on the Periyar Lake. The lake, formed by a dam, has trees standing half-submerged in the water, creating an unforgettable "floating forest" landscape.

Wildlife Sightings:
From the safety of the boat, you can often spot herds of majestic Indian elephants bathing or drinking at the water's edge, as well as sambar deer, gaur (Indian bison), and numerous bird species. Keep your camera ready—it’s a photographer's paradise!

The Aromatic Spice Gardens

Thekkady's air is rich, humid, and intoxicatingly fragrant. This region is the epicenter of Kerala's spice cultivation, and a visit here is incomplete without a walk through a thriving plantation.

A Sensory Journey: Embark on guided tours through lush gardens where you can touch, smell, and taste raw cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, and nutmeg.

Learn and Shop: These tours teach you how these valuable spices grow and are harvested, giving you a chance to buy fresh, organic spices directly from the source.

Adventure and Trekking Trails

For the active traveler, Thekkady offers several immersive eco-tourism activities organized by the Forest Department, often utilizing former poachers as highly knowledgeable guides:

Bamboo Rafting:
A thrilling dawn-to-dusk program combining trekking and bamboo rafting through the park’s remote forest areas, offering chances to spot wildlife up close.

Border Hiking: Challenging full-day treks along the forest periphery, providing magnificent views of the valley and an adrenaline rush.

Night Patrol: For the brave, joining the forest patrol at night provides a unique perspective on the nocturnal life of the jungle, making for an unforgettable memory.

The Thekkady Essence

Thekkady is about rawness and authenticity. It’s where the rustle of the leaves might signal a wild boar, and the early morning mist hangs heavy with the scent of wild pepper and elephant grass. It's a vital, living landscape that reconnects you to the ancient rhythms of the jungle.


Rengith Mathew
Pooja Online Magazine