Getting to know Thekkady, Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala – Photo journal
Rafting cost us Rs. 1000/- per person.
Thekkady means wildlife! Elephants, bison, boar, deer… I was ready to greet the tiger, but didn’t see one despite a night patrol with the forest guards with torches, guns and a line of elephants on either side of us! The sound of leaves rustling under our feet on a moonless, starry night…
Elephants at Periyar
Rafting on a bamboo raft
We took a bamboo rafting package for the whole day from 8am to 5.30pm. It cost just Rs. 1000/- per person. The food was vegetarian: bananas, bread and jam for breakfast, rice and chole curry for lunch and an orange in the evening.
Fish abound, but we are vegetarian. Let it go, please.
Cardamom growing at the base of the tree/shrub
Green cardamom, elaichi pods fresh on the tree.
Coffee beans still on the tree
Coffee, pepper, cinnamon, clove and cardamom plantations in Thekkady are also engaging.
Enthurium
Wild boar in their natural home
Travel guide: Thekkady, Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala
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Thekkady in Idduki district of Kerala is not far from Ernakulum, which was our base city. Periyar Tiger Reserve and National Park is famous for its dense jungle – a happy mix of evergreen, semi-evergreen, and deciduous trees.
Periyar is home to elephants, deer, tigers, bison, boars, macaques and Nilgiri langur monkeys, and much more.
Periyar river provides for much frolic for animals and tourists alike. Rafting is one activity here, and watching elephants play in the water is another :-)
[Photo credit: Pratima and Rammuni Kapoor]