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/