The hill station of Thekkady has always been a popular family holiday spot and honey moon destination. However off late, this picturesque destination has also emerged as a hub for adventure tourism in Kerala. Though adventure sports is still in its nascent stage in Kerala, thekkady offers some of the best unexplored and challenging options any adventure lover could ask for . Some of the must do activities include the following
Trekking
Thekkady offers excellent trekking options in its many hills and mountains along the fringes of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. The trekking trails along the forests also offer ample scope for spotting wild life. Prior permission should be obtained from wildlife authorities for guided trekking where an experienced guide will lead the trekkers safely through the Reservoir woods. Kurisamala to Kumily and Kumily to Pandikuzhi are some of the most favorite trekking routs.. The Kerala forest department organizes daily treks, which are kicked off from the boat landing station in Thekkady and extend up to Nellikkampetty and Manakkavala.
Nature Walk
This guided day trek organized by the Thekkady Forest Departmen is a great option to explore the wilderness and beauty of the Periyar Forests at its best. A group of 5 people including an expert guide will cover the thick forests of the Periyar wild sanctuary on foot, traversing a challenging terrain including marshy lands and meadows. The trek will cover a distance of 4-5 km and is completed in 3 hours. The trekkers set out at 7 am in the morning and will return by 2.30. The afternoon session starts at 2.00 and ends at 5.00. Nature walk offers a perfect opportunity for the tourists to take a peek at the diverse and rich wild life of the region. This exciting outdoor activity enables you to relax and enjoy the unspoilt charm of nature.
The Periyar Tiger Trail
The ultimate dream of any adventure tourist- The Periyar Tiger Trail is a trekking expedition that takes you right into the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, the famous tiger reserve. Conducted by a group of guides who were once poachers , the 2-3 day tiger trail includes a team of 5 tourists accompanied by 5 guides and 2 armed forest guards. The guides know the surroundings like the back of their hands and the armed guards are competent in defense techniques also. Prior permission from the forest department has to be obtained. Those who wish to participate in the tiger trails should be medically fit and should be in the age group of 15 to 65, as the tiger trail could be a strenuous affair.
The trail covers a distance of over 20 to 35 km through dense forests that have a diverse wild life population comprising of elephants, Nilgiri langur and giant squirrel among others. If you are lucky , you can even spot the reclusive tiger, the pride of the wild life reserve. During the night the group will camp in the forests in tents and cook meals using vegetables sourced from the jungle. The tiger trail is an exciting adventure activity for sure . But beyond that it is a surveillance mechanism that will keep a tab on any illegal activities that might take place in these dense forests. A life time adventure activity, the tiger trail is the ultimate option to have a brush with the wilderness of nature and the beasts.
Bamboo Rafting
Bamboo rafting through the Periyar Lake is a delightful option to enjoy the panoramic views around and to enjoy a rafting experience alike. You can spot many majestic animals like elephants, sambar and gaur as they come to the river banks to quench their thirsts. A group of rafters include about 10 tourists, 4 guides and an armed guard.
