Lake Palace, a former summer palace of the King of Travancore, is situated on an island in the middle of the Periyar Lake – 20 minutes by boat from the mainland. Located inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve, this is where the British Viceroys and Governor-Generals used to take time off from the world to listen to the call of the wild. This lakeside jungle resort with 6 rooms and antique interiors within the Periyar Tiger Reserve is ideal for guests to watch elephant herds playing by the lakeside or take a trek across the jungle in the trail of the majestic tiger. Life couldn’t get any more royal than this.
Kumily: This plantation town, closely associated with Thekkady, situated on the outskirts of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, is an important centre for shopping and spice trade.
Mangala Devi Temple: This ancient temple is situated hidden in the dense woods on top of a peak, at around 1337 m above sea level. The temple, believed to be more than 2,000 years old, is built in the traditional Kerala style of architecture. The peak commands a panoramic view of the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats and some hill villages of Tamil Nadu. Permission to visit the area can be obtained from the Wildlife Warden.
Tribal Museum, Kumily: This museum depicts the culture and lifestyle of the tribals inhabiting the region. The museum was set up and is being managed by the members of the local tribal community.
Periyar Tiger Interpretation Centre, Thekkady: This interpretation centre provides valuable and detailed information about the Periyar Tiger Reserve. This is a treasure house for wildlife tourists and eco-tourists.
Wildlife boat cruises on the Periyar Lake: Boating on the Periyar Lake enables visitors to have a close look at the wildlife that inhabits the surrounding forests. Groups of elephant, wild boar, bison and sambar can be seen moving along the banks skirting the forest. And water birds, perched on tree stumps with their wings spread present a delightful sight while boating.
Nature walk and Green walk: This is a 3-hour daytime trekking in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Bamboo rafting: A full-day rafting and trekking programme managed by the local tribal community.
Border hiking: A full-day trekking programme to the borders of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Elephant rides: Elephant rides inside the wildlife sanctuary.
Jungle Patrol: A 3-hour night-time trekking programme inside the wildlife sanctuary.
Windy walk: A predominantly open area, full-day trekking programme inside the sanctuary through grasslands and shola forests.
Cloud’s walk: A full-day trekking through the borders of the forest and plantations which offer panoramic views of the landscape.
Range scan: Trekking through inter-state forest boundary predominantly mountainous with higher probability of viewing wildlife.
Bullock cart discovery: A 3-hour ride in a bullock cart outside the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Plantation tours: This tour covers visits to spice, coffee and tea plantations, tea factories, tribal settlements etc.