Nature walk - The Guided day trek
The programme is offered between 7.00 am. and 10.30 am. and between 2.00 pm. and 3.00 pm. and lasts for about 3 hours. A maximum of 5 people can go for trekking at a time along each nature trail, accompanied by a trained tribal guide. The Nature walk is the right programme to feel nature, hear her whispers and smell her flowers.
There are different nature trails, generally 4 to 5 km. This is an interpretive programme offering excellent opportunity to watch birds, butterflies and other wildlife. The trails often pass through evergreen and moist deciduous forests interspersed with marshy grasslands.
The Periyas Tiger Trail - Adventure Trekking & Camping
The programme lasts 1 night/2 days and 2 nights/3 days. The first day's trek starts at 9 am and ends by noon in the second or third day. The team consists of a maximum of 5 visitors, 5 guides and 2 forest officials. Normally 20 to 35 kms. of trekking distance will be covered, depending on the route chosen.
Visitors who are medically fit and aged between 15 - 65 are advised to take the tiger trail. Visitors should be serious nature lovers willing to sacrifice some of the luxuries and comforts of a hotel. They will be aided by an able team.
Border Hiking - Protection oriented range hiking
This is a conservation oriented hard trek taking up a full day. The trekking starts at 8 o' clock in the morning and ends in the evening.
The route passes through undulating terrains. Altitudinal ranges of 900 meters to 1300 meters will be covered and the trekkers could glimpse the lofty escarpments bordering the park watershed and the vast plains down below. Gaur, sloth bear, elephant, etc. are often sighted along this route apart from birds and butterflies. Maximum of 10 tourist can take the programme in two different groups. The trekkers will go with two guides and an armed forest guard. Vegetarian refreshments can be had en route.
Bamboo Rafting- Dawn to dusk rnage hiking
This is a dawn to dusk range hiking and rafting programme through some of the richest forest tracts of Periyar Tiger Reserve. Starting at 8 am from the boat landing, a mosaic of habitats will be traversed before the party gets into rafts made of bamboos.
The forests are rich in bird life and arboreal animals like giant squirrel and Nilgiri langur. The rafting is for about three hours and one gets a panoramic view of forest-clad hills reflected on the lake. Animals like elephant, gaur and sambar are sighted keeping close to the edges of the lake. The team hitchhikes back to the boat landing by about 5 pm. An armed guard and 4 guides will accompany a maximum of 10 tourists. Tea, snacks and packed lunch will be served enroute.
Jungle Patrol - Shepherding the jungle
This programme is part of the regular night patrolling in the fringe eco-development zones of the tiger reserve.
The trekking could be at any time between 7 pm. and 4 am. and could be taken by persons having proper physical and mental fitness capable to trek through the wilderness in the night. The maximum duration for a slot is 3 hours and the maximum capacity of one slot is limited to 8 visitors (to move in two separate teams). They will accompany two protection watchers and one armed forest guard. Ideal to experience different world of nocturnal jungle life.
Tribal Heritage - A Peep Heritage
Mannans are among the oldest indigenous group of people to inhabit Periyar Tiger Reserve. Till as late as 1940's, they used to live in the remotest areas of the tiger reserve eking out a simple living by fishing in the lake and cultivating a few crops.
A tribal heritage museum built inside the Mannan settlement featuring various types of artifacts related to their ancient agricultural practices, marriage ceremonies, cultural events, dress code, rituals and death ceremonies is the hub of this ecotourism programme. Display of fishing gear, hunting weaponry, indigenous medicine and vessels, cereals, medicinal herbs, bamboo furnitures, etc. are other attractions providing a peep into their original culture.
Bullock Cart discoveries
Visit the farmlands of a village hidden in the valley behind the mountains of Periyar Tiger Reserve in a bullock cart. The village is rich in bird diversity .
With vineyards, diverse agricultural crops of mangoes, tamarind, onions, sunflower, jasmine and a score of other vegetables, the village symbolises blend of culture and beauty.
Boat cruise in periyar lake
The sanctuary is centered around the large artificial lake formed by the dam across the Periyar river. The boat trip is over an area of 26 sq. kms. in the man-made lake of Thekkady. The rides lasts bout 2 hours. One can see the wild animals along the shore of the lake bathing, drinking, resting and foraging. Time: 7am, 9.30am, 11.30am, 2pm & 4pm. Experience the wildernes !
Trekking
Main trekking areas in Thekkady : Kurisumala near Kumily, Pullumedu, Ottakathalamedu: 5 km from Kumily, Grampi near Vandiperiyar. The Forest Department conducts daily treks from the boat landing station at Thekkady to the Nellikkampetty area and Manakkavala. Starting : 0700 hrs.
Mullaiperiyar Dam
Mullaperyiar dam was built by British in 1895. It stands on Peryiar river whose flow originates from Thekkady.The dam was built mainly for watering the fields of Tamil Nadu, perenially drought - prone. Even though the dam is now in Kerala, most of the water in the reservoir is still released to Tamil Nadu.The dam is 175 feet high and is 5704 feet long.
Murikaddy (5 kms from Thekkady)
Washed in fresh spice scented air, Murikkady is a panorama of cardamom, coffee and pepper plantations. Thekkady wild corridor is located in one such plantation.
Elephants rides
An exciting package of elephant ride for interested tourists is found. This ride would be through countryside villages with stop over at intermediary places. The duration can be stretched to any length of time as per actual requirement of the tourist. Thekkady offers facilities for elephant rides through the jungle as well. Time: 10:00 to 17:00 hrs. Duration of a trip: 30 minutes
Jeep Safari
Jeep Safaris can be made in Private Drive Jeeps.
Plantation visit
Plantation Eco-Tours are arranged by the resort . Tours cover cardamom, pepper, coffee and tea plantations, tea factories, tribal settlements and the surrounding hill regions.