Thekkady_Periyar Tiger Reserve 7th-9th May 2016


Thekkady is located near to Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. The sanctuary is famous for its dense evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savanna grass lands. It is home to herds of elephants, sambar, tigers, gaur, lion-tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs.
The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is spread across 777  sq km , of which 360  sq km is thick evergreen forest. The wildlife sanctuary was declared a tiger reserve in 1978. The splendid artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River adds to the charm of the park. The greatest attractions of Periyar are the herds of wild elephants, deer and bison that come down to drink in the lake. The sanctuary can be accessed through a trekking, boating or jeep safari. Periyar is one of the 48 tiger reserves in India. Zealously guarded and efficiently managed reserve is a repository of rare, endemic and endangered flora and fauna and forms the major watershed of two important rivers of Kerala, the Periyar and Pamba. Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary (PNP) is a protected area in the districts of Idukki, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta in Kerala, India. It is notable as an elephant reserve and a tiger reserve.

Ok now let’s start.My bus was at 7 PM form majestic to Kumily.Luckily I had booked my room at the Hornbill cottage a week ago.I reached kumily bus station @ 7.30 AM the next day(8th).My hotel guy picked me up from the bus station to the hotel.I got freshed up and the auto was ready to take me to Periyar tiger reserve bamboo rafting half day program which I had booked online through the help of Jamal(hotel manager).Here’s the link - http://www.periyarfoundation.online/home.html . I was taken to a hotel nearby for the breakfast.It was a Jain hotel and I had yummy poori baaji.Then I was taken to the Bamboo rafting center.I had some conversation with the local guides in the office.

The office at the entrance 

Museum next to office

Museum 

They said that there was another person joining me on the same day.I had to fill up a form.Later my partner arrived ! Marcia was from Switzerland ! We started @9.30 introducing about ourselves and exchanged information about our countries.We were given a bag which had lunch box,water bottle and an apple and were accompanied by a police and 2 forest guides who guided us about the forest and animals all the way.We spotted some wild monkeys,squirrels and some birds.Sounds of the animals and birds all the way was spectacular.We also found some huts and were informed by the guides that they were forest tribals and were allowed only for fishing,plucking cardamom,cinnamon etc…
Wild Squirrel

My Swiss mate with the 2 forest officers behind

Wild forest flower

Bison Skull


It was a 4 km walk and then we reached a beautiful spot where we had to start our rafting.We were taken to the balcony of a small building where we had our lunch which consisted of a chapathi rolled with vegetables,cakes,puffs,buns etc,,,we also drank the fruit juice. I retained the apple for my evening snack.Now, the fun part.Bamboo rafting. For 2 hrs.It just began and it was damn peaceful.I just didn’t want to come out of the lake at all..We could spot variety of birds and it was pin drop silence around ! What a day it was.I was thrilled and my brain was energized 100 times more.That’s what I wanted.A complete changed weekend….

The lunch

All set for the bamboo ride 

We enjoying.


We now had to walk again for 4 km…I also found a forest mango and Bison skull ! We reached back to the forest office at 2.30 PM…I had to say good bye to Marcia and thank her for the wonderful day.My auto was ready Which took me to the room.After a long rest till the evening, I decided to take a stroll in the city.So headed out at 6 PM to the local market.Had my dinner in a hotel and purchased a T-Shirt,a fridge magnet and off course the famous Kerala banana chips.Later reached room at 8 PM and had a good night sleep.
The next day morning Jamal arranged home made idlis and tea for breakfast .After discussing with him for a while , he suggested me to visit the spice garden and later to periyar boating.he arranged me an auto.It was a topless auto where I could stand and watch all the spice garden and hills along my way through the spice Garden.he also took me to a view pont which was amazing.
Idlis

View point

Me at the view point

Topless auto

From there we moved to the Spice garden which followed with a lot of information about the spice plantation in Kerala.

Spice Route !

Me in the spice garden

Spice and herbal plants

From there we headed toward the boating area.I had to purchase the ticket and wait for the motor boats to arrive.The boats were very neatly maintained and guide was awesome.After a while it was my lucky day since we could spot the forest elephants drinking water near the lake side..Boat was almost near the Elephants..It was just splendid.The entire ride was full of bird watching …All worth it ! 
Elephants

Birds

Me in the boat
Another bird

That's the boat !

I was taken to my hotel with some packed puffs and cakes near the bus stand for my lunch.I had to pack my bags since the bus back to Bangalore was @ 7 PM.After a long nap, finally I had to say bye to Jamal and his family and thank them for the wonderful hospitality.Jamal is a Police SI in Kumly Police station and alos had travelled to Europe.He took me till the bus and then I reached Bangalore the next day at 7.30 AM.
What an awesome weekend.Just the way I wanted…peaceful !