Thekkady must easily rank as one of the best and most unique wild life destinations in India. Enchanting and exotic at the same time, this national park is a must see for any wildlife lover.

Nestling high in the Western ghats, the park covers a large area of around 800 sq kms. A man made lake covering 26 sq kms (catchment area of the Periyar reservoir) runs through the park. Most wild life viewing is done in exotic style through boat safaris. This offers breathtaking views of animals which frequent the banks of the lake looking for food and water.

Thekkady is pristine elephant country, thanks to the plentiful vegetation and water supply. Large herds are quite commonly seen, sometimes very close to the boat jetty. Other animals seen in plenty are Gaur

are extremely playful. The park has around 40 tigers, but these are not easy to spot.

Periyar has some of the most beautiful rain forests in South India. You can trek through some of the lush valleys with the help of a trained guide; and if lucky, may come face to face with a tusker or a bison. For the more serious enthusiasts, there are watch towers and guest houses deep inside the forests which one can rent through the park authorities.