In and around Periyar National Park

Kerala’s noted wildlife wonder, Periyar Tiger Reserve ( also known as the Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary), can be accessed from a small town called Kumily, just at the border of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Kumily, interchangeably used with Thekkady, is the gateway to this densely forested sanctuary and is decidedly the highlight of this region. With all the trappings of a ‘much treaded’ tourist haunt, the small town is speckled with quintessential Kerala infusions like coffee and spices’ (mainly cardamom and pepper) plantations, elephant watching and a cultural bite of Kalaripayattu and Kathakali shows. Apart from the national park itself, the thick undergrowth of plantations and adjoining reserve forest area make Kumily a relaxing stopover amidst verdant surroundings, particularly for wildlife enthusiasts. While many tourists cover this hurriedly in a day, Thekkady and places around deserve at least 2-3 nights. One can loop this in with Cochin, Munnar and head out through Valparai and the Tamil Nadu end of Coimbatore for flights or trains.