- What – Jungle Resort and Reserve Forest in Kerala, Southern India
- When – Sept’2022.
- Travel –
- 500+ Km car drive from Bangalore. Started – 5AM. Arrival 3PM with BF and Lunch break
- Highlights –
- If you are looking for jungle resort and animal siting is not your criteria then I find this place is a good replacement of Kabini in Karanataka. Kabini needs too much early booking and very expensive. This place has few more hours of extra drive, but has all ingredient in terms of peaceful surrounding, bird chirping and so on.
- Periyar national park has many short programs such as, Walk into the jungle during day as well as night time, boat ride, overnight stay well inside jungle in tents (Need prior booking) etc. Check details on their website here.
- We stayed in Aranya Nivas, KTDC Jungle resort which is inside the boundary of Periyar national reserve. It is adjacent to the state boat club where rides to Periyar National reserve lake starts.
- Must Stay – If you get a chance, do stay in Lake Palace which is located on lake island, connected only via boats plying occasionally or on request. It is a unique experience to stay completely isolated from the world and be with the nature.
- In general ambience is very good if you stay inside the forest reserve. One may or may not like the food though.
- Lowlights
- Getting booking at lake palace is tough and costly. Aranya Nivas is good option.
- It is expected when you visit any jungle resort, but there are lot of monkeys around. Take due precaution.
- I heard vacation time place is very crowded, try to visit off season.
- General Location hints
- Reserve forest gate closes at 5PM. Make sure to reach premises before that. For Lake palace even earlier as there is boat ride to reach resort.
- Thekkady as such is a developed town. There are multiple options for hotel and stay, however none to my knowledge would give true experience of jungle stay. So prefer staying inside reserve. Read reviews on web to find more.
- In town, one can find good local shops for spices and chocolate – Must buy
- There are also Kashmiri shops everywhere for art and craft. – Buy if you really want, usually lot of bargaining happens.
- Suitable Time Period
- One can visit any time during the year. Monsoon offers lush green jungle, Winters offers pleasant weather.
- If you are going in summer expect not so pleasant weather during day time.
- One can visit any time during the year. Monsoon offers lush green jungle, Winters offers pleasant weather.
- Arrangements – Self.
- STAR Rating – 4/5
- Resort Link – Aranya Nivas, Lake Palace
