Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Thekkady

Location: Near Kumili in Idukki district, central Kerala

The pride of Kerala and a testimony to nature's splendour and human innovation, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Periyar lake - an artificial lake, at Thekkady. Here the high ranges of the Western Ghats are clothed in dense evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savannah grasslands. Below this thick green canopy roam herds of elephants, sambars, tigers, gaurs, lion tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs.

In addition to elephant rides, cruises on the lake and treks to the ruined Mangaladevi temple - a beautiful old stone temple situated in the heart of the Thekkady forest, this sanctuary offers the unique opportunity to watch and photograph wild elephants at close quarters.

Wild animals especially tigers frequently come out of the forest to drink water from the lake. Lake Palace and Aranya Nivas are two idyllic accommodation options set in the sylvan lake side background. The Lake Palace, built on a small island accessible only by boat, is one of the unique boarding places in the world where wild animals can be sighted from the bedroom window.