Bamboo Grove Eco Lodge

The eco-lodge is in the heart of Thekkady (Periyar), adjacent to the famed Periyar Tiger Reserve. The Bamboo Grove Eco Lodge is the result of a revolutionary eco-tourism programme initiated for the joint management of the famed Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Kerala. The eco-development project aims to reduce the pressure on the Tiger Reserve by addressing the social and economic needs of the local communities by employing novel and sustainable methods. This also ensures forest conservation which will ideally act as a social fence around the Protected Areas. The Bamboo Grove Eco Lodge is one such programme for making available affordable accommodation for the vast numbers of eco-tourists reaching Periyar (Thekkady). The project was completed in a record time using the innovations of the local communities to design and build the eco lodges with all comforts of modern day living. This path breaking programme is the first of its kind in Kerala.

Periyar Tiger Reserve

Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary (also called Periyar Tiger Reserve) is a fine example of good management of forests. The sanctuary, which was a game reserve, merged with the Forest Department in 1966. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978 under the Project Tiger scheme. In 1982 the core area of the reserve (350 sq. km.) was notified as National Park. The entire Park covers hills and verdant forests extending over an area of 777 sq. km. It will be no exaggeration to say that this Park is one of the finest wildlife sanctuaries in India. Here, in the crisp, cool air of the Western Ghats you will experience wilderness and abundant wildlife first hand. The uniqueness of this sanctuary is the Periyar lake, an artificial lake, which was created by damming the Periyar River a century ago.

The open grasslands are home to a magnificent variety of animals - the elephant, the bison, Gaur, Sambar deer, Barking deer, Mouse deer, Nilgiri langur, Bonnet macaque, Lion-tailed macaque leopards, Jungle cats, Wild dogs and most importantly the tiger. An estimated 40 tigers inhabit the Reserve. Other animals are bears, Porcupine, Jackal, Indian Giant Squirrel, Malabar flying squirrel, Wild boar, small Indian Civet, Mongoose and the Pangolins. The tiger is the main predator in the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Periyar Tiger Reserve is also rich in bird life. Birds such as Malabar Hornbill, Grey heron, Jungle fowl and Jungle Mynah are some among the 266 species of birds which are residents of this forest range.

Guided Trekking : Trained tracker cum guides are available at the boat landing as well as near the check post to take visitors along the different nature trails in the reserve. The guides and trackers are members of the local eco-tourism societies consisting of tribal people and settlers. The Eco-development committees were set up with the aid of the World Bank and the India eco-development fund with the active assistance of the forest department. This has to a great extend helped in the protection activities of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Visitors can also avail a one night or a two night camping and trekking facility inside the forest. This is the best way to experience the rain forests at Periyar. The experienced guides will take you on an unforgettable trail of the majestic tigers. A watch tower and a forest rest house, one each at Edappalayam and Manakkavala for overnight stay inside forests are available with advance booking.

Bamboo Rafting : This is a dawn to dusk hiking and rafting programme through some of the richest forest tracts of Periyar Tiger Reserve. Starting at 8 am from the boat landing, different eco-systems will be covered during this programme, while traversing on rafts made of bamboos. The team hitchhikes back to the boat landing by about 5 pm. An armed guard and 4 guides will accompany. Tea, snacks and packed lunch will be served en-route.

Farm Visits on Bullock Carts : Visit the farmlands of a village hidden in the valley behind the mountains of Periyar Tiger Reserve in a bullock cart. With vineyards, diverse agricultural crops of mangoes, tamarind, onions, sunflower, jasmine and a score of other vegetables, this ride gives you a ringside view of the life of the farmers of neighbouring Tamil Nadu. This programme is conducted by a group of people who were earlier engaged in sandalwood smuggling but now reformed and active participants in the conservation process.

Tribal Village Visits are organized daily by the Eco-Development committees to give an insight into the life of the tribals. These conducted visits are held on a daily basis and information & booking facilities are available at the Bamboo Grove Eco Lodge.

Boating : Boats of different capacities are maintained by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) and the Kerala Forest Department. Boats can be hired for a 2 hour cruise, the easy option for sighting wildlife.In Kumily and neighbourhood areas, there are a number of small and large plantations of tea, coffee and spices like cardamom, pepper, vanilla etc. A visit to these plantations is also worth your time.

* Rate include all meals, Trekking & Boating