Introduction

If you are two of you, and wish to share the quietness of the jungle night, here is an interesting activity. ‘Jungle Inn’, as the name goes, involves a brief trek in the afternoon into the Periyar Sanctuary to a secluded cottage in a little glade surrounded by tall trees. The facilities are very basic inside the guesthouse, as it is primarily meant for giving you an authentic jungle experience in the middle of the Periyar forest, and opens up innumerable opportunities of wildlife sighting. Here you will be at leisure to listen to bird songs, crickets, the croaking of frogs, and the calls of nocturnal animals. And spend the entire evening relaxing, reading a book, sipping coffee in the sit-out area, watching the fireflies add sparkle to the woods, listening to the cicada and watching night fall. Dinner will be served to you in the cottage.

Experience the thrill of spending a night in the forest when the big cats are on prowl. Every rise and drop of wind, the low rustle of dry leaves, followed by a sudden lasting stillness will fill you with anticipation. Feel the surge of adrenaline as you wait in silence for the quietude to break, straining to hear the slightest stir in the distance. For all the sweat broken at night, you will be rewarded with a spectacular dawn that tinges the forest in a warm orange glow, before the trees materialize out of the mist and are visually restored to their original forms. It is an ideal time to take a stroll in the area around the cottage, click pictures, listen to the melodious calls of diurnal birds, and enjoy a refreshing cup of tea before checking out at 0900 hours.

You are required to report at the Forest Check Post at least half an hour before the start of the tour. The trek begins at 1500 hours from the check post to the forest cottage at Kokkara, about an hour’s walk. Tea, snacks, dinner and breakfast will be provided during your stay.

Further on, trek back to the Boat Landing Point accompanied by your forest guide in the morning the following day. Tourists who are medically fit aged between 15 to 65 years are only allowed to take this tour. Not to mention, you have to be a nature lover to completely sacrifice all luxuries and conveniences.

Special Attributes

The highpoint of the program is walking through different forest types at an hour when animals tend to be more active, and spending the night in a lonely cottage in the middle of the woods.

Nuisance

The site is very peaceful and free of irritants.

Dressing restrictions

Wear light cotton clothes and put on your walking shoes. In winter months carry a layer of light woolens.

Connectivity

You can take a bus to Kumily either from Kottayam (about 4 hours) or Ernakulam (approx. 6 hours). At the Kumily bus stop, there are ample minibuses to take you to the park. Local transport such as auto-rickshaw takes you to your hotel of stay in Thekkady.

Enjoyed by

Backpackers, Honeymooners particularly nature lovers

Exposure

You will mostly be indoors, within the cottage.

Avoidable Season

June, July, August

Facilities

Snacks, breakfast and dinner will be served to you at the cottage. A nature guide will accompany you on this tour.

Things Not Allowed

No such restriction.

Tip

You are advised to put on your walking shoes, and carry along your sunshades, sunscreen lotion, a bottle of drinking water, mosquito repellent and flashlight. It would be ideal to bring along your binoculars.

Type of site

Jungle trek, stay in a jungle lodge