If you go via Thodupuzha, you can visit Bhoothathankettu Dam and the waterfalls there. Thommankuthu waterfalls, one that cascades over various steps, is a beauty to behold. Besides bathing there, you can go trekking up the hills near the waterfalls.

A little further is Malankara Dam. It’s not a famous one; tucked away in the approaching hills towards Idukki. We go down to take a look at it. There is no thoroughfare allowed – you need prior permission from the hydel project’s authority to walk above the dam or to go for walks in the nearby areas.

Once you hit the road to Mundakayam, it slopes to such an extent your ears start to pop! Then comes Kuttikanam, a town colder than Thekkady and much more foresty, to say. There are a number of colleges and churches here. From then on the road goes down the slope a little as Thekkady is at a lower elevation than Kuttikanam. Enroute are small shacks and restaurants in Vandiperiyar and Pambanar, selling spicy foods and spices, of course.

Kumily and Thekkady are a few kms apart. And the Tamil Nadu border is only 4km from Thekkady. The Periyar Tiger Reserve and the Periyar lake are the main attractions. The forest office near the approach to the reserve gives a detailed list of trekking routes, nature walks, guides, forest guards, jeep safaris and what not. You can also visit Gavi, a forest area known for tree houses and waterfalls, just a 45-minute drive from Thekkady.

“Elephant junctions”, advertised in about 5 or 6 sections of the town are a newer version of an age-old practice, i.e. elephant riding. These ‘junctions’ provide elephant bathing, photo sessions, and many other offers, along with the usual rides. Tourists can also book seats at the Kalaripayattu and Kathakali centres and watch astonishing art performances.

The tribal settlement down the road has a 25-ruppee walk within their living area. You can see how they live, eat and go about their works. There’s also a Tribal Heritage Museum close by.

If you like shopping, look no further. There’s a lot to choose from – Kashmiri and Tibetan handicrafts, jewellery and clothes sold by yesteryear refugee families, eco-shops selling forest produces and clothes, spices, tea, and of course, souvenirs and postcards.

Thekkady is truly a ‘walk in the forest’. There’s silence all over once the clock hits six. But you will still see birds heading home, shopkeepers bargaining with customers, tourists looking for their stay, youngsters out on a walk and many more small-town sights. This touristy town has much to offer the eco-tourist. Check it out. For things to do, visit www.hotelsthekkady.com

Located in Idukki district, on its border with Kottayam district, Vagamon stands at a height of around 1,000m. The Kurisumala church stand atop the Kurisumala hill, which literally means ‘hill of crosses’. There are 14 crosses on the way to the church.

Vagamon is a quiet and harmonious hill station to visit. And the Kurisumala Ashram is worth a visit. It is only fours from Cochin and two from Kottayam.

There’s lot to see and experience in Ponmudi. The tea and spices plantations welcome you as you ride up the mountains. The Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is close by; it has elephants and leopards. You can go for elephant rides at Ponmudi. Around Ponmudi you can go trekking. There’s also a deer park and a view point there.The beaches of Varkala and Kovalam are within a few miles distance.

Do not worry about accommodation as there’s a quaint government guesthouse in Ponmudi. It has rooms and cottages and a restaurant. There are hotels and resorts near Kovalam. Ponmudi is great for a weekend get-away.

There are frequent buses from Trivandrum and the nearest airport, too, is in Trivandrum.

Vagamon Heights, a beautiful resort, is situated on the highway connecting Cochin-Thekkady-Kodaikanal. There are a variety of options for accommodation here, from tents to deluxe roomsand cottages. You can visit places like Thekkady, Kumarakom, Munnar and Kodaikanal from here. You can go boating, cycle around the countryside, go horse riding, fishing.

There is scope for trekking in the Ashoka forest and the Reserve forest. The trekking routes are fabulous and worth a day’s trek. Barbecue and bonfires liven up the evening at the resort.

There are government as well as private resorts, lodges and tourism packages on offer. Most of these spots have a variety of leisure and adventure activities-trekking, jungle safaris, nature trails and much more.

Here are a few of them–Achankoil,  Palaruvi, Konni, Pamba, Purakkad, Agastyavam, Arippa, Kulathupuzha, Mangalavanam,  Kodanad, Athirapally, Vazhacha, Nelliyampathy, Peerumedu, Kuttikanam, Peruvannamuzh, Kuruva Islands, Thirunelli, Kottiyoor, Malampuzha, Nilambur, Tholpetti and Kumarakom.

The abundant wildlife and natural resources is what attracts people to these locations. Everything from tree houses to jungle canopies to leisure walks-it’s all yours.