The Indian state of Kerala has a long seashore line with hill stations, wild life sancturies,  for the health conscious travellers you have the holiday resorts that cater to their needs, cultural monuments and backwaters . Idukki district in Kerala has the most   hill stations and sancturies .

Thekkady is a place gifted with Periyar lake, which is formed from the water catchment of  river Periyar . The Thekkady / Periyar sanctuary is one of the best for watching and photographing wild life, especially elephants . Other animals often seen include wild boar,  wild dog and bison . Rarely leopards and bears may be spotted . Engine boats are operated by KTDC (Kerala Tourism Development Coroporation), Forest Department of Kerala and some private  operators . The trick is one should take the boat that starts early in the morning (around 6:30am), when more animals can be seen . The upper and lower decks of the boats are charged separately, buy the ticket for the upper deck . The water ride takes around 2 hours . When you are midway through the ride, you will come across the Periyar dam . This dam was built mainly to divert the water to Tamil Nadu . The river is surrounded by forest with herds of elehpants on both the sides of the river and this remains as an unforgettable experience . It is not uncommon that tourists take 2 or 3 rides . There are three sightseeing towers for observing wild life - at Edappalayam and Manakkavala and Thannikudi . Elephant rides and forest treks are conducted by the Forest Dept. of Kerala which has limited reservations . Reservations can be made at the Forest Information Counter, Thekkady . Tel. : +91-486-322028.

Among the South Indian hill stations, Thekkady is exceptionally famous for spices like Cinnamon, Clove, Nutmeg, Pepper and Cardamom . There are a variety of package tours that are offered by certified guides taking you in and around the plantations  . Thekkady has a few resorts which are quite expensive for an economic conscious traveller . Kumili is a town located on the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, just 4 km away from Thekkady . This place has hotels that provide good food and accomodation .

Your trip to Thekkady is incomplete without a visit to Munnar (Munnar is called as Thekkady Munnar by tour operators) . Munnar is the only Southern Indian hill station that can come to par with best of those in the great Himalayan stretch of Northern India in terms of  climate and scenic beauty .

Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Located at 1600 M above sea level, this was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India . The place has thousands of acres of tea plantations and studded by many resorts . It is proves to be one of the best destination for honeymooners . Guides are available, they offer package tours for a day or half-a-day .

Places to see around include -  

Mattupetti - The Indo-Swiss Dairy Farm  and a dam .
Echo point - It can be reached by a speed boat by taking the route(road) to Mattupetti
Kundali - a tranquil dam site .   
Eravikulam - National park and the highest mountain in South India(Beware of Elephants on road)
Top Station - This is a point 32 km from Munnar from where trekkers start off towards Berijam lake, which is 30 km from Kodaikanal .
Tattekad  - bird sanctury
Chinnar Wildlife sanctury - you are sure to see leopards here
Valara - water falls.

Munnar can be reached by taking the route(road) from Udumalapet to Coimbatore, which is in Tamil Nadu, and from Theni to Munnar. Other sightseeing places worth visiting are Ponmudi, Peermade, Devikulam, Rajamalai and Kodaikanal.