A year-round pleasant climate, bountiful Nature and abundant wildlife have made Thekkady in Idukki district one of the most sought-after destinations in the country. Replete with plantations of vanilla, cardamom, cinnamon, tea, etc, on the slanting hills, the Periyar forests of Thekkady has an elephant reserve as well as a tiger reserve. To explore the wilderness, tourists can take a ride on a boat or bamboo raft in Periyar Lake, undertake trekking to the jungles or stay put in bamboo huts.