Lake Palace Hotel
This premium heritage jungle lodge is an eco-tourism paradise. Located close to the tiger reserve, you can spot elephant, barking deer, bison, leopard, sambar deer, wild boar, birds and reptiles on a trek in the reserve. The Lake Palace, which was a former summer palace of the King of Travancore, is situated on an island in the middle of the Periyar Lake. You can reach it from the mainland by a 20-minute, boat-drive.
At this palace is where the British Viceroys and Governor-Generals used to relax. The plush six rooms are decorated with antiques. On a morning walk you can find a herd of elephants coming to the lake for a drink or bath. From the property itself you can engage in trekking and boating activities.
The Periyar Lake is the best place for boating and bird watching. You’ll have delightful sights of birds, elephants, boars and deer. You can go for nature trails and green walks. There are three-hour to all-night jungle safaris. Bamboo rafting and border hiking, along with a tribal guide, is truly amazing.
Go for elephant rides, jungle patrols and trek through inter-state forest boundary and within the reserve. Plantation tours and visit to tea factories are exciting, too. Drive down to Kumily and shop for spices and forest produce.