PERIYAR TALES – Wilderness of Kerala

Clothing & Footwear
📢 Wear breathable cottons for low lands
📢 Carry a light jacket for hill stations
📢 Sturdy walking shoes for nature trails
📢 Pack rain protection during monsoon months
Health & Safety
📢 Bring personal medications and a basic first-aid kit
📢 Use mosquito repellent in forested, lakeside, and backwater areas
📢 Avoid late-night travel on winding ghat roads
Travel Essentials
📢 Carry valid photo ID for hotel check-ins
📢 Keep some cash for small village purchases (UPI/swiping machines may be unavailable in remote areas)
📢 Small backpack for daily excursions — water bottle, hat, sunscreen, and essentials
📢 Power bank, torch, and offline maps for areas with weak network coverage
Activities & Timing
📢 Start early for sightseeing many attractions close by 5:30–6:30 PM
📢 Plan temple visits (e.g., Padmanabhaswamy, Kanyakumari) early morning to avoid queues
📢 Houseboat cruises in Kumarakom usually start by noon and anchor by evening
Connectivity & Accommodation
📢 Strong mobile network in cities and towns
📢 Limited or no signal in remote hill stations and backwater stretches
📢 Most hotels, resorts, and houseboats have Wi-Fi — speed may vary in hill stations
Optional Add-ons & Local Experiences
📢 Kathakali or Kalaripayattu shows in Thekkady or Cochin (book in advance)
📢 Tea-tasting sessions in Munnar and spice plantation tours in Thekkady
📢 Ayurvedic massages in Kovalam or Kumarakom (choose certified centers)
📢 Sunrise at Kanyakumari and sunset at Lighthouse Beach, Kovalam
📢 Backwater village walks and traditional Kerala meals on the houseboat
📢 Local shopping: tea & spices in Munnar, handicrafts in Cochin, shells & souvenirs in Kanyakumari”