Why Exploring a Tropical Jungle on a Bamboo Raft is a Must-Have Experience in Kerala

They say that once the travel bug bites you, there is no antidote. This famous quote is tailor-made for an inquisitive soul like me—someone who is always in search of a new adventure. After ticking off a few experiences from my bucket list, I was furiously looking for a new one. Nothing excited me in particular until I came across a bamboo rafting expedition in Thekaddy offered by MakeMyTrip.

Collecting a Lifetime of Memories in the Heart of Nature

For someone living in a concrete jungle, the sight of a wild elephant walking into a lake and swimming across using his trunk as a snorkel, or Nilgiri wood pigeons picking leaves with their beaks from a lake's surface is a soulful memory.

Witnessing these unforgettable sights sitting on a bamboo raft drifting peacefully down the Periyar Lake flanking the lush green forests of Periyar National Park was as close to nature as I had come in a long time. The quiet of the forest was blissful as it made me forget every worry in the world.

Periyar is a beautiful land in Kerala surrounded by misty mountains, sprawling spice plantations, and rich biodiversity. Its national park is world-famous amongst nature enthusiasts for its rare flora and fauna, and is well-recognized as an elephant and a tiger reserve.

The hiking started at 8 a.m. and I was taken deep into the forests of Periyar before boarding the bamboo rafts. Not only did my guide skilfully navigate the gentle currents of the lake, but he also halted at the most picturesque spots so I could get my fill of photographs.

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A Well-Planned Day of Sightseeing

The 3-hour long rafting expedition was extremely satisfying, and the rest of the day was well taken care of by the team. A visit to other attractions in Periyar, such as the temple of Mangla Devi, waterfalls at Chellarkovil and various spice plantations was seamlessly clubbed with my tour. Everything was so well-organized that I also got some time to head to the nearby market to buy some spices such as cardamom, vanilla, and cinnamon along with different varieties of tea and coffee.

In the evening when the trip came to an end, I knew that I had tasted a magical potion that worked wonders for my mind and body. MakeMyTrip ensured that I carried back home enough lovely memories along with a bagful of spices.

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