Amritara Riverside Camp, Thattekad

The sounds of wild animals, the weather, breakfast, and a tent with its own washroom all stay with me. So do the bicycle ride, kayaking, bird sanctuaries, and time by The Periar river. I went with my family ten years ago, and the memories have never faded. It was a special, out-of-this-world experience. I’ve never had the chance to write about it until now, and I hope I can go back one day and relive it.

We spent four lovely nights at Amritara River Side Camp, and it felt like a place to come home to when we wanted peace and quiet. The tents have the essentials and plenty of space, though the climate naturally has an effect on them. The setting was stunning every day, with beautiful views, nature all around, and wildlife constantly nearby. The staff also listened closely to what we wanted. They arranged excellent tours with friendly, knowledgeable drivers and organized fresh local food. My partner and I really enjoyed our stay.

It’s a lovely place to unwind, though it isn’t luxury or five-star glamping. We enjoyed borrowing bikes and riding to the suspension bridge and village. The birdwatching tour is a good choice if you’re really into birds, and Harikrishna was a lovely guide who showed us coffee beans, Ayurveda plants, flowers, and local fruit trees. The tents were clean and comfortable, with a nice balcony by the river. The staff were kind and the food was great. It’s surrounded by nature, which makes it a very nice place to stay.

The riverside location is nice, and our bed sheets were clean, but I wouldn’t stay here again. A nearby place played loud music until 11 pm, so nobody could sleep. Apparently that’s common here. Dinner arrived at 9 pm, the quality was poor, and the parotas were uncooked. There was no apology, so from the next day on we drove to Kothamangalam to eat. Our new car came back from the unmonitored parking lot with a huge dent on one side. There were no security staff or cameras. The tents were poorly maintained, with no hot water and doors that wouldn’t lock. An untrained staff member dragged our suitcases through the mud. We stopped him and carried them ourselves. We’re used to rustic places as birders, but this stay was a nightmare in several ways. Find somewhere better.