Meghamalai is a scenic hill station located in the Western Ghats and is great for a family outing. Enjoy a scenic drive through the lush green tea plantations and witness the cascading Megamalai falls. The highlight of the trip is the wildlife sighting, where you can spot bison, sambar, and spotted deer, among other creatures. The fun doesn't end here as you can also indulge in adventurous treks in the dense forest.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is a renowned tiger and elephant reserve ideal for wildlife enthusiasts. The sanctuary offers various treks, nature walks, and bamboo rafting. A boat trip on the beautiful Periyar Lake is also a great way to spot wildlife. If you're lucky, you might even spot herds of wild elephants, bison, deer, and wild boars. The sanctuary also houses some of the rare and endangered species of birds and butterflies.
For more time, you can also visit the nearby Vaigai Dam and Kumbakarai Falls. Another must-visit place near Theni is the ancient temple of Sri Meenakshi Amman in Madurai, which is just 2.5 hours (80 km) away. For less time, you can skip Meghamalai and start your day with the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary directly and explore the nearby spice plantations.