Thekkady is an underrated town in Kerala known for its lush greenery. This place is famous for the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary which is home to numerous wildlife and bird species. The landscapes of Thekkady are so diverse that you will find beautiful backwaters and mesmerizing hill stations around here. Huge spice gardens are another attraction of this place. It doesn’t matter if you are an adventure enthusiast or just want to calmly stay at peace in your hotel amidst nature, Thekkady offers it all. In this article, I’m going to explain in detail the travel guide for Thekkady.
Thekkady Tourist Places – Places to Visit in Thekkady, Things to do & Travel Guide
How to reach
You don’t have to worry about reaching Thekkady as there are multiple modes of transport to reach here and it is well connected as well.
By Air: Madurai International Airport located in Tamil Nadu is the nearest airport to Thekkady about 140 km away. Once you reach the airport, you can either hire a private taxi or just board a public bus to reach Thekkady. If you are an international traveller and there is no direct flight to Madurai, then you check out Cochin International Airport. It is well-connected and offers multiple flight schedules all day long.
By Train: Kottayam is the nearest station to Thekkady and is around 110 km away. This railway station is well connected to all major cities in India like Kochi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore. Once you reach here, you can just hire a private taxi or board a public bus to reach Thekkady.
By Road: Thekkady is well connected to all nearby major cities like Madurai (150km), Kochi (190km), and Trivandrum(265 km). Multiple buses are scheduled all along the daytime run by the government. You can also board private buses which are a bit more pricey compared to the public buses. If you have your own vehicle, then you can simply enjoy the beautiful nature all along the way reaching Thekkady.
| City | Distance |
| Kochi (Cochin) to Thekkady | 155 km |
| Madurai to Thekkady | 140 km |
| Kottayam to Thekkady | 110 km |
| Ernakulam to Thekkady | 158 km |
| Munnar to Thekkady | 90 km |
| Kodaikanal to Thekkady | 150 km |
| Alappuzha (Alleppey) to Thekkady | 160 km |
| Rameswaram to Thekkady | 313 km |
| Coimbatore to Thekkady | 260 km |
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Best time to visit
You can visit Thekkady all year long. However, depending on your requirements and the purpose of the visit, it might change.
Winter (October to February)
Winter is without a doubt the best time to visit Thekkady. Temperature around this time will be between 15c to 25c. The cool and pleasant weather makes it perfectly suitable for outdoor activities like trekking, wildlife safari and exploring around. Being post-monsoon time, this place is filled with perfect shades of green leaving you in awe.
Monsoon (June to September)
During the monsoon time, this region receives heavy rainfall. While the beauty of this place is more vibrant because of the rains, it can also disrupt your outdoor plans. So, if you want to just relax in the comfort of the hotels or resorts surrounded by nature, then you can visit here during monsoon. Periyar Lake and spice plantations are a treat to watch during the monsoon season.
Summer (March to May)
Summer here can be quite warm with temperatures reaching up to 36c. Trekking and outdoor activities in this heat might become difficult and uncomfortable for you. However, you can enjoy the boat rides on the Periyar Lake and visit the hill stations around. Chances of spotting wildlife in the sanctuary are low but there’s a possibility that wild animals may seek to quench their thirst at the waterholes.
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Things to do in Thekkady
There are multiple things to do in Thekkady and it’s an absolute joy doing them. I’m going to list them below.
1. Explore Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Thekkady’s main attraction is the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. This huge place covers over 777 square kilometres and is home to wild animals like Elephants, tigers, leopards, bison, sambar deer and multiple bird species. While you are here don’t forget to experience the boat ride on Periyar Lake. Surrounded by the thick forests, it is an amazing experience being lost in nature long from the fast-paced cities. If you do boat rides during early morning or late evening, then there are high chances that you might spot elephants and deer on the shores.
There are multiple agencies offering guided nature walks and bamboo rafting tours. Walking through the calm forests with birds chirping sounds will be an amazing experience that you can cherish for a long time. If you are in no mood for walking and want more adventure, then you can try safari rides. You can venture deep into the forests and the chances of you spotting the wildlife animals increases.
2. Visit the Spice plantation
One of the major sources of income for the local people here are these spice plantations. They grow cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper here. You can take a guided tour through these plantations and learn about the cultivation and processing of these spices. The fresh air and serene surroundings make this a peaceful and relaxing activity for you.
Suggested Read: Thenmala EcoTourism Travel Guide
3. Chellarkovil Trek
Chellarkovil trek is located around 15 km from Thekkady. The difficulty of this trek is moderate but once you reach the viewpoint, you will want every bit of the trek to be worthy enough. You will be mesmerized by the panoramic views of waterfalls and forests. If you are a nature enthusiast, then don’t miss this one.
4. Mangala Devi Temple
This temple is dedicated to the deity named Mangala and is located on the top of the hill. Please note that this temple is only open during the Chithra Pournami festival, usually held in April or May. But you can also trek to the temple just for the ample beauty surrounding the place.
5. Kadathanadan Kalari Centre
Thekkady is also home to Kerala’s traditional martial arts. At this centre, you will get a chance to witness the demonstration of Kalaripayattu. It’s an ancient martial art that originated from this place. Priced at just 200 Rs per hour, it offers a look at the cultural heritage of Kerala.
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Accommodation
There are multiple wide ranges of hotels located at this place. If you are not bothered about your budget and want the best facilities and views, then there are many luxury resorts here. They provide world-class amenities, private pools, spas and private villas. A few of the best luxury villas here are Spice Village Resort, The Elephant Court and Greenwoods Resort.
If you don’t want to burn a hole in your pocket, then you can find multiple mid-range hotels and homestays. You will get to experience the culture of the local people and home-cooked food making it a pleasant experience, especially for families. A few of the options are Cardamom County, Abraham’s Spice Garden Homestay and Periyar Meadows Leisure Hotel.
Conclusion
This place is a perfect destination for people who want to avoid the popular travel spots and enjoy time in nature with absolute peace and comfort. It offers enough outdoor activities like trekking, spice plantations and wildlife safaris. Honestly, there are only a few underrated places where you can experience nature at its best while also learning about the cultural heritage of the place.
This is an ideal gateway for people who want a short vacation from the busy schedules of city life. Hope I’ve covered everything about Thekkady. If you have any queries regarding the article or about the Thekkady in general, then please do comment below. I’ll get back to you with the best possible solution as soon as possible.
