Thekkady

Thekkady is a wildlife and nature lover's paradise and one of the best tourist attractions in Kerala, dubbed "God's Own State." With its cool climate, panoramic vistas, undulated forests covered in lush greenery, serene ambience, and exotic wildlife sanctuary, this heavenly tourist destination draws visitors from all over the world, making it one of the most popular holidaying destinations in Kerala's southern state.

The idyllic destination offers a wide range of exciting adventure activities, as well as unique wildlife, pristine nature, decent and affordable lodging, and simple accessibility, making it a must-see tourist destination in Kerala.

Thekkady's abundance has plenty more to offer tourists, from the beautiful environment of swaying palm trees, lively music, and sunset viewing to picturesque hill stations, tea gardens, and rich biodiversity. Add a touch of luxury by staying in one of the many luxury and affordable resorts and hotels here, which provide the best of hospitality to visitors who have travelled from far and wide to enjoy an unforgettable vacation.

Below is a quick glimpse of Thekkady:

Places to See in Thekkady

Periyar National Park

Periyar National Park is one of the best places to visit in Thekkady because it is India's most biodiverse and well-protected area. The park, which is known for its lush greenery and natural beauty, is home to a diverse range of important species, including royal tigers and majestic elephants. The national park, which covers 777 square kilometres of land, attracts visitors from all over the world.

The national park, which covers 777 square kilometres of land, attracts thousands of visitors each year. Enjoy boat cruises, jungle safaris in the form of jeep safaris and elephant safaris, and popular eco-tourism activities such as Jungle Patrol, Border hiking, Bamboo Rafting, Periyar Tiger Trail, Jungle Inn, and Jungle Camp once you arrive.

The rivers Pamba and Periyar flow through the dense park, nourishing and flourishing the flora and fauna that call it home.

You can see many threatened and endangered animals including flying squirrels, fruit bats, bisons, foxes, sloth bears, wild boars, leopards, and jungle cats, as well as 53 tigers and over 900 elephants and over 62 species of mammals. Many migratory birds use it as a stopover, including the Malabar grey hornbill, white-bellied blue flycatcher, Sunbird, great hornbill, and black-necked stork.

Many migratory birds, including the Malabar grey hornbill, white-bellied blue flycatcher, Sunbird, great hornbill, black-necked stork, and Nilgiri wood pigeon, use it as a stopover. The place's floral beauty is equally appealing, with dense tropical evergreen trees such as teak, mangoes, rosewood, bamboos, sacred fig, sandalwood, and Indian conifer, among others.

Location: Thekkady, Kerala

Visiting Time: 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, open all days

Entry Ticket: INR 25per person for Indians, INR 300 per person for foreign tourists

Activities/Attractions: Wildlife spotting, nature photography, bird watching, and boating

Thekkady Lake

The alluring Thekkady or Periyar Lake is renowned for its large variety of wildlife and is nestled in the heart of a protected jungle forest. You can also go for a boat ride in the reservoir, where you can see some uncommon birds including the Malabar Grey Hornbill and the Nilgiri Wood Pigeon.

The artificial lake is one of a kind, and it helps to provide the jungle dwellers with their primary source of water. The tranquil and serene lake, which is adjacent to the Periyar National Park and a popular tourist destination, is soothing enough to relax your mind, body, and spirit.

Location: Thekkady, Kumily

Visiting Time: Boat ride timings are 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:15 AM, 1:45 PM and 3:30 PM

Entry Ticket: INR 225 per adult and INR 75 for children. Advance booking charges for boating are INR 500

Activities/Attractions: Elephant spotting, photography, bird watching, and boating

Murikkady

This perfect picnic spot for families and nature lovers offers some spellbinding views of lush green gardens and the spectacular chain of hills, making it one of the most exuberant places to visit in Thekkady. The fine fragrance of coffee, tea, pepper, and cardamom wafts through the air and enlivens the senses as it passes through the area's spice plantations.

Murikkady grows over a dozen native spice varieties, including clove, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, and vanilla. A day like this, spent in a safe atmosphere with plenty of fresh air, is a cure-all for your body and mind.

Location: Murikkady, Thekkady

Visiting Time: 6:00 AM to 8:30 PM

Entry Ticket: N/A

Activities/Attractions: Spice plantations, nature photography, bird watching, and shopping

Kadathanadan Kalari Center

Kadathanadan Kalari Center, a place renowned for enjoying the traditional style of martial arts, Kalaripayattu, is one of Thekkady's most interesting tourist attractions. 

Sage Parshuram created the age-old art form, and if you're interested in learning it, you can try your hand at it and enrol in one of the three levels available here: basic, intermediate, or advanced.

Location: Tiger Reserve, Thekkady

Visiting Time: 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Entry Ticket: INR 200 per adult

Activities/Attractions: Martial art performances, learning

Food in Thekkady

Idly, Dosa, Kappa, and Kerala Sadya are some of the region's most well-known dishes. Apart from that, the main local fare in Thekkady is rice and fish curry, as well as a number of vegetable curries and stir-fries. With so many places to eat in Thekkady, you'll be spoilt for choice. There are hotels and resorts in Thekkady, as well as homestays that serve local cuisine.

When to Go:

October to February: the best time to visit Thekkady is during the winter, when the weather is cool and friendly, making it perfect for sightseeing. The maximum temperature reaches 15 degrees Celsius, making it ideal for wildlife safaris and admiring Thekkady's natural beauty. You may also take part in one of Thekkady's many festivals during this period.

March to May: Thekaddy's summer season begins in March, and temperatures begin to rise. At this time of year, the mean temperature reaches 36 degrees Celsius. Since there are fewer visitors in Thekaddy during this period, you can get great hotel deals and enjoy the natural beauty of the area without the crowds. However, make sure you have light cotton clothing and sunscreen with you.

June to September: Thekkady is also beautiful during the monsoon season. The temperature rises marginally, and the environment is shrouded in lush greenery. Thekkady's rain-washed beauty is also best appreciated during the rainy season. Rain showers are regular and hard, so bring an umbrella or raincoat with you.

Getting around Thekkady

How to Reach Thekkady

By Airports: Thekkady does not have its own airport. Madurai (140 km) and Cochin International Airport are the nearest airports to Thekkady (190 kms). Both major domestic airlines fly into both airports. From the airport, you can also book a pre-paid taxi.

By Rail: Kottayam Railway Station is the nearest station to Thekkady. Mangalore, Trivandrum, Thiruvananthapuram, New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Vizag, and other major cities are linked to the station.

By Bus: The Kerala State Transport Corporation links Thekkady to the surrounding cities. Superfast buses run from Kottayam, Kochi, and Trivandrum to Thekkady on a regular basis. Buses run to Thekkady from Bengaluru, Chennai, Salem, and Tiruchirappalli.