A travel guide to the best things to do in Thekkady (attractions & tips)

Swirling clouds hide the waterfalls of the green hills
A gorgeous lake bounded by woods occupied by Malabar hornbills.
Fierce Kalaripayattu and graceful Kathakali light up the stage
A walk through the spice plantations keep your senses engaged.

Discover these and the other things to do in Thekkady. This guide also, includes my insider tips on planning a Thekkady itinerary with suggestions on stays, how to get around and more.

I discovered Thekkady when I was looking for a hill station or a wildlife destination to complete my 2-week-long Kerala itinerary. Having already done the serene backwaters of Alleppey, the fun-filled waves at Kovalam and a cultural ecstasy at Kochi, I wanted something different to complete the medley of experiences. Thekaddy with the Periyar Wildlife sanctuary promised to add another shade of Kerala to my vacation. Turns out, besides wildlife, there are more things to do in Thekkady– making it a perfect and relaxing finale to my Kerala trip.

Neighbor to a very popular Kerala hill station – Munnar, Thekkady offers a combination of culture, nature and wildlife. On one hand, you can enjoy boating in Thekkady which allows you to spot stunning birds and on the other, there is an educational yet serene walk through the Spice villages in Thekkady. You can embark on a wild adventure and spot the big mammals, including tigers and enjoy a cultural fiesta with the performing Kalaripayattu and Kathakali artists. There are plenty of activities in Thekkady and yet time passes slowly – making it apt for anyone desiring a slow and relaxing holiday. I always recommend it for a long weekend break from Bangalore.

In this blog post, I will be sharing my trip to Thekkady, which will answer the question – What to see in Thekkady. The list of attractions in Thekkady will help you craft a itinerary suited to your interests. Among the places to visit in Thekkady, I have also, included the distances and time taken to visit the all the for places for sightseeing in Thekkady (remember- it is a hill station and there is always a drive involved).

The blog article also, includes tips on how to get there. With that, I think you have one solid travel guide to Thekkady.

A little about Thekkady

The name Thekkady comes from the Malayalam word- Thekku, which essentially means teak wood. The area once had teak wood forests and was a part of the princely state of Travancore. It was used as a royal hunting ground until the 19^th century when the British came in.

Like most hill towns in the Western Ghats, the British found respite from the sweltering heat in Thekkady. They developed it and encouraged plantations of spices, coffee and tea. They even built the Mullaperiyar Dam over Periyar River. This led to the formation of one of the top attractions in Thekkady – the Periyar lake. Today, this lake is used for pleasure boating in Thekkady as well as by wildlife enthusiasts keen on spotting native birds including darters, egrets and cormorants.

How to reach Thekkady?

Located 700m above sea level in the Idukki district, Thekkady can be reached by air or rail with a last-mile connectivity by road.

By Air

The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, which is around 150 km from Thekkady. Kochi airport is an international airport and has a very good frequency of both international and domestic flights. This would be my recommended airport if you are looking to get to Thekkady by air.

You have several options to travel from Kochi to Thekkady by road. I have covered them in the Travel by road to Thekkady section.

The other airport you can consider is Madurai International Airport (140 km from Thekkady). The airport has a good domestic connectivity but is not as popular as Kochi airport.

Many Thekkady resorts offer an airport pick-up from Kochi to their resort as a part of their package. You should always check with them before booking your own.

The beautiful cascades on the way to Thekkady

By Rail

Around 120 km, is Kottayam, which is the closest railway station to Thekkady. Alternatively, you can consider Ernakulam Junction– a better node in terms of railway connectivity. However, the distance between Ernakulam to Thekkady is slightly more – around 150 km.

By Road

A road journey is an unavoidable aspect of a Thekkady trip. There are three ways to do this road journey –

Road trip to Thekkady by bus

There are several Cochin to Thekkady buses that you can use if you are on budget. These include both public as well as private bus services. They generally drop you off at Kumily, from where you either have to take an auto or taxi to your Thekkady stay. The approximate travel time is 5 hours.

The public state-run buses can be booked directly from the Kochi bus station. Private buses, on the other hand, can be booked online using various apps like Redbus and Abhibus. They have multiple stops in the city as well as some close to the airport.

Similarly, you can find buses from other cities like Kottayam, Trivandrum, Alleppey and Madurai.

By Cabs

You can hire a private cab from Kochi or Madurai airport directly to Thekkady. Uber and Ola apps also, offer outstation cab services.

While you can choose just a drop-off transfer, I would recommend a round trip service where you can keep the cab with you through your stay. The various things to do in Thekkady is spread over several kilometers and it is always helpful if you have your own transport to go around. It is not easy to flag an auto in Thekkady.

Self-drive to Thekkady

This is what I did as part of my Kerala road trip. I drove straight from Alleppey to Thekkady in around 4 hours. The drive is quite magical with you traveling through the misty hills, encountering waterfalls along the way and enjoying the refreshing scents and sights of tea plantations. This is the same road that you will be taking if you driving from Kochi. The roads are narrow but in good condition.

The drive from Madurai to Thekkady takes a similar 4 hours but you will be crossing over from Tamil Nadu to Kerala. I am told that this route too has stunning vistas that make your drive memorable. As I have recommmended earlier, having your own car during your stay is beneficial given the distances between the various places to visit in Thekkady.

What are the best things to do in Thekkady, Kerala?

After being on the road for over 10 days, Thekkady instantly slowed me down with its soothing vibes. The galivanting greens with the misty winds were the ideal prescription for my soul which was frazzled with the exotic sights and sounds from my early part of the road trip. I was never idle, but I was never rushed either. That is just how you feel when you visit Thekkady.

In this list of What to do in Thekkady, I have often used the town name – Kumily. Kumily and Thekkady, though different towns, are just one kilometer apart. Hence, the sightseeing in Thekkady also, includes attractions of Kumily. I in fact, stayed in Kumily and used it as a base to explore Thekkady and Periyar.

The similarity and distinction will become clearer as you go through this section on the places to see in Thekkady.

Take a safari through Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Recently adjudged as the best-managed Tiger Reserve among 54 Tiger Reserves in the country, this sanctuary is also, a part of UNESCO World Heritage site of Western Ghats. The sanctuary offers a variety of activities that include jeep safaris, bamboo rafting and even a tribal performance in the evening.

You can book a thrilling jeep safari in Thekkady through the official website or this site. Get ready to enjoy the dense forests that is home to around 30 tigers. To be honest, these striped mammals are hard to spot but you will almost always catch elephants bathing near the Periyar river, bison grazing in the meadows, or even a sambar deer darting through the trees.

I would have loved to do a full-day trekking and Bamboo rafting in Thekkady which is available in this sanctuary. I believe this takes you through the forests that has an active bird and reptile life. Unfortunately, I learnt of this a little later and could not accommodate it in my Thekkady itinerary.

The park also, has a tribal evening where Mannan and Paliyan tribes come together to showcase their culture through their traditional dances and music. This takes place in Vanasree Auditorium near Bamboo Grove at 6 pm.

Remember to prebook your Periyar wildlife sanctuary activities in Thekkady. Most of the safaris take places in the morning at 6:00 AM or in the afternoon at 3:00 PM. You can check this website for the bookings and the prices of the various activities. You can even book a package through GetYourGuide.

Indulge in boating at Thekkady

Boating in Thekkady lake PC: Wikimedia Commons

Imagine floating on a serene lake surrounded by thick green hills, with herds of elephants, wild boars, and birds making cameo appearances on the shoreline. That’s what boating on Periyar lake (Thekkady lake) feels like. It’s one of the most peaceful yet thrilling ways to explore the sanctuary.

I caught sight of the resident otters, who are quite amusing to look at. Swift and naughty, they are found in plenty around the lake.

The boating booking at Thekkady starts from 7:30 am and go on till 4 pm. The duration of one boat ride is around 1.5 hours and it costs around INR 250 per adult.

Take a Spice plantation tour in Thekkady

The aroma of cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, and cloves hit me as I walked the winding paths of a spice plantation located in Kumily. On my guided tour, I not only learnt how these spices were cultivated but also got to smell, touch, and even taste some of them. The guide even told me some interesting facts and uses of these spices. For example – did you know that Cardamon could sprout in two ways – one where the pods grew at the top of the plant and the other where they sprouted near the base of the plant.

It’s was a sensory journey through the flavors of Kerala – one that I highly recommend that you consider adding to your itinerary to Thekkady. There are several spice plantations that offer these guided tours. You can either book one through the spice shops of Kumily or your resort.

Visit a Spice plantation - one of the things to do in Thekkady — Visit a Spice plantation – one of the things to do in Thekkady

On your tour of the spice plantation in Thekkady, you can also, buy spices for yourself. They are generally of good quality and cost much lesser than what you would get in the general market. You also, get essential oils that are not easily available. These are definitely some things to buy in Thekkady.

Most spice plantation tours take place between 9 am to 6 pm. They take around 1 – 2 hours – depending on your interest and the size of the plantation. The average cost is around INR 200 per person.

Visit the tea factory at Pattumalay

Take a tour of the tea gardens and a tea factory

Drive about an hour from Thekkady and step into the world of tea at Pattumalay. Nestled amidst misty hills, this is where the magic happens—from leaf plucking to drying and rolling. The scent of fresh tea leaves is soothing, and the process is fascinating. Don’t forget to try their signature teas. They are quite refreshing and unique.

Pattumalay means hills draped in silk. The green cover dotted with waterfalls can be best viewed from Velankanni Matha Church which is located on a hilltop.

If you do not want to drive to Pattumalay, you can also, visit some of the other tea factories located in Thekkady itself. You can book a tour online at the Connemara tea factory.

Enjoy the Kalaripayattu in Thekkady at Kadathanadan Kalari Centre

Get a front-row seat to Kalaripayattu, one of the world’s oldest martial arts. The performance is intense and packed with skill, grace, and adrenaline. I was amazed to see the fighters leap through the air, wield swords, and perform gravity-defying stunts—all in a traditional setting with rhythmic drumbeats.

I also, witnessed a Kathakali show in Thekkady at the same center. I requested one of the artisans to allow me to their green room, where I witnessed the transformation of a youngster into a fierce villain. It is quite an experience to see how various colors are blended and applied as make-up.

There are two shows – one at 6 pm and the other at 7 pm. The entry fee is INR 200 per person. The center is located in Kumily.

Pro Tip: Remember to get there as early as you can as the seats are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Treat yourself to an Ayurvedic massage in Thekkady

Nothing relaxes you better than a soothing massage. And when that is coupled with the scent of the herbal oils made locally, the magic is doubled. I opted for one of the Ayurvedic treatments at a spa in Thekkady, where the therapists used ancient techniques to relax the muscles. It even revived my energy and spirit.

There are several spas and ayurvedic massage centers in Kumily as well as Thekkady. It is also, possible that your hotel or resort in Thekkady offers one. The average price ranges from INR 1800 – 3000 – depending on the treatment that you opt for. There is one in Kumily that you can book online through this link.

Get blessed at the Mangala Devi temple

Perched at 1,337 meters above sea level, the Mangala Devi Temple offers notjust for a spiritual experience but for the panoramic views of the Western Ghats. This 1,000-year-old temple lies deep inside the forest and is open only once a year during the Chitra Pournami festival—making it a rare pilgrimage and trek combined.

I unfortunately, did not get the time to visit this. However, I do hope to return and make it to this temple.

Go hiking at Ottakathalamedu

Just 4 km from Thekkady lies Ottakathalamedu, a viewpoint with jaw-dropping vistas of mountains, forests, and villages. Early mornings are magical, with clouds rolling below you and golden sunlight spreading across the hills. I am told that the place is perfect for photography – especially at sunrise.

Head out for a day to Munnar

Munnar to Thekkady distance is just 98 km and with such a short distance, I could not but add a extra day to my trip to Thekkady. I did a day trip to Munnar to see its endless tea gardens, waterfalls, and hills covered with swirling clouds. You can plan your visit to include the Mattupetty Dam and the Tea Museum. The road trip itself is a treat, winding through forests and plantations.

The average travel time is around 4 hours from Thekkady.

That completes my list of recommended activities and places in Thekkady – especially if you are headed there just for 2 – 3 days.

I am sure that by now, you have got a fair idea of how to plan your Thekkady trip. I will conclude this Thekkady travel guide for now and add more information as I come across it (and hopefully visit it again). Bookmark and pin it for your future reference.

Quick links for your Thekkady trip

Here are some booking resources that can help you with your trip to Kerala and Thekkady. You can consider using them to finalize your itinerary.

Booking.com has several good Thekkady hotels and resorts listed on their site. You could use this link to browse and book the same.
GetYourGuide is a great site to book tours and activities in Thekkady. Here are five that are well-rated by travelers –
Viator.com has a few tours in and around Thekkady that you can consider for your visit. Here are three that might work for you.
For any of your travel needs or general shopping, consider using Amazon through this link.

Disclaimer: This article includes affiliate links. This means that at no cost to you, I will receive a small commission if you purchase through my link. Thank you for supporting me with this.

Common FAQs about Thekkady

Are Kumily and Thekkady the same?

No, Kumily and Thekkady are two different towns. However, they are just one kilometer apart and hence, are often mistaken to be the same.

How many days do you require to explore Thekkady?

A minimum of two complete days is adequate to explore Thekkady and Periyar.

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P.S: This post has been sponsored by Kerala Tourism. However, the experience, recommendations and tips in the post are completely and truly my own.

Ami

Popularly referred to as a Restless Ball of Energy. My Mom refuses to entertain my complaints about my equally restless daughter & assures my husband that I was born with a travel bug.

I am a Post-Graduate in Marketing by qualification and a travel blogger by passion. Besides travel, I enjoy photography and if you don’t find me at my desk, I would be out playing badminton or swimming or just running. I believe in planning for every long weekend through the year. And when I cannot travel physically, I travel virtually through this travel blog. My travel stories have also, got published on various websites and magazines including BBC Travel, Lonely Planet India and Jetwings. I have recently published my first book – When Places Come Alive – a collection of stories that are based on legends, landscapes, art and culture of a place which is available in both ebook and paperback format.

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