Thekkady

Get a holiday expert for this place

Destination Theme
Backwaters, Culinary Centers, Hill Stations, Wildlife Sanctuaries,
Best Suited For
Families, Couples and Tourists.
Recommended Duration
Two to Three days.

Quick Info

Thekkady is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the state of Kerala. Located at the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the Idukki district, Thekkady is famous for Periyar National Park. The closest airport to Thekkady is the Madhurai Airport which is 114 kilometres away. The Cochin International Airport is at distance of 145 kilometres away from Thekkady.

Rankings & Ratings

An aromatic town of spices having a beautiful lake providing glimpses of some rare wildlife species.

Editor's Rankings

#3 in 33 Destinations in & around Kerala
#2 in 8 Wildlife Sanctuaries in & around Kerala
#3 in 10 Hill Stations in & around Kerala
#2 in 7 Ayurvedic Centers in & around Kerala

Editor's Review

The highlights of Thekkady are the boat cruise and the wildlife reserve. While on the cruise, you not only enjoy the great views and the atmosphere of the Periyar Lake, but also get good opportunities to view some rare animals on the lakeshore. There are only a few tourists activities in Thekkady, but the attractions that are present are worth a try.

PROS

  • Beautiful landscape with hills and plantations.
  • The boat cruise in Periyar lake is a special experience.
  • A great variety of wildlife can be seen.
  • There are some really good restaurants and bakeries.

CONS

  • Heavy rainfall during Monsoon.
  • Very few accommodations offer a comfortable stay.
  • A lot of disturbing monkeys around the place.
  • The place has only a few good attractions for tourists.

Itinerary Tips

  • The months of July and August have heavy rainfall making sightseeing difficult.
  • Make sure you try the boat cruise in Periyar Lake.
  • Barbeque, Bamboo cafe and Spice Garden are some of the best restaurants in Thekkady.
  • Periyar National Park is also a must-visit.
  • Nature walks and trekking are interesting activities in and around Thekkady. 

Detailed Info

Thekkady is a celebrated tourist destination located at the border of Kerala. It is popular for its wildlife, spice plantations and a lengthy chain of beautiful hills and hence provides great opportunities for trekking and nature walks. Thekkady is home to one of the finest wildlife reserves in India called "Periyar National Reserve". The boat cruise in the calm and placid "Periyar Lake" of Thekkady is an exquisite experience.

Over 1965 flowering plants, more than 60 species of fauna including the Asian elephant, Tiger, Indian bison, sambar deer, Indian wild dog, Leopard, Barking deer, Smooth-coated otter which can be sighted during a boat cruise in the Periyar Lake and  265 species of birds including Malabar grey hornbill, Indian pied hornbill, Whitebellied Treepie can be found in the renowned Periyar National reserve. Among the other tourist attractions in Thekkady are Chellar Kovil, Mangala Devi Temple and Kurisumala.  

 

Altitude

Thekkady is at an altitude of 700 metres(2296 ft) above mean sea level.

Weather

Moderate climate throughout the year with heavy rainfalls during the monsoon season in the months of July and August.

Best Time to Visit?

During winter season that starts in November and ends in February.

How to Get There?

By Air

The nearest International Airport at a distance of 145 kilometres from Thekkady is Cochin International Airport which is connected to major cities in India and abroad. Madhurai Airport is 114 kilometres away, but it is a domestic airport. From the airport, hiring a cab to Thekkady is the best option.

By Train

The nearest railway station to Thekkady is Kottayam, located 114 kilometres away. It is well-connected to major cities in India. From the railway station, you can hire a cab or board a government or private bus to reach Thekkady.

By Road

There are government and private-run buses from places like Kottayam, Cochin and Trivandrum to Thekkady. The buses are the most economic mode of transportation to reach Thekkady

 

 

Local Cuisines

Some of the best delicacies in Thekkady are Barbeque Chicken, Pineapple curry and unique bakery snacks.