Explore Thekkady in Kerala: Have an Unforgettable Experience for a Lifetime 

A place full of adventure, joy, and must-have experiences, Thekkady is a town near Periyar National Park in the Idukki district. Thekkady is one of the most important tourist attractions in Kerala, a Southern state in India. In Thekkady, you will witness lush green hills, a variety of plantations, rare flora, and the Periyar Tiger Reserve, which you need to explore to gain some thrilling experiences. Take yourself close to nature in Thekkady to make your life more exciting, even for a few days or months. However, before you begin your journey, it is essential to prepare for every aspect of your trip. The information given below will fully prepare you for the adventures and an unforgettable Thekkady trip. 

Information About Thekkady 

State: Kerala 

Population: Over 30,000 

Languages: Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, English

Currency: Indian Rupee

Closest Airport: Madurai Airport 

Top Things to Do in Thekkady 

The things you do throughout your trip are what furnish an unforgettable experience. It is important to plan ahead before you start your journey so your trip runs smoothly. However, if there are any issues or doubts regarding the same, you can go through the information given below, which includes all things that you must do in Thekkady:

Take a jeep safari: Observe wildlife closely and enjoy an amazing, unique experience. During your jeep safari through Periyar Tiger Reserve, you will witness a variety of birds, including Malabar Hornbill, Grey Heron, Jungle Fowl, Jungle Mynah, and 266 other species of birds. Other than this, you will be able to look closely at some other animals.

Witness beautiful Kathakali dance: Witnessing a beautiful dance form in Kathakali in Thekkady is one of the outstanding experiences in Kerala. It includes the mesmerizing presentation of 17th-century classical dance, drama, vibrant makeup, and intricate gestures.

Observe elephants: Closely watch elephants in the jungle, and you can also engage with the elephants who are pets of locals in Thekkady. Many people keep elephants. Not just this, you will also be able to observe elephant dace through interactive experiences at places like Elephant Junction, where you will see elephants performing gentle movements. 

Green walk in Periyar wildlife: Walk through the Periyar wildlife, which includes a 2.5-hour guided nature trek where you will cover around 4-5 km through a variety of habitats. Majorly, you can watch several birds and spot various other wildlife species led by the tribal guides. With this, you will gain a deep forest experience similar to the standard nature walk. 

Experience bamboo rafting: It is a calm but thrilling experience that you can have in Thekkady with the guided treks through the dense forests and peaceful gliding on Periyar Lake. It allows you to spot wildlife closely, which includes birds and elephants, and enjoy beautiful natural views. 

Best Places to Visit in Thekkady

Thekkady offers a blend of various experiences, including culture and traditions, nature, and more. However, it is up to you and your preferences to decide about the places you should visit in Thekkady. Here is the information about some of the best places to visit in Thekkady that you can choose from accordingly to your preferences:

Elephant Junction: Elephants are adorable creatures on Earth, and to witness a glimpse of their cuteness, you must visit Elephant Junction. At Elephant Junction, you can enjoy elephant rides, feeding, bathing, plantation tours, and more to lift your mood. 

Periyan National Park: Enjoy a memorable jungle safari and be part of trekking programs, nature camps, and more. These are the best activities that lead to a little more engagement with nature, which is, no doubt, a peaceful move. 

Thekkady Rose Park: Thekkady Rose Park is one of the main attractions in Thekkady for games and rides. You can enjoy a variety of rides, including Zip line, sky cycle, and more, suitable for all ages, including kids and adults. 

Kadathanadan Kalari & Navarasa Kathakali Centre: Visit Kadathanadan Kalari & Navarasa Kathakali Centre, where you can experience a rich heritage through mesmerizing dance performances. Here you can witness the dance performances, including the Kathakali, Kalaripayattu, and more.

Pandikuzhi Viewpoint: Capture a beautiful view from this viewpoint, one of the best spots where you can relax and enjoy the town, filled with greenery.

Best Time to Visit in Thekkady

The time you visit the place for your trip plays an important role, as it determines the kind of weather you will face at your destination. Before you plan a trip to Thekkady, it will be helpful for you if you know about what time or season is best to visit Thekkady to have a journey your heart craves for:

During winters (October to February) 

This is one of the best times to visit Thekkady, which is during winters when the weather in Thekkady is pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 21 to 15 degrees Celsius. This is the perfect time to observe animals in the reserve and sightsee without discomfort caused by the weather in other seasons. 

During summer (March to May)

It may be a little too hot to visit Thekkady during summers, which include the months from March to May, as the temperature is between 26 and 36 degrees Celsius. The days are warm, but the evenings are quite pleasant due to Thekkady's proximity to water bodies. 

Monsoon (June to September)

From June to September, you may face heavy rainfalls during the monsoon, which usually causes some landslides in the area, and it is probably not a good time to visit Thekkady.  Also, you may not see animals there as they are not usually seen after the rains till the forest dries up a bit. This is not generally a good time to visit Thekkady, but you may still plan your trip during these months if you wish to experience the festivities around Onam. 

Foods to Eat in Thekkady 

Multiple different cuisines you can try in Thekkady, which is one of the best parts of a trip for people who love to try different food items in a new place. Here is a list of some of the must-try food that has the essence of the place where they are prepared:

• Payasam
• Vegetable Biryani
• Fish Moilee
• Pazham Pori
• Erissery
• Kappa with Meen Curry
• Kerala Sadya
• Idliyappam with Egg Curry
• Appam with Vegetable Stew
• Puttu with Kadala Curry

Things to Keep in Mind When Travelling in Thekkady 

Before visiting any place, whether for a trip or for related work, you need to understand a few things to ensure a trouble-free experience. Here are some of those essential things that you have to keep in mind before visiting Thekkady:

• Consider the best time to visit to have the experience as per your preferences.
• You need to book vehicles accoridngly as the place includes hilly terrain.
• Include activities like popular activities, cultural experiences, shopping, and elephant encounters in your trip.
• Respect the local culture and traditions.
• Carry enough cash for the smaller shops, entry tickets, and or local transport.
• Thekkady is usually a safe place; however, you must avoid walking alone late at night and be aware of your surroundings, especially while walking in crowded areas. 

How to Reach Thekkady

To reach Thekkady, you can take various routes, including flights, trains, and other options. People have different preferences when choosing travel options. Some may consider the flight travel, while others' favorite may be the train journey, and other modes of transport. However, if you are unaware and want to know about the types of transport available to reach Thekkady, include:

By Flight 

Consider taking a flight if you want to reach Thekkady in the fastest way possible. You can take a flight to Madurai Airport, which is about 103-136 km away from Thekkady. After that, you can take the taxi and buses that you can easily find near the airport. Other than this, you can choose to travel to Cochin International Airport, about 145 km from Thekkady, and taxis are a common option from there. 

By Train 

This is another transport option that you can consider to visit Thekkady, which is by train. You can travel by train to the closest major railhead, which is Kottyam Railway Station, located around 114km away from Thekkady. However, you can find good connections from cities like Trivandrum, Kochi, and Chennai. After reaching the station, you can easily find a taxi or bus to reach Thekkady. 

By Road 

This is the option for people who like to visit places, drive their own vehicles, or travel to Thekkady by bus. To reach Thekkady by road, you can take KSRTC buses that run frequently from major hubs like Kochi, Kottayam, and Thiruvananthapuram, offering budget-friendly options. Other than this, you can also choose to travel in your own vehicle if you are comfortable driving long distances and it suits your route. Also, you can reach Kochi, and from there you can rent a car for 4 4-hour drive through the Western Ghats, witnessing beautiful views.