Thekkady |
Thekkady is popular for its various spice gardens as well. While holiday makers come here to be a part of the peaceful retreat and the lush greenery, honeymooners flock here in winters to enjoy the chilly weather and natural environs. Adventurers too come here to indulge in various adventure sports like trekking, wildlife safari and rock climbing. A few good eating joints and shops make this place a perfect place for holidaying. |
Getting There
Air: Madurai (140 km) and Kochi (180 km) have the nearest airport. Direct flights are available from Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. Tickets are very economical (Rs 2,500-4,000). Train: The nearest rail head to reach Thekkady is at Kottayam (114 km). Daily trains are available from Delhi (Kerala Express), Mumbai (Kanyakumari Exp), Kolkata (Ghy Tvc Express), Bangalore (Kanyakumari Exp) and Chennai (Trivandrum Mail). Bus: KSRTC runs regular buses from Kottayam (114 km, 4 hours, Rs 120 for deluxe bus), Madurai (140 km, 5 hours Rs 180 for semi-deluxe) and Trivandrum (230 km, 7 hours, Rs 300 for semi-deluxe). Overnight buses are also available from Bangalore (500 km, 12 hours, Rs 1,100 for AC Volvo), Chennai (600 km, 14 hours, Rs 1,200 for AC Volvo) and Coimbatore (240 km, 4 hours, Rs 400 for deluxe buses). Car: Private cars and taxis are convenient mode of transport for tourists from Kochi and Madurai. From Kochi (3-4 hrs) tourists can take the Kochi-Kumarakom-Kottayam-Kanjirappally-Thekkady route. From Madurai (2-3 hrs), the route is via Theni-Kambam-Thekkady. Direct roads do not connect Thekkady from Bangalore. From Bangalore tourists can come to Kochi (Hosur-Kathujuganapalli-Dharmapuri-Bhavani-Salem-Avnashi-Thirumalayampalayam-Palakkad-Marathakkara-Kochi) or Madurai (Hosur-Kathujuganapalli-Dharampuri-Salem-Karur-Dindigul-Madurai) and continue their onward journey to Thekkady from any of the above mentioned route. For tourists coming from North India (Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata), the best option is to take a direct flight or direct train to Madurai or Kochi and continue their onward journey by bus.When To Go
Thekkady enjoys moderate climate all through the year. But the best time to visit is from September to March. Thekkady has a moderate climate all through the year. Summers (March to May) are bit hot with maximum temperature reaching 36°C and winters (December to February) are very pleasant with temperature goes down as low as 11°C. Monsoons (June to September) offer very heavy rainfalls, associated with landslides.The famous Mangala Devi temple opens for visitors only on the Chithra Poornami festival day coinciding with month March.
September to March is the best time to enjoy the eye catching greeneries. Bird watchers can spot migratory birds during post monsoon and winter seasons. Summers are optimal period to spot more wild animals when they flock to water sources.
Eat & Drink
Thekkady has numerous restaurants and eating joints, serving wide varieties of cuisines and delicacies. For authentic Kerala food and various vegetarian South Indian breakfast, tourists can go to Kumily Coconut Garden, around 9 km from Thekkady. For various multi-cuisine options, the best restaurants are the Elamala Restaurant (04869-222 806) on Thekkady Main Road and the Ambadi Restaurant (04869-222 011/222).Shopping
Thekkady offers quite a few places where tourists can shop for the famous spices and small knicks-knacks. There are no market-places per say, but a few colorful stalls lined in the heartland from where tourists can shop. Tourists can look forward to buy fenugreek, white and green pepper, rolls of cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, star anise, coriander, cloves while munching on the traditional banana chips that are fried in fresh coconut oil. Good quality T-shirt with elephant and tiger motifs is also worth purchasing.Travel within city
Travelling around Thekkady is quite easy, as the city is well connected through buses, mini buses, auto rickshaws and taxis. The picturesque locations of Thekkady can be well enjoyed if you decide on the best mode of transport for your trip and plan your travel accordingly.Bus
Buses and mini buses are the main mode of travel in Thekkady. Buses in Thekkady comprehensively cover all the important locations and major destinations present in the region. Bus fares are very cheap when compared to the fares involved in the other modes of transport. The bus fares ranges from Rs 3 to Rs 10, depending on the distance covered.
Taxi
Taxis in Thekkady have fixed rates, and taking a taxi is a very safe mode of travel in the region. You can opt for taxis from all the major points in the city, and opting for a taxi can make your travel plan very easy. Taxi fares may range from Rs 40 to 150, depending on the distance covered.
Auto Rickshaw
Auto rickshaws in Thekkady do not run on meter, and fares are normally fixed and predetermined. Auto fares will range around Rs 20 to Rs 60, and you can talk to the locals in order to get a fair idea on how much to pay or spend.
| Attractions |
Periyar National Park
mustsee
Bamboo Rafting
popular
Nature Walk
popular
Periyar Tiger Trail
popular A unique attraction tourists in Thekkady is the Periyar Tiger Trail which is conducted by the forest department. Tourists trek along with guides and forest department officials and some of the commonly sighted animals include elephants, sambhars and even tigers. Charges: (1 night / 2 days): Rs 3,000 per person (Min 5,000), (2 nights / 3 days): Rs 5,000 per person (Min 7,500)Border Hiking
Border Hiking is one activity that can be enjoyed while visiting Munnar. It is trekking program conducted on the high terrains of the forest enabling you to explore the forest and wild life. Timings: 8 am to 5 pm Charges: Rs 1000 per person.Periyar Lake
Excursions
| Kumily |
| Kumily is a quaint little town located on the border
of two states - Kerala and Tamil Nadu. This plantation town attracts
tourists all through the year. Known for its beauty of tree plantations
& old charming markets, this little town is a hit among tourists
flocking here.
Located 6 km away from the popular town of Thekkady, it is known for its plantation walks, diverse wildlife, boating & trekking, With so much to do while in Kumily, do not miss out on savoring some of the lip smacking Kerala cuisine & rejuvenating in its peaceful environs with a good massage! |
Abraham's Spice Garden
Situated on the way to Thekkady from Kottam is the beautiful organic garden of spices, Abraham’s Spice Garden. With an entrance fee of Rs 200, the garden is worth to pay a visit, where one can also get to know about the spice cultivation, organic farming, ayurveda and the scientific knowledge about each spices. A visit to Abraham’s Spice Garden is all about exploring the world of spices. Contact: 00-91-4869-222919 Timings: 8.00 am - 6.30 pm Charges: Rs 100Kadathanadan Kalari Centre
Located on Thekkady Road, Kumily, Kadathanadan Kalari Centre is well known for Kalaripayattu martial arts. This martial art form is performed in a designed gallery which is built considering the safety of the viewers. A more of a self-defence kind of martial arts, which represents the unique culture of Kerela, visitors are sure to enjoy the agile movements of the performers. Contact: 00-91-4869-222988 Timings: 6 am to 7 pm Charges: Rs 200Trekking
Trekking is one of the best ways of exploring the area. Kumily is merely 6 kms from Thekkady and trekking is the best way to reach the village as it is the only way tourists can enjoy some of the best preserved natural attractions. The most popular routes for trekking are - Kurisamala to Kumily and Kumily to Pandikuzhi.| Itineraries |
| Distances from Thekkady |
| Munnar | 91 km | 3h |
| Kumarakom | 120 km | 4h |
| Sabarimala | 124 km | 1h, 50m |
| Alleppey | 140 km | 4h |
| Kochi | 165 km | 5h |
| Kovalam | 230 km | 5h |
| Trivandrum | 250 km | 3h, 50m |
| Coimbatore | 275 km | 8h |
| Wayanad | 395 km | 6h, 20m |
| Bangalore | 515 km | 10h |
| Chennai | 594 km | 13h |
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