Thekkady Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Thekkady which includes mist or fog
Thekkady which includes a cascade
Thekkady showing forest scenes
Thekkady featuring a lake or waterhole as well as a large group of people
Thekkady showing a lake or waterhole

Explore the flora and fauna of this beautiful region in southwest India. Ride an elephant through the jungle and go on an overnight tiger-trekking adventure.

The hill town of Thekkady is surrounded by a vast wilderness of dense evergreen forests, lakes and plantations. The land is home to a popular wildlife reserve where tigers and herds of elephants roam. Go wildlife spotting, enjoy long walks through the mountains and camp overnight in the jungle.

Spread out over hundreds of square miles is the Periyar National Park, a protected area in the Cardamom and Pandalam Hills. Go on a boat cruise along Periyar Lake to see elephants bathing and playing by the water’s edge. You can also traverse the waterway on a bamboo raft. Visit the park’s Elephant Junction to ride these magnificent creatures through the forest. 

The national park is part of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Go on the Tiger Trail, a one or two-night trek through hills and valleys to look for tigers. Your overnight accommodation will be in tents pitched in the forest.

The reserve also hosts a number of other guided walks, normally lasting between two hours and a full day. Look for bird species such as flycatchers, thrushes and hornbills on the Nature Walk and hike through deciduous forests and marshy grassland on the Green Walk. 

For some evening entertainment, go to the park's Kadathanadan Kalari Centre. Watch skilled athletes perform martial art displays, accompanied by music, fire and loud drum beats.

A visit to the national park is also an excellent opportunity to study Thekkady’s tropical flora, including eucalyptus trees, orchids, banyans and jacarandas. Enhance your knowledge of the area's plant life with an excursion to Deepa World Spice and Ayurvedic Garden. Here you can tour plantations and learn about products made from the herbs, spices and other plants. 

Reach Thekkady by flying into Madurai Airport. At a distance of approximately 85 miles (136 kilometres) away this is the nearest airport. Make the rest of the journey by taxi or rental car. Thekkady's wildlife and beautiful natural scenery can be enjoyed throughout the year. However, bear in mind the monsoon season is between June and September and some activities are weather dependent.

Spice Village - Cgh Earth
Spice Village - Cgh Earth
4 out of 5
Kumily - Thekkady Road, Peermade, Kerala
The price is ₹9,898 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
₹9,898
₹11,969 total
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Peermade. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Kadathanadan Kalari Centre and Mudra Cultural ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (45 reviews)
"Stay In the lap of Mother Nature"

Reviewed on 14 Jun 2025

Spice Village - Cgh Earth
The Elephant Court
The Elephant Court
5 out of 5
Amalambika Road, Peermade, Kerala
The price is ₹5,759 per night from 11 Jul to 12 Jul
₹5,759
₹6,450 total
11 Jul - 12 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Peermade. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 3 indoor pools. Popular attractions Kadathanadan Kalari Centre and Mudra Cultural ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (16 reviews)
"Liked the original Kerala style room decor, location of the property and overall helpfulness of staff. Cafeteria and food was excellent as well."

Reviewed on 15 Feb 2025

The Elephant Court
Hills & Hues
Hills & Hues
3.5 out of 5
2nd mile,amaravathy P.O.Kumily, Periyar, Peermade, Kerala
The price is ₹14,110 per night from 24 Jul to 25 Jul
₹14,110
₹16,650 total
24 Jul - 25 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star family-friendly hotel in Peermade. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Mudra Cultural Centre and Kadathanadan ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (11 reviews)
A nice and Cozy stay
"A very good place to stay with family, the pool is the most attractive spot. Staffs were very friendly, no bad things to say"

Reviewed on 2 May 2025

Hills & Hues
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Casa Bella
Casa Bella
3 out of 5
Rosapookandam Rd., Thekkady, Peermade, Kerala
Stay at this 3-star villa in Peermade. Popular attractions Mudra Cultural Centre and Kadathanadan Kalari Centre are located nearby.
Casa Bella
AIKKARA COTTAGES
AIKKARA COTTAGES
2.5 out of 5
peerumedu road,vagamon, Peermade, KL
Stay at this villa in Peermade. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and tour/ticket assistance. Popular attractions Vagamon Kurishumala Church and Barren Hills are ...
AIKKARA COTTAGES
Oakwood Oasis Home Stay, Vagamon
Oakwood Oasis Home Stay, Vagamon
2.5 out of 5
Peermade
Stay at this villa in Peermade. Enjoy free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Periyar Lake and Ayyapancoil Hanging Bridge are located nearby.
Oakwood Oasis Home Stay, Vagamon
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Thekkady

3.3
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
1
5 - Excellent 25%
4 - Good
0
4 - Good 0%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 50%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 25%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

The staff have to politely explain to my fellow Indians that the kids go to the indoor activities room to play and shout. The pool could be left to adults to enjoy a quiet swim, instead of making the swimming pool a noisy basket ball ground.

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller

We did not have the value for money in the hotel stay.

Cities near Thekkady