What Makes Thekkady Special?
Thekkady is Kerala's gateway to the wild. Located at the heart of the spice-growing belt and bordering the Periyar Tiger Reserve, this hill town at 900 metres elevation combines wildlife encounters, aromatic spice plantations, adventure activities, and rich culture. Most travellers spend 1-2 nights here as part of a Kerala circuit, but there is enough to do to fill three days easily. Here are the 10 best things to do in Thekkady, with current costs and practical tips.
1. Periyar Lake Boat Ride
The KTDC-operated boat cruise on Periyar Lake within the Tiger Reserve is Thekkady's headline experience. The 1.5-hour cruise takes you across the scenic reservoir where wild animals come to the water's edge to drink. Elephants, gaur (Indian bison), sambar deer, wild boar, and an incredible variety of birds are regularly spotted.
- Cost: INR 205 (upper deck) / INR 70 (lower deck) per person
- Timings: 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:15 AM, 1:45 PM, 3:30 PM
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Best time for wildlife: Early morning (7:30 AM) or late afternoon (3:30 PM)
- Tip: Book the upper deck — the elevated view makes spotting animals much easier. Online booking is available through the KTDC website.
2. Spice Garden Tour
Thekkady lies at the heart of Kerala's spice country, and a guided walk through a working spice plantation is a sensory feast. You will see pepper vines climbing trees, cardamom bushes with their aromatic pods, vanilla orchids, cinnamon bark being peeled, clove buds drying, and nutmeg fruit being processed.
- Cost: INR 300-500 per person (includes guide and tasting)
- Duration: 1-1.5 hours
- Best plantations: Highrange Spices, Abraham's Spice Garden, Mudra Ayurveda
- Tip: Buy spices directly from the plantation — prices are 30-50% cheaper than tourist shops, and freshness is guaranteed
3. Bamboo Rafting in Periyar
For a more immersive wildlife experience than the motor boat, join the bamboo rafting programme inside the tiger reserve. Small groups of 10 float silently on bamboo rafts along the lake's edge, getting much closer to the forest. The chances of spotting elephants and other wildlife are significantly higher due to the quiet approach.
- Cost: INR 1,500-2,000 per person
- Duration: 3 hours (full morning programme, 7 AM start)
- Includes: Bamboo raft ride, guided forest walk, refreshments
- Tip: Limited to small groups, so advance booking is essential. Available October to March only.
4. Jungle Night Patrol
The Periyar Tiger Reserve offers a guided night walk along the forest perimeter. Led by armed forest guards and trained tribal guides, this programme takes you into the forest after dark to listen for animal calls and spot nocturnal wildlife using torchlight. It is an exciting and unique experience.
- Cost: INR 1,000-1,500 per person
- Duration: 3 hours (starting at 7 PM)
- Tip: Wear dark clothing and walking shoes. Cameras with flash are not permitted as they disturb wildlife.
5. Kathakali Performance
Kathakali, Kerala's classical dance-drama characterised by elaborate costumes and facial make-up, is best experienced in Thekkady where several cultural centres offer nightly performances. The shows typically include make-up application viewing (arrive 30 minutes early), followed by a one-hour performance depicting stories from the Ramayana or Mahabharata.
- Cost: INR 300-400 per person
- Venues: Kadathanadan Kalari Centre, Mudra Cultural Centre
- Timing: Make-up starts 5:00 PM, performance at 6:30 PM
- Tip: The make-up application is fascinating — do not skip it
6. Kalaripayattu Martial Arts Show
Kalaripayattu is one of the world's oldest martial art forms, originating in Kerala. The high-energy demonstrations feature sword fights, shield combat, and acrobatic movements that predate most Asian martial arts. The shows are thrilling to watch and last about 45 minutes.
- Cost: INR 250-400 per person
- Venue: Kadathanadan Kalari Centre (same venue as Kathakali, shows at different times)
- Tip: Combine with the Kathakali show for a cultural double-bill. Most centres offer combo tickets at a discount.
7. Periyar Tiger Trail (Full-Day Trek)
The most immersive wildlife experience in Thekkady is the full-day tiger trail — a guided trek deep into the core zone of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Led by ex-poachers turned conservationists (a remarkable rehabilitation programme), the trek covers 12-15 km through dense forest, grasslands, and along the lake shore.
- Cost: INR 3,000-5,000 per person
- Duration: Full day (7 AM to 5 PM), includes packed lunch
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging — good fitness required
- Tip: Limited to 12 people per group. Book at least a week in advance through the Periyar Foundation. Best from October to March.
8. Visit Chellarkovil Viewpoint
Located 15 km from Kumily, Chellarkovil offers a stunning viewpoint overlooking the Tamil Nadu plains from the Western Ghats ridge. The panoramic vista stretches for miles, and on clear days you can see the Cumbum Valley far below. There are small waterfalls nearby that are best visited after the monsoon.
- Cost: Free entry
- Getting there: 30 minutes by car from Kumily, or arrange a rental through Series Tours
- Tip: Visit in the morning for the best views before clouds build up. Combine with a visit to local tribal villages in the area.
9. Elephant Junction Experience
For those who want an up-close interaction with elephants, Elephant Junction near Kumily offers elephant rides, bathing sessions, and feeding experiences. The centre houses rescued and retired temple elephants. While elephant tourism can be controversial, this centre is known for its reasonable treatment standards.
- Cost: INR 500-2,000 depending on package
- Duration: 30 minutes to 2 hours
- Tip: Choose the bathing and feeding experience over rides for a more ethical interaction
10. Shop at Kumily Spice Market
The town of Kumily (the commercial centre adjacent to Thekkady) has a vibrant spice bazaar where you can buy fresh pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, and coffee. Prices here are significantly lower than in Cochin or tourist areas. Several shops also sell handmade chocolates, essential oils, and Ayurvedic products.
- Best buys: Green cardamom, black pepper, organic coffee, vanilla extract
- Tip: Compare prices at 2-3 shops before buying. Ask for tasting samples — reputable shops are happy to let you taste before purchasing.
How to Include Thekkady in Your Kerala Trip
Thekkady fits perfectly between Munnar (90 km, 3.5 hours) and Alleppey (140 km, 4 hours) in a standard Kerala itinerary. We recommend 1-2 nights — enough for the lake cruise, a spice garden tour, and one adventure activity. Contact Series Tours to build Thekkady into your personalised Kerala trip.