Thekkady: A Journey into the Heart of Kerala

Thekkady is located in the Idukki district of the south Indian state of Kerala and is unquestionably one of the most attractive tourist destinations in India. It is a calm tourists’ destination with large trees, many streams, and wild animals. In Thekkady, tourists can enjoy the beauty of beautiful hills, misty mountains, and dense backwater regions.

The place is full of folds that include jungle safari, trekking, and rafting. One can feel the beauty of Kerala and learn more about the state’s culture and traditions of its people. Try to taste South Indian specialty and special cuisine of Kerala like hot spices, curry, fresh seafood, and spices.

How to Reach Thekkady?

Reaching Thekkady, one will be surprised to find that accessing the place is quite easy because of the reliable road networks, railway, and even air transport. Here’s a guide on how to get there:

1. By Road

Thekkady has its own motorable road connectivity from different parts of the state of Kerala as well as from other neighboring states. For instance, there are many buses, state and private, that can be used to get to Thekkady from Kochi, Kottayam, and Madurai among others. Other means of transportation that can be used in order to make the journey easier and faster are a taxi or even a hire car.

2. By Train

Thekkady can also be accessed by train by getting to Kottayam Railway Station which is 90km to Thekkady. To Thekkady, one can hire a taxi or a bus from Kottayam town which is the nearest town to the spot. Like all other towns of Kerala, the town is well accessible by road from other cities in Kerala and other parts of India like Cochin, Trivandrum, Chennai etc. For those arriving in Kochi, there is a train titled Kochito Kottayam. You can even catch a train and go to Kottayam and then hire a car and move down to the Thekkady.

3. By Air

Sadly, there is no airport in Thekkady, but there are a fairly large number of airport services nearby. The nearest International airport is COCHIN International Airport (COK) which is 150 km away from Thekkady, this is the best accessible airport for any International or Domestic tourist. From this point, one can hire a taxi to take them to Thekkady or they can take a bus. Another useful way for reaching Thekkady is Madurai International Airport (IXM) which is roughly 140 km from there, so if traveling from Tamil Nadu this is also fit to use.

Best Time to Visit Thekkady

1. Winter (October to February)

Winter is perhaps the most appropriate season to visit Thekkady. The climate is good at this time of the year, cool and pleasant with generous sunshine which is ideal for wildlife tours, hiking, and water sports like boating. The daily mean temperature varies from 15℃ – 25℃ so ideal for trekking around Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Spices Garden. This is also the high travel season hence expect more rush of tourists.

2. Summer (March to May)

Summer in Thekkady is comparatively hot but not very hot. The climate is warm to hot, moving up from 25 to 35 degrees Celsius during the day, and cooler in the evenings. The best thing about going to Thekkady in summer is you don’t encounter that many tourists and enjoy low rates for accommodations. Although the hiking may be slightly difficult due to the heat in the day, there are good early mornings and early evenings to sightsee and go for game drives.

3. Monsoon (June to September)

The weather of Thekkady is tropical, with monsoon, which causes heavy rain with beautiful greenery throughout the region, which is very beautiful. Like many other parts of South India, Thekkady has moderate to highest rainfall in June, July, and August. Rains make the place much more beautiful, but slippery roads and bad weather can become an obstacle to various sorts of activities.

Best Places to Visit in Thekkady

1. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is the Thekkady’s primary attraction as it presents the tourist with an untouched natural environment of the region teeming with wildlife. Boat rides at the Periyar Lake can spot elephants, sambar deer, wild boar, and several kinds of birds. It is also an ideal place for bird watching, hiking, and photo safari among other activities.

2. Periyar Lake

Located at the geographical center of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Periyar is perfect for boating to watch over the lake. The shallow water also offers an excellent chance to spot animals with elephants, deer, and at certain times Tigers visiting the bank of the water.

3. Spice Plantations

Spice plantation is the special attraction of Thekkady. See cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, and vanilla plantations with the assistance of a tour guide. The spice tour educates visitors on the growth and uses of spices that define the region as a whole.

4. Murikkady

Murikkady is another hill station that can be visited and is just a 15 Km drive from Thekkady. It has natural resource endowments such as tea gardens, coffee estates, and spices estates. It is a suitable place for taking a walk and having a view of a tea plantation and a bird’s eye view of the Hills.

5. Bamboo Rafting

Bamboo rafting in the Periyar River is a must-do thing for looking for wildlife on the river. It is an exceptional opportunity to view the wildlife and the forest’s natural terrains silently.

6. Thekkady Viewpoint

Situated just beside the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Thekkady Viewpoint is perfect for photography and nature walks with a view of the hills. Sunrise and sunset are especially interesting on the forest and hills that dominate the views in the area.

Where to Stay in Thekkady?

Thekkady has many hotels and resorts that offer a wide range from high-end to a more economically priced hotel. For those, who want to have a little bit more luxurious accommodation, there are such places as “Spice Village” and “Greenwoods Resort”. For staying with comfort at a cheap rate, guesthouses, or budget hotels like “Spice Inn” and “Thekkady Woods” provide a simple yet cozy stay.