Kerala · India
Thekkady
The gateway to the Periyar Tiger Reserve in the Cardamom Hills — a spice-scented highland of jungle lake safaris, plantation walks, elephants and cool mountain air.
Thekkady is spice-country Kerala: Periyar's lake boat safaris and jungle walks, cardamom-and-pepper plantations, Kathakali and Kalari shows in Kumily, and Kerala food.
Plan your trip
Thekkady Tour Itineraries
Timed, walkable day plans — plus the best season to go.
Where to shoot
Thekkady Photo Spots
Medium crowdEntry Free (shows ticketed)
Kumily
- Best timeEarly morning, when the spice shops open and the street is calm; early evening for lit shopfronts and a busy market feel.
- ColorsRustWhiteMustard
Entry Permit required
Mangala Devi Temple
- Best timeMorning on the festival day, before the heat and the biggest crowds, when the hills are usually clearest.
- ColorsSaffronWhiteForest green
Medium crowdEntry Boat fee
Periyar Lake
- Best timeEarly morning on the first boat, when mist sits on the water and animals are more likely at the shore; late afternoon for warm light on the dead tree trunks.
- ColorsKhakiWhiteForest green
Medium crowdEntry Park + activity fees
Periyar Tiger Reserve
- Best timeEarly morning, when the forest is cool and animals are most active; late afternoon for softer light on the grassy lake edges.
- ColorsKhakiOliveBeige
Entry Tour fee
Spice Plantations
- Best timeMorning, when soft light filters through the trees and the leaves are still fresh with dew; after rain for the deepest greens.
- ColorsRustWhiteForest green
For the feed
Trending Wear in Thekkady
Modern, Instagram-friendly looks
Rooted in the city
Thekkady Traditional Wear
Local, cultural, handcrafted outfits
Taste the city
Food to Eat in Thekkady
Trusted tables
Where to Eat in Thekkady
About Thekkady
Thekkady is a small forest town in the Cardamom Hills of Idukki district, at about 900 m, right on the Kerala–Tamil Nadu border. It exists because of the Periyar Tiger Reserve, one of the oldest protected forests in India, which covers about 925 sq km around a lake formed when the Mullaperiyar Dam was built in 1895. Most visitors stay in Kumily, the busy market town just outside the reserve gate.
A trip here is about slowing down in the forest. Take an early boat on Periyar Lake, join a guided nature walk or a bamboo rafting trip run by the Forest Department, and spend an afternoon on a spice plantation among cardamom, pepper and coffee. In the evening, walk through Kumily's spice shops, watch a Kathakali or Kalaripayattu show, and try Kerala food like appam and stew, kappa and fish curry, or a full sadya.
Questions
Thekkady — FAQ
What is Thekkady famous for?
Thekkady is famous for the Periyar Tiger Reserve, its boat rides on Periyar Lake, and the spice plantations around Kumily. It is also known for its cardamom and pepper shops, evening Kathakali and Kalaripayattu shows, and cooler weather than the Kerala coast.
How many days are enough for Thekkady?
2 days is enough for a boat ride, a nature walk, a spice plantation tour and an evening in Kumily. Add a day if you want a longer Forest Department programme such as full-day bamboo rafting or a border hiking trail.
What is the best time to visit Thekkady?
October to March is the most comfortable time, with cool days and little rain. March and April can be better for animal sightings, as the forest dries and animals come to the lake, while June to August is the wettest period. See the best time to visit Thekkady for a month-by-month guide.
How do I reach Thekkady?
Thekkady has no airport or railway station. The nearest airport is Madurai, about 136 km away, and Kochi airport is about 190 km away. The nearest railway station is Kottayam, about 114 km away. From any of these, continue by bus or taxi on winding hill roads.
Will I see a tiger in Thekkady?
Probably not. Tigers live in the reserve but are rarely seen. Elephants, gaur (Indian bison), sambar deer, wild boar and many water birds are much more common, especially from the early boat. No sighting is ever guaranteed.