Thekkady

Travel to Thekkady: Wildlife Sanctuary, Activities and Shopping

Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary is a fascinating wildlife reserve spread across 777 square kilometres and was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. The sanctuary is centred around the 24-square-kilometre artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River. There are three watchtowers for observing wildlife at Edappalayam, Manakkavala and Thannikudy.

The Mangladevi Temple, located 12 km away on the northern boundary of the reserve, the famous plantation town of Peermede, named after the Sufi saint Mohammed Peer, Munnar, the popular hill station known for Neelakurinji, a flower that covers the hills in a blue hue once every twelve years, and Anamudi (2,695 m), the highest peak in South India, are all worth visiting.

Activities in Thekkady

The Forest Department organises eco-tours through spice, coffee and tea plantations, as well as visits to tea factories and tribal villages in and around the hills.

To enjoy the forest experience, you can go on elephant rides, take boat cruises on Periyar Lake and enjoy trekking at Kurisumala, Pullumedu, Ottakathalamedu, Grampi, Nellikkampetty and Manakkavala.

Aruvi stream (16 km), Crusoe Island (19 km), Manakkavala (10 km), Mullakudy (29 km), Pavarasu (19 km), Periyar Dam (12 km), Thannikudy (38 km) and Peermede (40 km) are ideal picnic spots.

The Tribal Heritage Programme provides an insight into the traditional tribal way of life through visits to tribal villages, traditional homes, fishing and hunting equipment, indigenous medicinal plants and the Tribal Heritage Museum.

How to Reach Thekkady

By Air

The nearest airports are Madurai, approximately 140 km away, Kochi, approximately 185 km away, and Thiruvananthapuram, approximately 265 km away.

By Train

The nearest railway station is Kottayam, about 114 km away, while Madurai railway station is approximately 136 km away.

By Road

An excellent road network from Kumily, located about 4 km away, connects Thekkady with all the major towns and cities in Kerala and other parts of India.

Shopping in Thekkady

Shopping in Thekkady is fun, as you will find many small things to buy for yourself, your family and your friends. Thekkady does not have many large shopping areas, but one important shopping area is Kumily, located about 4 kilometres away.

You do not need to worry much about what to buy in Thekkady, as the area is filled with small items that may seem simple but are beautiful in their own way.

Shopping is truly entertaining in Thekkady. You may be tempted to buy almost everything displayed at the small and colourful market stalls.

Being located in the heart of the spice-growing region, you will find some of the finest fenugreek, white and green pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, star anise, coriander, cloves and almost every spice you can imagine.

You can buy samples of all these spices, usually packed neatly in small transparent bags with printed labels.

Enjoy freshly fried banana chips cooked in aromatic coconut oil as you make your way through the maze of spice-market lanes.

Finally, do not forget to buy good-quality T-shirts for children featuring tiger and elephant motifs as a memorable souvenir of your Kerala visit.

Hotels in Thekkady

• Taj Garden Retreat, Thekkady
• Muthoot Cardamom County, Thekkady
• Thrisangu, Thekkady
• Carmelia Haven, Thekkady
• The Plantation Resort, Thekkady
• The Elephant Court, Thekkady
• Hotel Treetop, Thekkady
• The Hotel Ambadi, Thekkady
• Hotel Mount Sinai, Thekkady
• Hotel Michaels Inn, Thekkady
• Team Eletaria Resort, Thekkady