Thekkady Tour Packages
Thekkady is the town beside Periyar Tiger Reserve, where a lake created by a nineteenth-century dam attracts elephants, gaur and deer to its shores. The surrounding hills are planted with cardamom, pepper and coffee.
Thekkady at a glance
- LocationKerala, India
- Time zoneIndian Standard Time (UTC+5:30)
- Driving sideLeft
- Calling code+91
- CurrencyIndian rupee (INR)
- LanguagesMalayalam
- Ideal stay1–2 days
- Getting thereMadurai Airport (IXM), about 140 km, or…
Best time to visit: October to April
Top Thekkady travel packages
A few of our Thekkady itineraries in different travel styles. Every one is private and can be changed to suit you.
Family holidaysKochi · Munnar · Thekkady · AlleppeyKerala Highlights: Munnar, Thekkady & Alleppey6 Days | 5 Nights
Honeymoon packagesMunnar · Thekkady · Alleppey · KovalamKerala Honeymoon with Houseboat & Beach7 Days | 6 Nights
Wildlife safarisThekkadyThekkady Spice & Wildlife Short Break3 Days | 2 Nights
Family holidaysKochi · Munnar · Thekkady · AlleppeyKerala Family Holiday7 Days | 6 NightsEssential tips for travelling to Thekkady
UPI and cards are widely accepted in cities and hotels; keep some cash for small shops, rural areas, hill towns and tips.
Tipping is not compulsory; around 5–10% in restaurants and a small tip for drivers and guides is appreciated.
Drink bottled or filtered water; it is cheap and easy to find.
112 (all emergencies)
Languages spoken: Malayalam.
Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram have the main airports; Kozhikode serves the north and Wayanad. Distances are short but hill roads are slow, so allow 3–4 hours for most transfers.
Houseboat cruises usually start around noon and end the next morning; overnight stays have the boat moored at night by regulation.
Carry light rain gear in any season; afternoon showers are common in the hills.
Book the first Periyar boat of the morning; animal sightings are best early and tickets are limited.
General guidance. Local rules and services change; we confirm details for your dates.
Where is Thekkady?
Who should visit Thekkady?
Plan your Thekkady trip
Everything you need to know about Thekkady
Thekkady is the town beside Periyar Tiger Reserve, where a lake created by a nineteenth-century dam attracts elephants, gaur and deer to its shores. The surrounding hills are planted with cardamom, pepper and coffee.
Highlights include Periyar Lake boat safari, Periyar nature walks, Spice plantations and Kadathanadan Kalari Centre. Local food worth trying: Spice-rich Kerala curries, Fresh cardamom tea and Banana fritters. Plan 1–2 days here; it suits families, wildlife and spice lovers. Our Thekkady itineraries run from 3 to 9 days and every one can be changed to suit you.
When to go
October to April. Dry season for wildlife; March–April sees more animals near the lake.
How to reach Thekkady
- By air: Madurai Airport (IXM), about 140 km, or Cochin (COK), about 150 km
- By rail: Kottayam railway station, about 115 km
- By road: About 3.5 hours from Munnar
View all Thekkady packages
Private, customisable itineraries with prices quoted for your dates, hotel category and group size.
6D / 5NKochi · Munnar · Thekkady · AlleppeyKerala Highlights: Munnar, Thekkady & Alleppey
The classic first trip to Kerala: Fort Kochi's heritage, two nights in Munnar's tea hills, Periyar's spice gardens and a night on a houseboat.
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7D / 6NMunnar · Thekkady · Alleppey · KovalamKerala Honeymoon with Houseboat & Beach
Tea-garden views, a private houseboat night on the backwaters and two beach days at Kovalam, with time for an Ayurvedic massage for two.
View itinerary →7D / 6NKochi · Munnar · Thekkady · AlleppeyKerala Family Holiday
Paced for families: tea museum and boating in Munnar, a Periyar boat safari and elephant-country spice farms, and a houseboat children love.
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9D / 8NKochi · Munnar · Thekkady · KumarakomKerala & Kanyakumari Grand Tour
Nine days from Kochi to the tip of India through tea hills, spice country, Vembanad Lake and the Kovalam coast.
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3D / 2NThekkadyThekkady Spice & Wildlife Short Break
Two nights at the edge of Periyar Tiger Reserve: an early lake safari, a spice plantation walk and a kalaripayattu show.
View itinerary →5 itineraries
More places in Kerala
Top things to see in Thekkady
ThekkadyWildlife cruise on the reserve's lake
ThekkadyGuided walks and bamboo rafting (by Forest Department)
KeralaCardamom, pepper and cinnamon gardens
KeralaKalaripayattu martial arts show
Wildlife in Thekkady
ThekkadyWildlife cruise on the reserve's lake
Wildlife experiences
Sightings depend on season and luck and are never guaranteed. Keep your distance, stay with licensed guides and never feed wild animals.
Cultural experiences in Thekkady
Experiences
- Kalaripayattu show
On the menuFood to try
- Spice-rich Kerala curries
- Fresh cardamom tea
- Banana fritters
Outdoor activities in Thekkady
Many activities are seasonal. Best time for Thekkady: October to April. We check operating seasons for your dates.
Thekkady travel tips
Visa and entry
Indian citizens do not need a visa; carry a government photo ID such as Aadhaar or a passport for hotels and flights.
Health and safety
Travel insurance is a good idea, especially for adventure activities. Carry prescription medicines in their original packaging with a copy of the prescription.
Currency and tipping
The currency is the Indian rupee (INR). Tipping is not compulsory; around 5–10% in restaurants and a small tip for drivers and guides is appreciated.
Best time to visit
October to April. Dry season for wildlife; March–April sees more animals near the lake.
Getting around
Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram have the main airports; Kozhikode serves the north and Wayanad. Distances are short but hill roads are slow, so allow 3–4 hours for most transfers.
Local etiquette
- Ask before photographing people, and follow photography rules at religious sites and museums.
What to pack
Pack a light jacket or sweater for cool evenings, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and swimwear and comfortable walking shoes.
Phone and internet
Mobile data is good in towns and cities. Coverage can be patchy in remote, hill and forest areas, so download offline maps before you set off.
Budget
We don't publish fixed prices because the season, hotel category, flights and group size change the cost. Your written quote lists exactly what is included, so you can compare like for like.
Thekkady FAQs
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What is the best time to visit Thekkady?
How many days are enough for Thekkady?
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Is tap water safe to drink in Kerala?
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Can Nexara Holidays plan a Thekkady trip from Chennai?
Destinations near Thekkady
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Kodaikanal, the princess of hill stations, sits on a plateau in the Palani Hills around a star-shaped lake.
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Valparai is a remote plateau of tea and coffee estates in the Anaimalai Hills, reached by a road with forty hairpin bends.
Tamil NaduPalani
Palani is one of the six abodes of Lord Murugan, the Arupadai Veedu.
Tamil NaduMadurai
Madurai is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in India and grew around the Meenakshi Amman Temple, whose fourteen gopurams are covered in thousands of painted figures.
Tamil NaduCoimbatore
Coimbatore is a textile and engineering hub and the gateway to the Nilgiris, but it is worth a stop for the Isha Yoga Centre's giant Adiyogi statue at the foot of the Velliangiri hills and the Marudhamalai temple.
Tamil NaduTiruchendur
Tiruchendur is the only one of Lord Murugan's six abodes that stands by the sea.
Thekkady guides and articles
Travel guideBest time to visit Kerala: a season-by-season guide
When to visit Kerala for hills, backwaters, beaches and Ayurveda, with what each season is really like and how to plan around the monsoon.
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Travel guideHow many days do you need in Kerala? 4, 6 and 9-day plans
Sample Kerala routes for four, six and nine days, with honest advice on drive times, where to sleep and what to leave out.
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Travel guideKerala houseboat guide: how to choose and what to expect
Everything to know before booking a Kerala houseboat: categories, air-conditioning, timings, food on board, private versus shared boats and where to cruise.
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Travel guideTravelling with infants and toddlers: a practical guide
How to plan holidays with babies and toddlers, from passports and flights to choosing destinations, hotels, food and daily pacing.
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Travel guideTravelling with elderly parents: planning a comfortable trip
How to plan a holiday or pilgrimage with elderly parents: choosing destinations, pacing, hotel rooms, medical preparation and airport assistance.
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Travel guideTravelling in India during the monsoon: where it works and where to avoid
Which Indian destinations are beautiful in the monsoon, which are best avoided, and how to plan safely around rain, landslides and closures.
Read →Plan your Thekkady holiday
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