The best things to do in Thekkady, the undisputed heaven for lovers of wildlife and nature, bring people here from all around the world! From watching elephants bathing in the river to gallivanting away on dauntless jungle safaris in the Periyar forest, bamboo rafting and cruising on its vast lake, wandering in spice gardens, and trekking to lovely waterfalls through lush hills, Thekkady offers endless thrills to families, couples, backpackers, and wildlife photographers.
Thekkady is one of the most popular locations in Kerala for its pristine nature, dense forests hiding mysterious realms and species, its river and lake offering the perfect opportunity for boating and bamboo rafting, as well as its thick mangroves and marshes.
It is the perfect place to see wild animals up close on a safari or from the safety of a boat cruise over the scenic Periyar Lake.
Its cool climate, scenic vistas, lush greenery, and exotic wildlife attract tourists from every nook and corner of the world. With our specially curated Thekkady holiday packages, you can immerse into the thrill of all these amazing activities in Thekkady, and more!
20 Best Things To Do In Thekkady
The wonderfully diverse terrain, wilderness, and blissful ambiance of Thekkady have truly made it the most favored holiday destination in Kerala.
While the main attractions of Thekkady may be its exciting boat cruise over the Periyar Lake and the endearing herds of elephants sunbathing along its banks, there are a lot more things to do in Thekkady that make this place worthy of your visit!
1. Boating in Thekkady – Cruise the Periyar Lake
The first and foremost activity of a tourist visiting Thekkady is boating on the Periyar Lake. One can see wild animals foraging, bathing, drinking, and resting along the banks of the lake early in the morning or just before sunset.
It’s usually most fun for travelers to spot elephants playing with their babies in the lake while boating in Thekkady. KTDC and the Periyar Forest Department operate 5 different boat services here daily, with each trip lasting two hours.
Timings: 7 AM; 9:30 AM; 11:30 AM; 2 PM; 4 PM.
Check out the new boating timings in Thekkady to get more details on the boating schedule in Thekkady.
2. Jeep safari in Thekkady – Ride through the jungle
The Jeep safari to Gavi from 6 AM to 5 PM is one of the most offbeat things to do in Thekkady and is ideal for an adventure-packed wilderness retreat complete with trekking, birding, canoeing, and sometimes even boating. This program includes breakfast, lunch, and snacks with tea.
In a Jeep safari, you’ll get to cover the dense green vegetation, thick forests, cascading waterfalls, and aromatic spice plantations of Thekkady.
3. Jungle Patrol – Experience Thekkady’s nocturnal wilderness
Jungle Patrol or “shepherding the jungle” is one of the best activities in Thekkady. This program is part of regular night patrolling in the fringe eco-development zones of Periyar Tiger Reserve.
By participating in this, you’ll be helping in the initiatives taken to protect the Periyar forests. Trekking can be exercised any time between 7 PM and 4 AM. However, only people with proper physical and mental fitness are advised to partake in this night-time adventure through the wilderness.
The maximum duration for a jungle patrol slot is 3 hours and the maximum capacity of one slot is limited to 8 visitors (to move in two separate teams). Each team is accompanied by a protection watcher and an armed forest guard!
Test the limits of your senses- of sight, hearing, and smell on this seemingly daunting adventure that takes you deep into the world of nocturnal jungle life!
4. Bamboo Rafting – Sail the lake with a local touch!
Bamboo rafting in Thekkady is a dawn-to-dusk range hiking and rafting program that takes trekkers through some of the richest forest tracts of Periyar Tiger Reserve.
People trek through the dense forest and then sail to the catchment area of the Periyar Tiger Reserve on a bamboo raft, which is among the best things to do in Thekkady if you’re looking for some unusual kind of adventure!
Bamboo rafting in the Periyar forest lets travelers traverse a mosaic of habitats using flat rafts made of bamboo. Guests get to see bird life and arboreal animals like Giant Malabar Squirrels, Nilgiri Langurs, elephants, gaur, and sambar since it brings people really close to the edges of the lake.
Lasting 3 hours, the rafting experience bestows one with panoramic views of forest-clad hills reflected on the lake before they hike back to the boat landing point.
This activity in Thekkady is done in a team of 10 tourists with 5 guides and an armed guard for protection. Trekking to the docking point normally starts at 7:30 AM, followed by 3 hours of bamboo rafting and a trek back to the starting point via the forest before 5 PM. Tea, snacks, and packed lunch are served en route.
ALSO SEE – Bamboo Rafting In Thekkady, Kerala
5. Tribal Heritage Tour – Take a peek into the past
The Tribal Heritage Museum built inside the Mannan settlement features various types of artifacts related to ancient agricultural practices, marriage ceremonies, cultural events, dress codes, rituals, and death ceremonies. It makes for a great educational visit especially if you’re a history lover and/or traveling with kids.
This ecotourism program has on display fishing gear, hunting weaponry, indigenous medicine and vessels, cereals, medicinal herbs, bamboo furniture, and many more artifacts providing a deep insight into the ancient culture and practices in Southern India.
The Tribal Heritage Museum tour is a two-hour program available on all days from 8 AM to noon and then from 2 PM to 4 PM. It mainly involves a visit to the museum and a walking tour of the tribal hamlet situated within the periphery of Periyar Tiger Reserve accompanied by an experienced local guide.
6. Bullock cart rides – Have a fun farm experience
Conducted by a group of local villagers working under the Periyar Forest Department, riding in a bullock cart through lush farms and swaying fields is among the most exciting things to do in Thekkady.
A favorite of all kids and couples visiting Thekkady, the 3-hour long bullock cart rides in Thekkady takes one through diverse farming areas and crops like mangoes, tamarind, onions, sunflower, jasmine, and a score of other vegetables.
The timing of this activity is from 6 AM to 2:30 PM, and all the profit earned in this tourist endeavor is used to help in the rehabilitation of these tribal villagers.
7. Spice plantation tour – Visit the enchanting land of aromatic spices
About 4,000 sq. km of Idukki district is covered with verdant spice plantations. The main occupation of the natives is spice farming and trading, and the original products in both are cardamom, pepper, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and tea.
This gives visitors an excellent opportunity to see the spice plantations and Ayurvedic medicinal herbs growing in and around Thekkady. That’s not all. Guests can also buy garden fresh spices from the plantation itself!
It’s a rather enlightening tour that lasts about 2-3 hours and takes visitors through some of the most aromatic spice and herb gardens in this region, intoxicating their senses with the spice-infused aroma of the plantations dotted with peculiar and colorful flora.
ALSO SEE – Best Time to Visit Thekkady
8. Elephant Junction – Bathe & feed adorable Asian elephants
Elephant Junction in Thekkady is a delightful park where domesticated elephants are sheltered and fed. The park is inside a spice plantation with the aroma of spices wafting through the air, but it’s their elephants that are the main attraction for people visiting the park.
The park offers various programs including a half-hour ride, bathing session, feeding session, and a photo session with elephants. There is another program as well which offers a one-hour ride and a two-hour ride with elephants, but one must only take that only if the poor animal isn’t tired or hungry.
While elephant riding is offered here, many animal rights foundations and environment conservationists deem this activity cruel. Besides, merely sitting on top of an elephant for an hour tends to turn boring for families and kids after a while.
What they truly enjoy is the wholesome activity of feeding and bathing the elephants. And the best part, this gentle animal too enjoys it a lot!
After bathing and feeding it, kids often get to sit over the crouched elephant which sprays water over them with its trunk, a rather fun part of a visit to this park that always delights kids and grown-ups!
9. Border hiking – Engage in a protection-oriented range hiking program
This is a conservation-oriented hard trek in Periyar Reserve taking up a full day. Trekking starts at 8 AM and ends at 5 PM.
The route takes trekkers and hikers through the undulating terrain and attitudinal ranges of 900-1,300 meters in Thekkady where they get to catch glimpses of lofty escarpments bordering the park’s watershed and the vast plains below.
Animals like gaur, sloth bear, and elephants can often be sighted along this route apart from exotic species of birds and butterflies.
The program includes two groups of 10 trekkers each hiking through Thekkady’s lush jungles and rivers accompanied by a guide and an armed forest guard. Vegetarian refreshments, tea, and lunch are provided en route.
Apart from tasting the thrill of trekking through Periyar’s mysterious jungles, trekkers enjoy the fascinating stories and historical accounts retold by these guides who are essentially tribal locals born and brought up in these forests.
Their exceptional knowledge about the terrain, its flora, and fauna helps tourists learn amazing trivia about the forest and its wildlife.
10. Periyar Tiger Trail – Trek & camp deep inside the forest!
Periyar Tiger Trail is a unique program launched by the forest department to allow visitors to explore flora and fauna species living deep inside the forest.
This unique program consisting of trekking, camping, and wildlife sighting is conducted under the constant guidance and protection of erstwhile poachers who have reformed themselves as saviors of forests and now work as certified guides for the Periyar Forest Department.
The best part – being born and brought up in these parts, these people possess exceptional knowledge about these forest tracts and their wildlife that you won’t get in a guidebook!
The expedition is carried out in 5 groups of teams, where each team has 5 tourists, a forest guide, and 2 forest department officials. People can choose from the two program durations offered here – 1 Night & 2 Days, or 2 Nights & 3 Days. Both programs cover a distance of around 35 km where the teams trek along the forest during daytime and stay in tents at night.
Food is locally sourced. Vegetables and fruits available in the jungle are used to make meals for the team.
This program is a great opportunity for people to encounter wild animals like Giant Malabar Squirrels, Asian elephants, sambars, and sometimes even tigers, making it one of the best things to do in Thekkady, especially for adrenaline junkies and adventure seekers.
ALSO SEE – Kochi to Thekkady: Journey Attractions and Guide
11. Chellarkovil Waterfalls – Hike to Thekkady’s most gorgeous waterfall
Chellarkovil Waterfalls are 15 km north of Thekkady and Kumily at Anakkara Panchayath and are one of the most beautiful places to visit in Thekkady.
It’s a part of Kerala State Forest Department implemented community-based ecotourism activities like valley view from a wooden watchtower, border trekking, spice plantation visits, and ayurvedic garden visits in addition to a hike to this waterfall!
The cascading waterfall is a feast for the eyes! Other than the massive waterfall surrounded by rich greenery, you can see the adjoining village sloping down to the farms in neighboring Tamil Nadu. Chellarkovil is the perfect place for trekking and other adventure activities.
12. Ramakkalmedu Hill – Gaze at panoramic views of Tamil Nadu
Enjoy the wind, sunset, and plains of Tamil Nadu via a trek through the rocks and village of Ramakkalmedu hill station. The hilltop also offers a panoramic view of Tamil Nadu towns Cumbum, Theni, Kombe, Thevaram, Uthamapalayam, Bodinaykannor, and Vaiga.
It is a famous attraction in Thekkady that has the highest recorded wind gusts in Asia. The wind blows at a speed of around 35 km per hour at Ramakkalmedu throughout the year irrespective of the season and time.
It is believed that Lord Ram had set his foot on this rock and left an imprint on the earth, hence the name Rama-Kal-Medu (meaning ‘Rama’s footprints’). Legend says that Lord Rama kept his feet at the tip of Ramakkalmedu to search for Ravana, the King of Lanka, who had abducted his wife Sita.
13. Kalvari Mountain – Picnic on a hilltop offering panoramic views of Thekkady
The Kalvari Mount is a mountain and one of the most fun tourist attractions in Thekkady that offers beautiful views of the Idukki Reservoir as well as the two prominent tribal villages of Kamakshy and Mariyapuram.
Elephants can also be seen roaming in the forests near the foothill of this mountain on the way to Kattappana.
The Malankara Dam, Idukki Hydroelectric Project, Nadukani, and numerous tea gardens present in the vicinity of this mountain also make for great attractions that you can cover with a visit to this mountain. All these places can be covered via a day tour from Thekkady.
14. Nature walk – Embark on a guided day trek
Owing to Periyar’s vast nature bounty and endless forest reserves, nature walking is among the best things to do in Thekkady. It provides travelers with an excellent opportunity to explore nature on its turf.
Thekkady has different nature trails traversing diverse habitats of forests, grasslands, and trekking routes, generally spanning 4-5 km in length and offering the perfect opportunity to interact with nature closely.
The trails often pass through evergreen and moist deciduous forests interspersed with marshy grasslands offering an excellent opportunity to watch birds, butterflies, wildlife, and different types of flora.
Nature walk programs are conducted by the Periyar Forest Department between 7:30 AM to 11 AM and 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM and each session lasts for 3 hours.
Accompanied by a well-trained guide, a group of a maximum of 5 people at a time is allowed to go into the jungle for a nature walk. As the guide is always a local inhabitant of the forest, they are well versed with the jungle routes and wildlife behavior.
15. Green Park Ayurvedic & Spice Plantation – Indulge in boundless family fun!
One of the best places in Thekkady for a whole day of fun and adventure, Green Park Ayurvedic & Spice Plantation is an expansive ecological park offering a range of nature and adventure activities to both children and adults.
This park is an excellent source of enjoyment and knowledge. It has two treehouses, both of which can be reached by a suspension bridge hanging 20 feet above the ground.
There is also an aquarium, a fish pond, a fruit processing unit, an artificial paddy field, a cardamom processing workshop, and a honey bee-rearing class that families and kids can take to learn beekeeping.
This 5-acre farm and plantation with rare spices and Ayurvedic plants makes for a great educational excursion for your kids and yourselves! Taking a day trip to this park is one of the best things to do in Thekkady for families who wish to teach their kids the value of nature and the limitless gifts it offers!
16. Pandikuzhi – Surround yourself with rare flora
Pandikuzhi is one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in Thekkady. Surrounded by lush greenery, Pandikuzhi is a small hill town between the borders of Tamil Nadu and Chellarkovil.
The place is home to a gigantic 1,200-foot-long waterfall which is one of the most offbeat places in Thekkady. Its exotic flora and fauna make it a preferred place for tourists.
It’s the favorite haunt of photographers and artists who love to capture the beauty of its gushing water, endless green pastures, vivid and rare flora, and the dramatic landscapes of misty hills around.
The most fun way to visit it is via a tuk-tuk or rickshaw ride from Periyar National Park, which will allow you to relish it more and appreciate its natural surroundings. The rest of the way to this amazing waterfall and picnic spot can be covered by a small hike.
Pandikuzhi is 4 km away from Kumily and 5 km from Thekkady and lies almost adjacent to Periyar. The best time to visit Pandikuzhi is from September to March.
17. Vanya Treehouse – Stay in a dreamy treehouse
Vanya Treehouse in Thekkady is surrounded by a huge canopy of trees and thick green foliage offering an incredible jungle stay in Thekkady. As soon as one enters this nature’s wonderland, they are transported into a fairytale of rich, tropical jungles and wild beasts roaming free.
Located in Kumily about 107 km from Kottayam Railway Station and 145 km from Cochin Airport, this property lets guests immerse in the earthen goodness of this place and live in close interaction with Nature by following the region’s native lifestyle.
It offers the most tranquil stay away from the maddening hustle and bustle of city life, while also ensuring easy access to Thekkady city. The treehouses here are built on individual trees on the face of the hill, offering guests uninterrupted panoramas of the surrounding hills, the dense forest cover, and Thekkady’s nature park from the comfort of a lavish patio!
Staying in a treehouse in a forested landscape is one of the most fun things to do in Thekkady. On top of that, guests can indulge in a Jeep safari, forest trekking, watching animals from the watchtower, or roaming around in the cardamom plantations surrounding this eco-friendly abode.
ALSO SEE – Best Treehouses in Thekkady
18. Murikkady – Enjoy spiced tea & paragliding!
Tourists who visit Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary must also keep the picturesque hill station of Murikkady on their list, the beauty of whose rolling mountains covered with lush greenery and tall trees tends to steal hearts at first glance!
But that’s not all it’s famous for. People from home and abroad visit Murikkady for its exotic spices as well. You will find spices like pepper, nutmeg, cumin, clove, and cardamom growing in neatly checkered plantations spread across the whole valley.
The place is, however, best known for its huge plantations of tea and coffee. There are around 15 kinds of tea grown here. One of the most refreshing activities to do in Thekkady is to enjoy coffee and spiced tea in this region!
You can visit Murikkady’s viewpoint for stunning panoramic views and a fun session of paragliding, which is a famous activity here! And don’t worry, you don’t have to be a hard-core adventurer to get here as trekking to this spot isn’t tough.
Murikkady in Idukki district is just 5 km from Thekkady and is easily accessible. If you are looking for an ideal place to spend a day with your family and friends, you can choose to have a fun picnic at Murikkady coupled with tea tasting, a plantation tour, and paragliding!
19. Kadathanadan Kalari Centre – Watch traditional dance & martial art shows
The Kadathanadan Kalari And Navarasa Kathakali Centre is the most famous art and culture center in Thekkady where you can watch performances of the traditional martial art form of Kerala – Kalaripayattu – as well as the traditional Kathakali dance of Kerala.
The spacious and beautifully designed gallery makes it easy for audiences to enjoy performances on the stage clearly and without interruptions from every nook and cranny of the theatre. Apart from showcasing performances, this center is also dedicated to teaching the art of Kalaripayattu, Kathakali, and other dance forms to young minds.
Kathakali, the classical dance of Kerala, is used to tell tales from Indian epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata using a mixture of varied fine arts like literature, music, painting, acting, and dance.
This dance drama involves vivid costumes, vibrant makeup using paint, fluid body movements, and intricate facial expressions, all of which take years of practice to master!
Kalaripayattu is an art form trained and performed in an enclosure called ‘Kalari’. Trained artists perform complex body movements inspired by the raw power and sinuous strength of majestic animals like lions, tigers, elephants, wild boars, snakes, and crocodiles to portray characters from ancient epics.
The center hosts shows daily. The timings are 6 PM to 7 PM for Kalari shows, and 5 PM to 6 PM as well as 7 PM to 8 PM for Kathakali shows.
20. Gavi forest – Explore Kerala’s most untampered forest reserve
Gavi Kerala is a major ecotourism project initiated by the Kerala Forest Development Corporation in the Pathanamthitta district. This rich ecotourist spot offers numerous activities like trekking, boating, forest camping, wildlife watching, night jungle safaris, nature trails, and more.
Tucked inside the refreshingly lush Ranni reserve, the Gavi forest happens to be a significant segment of the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Thekkady as well as the Seethathode Panchayath in Ranni Taluk.
Gavi Ecotourism project shot to fame when the world-renowned tourism major ‘Alistair International’ featured it in its list of the best ecotourism centers in India!
Its well-preserved scenic resources and biodiversity have been kept hidden from the vicious claws of modernity and reckless tourism. That is why, visiting Gavi is among the best things to do in Kerala for travelers seeking offbeat experiences amid untouched nature, provided they explore it responsibly and do not litter or harm nature!
A great spot for nature lovers, wildlife and bird watchers, and adventure seekers, this rich reserve is home to diverse endangered and rare wildlife species including over 260 types of birds!
ALSO SEE – The Complete Gavi Kerala Ecotourism Guide
The rich, enchanting lands of Thekkady are filled with unique experiences reminding visitors of why Kerala truly is the abode of the Gods! Book your Kerala tour package with us and dive into some of the best things to do in Thekkady, the enchanting wilderness of Kerala filled with exotic animals, rare birds, rolling hills, scenic meadows, shimmering lakes, and dense mangroves!
Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Things To Do In Thekkady
Is Jungle walk in Thekkady safe?
Jungle walking in Thekkady is heaven for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts and is completely safe if one takes appropriate safety measures and adheres to the rules and regulations set down by their guide. For instance, trekkers are advised to wear jungle boots to ensure safety. Also, one must always be accompanied by a trained and experienced local guide as well as an armed forest guard during nature walks and jungle walks in Thekkady.
How many people can do bamboo rafting at once?
The forest reserve usually allows 2 to 10 people on a single bamboo raft in Thekkady. Bamboo rafting can be done by anybody who is over the age of 12 years.
Best time to watch Kalariyapattu in Thekkady?
Watch Kalaripayattu, the traditional martial art form of Kerala at the Kadathanadan Kalari gallery in Thekkady. Either book your ticket through their online portal or ask your resort in Thekkady to arrange it for you in your preferred time slot.
What is the best time to ride on an elephant in Thekkady?
Make sure you check out the timings for elephant rides in Thekkady before you go for the activity. Usually, it is available between 10 AM to 5 PM every day. Do not engage in this activity in the afternoon heat and during monsoons.
