Munnar to Thekkady is among the most visually surreal routes in all of Southern India. Taking you through grassy meadows, rolling tea estates, misty mountain peaks, sunlit forests, curvy roads, and tantalizingly cool winds, you’ll find that this road trip is nothing short of an exhilarating magic carpet ride!
Packed with sublime weather and the ever-changing topography of Kerala, every route from Munnar to Thekkady is a tapestry of charming village scenes at one point and the greenest tea estates at the next! Going from Munnar’s lush green realms to Thekkady’s adventure-loaded Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary will truly make your vacation joyful and memorable!
Scroll down to find out all there is to know about this scenic journey before you start browsing Kerala tour packages for your trip.
Munnar to Thekkady – Basic travel info
Before you learn about the best way to travel from Munnar to Thekkady, you should familiarize yourself with some basic yet useful details about the route and the concerned destinations.
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Munnar to Thekkady distance: 98.4 km
Munnar to Thekkady travel time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Topography of Thekkady: Hill station with a dense forest cover of tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous forests and grasslands sheltering diverse fauna and avifauna. The average altitude is 2,890 ft above sea level.
Topography of Munnar: Hill station in the Western Ghats mountain range with rolling pastures, tea estates, and lakes. The average altitude is 5,026 ft above sea level.
Best time to visit Thekkady from Munnar
Thekkady, being another hill station in Kerala besides Munnar, experiences a pleasant climate year-round. Munnar weather is also pleasant throughout the year and it can be visited in all seasons.
The ideal time to take a road trip from Munnar to Thekkady is the winter season from September to March when the temperature is between 15°C to 21°C and ideal for wildlife sighting, trekking in the reserved boating, and sightseeing.
Winter weather in Kerala is cool and windy with less humidity. It would be a great time to drive over Munnar’s winding roads to Thekkady’s warm embrace and windy forest reserves.
Though a little hot and humid, Kerala’s summer season from April to June is also considered a good time to take this road trip. The off-season in Kerala offers perks like clear routes, less traffic, budgeted accommodations, and less crowded tourist attractions.
The monsoon season, however, is the least pleasant time to take a trip to Thekkady from Munnar owing to heavy rainfall, road blockages, the possibility of landslides in hilly terrains, and low visibility.
Weather of Thekkady: Pleasantly warm days, cool nights (year-round), occasional drizzles
Average temperature of Cochin: 22°C
Weather of Munnar: Cool, dry, windy, chilly in the night (year-round)
Average temperature of Munnar: 16°C
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Best way to travel from Munnar to Thekkady
While there are several ways you can reach Thekkady all the way from Munnar, you’ll have the most memorable and enjoyable experience only on a road trip!
Traveling from Munnar to Thekkady by road is quite comfortable, and easy, and bestows riders with mesmerizing vistas of the misty mountain ranges of the Western Ghats and blissful weather.
Your road trip will take you over smooth, winding roads overlooking cloud-kissed peaks, lovely through tea plantations, and refreshingly green hill slopes. The sweet scent of tea leaves and the gentle winds of Kerala’s hills will keep you revitalized and fresh the whole way!
The distance between Munnar and Thekkady is about 98.5 km and it takes 2 hours and 45 minutes to cover via NH 85. The Munnar to Thekkady route is one of the smoothest and well-kept with roads in excellent conditions.
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Munnar to Thekkady routes
There are essentially two routes that you can choose from to travel to Thekkady from the Queen of Hills in Kerala.
While there isn’t any major difference between the two and they’re both equally scenic, you can still compare and pick one that best suits your preferences.
Route 1- Devikualm route
Munnar – Devikulam – Pooppara – Udambanchola – Thekkady
The is a longer route on the NH 85 and takes more time compared to the other route. The road condition is good and there are a standard number of highway toll stops!
Total route distance: 100 km
Travel time: 3 hours 20 minutes
Route 2- Rajakkad Route
Munnar – Anachal – Rajakkad – Karitode – Nedumkandam – Thekkady
This route on NH 85 and Munnar Bypass is shorter than the one mentioned above, but equally scenic and beautiful! Traffic conditions and road quality are the same, but there may be an uneven stretch on the way that isn’t tough to traverse. It’s the fastest route to Thekkady.
Total route distance: 94 km
Travel time: 2 hours 50 minutes
The best route out of these would depend on your priorities and preferences. If you want a shorter drive and don’t mind a few bumps along the route, you can take route 2. And if you want a smooth ride, route 1 is a better option.
Both of these routes that take you from Munnar to Thekkady offer breathtaking vistas of Kerala’s charming villages and waterfalls, stunning views of lofty mountain ranges, numerous sightseeing options, and an ample number of rest stops and restaurants along the way!
Note: Always check the map and real-time traffic conditions on the web before setting out on either of these routes.
Places to explore between Munnar and Thekkady
Don’t forget to check out these tourist spots and dine at any of these cafes and restaurants on your way from Munnar’s lush hills to the dauntless Periyar Reserve.
Tourist attractions en route Munnar to Thekkady
- Rock Cave Munnar
- Kolukkumalai Tea Estate
- SN Waterfalls
- Karadippara View Point
- The Blossom Hydel Park
Restaurants between Munnar and Thekkady
- Hotel Sri Nivas Restaurant
- Tara’s Zaitoon Restaurant
- Al Haq Cafe
- Rapsy Restaurant
- Tea Tales Cafe
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Other ways to travel to Thekkady
To reach Thekkady, one first has to reach the border town of Kumily which is conveniently located on NH 220 and connects Thekkady to the rest of Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu.
Thekkady is just 4 km away from Kumily wherein this short journey blesses people with beautiful views of majestic mountains, resplendent green plantations, shimmering streams, and the aroma of spices wafting through the air!
With the right mode of transport and our customized Kerala tour packages, you’re all set for a fabulous vacation in God’s Own Country!
By train
Kottayam Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Thekkady (Kumily) located 114 km away (3 hours 15 minutes by road).
One can hire a car or hail a prepaid taxi from this train station to get to Thekkady.
By flight
Madurai Airport in Tamil Nadu is the nearest airport to Thekkady (Kumily) located about about 136 km away (around 4 hours by road). The Cochin International Airport located 190 km away is the next best option in terms of proximity from Thekkady and connectivity to major Indian cities and abroad.
One can find regular buses, both private and government-run, as well as airport taxis and rented vehicles at the airport to travel to Thekkady.
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By bus
Traveling from Thekkady to Munnar by road is the most ideal way to get between these two cities. The most economical way to cover the incredibly scenic and comfortable journey by road is to take a KSRTC public bus or a private Volvo!
KSRTC runs frequent, comfortable, and clean AC buses to and fro Munnar, Thekkady, Kochi, Trivandrum, and other cities. You can easily get a ticket online or buy one at the KSRTC Depot Munnar.
If you don’t want to risk missing seats during peak tourist season, it is recommended you buy tickets online and keep a tab on bus schedules as bus timings tend to change as per availability.
It is also advised to always opt for Express or Fast Passenger buses that give riders privileges like confirmed reservations, air-conditioned rides, less number of stops, and maximum comfort.
Buses plying from Munnar or Kochi to Thekkady typically charge between INR 100/- to INR 400/- per passenger depending on the type of bus and services provided.
Tips for traveling between Thekkady and Munnar
- Munnar Thekkady routes have a fair share of narrow winding roads and hairpin bends. Drive carefully.
- Getting to Thekkady via from Munnar via NH 85 can be bumpy in a few places, so drive slow and take regular breaks.
- Carry medication for nausea and motion sickness as you’ll mostly be journeying through hills.
- Carry a light jacket as the temperature tends to be low in Thekkady at night.
- Always carry an umbrella, The weather can be unpredictable in Thekkady and Kumily.
- Keep tabs on real-time weather updates and traffic conditions on Google Maps and travel accordingly.
- Map out all the rest stops and restaurants on your route before leaving.
- Do not litter on the way.
Exploring Thekkady: A Mini Guide
Take a look at this compact guide to see all the activities and stay options in Thekkady, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kerala.
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Things to do in Thekkady
Thekkady is undeniably charming with its enchanting Periyar forest, dauntless jungle safaris, adventures like bamboo rafting, endearing sights of baby elephants bathing in the river, aromatic spice gardens, lovely waterfalls, and rolling hills wrapped in mist! Thekkady offers endless thrills to
Whether you’re touring with your family and kids, enjoying a romantic getaway with your partner, or simply backpacking across these lush hills seeking an adventure, Thekkady has something in store for everyone who enters its magical kingdom!
1. Boating in Thekkady – The first thing you should do is go boating on the Periyar Lake inside the Periyar National Park to witness stunning views of the surrounding natural beauty and watch wild animals along the banks of the lake.
2. Jeep safari – Jeep safari from Periyar to Gavi from 6 AM to 5 PM is one of the best things to do in Thekkady and is most suitable for those craving an adventure-packed wilderness retreat. With this, you also get to enjoy activities like trekking, birding, canoeing, and boating.
3. Border hiking – Engage in an adventure-packed conservation-oriented range hiking program in Periyar Reserve that will take you through Thekkady’s undulating terrain and forests for lofty mountain views and the chance to spot animals like gaur, sloth bear, and elephants.
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4. Periyar Tiger Trail – Venture deep into Thekkady’s jungles (under the supervision of certified guides) to explore its rare flora and fauna. Indulge in nature hiking, overnight forest camping, eating locally sourced fresh food, and encountering wild animals like Giant Malabar Squirrels, Asian elephants, and even tigers if luck permits!
5. Spice plantation tour – Wander amid plantations of spices like cardamom, pepper, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and tea among other flora and Ayurvedic medicinal herbs. Buy authentic garden fresh spices from the plantations themselves!
6. Bathe elephants – Visit Elephant Junction to bathe and feed resident elephants that have been rescued and sheltered here. The park offers individual sessions for riding, bathing, feeding, and taking pictures with elephants.
7. Visit Chellarkovil Waterfalls – This cascading waterfall is a feast for the eyes! Visitors can witness the massive waterfall surrounded by rich greenery, see panoramic views of Tamil Nadu’s farms, indulge in light trekking, and visit spice plantations as well as Ayurvedic gardens when they’re here.
8. Bamboo rafting – Bamboo rafting in Thekkady is the most unusual kind of adventure that takes you through the richest forest tracts of Periyar Tiger Reserve and a mosaic of habitats. Travelers get to see Thekkady’s natural bounty at a close range as well as birds and animals like Giant Malabar Squirrels, Nilgiri Langurs, elephants, gaur, and sambar.
9. Picnic on the Kalvari Mountain – Walk uphill to the Kalvari Mountain for a fun picnic and beautiful 360° views of the Idukki Reservoir, tea gardens, adjoining tribal villages, and herds of elephants roaming around in the forests below.
10. Nature walk – Pick from the different trails Periyar offers for a revitalizing 5 km nature walk in diverse habitats like dense evergreen forests, marshy grasslands, blooming meadows, lofty hills, spice plantations, and mighty waterfalls to interact with nature closely.
11. Watch cultural shows – Go to the Kadathanadan Kalari And Navarasa Kathakali Centre to watch performances of the traditional martial art form of Kerala – Kalaripayattu – as well as the traditional Kathakali dance of Kerala in a spacious and beautifully designed gallery.
12. Explore the Gavi forest – Engage in activities like trekking, boating, forest camping, wildlife sighting, bird watching, night jungle safaris, nature trails, and more in Gavi, Kerala’s foremost ecotourism project initiated by the Kerala Forest Development Corporation in the Pathanamthitta district.
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Places to stay in Thekkady
Thekkady has budget-friendly as well as luxurious options of hotels, eco-friendly resorts, traditional homestays, backpacker hostels, glamping resorts, and charming treehouses for people to choose from.
1. Keys Prima by Lemon Tree Hotels – Conveniently located near the Periyar National Park, this well-furnished hotel with state-of-the-art bedrooms, all amenities, a pool, and restaurant is a gateway to the enchanting world of Periyar Reserve!
2. Poetree Thekkady Eco-Resort – Tucked at a unique vantage point amid untouched forests, Poetree is Thekkady’s top eco-resort that offers endless luxury gift-wrapped with eco-friendly amenities and breathtaking views of the Sahyadri mountain range surrounding the Periyar Lake.
3. Ben Cottage – This petite homestay offers a vast garden area, balcony, free private parking, free WiFi, a well-fitted kitchen, a TV, a lounge area, spacious bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, an in-house minimarket, and above all, incomparable homely comfort!
4. Vanya Treehouse – This dreamy treehouse set deep in the jungles of Thekkady is surrounded by a huge canopy of trees, cardamom plantations, and uninterrupted panoramas of hills allowing guests a close interaction with Periyar’s tranquil foliage!
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Don’t just sit around! Now that you know what’s in store for you on an exciting road trip from Munnar to Thekkady, start browsing our range of customized Kerala tour packages and plan your getaway this instant! There won’t be a better time to ride through the pleasingly cool tea plantations of Munnar to the exotic wilderness of Thekkady. Happy tripping!
