ThekkadyTravel Guide

A leisurely boat ride across the artificial Periyar Lake inside the tiger reserve, where elephants, sambar deer, and wild boar often come down to the water's edge to drink.

A full-day eco-tourism trek into the core forest of Periyar Tiger Reserve, including rafting on a bamboo raft across remote stretches of the lake — small groups led by trained forest guides.

Walk through working plantations of cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, vanilla, and cloves — guides explain how each spice is grown and harvested, and most tours end with a tasting and shop.

A challenging full-day trek along the reserve's tribal border trails through dense forest — led by former poachers turned guides, with strong chances of spotting elephants, gaur, and birdlife.

Watch Kerala's ancient martial art — one of the oldest fighting systems in the world — performed live with swords, shields, and acrobatic combat sequences at an evening show in Kumily.

Watch performers transform with elaborate face paint and costumes before an evening of Kathakali — Kerala's classical dance-drama that tells stories from Hindu epics through expressive gestures.

Thekkady's cool climate and abundance of medicinal herbs make it a popular spot for traditional Ayurvedic treatments — from a relaxing full-body oil massage to multi-day rejuvenation programmes.

An elephant care centre near Periyar where visitors can feed, bathe, and ride rescued working elephants under the supervision of their mahouts — a hands-on encounter with Kerala's iconic animal.

The misty hills surrounding Thekkady are blanketed in cardamom plantations — several roadside viewpoints offer sweeping views over the green terraced slopes, especially beautiful at sunrise.

A short drive from Thekkady, the tea estates around Vandiperiyar offer rolling green plantations and factory visits — a fragrant, cooler counterpoint to the spice-scented lowlands.