BEST Places to Visit in Thekkady

Thekkady lies in the Idukki district of Kerala. It is about 145 km away from Kochi International Airport. A perfect paradise for the nature lover. It is a great way to enjoy the jungle vacation. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is the major tourist attraction and it covers an area of 777 sq meters.

You can enjoy lots of adventure sports activity here like trekking, hiking and boating. The early morning ride in the boat within the sanctuary is an extremely awesome experience and you might be able to spot wild elephants, bison, wild boars, sambhar, tigers, gaur etc. A major part of the area covers the forest of the Western Ghats.

There are many places to visit in Thekkady but here we are going to mention the top-most tourist place to visit in Thekkady. Here we spend some time on research to find out the best location to indulge the beauty of this place.

Top 5 Stunning Places to Visit in Thekkady

1- Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

• Area: Spans 777 sq km, making it one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala.
• Home to: Elephants, tigers, bison, wild boars, sambhar, and many other species.
• Activities: Boat cruises, bamboo rafting, jeep safaris, trekking, and camping.
• First Tiger Reserve: India’s first tiger reserve and an important conservation area.
• Access: Located 16 km from the town center, accessible via Kumily.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Thekkady. The Sanctuary is located on the bank of Periyar River. It is about 16 km away from the city centre. A perfect paradise for the wildlife photographer where one can go for bamboo rafting.

It covers an area of 777 sq km with dense forest. The location is also famous for first Tiger reserve in the country. This site attracts thousands of tourists to it every year, who come from all parts of the world to take pleasure in the boat cruises, jeep safaris and elephant safari. It also offers some adventure activity like bamboo rafting, Border hiking, Camping and trekking through the dense forests. With beautiful surrounding and lush greenery, it is one of the best places to visit in Thekkady.

• Also Read: Best Places to Visit in Kerala

2- Pullumedu

• Distance: About 35 km from Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Access: Restricted area, permission required from the Wildlife Preservation Officer.
• Main Attraction: Views of Makara Jyothi and Sree Ayyappa Temple, a key pilgrimage site.
• Scenic Beauty: Known for its panoramic views of the hills and valleys.
• Transport: Accessible only by private vehicles or jeeps.

The location is about 35 km away from the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. It is also famous for its fantastic view of the Makara Jyothi and Shree Ayyappa Temple. There is no public transport facility available to reach this location. You can access this location by private vehicle or jeep. It is a restricted zone so you have to take permission from Wildlife Preservation Officer. Overall the best place to visit in Thekkady and you don’t want to miss it.

3- Murikkady

• Location: Famous for its spice plantations, about 5-10 km from Thekkady.
• Crops: Known for cardamom, pepper, coffee, and other spices.
• Experience: Spice plantation tours, walks through lush greenery.
• Stay: Plenty of resorts and restaurants offering traditional Kerala cuisine.
• Scenic Beauty: Surrounded by beautiful hills and aromatic plantations.

One of the most beautiful locations in Thekkady famous for its spice plantation. Not only spices the place is also famous for pepper, coffee and cardamom gardening. You can find many Resort and Restaurant in this area for a convenient stay and eat traditional delicious food. It offers the best experience of Kerala vacation which cannot be described in a word. You will get much more than your imagination that makes it one of the charming places to visit in Thekkady.

4- Chellarkovil

• Distance: 15 km from Kumily.
• Famous For: Stunning waterfalls and breathtaking views of the valley.
• Photography: Ideal for capturing cascading waterfalls and sunset vistas.
• Peaceful Atmosphere: A quiet, off-the-beaten-path spot for nature lovers.
• Best Time to Visit: Ideal for visits in the early morning or late afternoon for the best views.

It is located at a distance of 15 km from Kumily. This place is blessed with a rich natural beauty which attracts a number of tourists every year. The sun reflected on the cascading waterfalls gives an amazing experience of photography which you want to keep in your camera. The place also offers a mesmerising view of the surrounding valley from the top of the hills.

5- Mangala Devi Temple

• Location: 1,337 meters above sea level, in a secluded forest area.
• Access: Opens only during the Chitra Pournami festival (once a year).
• Significance: Dedicated to Goddess Mangala, symbolizing feminine strength and power.
• Trekking: Requires a 15 km trek through dense forest to reach the temple.
• View: Offers panoramic views of the surrounding forest and hills.

It is one of the major tourist attraction in Thekkady. Mangala Devi Temple also is known as Kannaki which is a symbol of moral powers possessed by a woman. The temple opens once a year on the occasion of Chitra Pournami. It is a holy spirit place where devotees pay their respects to the deity of the temple. As it is located at a height of 1337 meter, provides a majestic view which you never feel before.

So these are the top 5 major tourist attraction and places to visit in Thekkady. Overall it is a wonderful location which is fully surrounded by beautiful hills, lush greenery with a wildlife sanctuary. If you want to get an extraordinary view of Kerala natural beauty then this place not disappoint you.