A Complete Itinerary To Thekkady Including Places To Visit, Eat & Stay

The Lake Palace, a property under the Kerela Tourism, is not your run-of-the-mill government property, as it has some exceptional features. Primarily, its location is remarkable as it is situated on Lake Periyar, surrounded by Periyar National Park and can only be reached by a 20-minute boat ride. Additionally, it was used as a summer retreat by the Travancore kings, and it has only six guest rooms that were constructed in 1927.

Although the rooms and bathrooms might seem outdated, the charming old-world feel of the property has been carefully preserved. The rooms offer breathtaking views of the lake and the jungle, and one may even spot animals like deer, elephants, and wild buffaloes from them. As it is inside the park, the Lake Palace offers exclusive nature-based activities such as wildlife boat cruises, nature walks, trekking, bamboo rafting, border hiking, elephant rides, and jungle patrols.

Price: INR 20,000 per night, plus taxes, and include all meals and a whole touring experience including travel, safari elephant rides and more!

The reason we recommend a stay at the Lake Palace is because it gives you an experience of the Lake and an introduction to the region of the National Park. The Periyar Tiger Reserve is a forest reserve in Kerala, India, surrounding the Periyar Lake. The sanctuary was created in 1934 and was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978 under the Project Tiger scheme. The core area of the reserve covers 350 sq. km and was notified as a National Park in 1982. The Reserve covers hills and verdant forests extending over an area of 777 sq. km, and is home to a number of species of terrestrial, aquatic, and arboreal animals. The varied habitat in the sanctuary supports a number of species of herbivores like the elephant, Gaur, Sambar deer, Barking deer, Mouse deer, Nilgiri langur, Bonnet macaque, Lion-tailed macaque etc. The major carnivores seen in the area are Tigers, Leopards, Jungle cats, Wild dogs, and many more.

The best way to get the most out of this place is to take a Jungle Cruise (boat safari), which various travel agents in the vicinity provide, but if you don't want to take that then you can explore the region on foot too, by either taking a hike for a day-long excursion or a 30-minute elephant ride.

Best time to visit: It is best to visit here early in the morning as it will give you a chance to spot more animals as they wake up. 

End your Periyar journey by exploring the forest of Periyar Tiger Reserve, and finding the 1000-year-old temple of Mangaladevi. There are 2 legends behind this divine spot. Kannagi, the devoted wife of Kovalan, took revenge against killing her innocent husband by accusing him as a thief. It is said that she burnt the whole of Madurai city and later she reached the Suruli hills. From here she went to heaven in Pushpaka Vimana along with Kovalan. Inspired by this story, Chera Chenguttuvan, the ancient Tamilakam King, erected the temple of Mangaladevi here. Later, Kannaki, a legendary Tamil woman, betrayed all her grudge and transformed herself to be a divine lady (Mangaladevi) showering blessings upon the people on earth. Amidst the Pandya architecture, you can spot idols of Lord Shiva and Karuppuswamy and an underground passage from this temple.

According to the local people, the passage leads to the Madurai town and some say that the passage will take you to the Pandya Kingdom.

To make a trip to Mangaladevi temple, you will have to get prior permission from the wildlife warden of Thekkady. The journey to the temple is an interesting and daring experience that you can reach only by jeep. The 12 km long way to the temple is covered with dense forests and grasslands where you can spot Nilgiri Tahr. And ultimately this journey will reward you with a breathtaking sunset view overlooking the entire park, you can revel in this until dark and then move ahead to the last bit of your day.  

Lastly, end your day with a night performance at this centre where you can take in the cultural fighting and dance of Kerela with Kalaripayattu and Kathakali. Kalaripayattu is an ancient martial art form practised in Kerala—featuring strikes, kicks, grappling, preset forms, weaponry, and even healing methods, its roots can be traced back to 2000 B.C. You can also attend a 60-minute fighting demonstration that includes the lighting of traditional lamps, a flower offering to a deity, and a brief introduction to the sport. With the incorporation of about 27 different weapons, there's no shortage of excitement. Similarly, the ancient dance form of kathakali is where dancers dawn intricately made masks, costumes and perform traditional choreographies. 

Spice Village is a CGH Earth property that is entirely focused on being eco-friendly. The property is designed to resemble a tribal village, with thatch-roof cottages spread over 14 acres of spice trees that are located near Periyar National Park. The surrounding environment is untamed, and you are open to visiting the forest to take a hike or go bird watching here, but what makes this place a unique stay is that it has spice garden visits and you can also take a cooking class here to learn Kerela cuisine. We would suggest you stay here on your 2nd night and dedicate an afternoon to learning about all these beautiful things. Even if you decide not to stay here, still visit a spice garden such as Abrahm's Spice Garden to not miss out on the speciality of Thekkady.

The rates at Spice Village start from around INR 15,000 night, and this includes taxes. Additionally, breakfast is included in the price. 

LBB tip: Now if you are not planning to take a 3rd day visit the Ayurvedic treatment centre in this property or go for a swim in their pool in the evening. But hold on doing that if you are indeed taking 3-nights in thekkady.

Begin your second day by enjoying a morning at The Elephant Camp in Thekkady, a family-friendly destination where humans and gentle giants come together. This camp is nestled on Anavachal Road and offers a range of activities, including feeding, bathing, and riding these magnificent creatures. Capturing heartwarming moments with photos is a highlight that you can't miss. The setting of the camp is a jungle adorned with lush spice plants, providing an authentic and immersive experience. Jeep rides are available for group visits, adding an extra layer of adventure to your day. This camp offers a well-organized and enjoyable experience for all, whether you're visiting with kids or embarking on your own elephant adventure. Although the time spent in the park with the elephants may be limited, this sanctuary is undoubtedly a suitable place for elephant safaris and rides. The elephant ride and shower are available at a cost of INR 500, but the experience is worth it.

LBB tip: While the experience is generally enjoyable, waiting times can be extensive on weekends, so booking in advance is a smart move.

After an invigorating morning with elephants, travel a little out of town to Chellarkovil. This is a small, peaceful village located 15 kilometres away from Kumily. It is known for its lush green mountains, cascading waterfalls, and breathtaking scenery. Upon reaching Chellarkovil, you will feel as though you have finally found that place you have been searching for. This village has a watchtower with a telescope on the balcony, which is known as "God's Own Balcony." And must we say that the view from the balcony is breathtaking, with the sunrise and sunset being the most spectacular sights. During the monsoon season, the waterfall is particularly stunning. The waterfall is also unique in that it originates in Kerala but irrigates the vegetables and growing plains of Tamil Nadu after touching its land.

What sets this beautiful village apart is its eco-tourism project, which was initiated by the Chellarkovil Eco-Tourism Community Centre with funding from the state eco-tourism and forest department in 2008. The villagers were the driving force behind the project. The community-based eco-tourism project includes huts, pathways, a watchtower, a herbarium of medicinal plants, a tourist amenity centre, and other features. Guided trekking, spice tours, and other village activities are available for visitors to enjoy.

After an afternoon at the Spice Village's spice plantation and cooking experiences, get something sweet by visiting this spot to see apiculture at its finest, you can even play with the bees here if you dare to.

Kumily is blessed with many natural wonders, and one of them is the honey produced at Philips’ Natural Honey and Bee Farm located in Attappallam. The farm takes great care to maintain the purity of the honey. Three types of bees are raised at the farm: the small Apis Florea and the large Apis Cerana Indica, which are responsible for producing most of the honey, and the Italian variety of Apis Mellifera, also known as the European bee, which is primarily raised for research purposes. It is said that the hybrid of Indo-Italian swarms can produce more honey. The honey is extracted at the farm without any human contact and is treated in sunlight to eliminate any traces of wax or water.

Philip and his son Tom are delighted to offer free guided tours of their farm to visitors. The Philips family lives across the street from their farm, and their home reflects their passion for bees and apiculture. Their house is surrounded by hives of various shapes and sizes, indicating their love for bees. Visitors have the opportunity to sample the honey produced at the farm.

The Rangerwood Nature Castle Resort located in Thekkady offers the best ayurvedic treatment in Kerala. Refresh your mind and body with the healing and massage therapies provided at 'Ayurthejas' — the resort's Ayurvedic centre. The centre offers abhyangam, shirodhara, herbal steam bath, podikizhi, and more. Two well-trained doctors and 50 therapists are available, along with a pharmacy for medical requirements. They also offer treatments for spine care, rejuvenation and body purification therapy, stress management, psoriasis, arthritis, and other ailments. You can either opt for these ayurvedic treatments or just get a nice ayurvedic spa to wind down at their in-house spa. This is why we would recommend you to spend your final night here, to unwind the most.

Prices: INR 3500 to INR 9000. 

As you prepare to leave thekkady, take a short visit en route to Peerumedu which is a beautiful hill station located in Idukki district, 40 km away from Kumily. The area is known for its natural beauty and serene atmosphere, meaning 'Hills of Peer' is also famous for eco-tourism. The place is surrounded by coffee, tea, pepper, and cardamom plantations, waterfalls, and beautiful landscapes. And is an ideal place for trekking, cycling, and horse riding.

There are plenty of places to explore in and around Peerumedu such as Kuttikanam, Thrissanku hills, Peeru hills, Grampi, Pattumala, to name a few.

During your stay in Thekkady, here are a few places to eat that are definitely a must-try for all. 

This cafe has nice boho vibes with delicious homemade food and aesthetic outdoor seating. The food here is made by the owners' mother and they also have an "all you can eat buffet" here which is what this cafe is famous for. The local Kerela thali, sadya is a must try here in which you get rice, sambar, rasam, raita, papadum, banana chips, shakarvati, avail, and steamed sweet water fish.

You should note that this place is en route to Elephant camp so you can have lunch on your second day here. 

This high-end place is a popular place in thekkady, visited even by celebrities. Known for its Italian cuisine and ambiance it also boasts their space for being a friendly working space. In case you cannot have a sit-down dinner here, you can also order delivery through their app. 

Located at the entrance of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary this place offers a dining experience that's multi-cuisine. Also, since the café is at the entrance of the reserve, it's a convenient place for tourists to stop by and grab a bite to eat before or after exploring the reserve. The best part is that it offers a scenic view of the location and has vegan food options!

If you happen to be near Gavi Forest, Hotel Thekkady Cafe for their Indian cuisine. Expect properly prepared fish curry, chicken curry, and fried prawns. Folks also rave about the lassi and the tea here along with the pancakes! Additionally, it is regarded for its excellent service and pleasant staff. Other than this, it is super affordable too. 

Planning a whole trip to Kerela? Check out our Munnar Itinerary here.