Things to do in
Thekkady

Our most recommended things to do in Thekkady

Kerala: 4-Day Tour with Tree House Stay & Houseboat Ride

1. Kerala: 4-Day Tour with Tree House Stay & Houseboat Ride

Day 1: Arrive Cochin – Munnar by Road [135 kms / 4 hours] On your arrival in Cochin your driver will pick you up from Cochin airport or your other pre-arranged meeting point. Take a scenic drive to Hill Station in Munnar where you will enjoy your tree house stay. Check-in at the treehouse and take in the beautiful forest scenery. In the afternoon you will have the chance to do some sightseeing at major tourist hotspots such as: Eravikulam National park, Tea Museum, Mettupatty and Echo Point. You will have the evening to do your own exploring before you spend the night in your treehouse room which is fitted with modern amenities.  Day 2: Munnar – Thekkady by Road [95 kms / approx. 3 hours] After a delicious breakfast, head towards Thekkady in an air-conditioned car with your driver. You will be taken to your accomodation upon reaching the destination. From your accomodation you will be taken to some of the most important sightseeing locations in the area, such as: Thekkady Lake, Periyar Tiger reserve, Vandanmedu, Plantations (tea, coffee, etc), Pullumadu, etc. Enjoy a relaxing evening as you ride a boat in the tranquility of Periyar Lake. After this you will be directed back to the hotel in Thekkady for an overnight stay. Day 3: Thekkady – Alleppey by Road [135 kms / approx. 4 hours] After breakfast you will be ready to leave for Alleppey, taken by your chauffeur in an air-conditioned car. You will be taken to your houseboat upon reaching Alleppey. Board your houseboat fitted with all modern facilities and enjoy an overnight ride gliding along the backwater toward your next destination, Kumarkom. All meals will be cooked and served on board. Enjoy an amazing meal and relax onboard for the rest of the evening.  Day 4: Kumarakom – Cochin [55 kms / approx. 1 ½ hours] – Departure Wake up to a delicious breakfast on board in Kumarkom. Kumarkom is where you will deboard the houseboat. Your driver will be present to receive and take you to Cochin city. Cochin also called Kochi, is a major port city of Kerala with a surreal mix of English, Dutch and Portuguese architectures. Enjoy the day sightseeing and visiting: Willingdon Island, Fort Kochi, Marine Drive, Bolgatty Palace, Mattancherry Palace, Paradesi Synagogue and Chinese Fishing Nets. Your tour will finish after the city tour of Cochin and you will be safely dropped at the Cochin airport or other pre-arranged drop-off point.

From Cochin: 8 Day Kerala Tour Package with Houseboat Stay

2. From Cochin: 8 Day Kerala Tour Package with Houseboat Stay

Day 1: Arrival in Cochin Arrive in Cochin airport or at the railway station before heading to your accommodation. Freshen up, enjoy a bite to eat before leaving for your sightseeing adventure. Travel across the Cochin Harbor where you will visit attractions like the Chinese fishing nets, the Dutch Palace, and India's oldest European Church, St. Francis Church. After enjoying the sightseeing, you will return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay. Day 2: Cochin - Munnar Eat a delicious breakfast and hit the road en route to Munnar. Whilst on the way you will get to enjoy the fantastic view of the lush tea plantations and Cardamom Hills. Finally, reach Munnar and check in at the resort. After lunch, move out of your room to trek around the tea estates. Arrive at your hotel and enjoy a tasty dinner as the sun goes down. Spend the night in Munnar. Day 3: Munnar Sightseeing Tour Start your day with a trek to Letchmi Hills. After lunch, your guided tour will continue exploring Old Munnar Town and the market. Finally, have an overnight stay at the hotel. Day 4: Munnar - Thekkady The 4th day of this Kerala tour simultaneously gives you a dose of thrill and fun. After breakfast, hit the road to reach Periyar wildlife sanctuary. Once you arrive there, check in to a jungle lodge or resort. Enjoy the surrounding lush nature for a while. Finish lunch and embark on a boat safari on the Periyar Lake in the park. While boat riding, you will spot several wildlife species such as deer, elephants, monkeys, wild boar, and various avifauna species. Travel back to the lodge/resort for an overnight stay. Day 5: Thekkady - Kumarakom Post breakfast on the 5th day; begin your road journey for Kumarakom. Enjoy sights of picturesque locations on the way. On arrival, check into a hotel alongside Vembanad Lake. Enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds the lake and in the evening, venture out of your room and stroll around the lake or the nearby locations. If you want, you can also indulge in a boat ride. After enjoying the day, you will return to your hotel to stay overnight. Day 6: Kumarakom to Alleppey Be transported by road to Alleppey after breakfast. Once you reach Alleppey, go on board a houseboat and treat your eyes to the blissful nature around. During your journey you will cruise along the calm nearby villages and paddy fields. Observe the mesmerizing sunset and spend the evening on a houseboat. Day 7: Alleppey - Cochin Enjoy breakfast and disembark from your houseboat as you reach Cochin. Check-in to your accommodation once you arrive. Visit the famous markets of Cochin on your second time in the city. Shop for some unique handicrafts and silk clothes before spending the evening at your own leisure. Day 8: Departure Finish your 8 day adventure with a transfer to the Cochin Airport or the railway station.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Tour (02 Nights / 03 Days)

3. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Tour (02 Nights / 03 Days)

Day 01: - Arrival in Cochin – Periyar “God Own Country” • Arrive at International / Domestic Airport in Cochin / Railway station, on arrival our representative will meet you at the suggested point with holding a pla card of your name. • He will be welcoming to you and introduce to our experienced driver. • After that start your memorable 03- Days Periyar wildlife Tour. • En-route enjoy with nature beauty, Tea & Cardamom Plantation gardens. • On arrival Periyar, check -in at the hotel. • After freshen up relax at the hotel. • Later explore the Periyar world famous Kumily spice Market. • Overnight stay in Periyar. Day 02: - Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Sightseeing • Early Morning proceed to enjoy a guided boat cruise on the Periyar Lake, where you can spot wildlife such as elephants, deer, and birds along the shores. • Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary: The Periyar Tiger Reserve, established in 1950, is one of the oldest and most well-maintained wildlife sanctuaries in India. It spans an area of over 900 square kilometers and is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The sanctuary is particularly known for its population of elephants, as well as tigers, sambar deer, wild boars, and various species of birds. • After boat ride at Periyar lake, come back to the hotel and enjoy your delicious breakfast at the hotel. • After that proceed for the Periyar sightseeing. • Visit a spice plantation and learn about the cultivation and processing of various spices such as cardamom, pepper, and cinnamon. • Enjoy a guided nature walk through the lush forests surrounding the sanctuary, accompanied by knowledgeable guides who will share insights about the flora and fauna of the region. (Optional - Ticket is not Included) • In the afternoon, optional- for an adventurous bamboo rafting expedition on the Periyar Lake, offering a unique perspective of the sanctuary's biodiversity Day 03: - Periyar – Cochin Departure • Morning enjoy your delicious breakfast, after breakfast check – out from the hotel. • Depending on your departure schedule, you may have some free time for last-minute souvenir shopping or additional exploration. • Later proceed to Cochin, on arrival Cochin our representative will assist you to transfer to the airport / railway station for board your flight / train to onward journey.

Gods Own Place-Kerala Tour

4. Gods Own Place-Kerala Tour

Day 1 - A R R I V A L - T R I V A N D R U M - A L L E P P E Y : You arrive in Trivandrum, which is likely to be your point of entry in Kerala. After your arrival, you'll proceed to Alleppey (also known as Alappuzha), which is famous for its backwaters. Enjoy a relaxing day exploring the backwaters and perhaps taking a houseboat ride. Day 2 - A L L E P P E Y - C O C H I N : Travel from Alleppey to Cochin (Kochi), which is a major port city in Kerala. Explore the historic and vibrant city of Cochin, known for its colonial architecture, Jewish heritage, and bustling markets. Day 3 - C O C H I N - Dutch Cemetery: Visit the Dutch Cemetery in Cochin, which is a historical site showcasing the Dutch influence in the region. Explore more of Cochin's attractions, such as Fort Kochi, the Chinese Fishing Nets, and St. Francis Church. Day 4 - C O C H I N - M U N N A R : Head to Munnar, a beautiful hill station known for its tea plantations and scenic landscapes. Enjoy the cool climate and explore the tea gardens and perhaps go for a trek. Day 5 - M U N N A R - P E R I Y A R : Travel from Munnar to Periyar (Thekkady), which is famous for Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Take a wildlife safari or boat ride in the sanctuary and spot animals and birds. Day 6 - P E R I Y A R - K U M A R A K O M: Proceed to Kumarakom, a serene backwater destination. Explore the backwaters, perhaps take a traditional Kerala houseboat cruise. Day 7 - K U M A R A K O M - K O V A L A M : Drive to Kovalam, a popular beach destination in Kerala. Relax on the beaches, visit the lighthouse, and indulge in some water sports. Day 8 - K O V A L A M - T R I V A N D R U M - A B R O A D: On your last day, head to Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram), the capital city of Kerala. Explore Trivandrum's attractions, such as the Padmanabhaswamy Temple and Napier Museum. Depart from Trivandrum for your international journey.

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What people are saying about Thekkady

Overall rating

3.0
(2 reviews)

Excellent value for money and very well organised. We would recommend this trip. The only thing stopping a 5 star rating was the lack of info during the tour itself. We weren’t told the plans for the day, when stops would be made, where we were going etc. The same applied to the staff on the houseboat too. It was very much ‘get in the car and wait and see’. That said, when we asked the driver, he did tell us. We were very impressed with his driving skills on extremely challenging roads. His English was also reasonable too. The hotels were of a reasonable standard too. One thing to note is that India has very strict alcohol and tobacco laws. Most hotels we stayed at did not sell alcohol or tobacco and you can’t buy it in shops. You have to go to a government store which are not easy to find and are expensive. There are bars but they tend to be tucked away in back streets. Be warned - bring some duty free! We had a fabulous trip and can highly recommend this company.

There were two of us with a driver and depending on the activity, a guide was also included. Our driver also suggested other activities for us and we had to pay extra. It was often difficult for us to decide whether we wanted to book the additional program or not because we didn't know what to expect. The processes were often different to the tour description. A hotel list would also have been helpful. For example, we checked into a nice resort too late because we didn't know where we would be staying. Overall, it was a wonderful trip with beautiful impressions of the country and its people. We particularly enjoyed the hike in the tea plantations and the houseboat tour.

Overall great value for money. First night hotel was definitely not a 4 star but the others were great. Driver and guides superb. Highlight is the houseboat a little rustic but has a charm. Be prepared to walk when doing the tea plantations and remember kerala is a dry state so it's difficult to get a beer. My tip would be 5 star hotels they tend to accommodate.

The activity was as good as my driver Basil, who showed me his country and its life, so that I felt I really saw the real Kerala. The country is beautiful, the people are nice and friendly. The food is great and to me the place is exotic . I think it is a well kept secret that this is paradise and I hope it won’t be spoiled by being too popular

The treehouse overnight stay with the tea plantation and the Periyar National Park were very good