Thekkady: Things to do, Popular Places to Visit, Tourist Attractions

Have you often felt the desire to leave the hectic concrete jungle in search of some pretty skies and serene landscapes? Well, hidden amongst the many hills of Kerala, lies the infamous hill station Thekkady. The town derives its name from the word “thekku” which translates to teak. Surrounded by rolling hills and lush green forests, this region is home to several diverse life forms.  

If you’re thinking about taking a wildlife tour in Thekkady, the sheer biodiversity in the region is bound to amaze you. The hills of Thekkady come under Periyar Natural Park, one of the largest and most densely populated wildlife reserves in the country. Spread across over 300 square miles, this wildlife reserve is home to several indigenous species like elephants, tigers, Nilgiris langurs, and more. There are several parts of the reserve where you can set off on foot, in a jeep or even on a boat to try and spot these majestic creatures. 

Another popular attraction of Thekkady is the Mullaperiyar Dam that stretches across the Periyar River, forming an artificial lake that is a popular watering hole for the animals here. Be sure to grab your binoculars and cameras whilst coming down to this lovely hill station. As you roam across the vast expanses of this wildlife reserve, you’re sure to come across herds of wild animals grazing through their natural habitat. The parks here are patrolled by the Forest and Wildlife Department, ensuring no harm comes to these animals from human efforts.  

For nature lovers, these hills are a sight for sore eyes. Kerala has widely been regarded as God's own country, and the hills of Thekkady stand testament to this.  

While you’re in the lap of nature in Thekkady, look out for the best treatments, spa and a leisurely stay. Resorts in Thekkady never fall short of beautiful sights and the most hospitable staff that look after all your needs closely. Take a break from your everyday routine and hand over all your problems to the resorts in Thekkady to solve. You will find that besides the  treatments and spas here, the fragrant spice plantation and the green, carpeted hills offer an ultimate sense of calm. 

You can find resorts in Thekkady in every price range and with very flexible stay packages. There will be a chance for you to try the authentic, delicious tribal delicacies that are prepared at these resorts to give you a taste of the local food. When in doubt, look to our website to see what the best experiences to have in Thekkady are and which of those are offered or included at the resorts of your choice.  

You're going to find yourself in the midst of long stretches of green landscapes when you're in Thekkady. Countryside as beautiful as this calls for exploration and long walks down the green lit roads. Thekkady finds itself in the middle of many prominent tourist attractions - the Periyar Wildlife Reserve and the Idukki Hills being the most popular. Where you choose to stay during the course of this can shape your trip differently and there is no better choice than the homestays in Thekkady. Homestays in Thekkady are located in the midst of fragrant plantations and exude nothing but good energy. They're all well maintained and you will find lots of them in Thekkady according to the closeness to the sanctuary or other areas that you want to explore. They can be found in almost any price range.  

Kerala is a state full of people that open their hearts and homes up to all visitors and staying at one of the homestays in Thekkady will give you a taste of that, a chance to be closer to the community and try some of the homely, authentic, everyday breakfasts to give you something personal to remember your trip by. While all the homestays at Thekkady make for lovely evening or early morning nature walks, some of them are also close to some short hike/trek spots and make for a fun activity. The hosts not only know the places around them best but ensure that your every request for the trip is met  for utmost comfort. You can expect to live in some old-timey, spacious Kerala homes with dark wood architecture and open spaces. If your trip is down to the  last minute and bookings at the resorts here are appearing out of budget, homestays in Thekkady make for a great, safe and reliable last-minute option.  

If you've stepped into this little slice of heaven in ‘God's own country’ and you’re already feeling overwhelmed by the beauty, wait till you explore more of what's in and around Thekkady. The most obvious thing to do in a new place is to indulge in some good old-fashioned sightseeing and you might not be ready for what sightseeing in Thekkady has to offer. Sightseeing in Thekkady might seem like more of the same - scenic, lush green landscapes but each of them are picture-perfect with something exciting to offer.  

Thekkady has a lesser-known history but a visit to the temples and statues built in and around Thekkady will direct you to stories of the town's origin. While at the Periyar National Park, you will spot lion-tailed macaques, sambar deer, leopards, Indian bison and several other species and wonders. Given the density and vastness of the reserve, it might be hard to spot the tigers and elephants here, but the sighting of other rare mammals will make up for this. Sightseeing in Thekkady takes you through beautiful spots in nature, such as streams, rivulets and unending, calm backwaters. Here, you can engage in unique watersports and adventure sports that will leave you with a rush of dopamine in the midst of nature.