Activities In Thekkady
A haven for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, Thekkady is usually a short stay for most tourists in Kerala. However, even during this short stay, you will be spoilt for choices. There is a wide range of activities and things to do in Thekkady that offer great fun for couples, families, and kids.
Besides trekking and mountain walks, a boat ride in the Periyar Lake and a safari in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary are popular activities. Covering so many exciting activities may not possible if your stay is only a day at Thekkady. Based on your interest, you can set your priority of the best things to do in Thekkady and that too minutes away from Hotel Ambadi.
Besides trekking and mountain walks, a boat ride in the Periyar Lake and a safari in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary are popular activities. Covering so many exciting activities may not possible if your stay is only a day at Thekkady. Based on your interest, you can set your priority of the best things to do in Thekkady and that too minutes away from Hotel Ambadi.
Boating
The manmade Periyar Lake is located a few kms into the entrance to the wildlife sanctuary. While on a boat ride on Periyar Lake, you can find wild animals bathing, drinking, resting, or in search of food. The lake was created by the Mullaperiyar Dam, constructed by the British to irrigate the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu. It is a gravity dam made with concrete prepared from limestone and “surkhi” (burnt brick powder), and faced with rubble.
Elephant Ride
The elephant ride through the jungle is an unforgettable experience for most tourists who visit the hill station. Organised by the Forest Department, it is a fabulous opportunity to observe your surroundings, sitting atop the pachyderm.
Border Hiking
Conducted as part of the wildlife conservation treks, border hiking takes up to 10 hikers to altitudes above 1,200m. You will be accompanied by two guides and an armed forest guard. Trek up rolling hills and down valleys, enjoy watching wildlife at close range and listening to the sounds of nature, first hand.
Hikers can spot several species of birds, butterflies and animals during their trek, which usually lasts the whole day, starting just after daylight. Some of the guides are reformed ex-poachers, and you’ll have a great time listening to their anecdotes and stories regarding encounter of the wild, and about life in the forest.
Hikers can spot several species of birds, butterflies and animals during their trek, which usually lasts the whole day, starting just after daylight. Some of the guides are reformed ex-poachers, and you’ll have a great time listening to their anecdotes and stories regarding encounter of the wild, and about life in the forest.
Bamboo Rafting
Bamboo rafts are one of the most functional ways of exploring the wild. Manoeuvre your way through the thick forest and deep lakes with the help of guides and experts. The rafting takes place in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. To reach the place where you start the rafting tour, you need to hike up into the forest, all the while spotting birds and animals around. Each bamboo raft ride takes around two to three hours, and you’ll have an armed guard and four guides accompanying each group.
Jungle Night Patrol
Patrolling the jungles of Periyar at night is an activity most adventure enthusiasts can’t resist. Each patrolling group starts late evening and typically lasts until the early morning hours. Two guides and an armed forest guard accompanies 5-10 patrollers in the trip inside the reserve.
Day Trekking – Nature Walk
If you’re interested in day trekking, then a nature walk is what you would enjoy. Varying from just 2km to about 5km in length, each walk is exciting in its own way. From butterflies and birds to deer and elephants, you may spot all kinds of wildlife in its original habitat. Also visible are different types of vegetation: evergreen and moist deciduous forests as well as marshy grasslands.
Tribal Walks
During the Tribal Heritage Walk, you will come to watch and learn the ways of the tribals of the area. Their hamlets and settlements can be visited, and you can talk to the natives themselves to gain first-hand knowledge of their lifestyle. Your group will have a tribal guide to take you through the walk.
Spice Plantation Visit
There are many spices plantations in Thekkady and Kumily areas and you can typically visit one or two of them to get an idea about how it functions. You can see how the spices are plucked, dried and processed. Some plantations offer spices and tea for sale.
Ayurveda Massage
The elephant ride through the jungle is an unforgettable experience for most tourists who visit the hill station. Organised by the Forest Department, it is a fabulous opportunity to observe your surroundings, sitting atop the pachyderm.
Kathakali Demonstration
Kathakali is probably India’s oldest dance-drama art form. In Thekkady, you can watch Kathakali being performed late in the evening or at night. Even the hour-long preparation and make-up before the play unfolds are worth watching and documenting.
Periyar Tiger Trail
Led by a team of ex-poachers who know the reserve in and out, you can camp in the Periyar forests over two to three days and get to observe the wildlife around you. After you pitch a camp and cook for yourself, there’s plenty of time to trek with the forest officials and guides leading the way.
Jeep Safari
Jeep safaris are for those who’d like to watch wildlife from a distance, and from within the confines of a vehicle. Whether you visit a spice plantation or go into the reserve, there’s plenty to keep you amused.
Sight Seeing
Tribal Heritage Museum
This space is used to exhibit artefacts used for ancient agricultural practices, marriage ceremonies, cultural events, rituals and so on. You can take a look at how the natives lived and conducted their daily lives. There are hunting and fishing equipment, bamboo furniture, indigenous medicines and plants.
Gavi
Gavi is not as populated or explored as Thekkady. And that itself gives opportunity for camping, boating and trekking. From Thekkday, it’s a two-hour drive and totally worth it. From Gavi, you can trek up to the top of Pullumedu from where you can see the Sabarimala temple.
Ottakathalamedu
Ottakathalamedu is 4km from Thekkady, sitting at an altitude of 1,300m. it overlooks the town of Kumily as well as the Periyar National Park, Spice plantations and some villages of Tamil Nadu. Watching a sunset or going on a short nature walks are things you can do here.
Chellarkovil
Enroute to Kambam and Theni in Tamil Nadu, Chellarkovil is 15km from Kumily. It’s nice place to relax peacefully, take a short walk or to bathe in the nearby waterfalls.
Ramakkalmedu
From the top of Ramakkalmedu, you can see the Western Ghats in Kerala as well as the plains in nearby Tamil Nadu. It is just 28km from Thekkady, and is known for the quiet environs and enchanting views. It’s best to stay back there till late evening when you can see the towns lit up, below.
Mangla Devi Temple
Mangala Devi, who is also known as Kannaki, is the revered goddess in this temple. It is located at the core of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. People trek up these hills, but it is only on the full moon day/night (Chitra Pournami) during April/May that the temple is open to pilgrims. Now in ruins, people believe this temple to be over 1,000 years old. The 12-km trek through dense forests and grasslands is absolutely breath-taking.