Bestowed by the marvels of nature, Thekkady in Kerala takes the pride of being one of the most enticing and gorgeous tourist destinations in the country! Perched at a height of around 900m above the sea level, it is a destination that is known mostly for its fascinating wildlife, adventure things to do and natural appeal.

Taking the fun and excitement of visiting this paradise to the next level, there is an array of things to do in Thekkady that cannot be missed out! For those who are planning for a trip to this prismatic land, here is a list of some of the must things to do in Thekkady.

1Wildlife Spotting:

The first thing everyone should try in Thekkady is none but wildlife spotting in Periyar National Park. Whether a wildlife lover, nature enthusiast, leisure seeker, or a shutterbug, you will definitely fall in love with the wilderness of this wildlife protected area.

Delve deep into the lush thickets of Periyar and encounter its dwellers and their most natural traits. You can also embark on nature trails around the dense jungles and spot some of the most exotic and rare wildlife species.

2Boating:

Taking your fun and excitement to the next level, boating in Thekkady will also get you closer to the fascinating wildlife of Periyar National Park! Embark on a boat cruise across the captivating Periyar Lake flowing through the reserve, and enjoy closer views of the jungle dwellers.

While boating in the Periyar Lake, you can easily spot herd of elephants along the shores searching for water. If luck favours, you can also spot some of the beasts of the jungles sipping in water; a colourful range of birds, reptiles, butterflies and other inhabitants will be an add-on of your trip.

3Jeep Safari:

For those adrenaline seekers who craves to make it through all types of terrains and challenge their own limits, jeep safaris are the most befitting trials. Taking you through almost everything, these enthralling rides are indeed the only way to get introduced with the untouched and rugged beauty of Thekkady.

These fun-filled and exciting drives usually start early morning from Gavi and takes the adventure lovers through numerous trails and challenging terrains. Continuing till evening, at the end of the safari, you will get an insight of Thekkady’s untouched and kaleidoscopic beauty.

4Night Trekking

Yes, night trekking is the one activity that will satiate all the yearnings of the extreme lovers of fun, thrill and excitement. Among all the things to do in Thekkady, this one is something that is strictly suggested to be undertaken only under the strict supervision of local and expert guides.

Conducted almost daily across the dense thickets or Periyar National Park, this trek will take you to some of the corners of the reserve forest that are restricted or cannot be reached during the daytime. Extremely exhilarating, night trekking allows you to witness and enjoy the nocturnal beauty of Thekkady’s fascinating wildlife!

5Bamboo Rafting:

Unique, offbeat and one of the most adventurous things to do in Thekkady, bamboo rafting is a must for everyone visiting this part of God’s Own Country! Unlike the usual or traditional rafts, bamboo rafting in Periyar Lake and other rivers has its own fun and excitement.

Slower, more stable, and easy to manoeuvre, these rafts are more reliable than the inflated ones. However, the amount of fun, excitement and thrill in cruising on them can hardly be found in any other activities or things to do in Thekkady.

6Elephant Ride:

One of the most exciting things to do in Thekkady, elephant ride is one such activity that is preferred by almost all the visitors to this picturesque holiday destination! Join these rides under the supervision of expert mahouts, enjoy the jolts every time these giant mammals takes a step and add some excitement quotient to your vacation.

In addition to these enthralling rides, you can also indulge in elephant bathing, learning commands and communication to control them, photo session, and lot more. Timber dragging, elephant feeding and shower can also be enjoyed along with the riding session.

7Plantation Tour:

For any visitor to the gorgeous locales of Thekkady, it will be a sort of crime if they do not visit the lush and evergreen plantations in this region! While more than half of Thekkady comprises of plantations, a walk or a guided tour through them has always been a joyous experience for the visitors.

Be it a tea, cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, nutmeg, cloves, turmeric, or any other plantation, a tour through them will open the doors to Thekkady’s traditional practices. Learn more about these traditions and cultures, buy freshly prepared herbal products and souvenirs and make bring home an array of memories!

8Waterfall Visit:

Take a short drive from the warm locales of Thekkady; around 15km towards north, and you will reach a quaint hamlet called Chellarkovil. Known for its rustic beauty, this gorgeous village is the home to the Chellarkovil Waterfalls; one of the most scenic waterfalls in God’s Own Country.

Located at around 1,200m above the sea level, this cascade, with its alluring charm and appeal can make you forget the outer world and crave for more. An ideal destination for the shutterbugs, this cascade also serves as a hotspot among the adventure lovers who yearns for some challenging trekking trails!

9Sightseeing:

While nature has been so kind to Thekkady, why not embark on a wonderful sightseeing tour around some of the most important tourist spots, major landmarks, historical destinations and other spots in Thekkady?

No matter when or with whom you are planning to visit this stunning holiday abode, you can take a sightseeing tour round the year, witness and explore the natural marvels, and delight in their enchanting charm and appeal like never before.

10Mountain Biking:

Pedalling through the misty hills and the salubrious plantation areas is in fact one of the best things you can do in Thekkady! Cycling through the scenic meadows, narrow trails throughout the plantations and captivating slopes has its own fun and thrill quotient.

Usually conducted for a day; around 6-7 hours, mountain biking in Thekkady allows you to pedal across valleys and plains that are free from all the havocs of city-life and are equally soothing. Join this thrilling rides in Thekkady and enjoy the warmth of its bountiful nature like never before!