How to Reach from Madurai to Thekkady

There is a distance of 150 kilometers from Madhurai to Thekkady. You will reach by 3.30minutes if coming by road and driving at a speed of 50 kilometers per hour. There is public transportation available from Madurai to here. You can take a bus to Sivagiri and then take a cab to Thekkady from there. You can also take a train to Rajapalayam and from there, take a taxi to Thekkady.

Introduction about Thekady /Periyar

Thekkady is a unique blend of nature and culture and is a must visit place in your life time. With a royal legacy of pristine forests, streams and the mighty Periyar river splashing across the place, Thekkady is indeed a ‘heaven on earth’ in ‘gods own country’. A number of species of flora and fauna along with migratory birds thrive in the forests which imparts a unique heritage to the whole place. With the aroma of the spice gardens, the freshness of the tea and coffee plantations, the innocence of the tribal people yearning to welcome guests into their community, Thekkady would fill your heart and mind for sure and would bring out the adrenaline junkie in you with the activities like jungle walk, green walk, tiger trail, border hike, etc that provided inside the forest. You can stay in the forests, have homemade vegetarian food and explore the woods with a local tourist guide accompanying you. There are a number of accommodation spots available here. Starting from camping in the woods, bamboo houses, there are budget-friendly hotels and premium luxury resorts in periyar . It is always better to book a good resort to ensure a safe stay, a healthy tummy, and to enjoy the place with its original beauty. Hills and Hues located at 2 nd Mile Amaravathy is the best resort in Thekkady. With a perfect blend of antique and modern architecture, the cozy cottages are built to give a ‘touch of peace’ to your vacation. With a balcony that gives the most amazing view of Thekkady with the edgy mountains, the shimmering Periyar Lake, and evergreen forest, Hills and Hues is sure to lift your vacation to an aesthetic level.

How to reach Thekkady/Periyar

The best and most inexpensive way to reach Thekkady is by taking a bus via Kottayam which takes about 5 hours to reach. You can also drive or take a cab and traverse across 155 kilometers in about 4 hours with forest on both sides, numerous hair pin curves and narrow roads.

Where to stay at Thekkady(Periyar)

It is always advisable to know the best locations to stay rather than pondering about it during the trip. Being a tourist destination, Thekkady promises a number of stay options. However, it is safer and better to search for resorts in Thekkady before finalizing your stay. Make sure that it has all the essential facilities and offers the best rate to enjoy your holidays with family and friends. Hills and Hues, located at a distance of 4 Kilometers from the town is one of the best 5 star resorts in Periyar Thekkady and will complete your stay with its breathtaking view, infinity pool, and exquisite dishes. Built in a premium British fashion, the boutique resort is pretty famous for its unique 180-degree view of the thick forests, the splendorous Periyar Lake, and the scenic villages of Kambam and Theni that can be spotted from the Balcony. Wake up to the real essence of Thekkady, to the most polished services, outstandingly delicious food, and the warmest smiles.

Places to visit at Thekkady (Periyar)

The Periyar National Park has a plethora of Flora and Fauna and is well known for its natural beauty, heritage and diversity. The evergreen forest is a habitat for tigers and elephants, reptiles, fishes and birds. It is easy to spot wild pigs, fruit bats, flying squirrels, white tigers and bears. About 266 species of bird including migratory birds thrive in this habitat .With chirping sounds of birds, the hushing of the forest wind and the splashing of the river, this is truly a beautiful place. Spread across an area of 257 square miles, major rivers like Pamba and Periyar flow through Thekkady. Go for a stroll through the woods ad spot a wild buffalo or an elephant. You can take the buses provided or rent a bicycle for a small amount. There are accommodation facilities in the forest on a decent rent with forest guides especially assigned for you. The best time to visit the park is during winter from November to February when the weather is nice and you can see the forest in its full glory with the migratory birds and flowers. After traveling 13 kilometers from Thekkady town, you reach a cozy small village of Chellarkovil. The view above 1200 meters above sea level with the majestic waterfall and endless greenish hills has made Chellarkovil an indispensable part of Thekkady Tourism. Thousands of tourists rush each year to this cozy village to get a snap of the beautiful sunrise and sunset here. The best time to visit this sleepy village would be the rainy season when the Aruvikuzhi waterfalls are visible in their complete grandeur. The lush green tea plantations spread across the vast area is a striking feature of Thekkady. The Connemara tea plantation had stolen the hearts of many with its refreshing ambiance and climate. The AVT tea plantation is also popular among the tourists who visit Thekkady. There are jeep safari packages through which you would be taken on drives through these plantations from 6 AM to 5 pm. Spread across an area of 777 square kilometers, the Periyar Tiger reserve has a number of species of flora and fauna. Several eco-tourism projects have been launched here to support the local people and to utilize the potential of the place. You can go for tiger trails traversing a distance of 20 to 35 kilometers with accompaniment-trained guides. With meals and accommodation provided, there is a chance to stay inside the woods and sleep with sounds from the forest. Explore the aquatic life and enjoy a day on the glimmering Periyar Lake on a bamboo raft. A minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 can go in a single raft. You can select out of a half-day or a full-day slot and will have to report at 7:45 AM. Anchuruli is a noted tourist destination famous for the 5.5-kilometer-long circular tunnel which used to carry water from Kattappana to the Idukki reservoir. A walk through the tunnel amidst the semi-evergreen forests is indeed delightful. Schram which means ‘resting place is located 23 Kilometers from Thekkady. This used to be the resting place of Ayyappa devotees on their way to Sabarimala. The temple of Lord Murugan and the cool breeze from the grassy hills makes Sathram a special spot. You can take a walk through these hills witnessing the magical misty clouds that sweep down and disappears soon and spot lion-tailed monkeys, elephants, and hornbills here. Gavi is located 14 kilometers from Kumily and 28 kilometers from Vandiperiyar. Listed as one of the must-see places by a tourism major, Alistar International, Gavi is a heaven on earth with hills, valleys, forests, cardamom, and tea plantations. Being a part of the Periyar tiger reserve, Gavi is a habitat for hundreds of species of flora and fauna. Get a tree house or camp inside the woods with the sounds of chirping of crickets and the sound of the gushing waters. The best time to plan a visit to Gavi would be from September to February when the climate is moderate. However, if you feel like taking a shower inside the woods and see the rain-drenched forest; you can come here during the heavy monsoon.