Quick Jumplinks to Navigate
If you are planning a nature-focused getaway in Kerala, the choice often comes down to two favourites – Munnar and Thekkady. Both are set in the lush Western Ghats and offer completely different kinds of experiences. Munnar is where you go for mist-covered tea plantations and cool mountain breezes.
Thekkady, in contrast, is more about dense forests, wildlife sightings, and aromatic spice farms. Whether your idea of a perfect vacation involves hiking uphill or seeing elephants beside a lake, this comparison should help you narrow down your options.
1. Scenic Appeal and Natural Setting
Munnar is situated in Kerala’s Western Ghats, at an elevation of over 1,500 metres above sea level. The entire town is surrounded by tea plantations that seem to stretch forever. You will find places like the Kannan Devan Hills, Top Station, and Echo Point that offer panoramic views over cloud-covered valleys. Munnar is also home to Anamudi, the tallest peak in all of South India.
Alternatively, Thekkady lies in Kerala’s Cardamom Hills of the Western Ghats, which are some of the world’s oldest mountain ranges. These mountains are notable for their lush evergreen forests and diverse wildlife. One of the primary attractions to visit in Thekkady is the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, which has been built around the Mullaperiyar Dam’s vast manmade lake. While there are no tea estates here, Thekkady boasts of unparalleled wild beauty.
So, while Munnar offers carefully cultivated landscapes, Thekkady invites you into the wild.
2. Wildlife and Nature Trails
You will find most of Munnar’s wildlife inside Eravikulam National Park, a protected area that is best known for being home to the rare Nilgiri Tahr. These mountain goats are not easy to spot elsewhere, which makes a visit here all the more special. Besides the Tahr, Eravikulam safeguards shola-grassland habitats with endemic birds like the Nilgiri Pipit and Kerala Laughingthrush, colourful butterflies and seasonal blooms such as the once-in-12-years Neelakurinji. The trails here are short, well-marked and regulated, offering beautiful ridge views and gentle nature walks, as opposed to close wildlife encounters.
Alternatively, if your focus is exploring wildlife, Thekkady offers more options. The Periyar Tiger Reserve gives you a chance to spot elephants, bison, deer, wild boars, and even the rare Bengal tiger. Most tourists opt for the boat safari on Periyar Lake, which offers good chances of spotting animals on the banks. You can also sign up for some of the top things to do in Thekkady like nature walks, bamboo rafting, or even an overnight jungle patrol with forest guards.
If your Kerala vacation is built around spotting wildlife, Thekkady is the stronger option.
3. Things to Do: Activities and Experiences
In Munnar, most of the popular experiences take place outdoors, thus letting you enjoy the scenery at your own pace.
- Walk through Kolukkumalai, the world’s highest organic tea estate.
- Visit the Tea Museum to learn how tea is made.
- Go trekking at Meesapulimala or take a quieter walk around Devikulam, which is one of the best activities to do in Munnar.
- Try boating at Mattupetty Dam or Kundala Lake.
- Spend an evening at Blossom Park or explore the local market for homemade chocolates and spices.
Thekkady offers a very different mix:
- Join a spice plantation tour to see how cardamom, pepper, and cinnamon are grown.
- Book the boat safari in Periyar Lake for early morning or late afternoon.
- Attend a Kalaripayattu martial arts show or watch a Kathakali performance at Kadathanadan Kalari Centre.
- Interact with elephants at Elephant Junction or go for a short ride.
- Treat yourself to a full-body Ayurvedic massage at a local wellness centre.
If you are looking for relaxed walks and scenic boat rides, Thekkady does it well. If you want to trek through hills and explore tea estates, Munnar takes the lead.
4. Weather and Best Time to Visit
Munnar’s higher elevation keeps it cooler than Thekkady all year. Winter temperatures can drop below 10°C, particularly at night. The best time to plan a Munnar tour is between October and February. The air is crisp, the skies are clear, and the landscapes are lush green after the monsoon.
Thekkady, on the other hand, enjoys a mild and pleasant climate, with temperatures usually staying between 15°C and 25°C. It is comfortable almost all year round, but if you are planning boat rides or jungle walks, the months from October to May are ideal to book Thekkady tour packages. During the monsoon, some of these activities may be paused for safety reasons.
Munnar is the place to go if you enjoy misty mornings and brisk walks. Thekkady offers more freedom if seeing animals and being active in nature are your top priorities.
5. Stay Options and Local Vibe
Both towns have good accommodation, but the settings are very different.
Munnar has hillside resorts, homestays near tea gardens, budget hotels in town, and even treehouse-style rooms. The views are the real highlight, so whether you are sipping tea on a balcony or waking up to the sight of mountain peaks, the scenery stays with you.
Thekkady’s properties are usually nestled within spice plantations or closer to the forest boundary. You will find eco-lodges, jungle resorts, heritage-style bungalows, and Ayurvedic wellness retreats. Some places even offer guided spice walks or cooking demos.
The overall pace is slower in Thekkady, while Munnar feels more open and expansive. Depending on whether you prefer forest calm or valley views, you can pick your stay accordingly.
6. Local Culture and Experiences
Both places offer cultural experiences, but Thekkady puts more emphasis on showcasing traditional Kerala arts. You will find small auditoriums where daily performances of Kathakali and Kalaripayattu are staged. These are easy to attend and usually last an hour or so.
Munnar is less about shows and more about everyday interactions. You can chat with plantation workers, explore tea museums, and walk through small villages where tourism and agriculture blend naturally.
If cultural shows are something you would like to include in your trip, Thekkady is the better option. But if you enjoy slow travel and casual local moments, Munnar offers that charm.
7. Accessibility and Travel Time
If you are flying into Kerala, the closest airport for both locations is Cochin International Airport. Munnar is around 106.8 kilometres from the airport, and it usually takes four hours by road.
Thekkady is roughly 146 kilometres from Cochin, and the drive usually takes about five hours. If you want to visit both places, the distance between Munnar and Thekkady is about 90 kilometres and takes almost three hours by car.
Many Kerala vacation packages combine both destinations in a 4 to 6-day loop, including other destinations like Cochin, which helps to keep transfers straightforward and itineraries efficient.
8. Verdict: Thekkady vs Munnar – Which Is Better?
Let us break it down simply:
- Choose Munnar if you love scenic views, enjoy walking through tea plantations, and want a cooler climate.
- Choose Thekkady if you are interested in wildlife, forest trails, and local cultural performances such as Kathakali or Kalaripayattu.
There are no bad options here. The choice between Munnar and Thekkady comes down to whether you prefer developed beauty or untamed wilderness.
Conclusion
You can’t go wrong with either Munnar or Thekkady! If you are seeking a vacation that encompasses the beauty of tea-covered hills, the pure air, and mountain paths, a Munnar tour is the ideal choice. Expect misty viewpoints, tea-museum stops, and relaxed sunrise walks in the plantations.
However, if you are more drawn to spotting elephants, learning about spices, and exploring traditional art forms, then a trip to Thekkady is worth looking into. Instead of choosing one over the other, many travellers plan for both. They are close enough for a short road trip and different enough to give you a richer travel experience.
Opting for Munnar or Thekkady, individually or together, helps you to build an itinerary that blends hill station views with wildlife-rich forests, adding real depth to your Kerala trip.