Thekkady Tour Packages

Reviewed by Thrillophilia Operational Team

Updated as of June 2026

Book your Thekkady tour package, ranging from INR 16,481 to INR 39,423, for experiencing a perfect balance between unmatched wildness, cool mountains and aromatic spice plantations.

Thekkady is one of the prime attractions when visiting Kerala for its natural charm, rich history and engaging geography. Thekkady tour package offers you an ecotourism destination without you hassling for an itinerary that matches your needs.

Situated in the heart of the Idukki district of Kerala, the entire town smells of fresh cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and pepper floating from the rolling hills. Thekkady tour package, curated by Thrillophilia, a local travel specialist, is a complete getaway from the world of huge concrete buildings, though we recommend a complete Kerala tour package, including Thekkady, to get the most out of nature throughout your trip.

With 20+ destination experts, Thrillophilia curates itineraries, including the best of Kerala with a stay at Thekkady. Exploring Thekkady as a destination needs not more than two days, which gives time to explore a complete Kerala tour package, including Thekkady, with Thrillophili. Travellers often mention how smooth their trip was, just as Ketan Shah, one of our verified travellers from Mumbai, did. He booked the Getaway to Kerala | Unveiling the Green Tapestry & Scenic Waterways package and shared in November 2025 that, “Overall, the trip was enjoyable, with a very polite and safe driver who made the travel experience smooth. Houseboat food and service were good. The overall experience was very good.”

We provide exclusive itineraries with customisation facilities, which stand out among our tourists the most. We include handpicked destinations in our itinerary to give a deep tour of the destination. A Thekkady tour can’t miss a visit to Periyar Tiger Reserve, a massive 777 sq. km protected area and one of India's best-managed tiger reserves. This is the real hero of a Thekkady tour package by offering a wide experience of wildlife expeditions.

Planning for a honeymoon, a group trip, a family trip or an entire trip to Kerala, including Thekkady, our 24/7 on-ground service will have your back in all possibilities. With Thrillophilia, spend a few days close to nature without any hassle, as we focus not just on your itinerary but you as well.

Thekkady Tour Packages: Overview

Price (overall): INR 16,481 to INR 39,483 per person, based on the season, flight fares, and selected itinerary.

Land-only price: INR 5,000 and INR 18,000+ per person, featuring accommodation, transportation, and sightseeing. Options range from budget, 2-day, 1-night trips (approx. INR 5,250) to detailed 5–6 day Kerala tours.

Duration: 4 to 8 days

Inclusions: Accommodation, a structured itinerary, airfare and transportation, a good breakfast, 24/7 on-the-ground assistance, airport transfers, selected activities and destinations based on the selected package.

Note: As per Thrllophilia’s custom data, the pricing and booking rates may be on the higher end due to the peak-season rush. Book your tickets at least 3 months in advance. For internal bookings like hotels, ferries, and activity inclusions, Thrillophilia's internal team manages every slot sequentially. Anjali M., one of your verified travellers from Noida who booked the Kerala Scenic Trio | Munnar, Thekkady, and Kumarakom package, shared the same in December 2025 by saying, “Smooth airport pickup and drop-off ensured a stress-free start and end to our holiday. The hotels selected were top-notch, very clean, and offered great hospitality throughout our stay. The itinerary was well-balanced and allowed us to explore each place at our own pace. The backwater cruise provided a very unique and peaceful experience that we highly recommend. A very professional and customer-oriented service that made our trip special and fun.”

We confirm package nights, island sequences, hotel category, activity inclusions, and flight inclusions or exclusions before payment and the exact hotel name, trek, and activity inclusions after payment, per post-payment confirmation data.

Thekkady Tour Packages: Breakdown

While planning the Thekkady trip, the pricing of the packages depends on accommodation and inclusions. As of June 2026, plan your Thekkady tour package as per your duration and current pricing. Here is the complete budget breakdown, guiding you to choose your Thekkady package with Thrillophilia. We offer hotels, transfers, sightseeing, and daily breakfast for all and meals (as per selection package) with transfer facilities as well, all included in a single booked package.

Thekkady Tour Packages: Budget Breakdown (June 2026)

Budget Breakdown

Best Time for Thekkady Tour

The best time to visit Thekkady is during the winter, from October to February. This is the most comfortable season for exploration, boating on Periyar Lake, and tracking wildlife.

1. Peak Season (October to February)

• The weather is cool, crisp mountain air with a blue, clean sky, with a temperature between 15°C and 25°C.
• Best time for night jungle patrols, long bamboo rafting sessions, and birdwatching for migratory species.
• Bookings are mostly in a rush with peak prices. It is highly suggested to pre-book resort stays and boat safari for your Thekkady trip online well in advance since this period attracts heavy tourist traffic.

2. Shoulder Season (March to May and May to October)

• The temperature during this season is mostly near 36°C with breezy, pleasant evenings.
• Incredible to spot huge herds of wild elephants and tigers. With the drying up of little water bodies within the forest, the animals gather around the shores of the huge Periyar Lake.
• Mangala Devi Temple, also known as Kannagi Temple, is a highly exclusive temple located within the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala that allows visitors just one day a year, enabling members of the general public to explore the interior parts of the reserve around April to May.

3. Monsoon Season (June to September)

• A season with misty hills, pouring rain, and an endlessly vibrant explosion of emerald green foliage.
• Best place for romantic getaways, spice tasting indoors and Ayurvedic treatments.
• Don’t indulge yourself in treks in this rain-filled season because of dangerous slopes, chances of landslides and the presence of leeches. Utilise this off-season to grab great discounts at some expensive hotels and resorts. Discounts can even be above 50 per cent of the normal prices.

How To Reach Thekkady

Reaching Thekkady has multiple ways, like train, road and flight, but it entirely depends on the tour itinerary, which way would be suitable for you. If you are planning for an entire Kerala tour package, including Thekkady, then a flight or train is a better option for you. Whereas, if you are planning to visit Thekkady from some other part of Kerala, then going by road would be the best for you.

1. By Air

Thekkady doesn't have its own airport. To reach Thekkady by air, you must reach Madurai Airport, Madurai or Cochin International Airport, Kochi, which are the two nearest airports to Thekkady, and continue the journey further via road.

Madurai Airport, Madurai, Tamil Nadu

To: Madurai Airport

From: Chennai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai

Duration: 1 to 3 hours, depending on the departing location

Cost: INR 3,500 to INR 11,000, depending on the departing location, distance and season.

Major Airlines: IndiGo and Alliance Air

From the airport to Thekkady: You can hire a prepaid taxi at the airport terminal. The journey to Thekkady takes approximately 3.5 hours and costs between INR 3,500 and INR 5,000, depending on the vehicle.

Note: Madurai is a regional airport with a limited number of direct flights, but it is the shortest way to reach Thekkady by road.

Cochin International Airport, Kochi, Tamil Nadu

To: Cochin International Airport

From: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Hyderabad

Duration: 1 to 3 hours, depending on the departing location

Cost: INR 2,500 to INR 11,500, depending on the departing location, distance and season.

Major Airlines: IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, Vistara and Akasa Air

From the airport to Thekkady: Taxis are available at the airport, and the drive takes 4.5 to 5 hours, costing between INR 4,500 and INR 6,500. Moreover, if you are planning your Thekkady tour package under budget, then you can catch state buses (KSRTC) from near towns like Aluva or Angamaly directly to Kumily (Thekkady) for around INR 200 to INR 300.

By Train

Thekkady doesn't have a direct railway network. To reach Thekkady by train, the best way is to reach the Kottayam Railway Station (KTYM). Kottayam, located 110 to 114 km away, is the major railway station of Kerala, with daily trains arriving from all over India.

To: Kottayam Railway Station (KTYM)

From: Chennai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai

Duration: 11 to 46 hours, depending on the departing location

Cost: INR 350 to INR 1,100 (Sleeper), INR 1,000 to INR 2,300 (3AC) and INR 1,500 to INR 3,200 (2AC), depending on the departing location and distance

Direct trains from different locations of India: Trivandrum Mail (12623), Trivandrum Express (12695), Kanyakumari Express (16526), Kanyakumari Express (16381), LTT KCVL Express (22113), Kerala Express (12626), Himsagar Express (16318)

From the railway station to Thekkady: You can get a taxi or state bus to Thekkady, which would take 3 to 4 hours, costing between ₹2,500 and ₹3,500 for a private taxi and 200 to 300 for government buses.

By Road

By Long-Distance Buses

From Bengaluru (500 km): Direct overnight AC sleepers, which take 10 to 11 hours, cost between INR 750 and INR 2,000.

From Chennai (570 km): Direct overnight private buses, which take 10 to 11 hours for INR 1,300 to INR 2,300.

From Kochi (150 km): Frequent daily state KSRTC buses take 5 to 6 hours, which cost INR 220 to INR 300.

From Madurai (140 km): Frequent TNSTC state buses, which take 3.5 to 4 hours, ranging between INR 150 and INR 350.

By Private Cab or Car

From Madurai (140 km): The fastest driving route takes 3.5 to 4 hours to reach, which costs INR 3,500 to INR 5,000.

From Kochi (150 km): a winding, highly scenic climb with a duration of 4.5 to 5.5 hours, which costs nearly INR4,500 to INR 6,000.

From Munnar (90 km): Perfect for combined hill station trips with a duration of 3 hours, ranging between INR 3,000 and INR 4,000.

Places To Visit On Thekkady Tour:

Thekkady is a gateway to nature, providing an escape from your daily life. A list of places to visit in Thekkady makes your short trip a complete experience to remember.

1. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary: This is the main attraction of Thekkady when planning your Thekkady tour package. Spreading over 357 sq miles, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is well known for its highly rich biodiversity. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is also famous for its elephant and tiger reserve, as well as the 925 sq km rainforests of the Western Ghats.

2. Mangla Devi Temple: While visiting the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, you must not miss the Mangla Devi Temple, located within the premises of the wildlife sanctuary. The temple is the epitome of the powers possessed by a woman.

3. Abraham’s Spice Garden: Thekkady is very well known for its authentic and aromatic spices. You can smell the aroma of cardamom, cinnamon, and pepper while entering Thekkady. Do not miss visiting Abraham’s Spice Garden to learn more about spices and how they're grown.

5. Kumily Town: A village located 4 km away from Thekkady is a hub of tea plantations and spices. While planning your Thekkady tour package, leave a day for exploring Kumily town to relax among the lush green hills with the aroma of tea and spices.

6. Chellarkovil Viewpoint: This palace is popular for its bamboo forests with whitewater cascading from a nearby waterfall. Visit Chellarkovil Viewpoint during your Thekkady tour to witness green hills and tall mountains.

Things To Do On Thekkady Tour:

Thekkady is a place full of activities and experiences you can miss. While planning for your Thekkady tour, make a list of things to do in Thekkady as per your tour duration and preferences.

1. Boating in Periyar Lake: This boat ride experience is one of the top attractions, as you get a direct view of the wild animals near the lake, drinking, bathing and searching for food, during your 2 hours of riding in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.

2. Elephant Ride: You can’t miss this unique experience during your Thekkady tour. The elephant ride not only allows you to get an exclusive ride on an elephant but also allows you to see them take a bath and get fed.

3. Bullock Cart Ride: Experience a bullock cart ride to have a brief insight into the rural life of Kerala. Explore a part of Thekkady during your ride and cover the tracks of the forest and various other villages in the vicinity.

4. Purchase Spices: Your Thekkady tour will remain incomplete if you do not opt for exploring the local spice market to purchase some spices. Take a walk through the buzzing markets of Thekkady, such as the Kumily street, Netaji market, etc. and shop for spices such as cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, garlic, vanilla, pepper, cinnamon, clove, and several others. Tea and coffee lovers must purchase some varieties of local tea and coffee to take back home with them. In addition to spices, you must not miss purchasing the famous banana chips, a hot favourite snack in this area.

5. Jungle Night Patrol: Jungle night patrol is an intriguing activity that you could include in your Thekkady tour to thrill yourself at night. Begin the activity by taking a stroll deep inside the jungle for 2-3 km to explore the areas of Periyar Tiger Reserve during the night. Only two parties can enter the jungle each night. Two guides will escort you, along with a forest guard who carries weapons. Always follow your guides to get a better insight into the trails and their wildlife.

6. Jeep Safari in Thekkady: Explore the thick woods, the rich green spice groves, and the gleaming water in the adventurous off-beat tour, which offers the experience of navigating through the magical mysteries of nature. Choose the jeep tour, which will lead you to Gavi, where you can have the finest glimpse of this enchanting area.

7. Hike Up the Trails of Thekkady’s Border: Include a jungle walk in your Thekkady tour, as you get the toughest trails in the jungle wilderness there. You would spend 7-8 hours hiking 15 kilometres of trails, where you get to see wild animals like elephants, gaurs, and sloth bears. You could pause to enjoy some of the scenic views that you could click on your camera.

How Thekkady Fits Into Kerala Trip: Munnar + Thekkady + Alleppey Combo

Thekkady itself is a naturally blissful destination to escape from your daily life. Whereas, mostly, Thekkady is visited by tourists when included in a Kerala tour package. Here are a few itinerary breakdowns, including Kerala with Thekkady, for planning your upcoming Thekkady tour.

The Classic 6N/7D Kerala Route: Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey

• Day 1: Arrive at Kochi Airport or the railway station, then check into your hotel. In the evening, head to Fort Kochi, pay a visit to St Francis' Church, and experience the artistic coffee houses of Mattancherry.
• Day 2: Check out and take a long, scenic 4-hour drive up the Western Ghats to Munnar. Stop by the Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls before checking in to your hillside resort.
• Day 3: Visit Eravikulam National Park to spot the endangered Nilgiri tahr roaming around the park. Head towards your day with a walk through the manicured tea plantation and visit the Tata Tea Museum to learn the history of tea-making.
• Day 4: Drive from Munnar to Thekkady and check into your jungle resort. Don’t forget to visit any local family spice shop to see how cardamom, pepper, and vanilla are grown. Witness the lively performance of Kalaripayattu or the incredible storytelling of Kathakali dance to glam up your evening.
• Day 5: Start your day with the main attraction of Thekkady by heading to the Periyar Tiger Reserve for an early morning boat safari on the lake. Prepare yourself for witnessing wild elephants, gaurs, and otters playing on the banks. Later, enjoy a guided nature walk, bamboo rafting and elephant safari. In the evening, explore the local market of Kumily to buy fresh aromatic spices, homemade chocolates and authentic Kerala coffee and tea.
• Day 6: drive down the hills towards the coastal backwaters of Alleppey and check into a private traditional Kettuvallam (houseboat) by 12:00 PM. In the evening, cruise through the intricate network of palm-lined canals, expansive rice paddies, and villages that float on water. Savour a sumptuous Kerala cuisine meal that has been cooked especially for you.
• Day 7: Enjoy your last breakfast before leaving, at the floating houseboat, as you cruise back to the finishing point. Check out by 9:00 AM. Drive back to Kochi, which would take approx 1.5 to 2 hours, and based on your departing flight or train, do some last-minute shopping at Lulu Mall.

Keerthi Menon, one of our travellers from Bangalore who booked the Glimpse of Kerala | Waterfalls, Wildlife and Winding Roads package, shared in April 2026 that "Munnar and Thekkady together are Kerala perfected – cool hills, tea gardens, spice estates and the Periyar forest. Watched wild elephants from a boat on Periyar Lake and walked through a cardamom plantation the same afternoon. Absolutely loved the pace of the tour – unhurried, immersive and deeply relaxing throughout.”

In terms of geographical connectivity for a trip across Kerala's varied topography, Thekkady becomes an ideal connection point from the high hills to the low backwaters. While travelling from Munnar to Thekkady, one would travel around 90 km in three and a half hours, experiencing a breathtaking landscape transition from manicured tea slopes to dense cardamom jungles.

On the other hand, the route from Thekkady to Alleppey is about 175 km and would take around 4 to 4.5 hours to reach. This route is a pleasant journey where one gets away from the cold weather in the mountains, heading down to the tropical palm-rich coastal plains.

Tighter Kerala Variants

• Either skip the two-night stays in Munnar or the Alleppey houseboat stay.
• One must stay at Thekkady for 2 nights for a complete Thekkady experience.
• You cannot reduce Thekkady further and still successfully cover the core activity stack (boating, spice tours, and cultural shows).

One can go for this type of itinerary if planning for a natural retreat and relaxed trip to Thekkady, just like how Hariharan Iyer did with his family. He is one of our verified travellers from Coimbatore who booked the Scenic Trip to Kerala with a FREE Visit to Sevenmallay Tea Estate package and shared in April 2026 that "the backwaters were much larger than I expected. Gliding through on the houseboat from Alleppey, watching locals fish, women making coir by the canal, and children waving from the banks, it felt like seeing Kerala from the inside rather than as a tourist. Fresh fish was brought to the boat by a local fisherman in the morning, and the crew cooked it for lunch. Thrillophilia had chosen a good property, and the crew was attentive and friendly throughout. Munnar tea estates and Athirappilly Falls made the rest of the trip equally good.”

Thekkady as a Day Trip from Munnar

• Tourists typically arrive in Thekkady from Munnar around 11:00 AM.
• Covers a quick spice plantation tour followed by the 1:30 PM boat safari.
• Visitors usually start their drive back to Munnar by 6:00 PM.

Note: If you are planning a day trip to Thekkady, you would definitely miss the early morning 7:30 AM boat safari. The early morning slots offer the highest chances for witnessing wild animals, as they are more active before the day heats up.

Traveller's Tip for Thekkady Tour Package

• Book a Periyar National Park safari via the official Kerala Forest Department website. Aim for the 6:00 AM slot; mornings offer mist-covered views and the highest chance of spotting elephants, gaurs, and birds.
• If you are hiking during or right after the monsoons, carry leech socks and table salt to ward off forest leeches.
• Thekkady enforces strict eco-rules. Avoid single-use plastics and ensure you pack all your trash back to your hotel.
• Pack breathable cotton layers for daylight hours, but definitely include a light jacket or sweater for chilly evenings.
• Thekkady does not have its own airport or railway station. You will need to travel by road for the final leg. Fuel stations are scarce along the winding ghat roads leading into town. Top up your tank completely before ascending the hill routes.

Why Travellers Trust Thrillophilia for their Thekkady Tour

With a rating of 4.4 from Google, Thrillophilia offers packages designed for comfort, flexibility, and practical travel planning. We have also been rated 4.5 by Reviews.io, followed by 4.5 by SmartCustomers and 4.2 by TripAdvisor. While curating your itinerary for your Thekkady tour, we offer the best plans for your Thekkady tour based on your trip duration and preferences.

Not just the boat safari in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, but also we manage the 7:30 AM boat safari slot to give you the best experience of the safari. Our operational team manages to achieve Gavi jeep safari permit bookings 2–3 days ahead in peak season, so travellers are not turned away at the gate. Moreover, Thrillophilia confirms cancellation and rescheduling guidance for monsoon-season travellers whose boat safari may not run.

We confirm nights and route shape, hotel category and meal plan, flight inclusion, airport transfer, major activity inclusions, boat safari slot and ticket status. Additionally, the exact hotel name within the booked category and exact flight timing are available after the payment of the packages, per post-payment confirmation data. We also offer monsoon boat safari status and KFD ecotourism programme availability, maintaining complete transparency with our travellers.

With a 24*7 on-ground service and a feature of a fully customisable itinerary, you can plan your dream destination without any second thoughts with Thrillophilia. Each itinerary can be personalised based on the trip's duration, destinations, lodging preferences, and travel pace. Thrillophilia’s Thekkady tour packages offer complete planning and execution of a designed itinerary.