1. Periyar National Park
Periyar National Park is undoubtedly the very first place to visit on your trip to Thekkady. The pride of Kerala, the park is home to some of the rare and endangered wildlife species of India. The sound of hornbills chirping, wild creatures shying from the tourists, and the dark, mystic Periyar Forest together make the experience an exhilarating one.
Tourists can explore the wildlife of the national park through boating and trekking trails. Bamboo rafting on the Periyar Lake is a unique way to spot creatures on the edge of the waterbody quenching their thirst.
2. Murikkady
Ever fancied a family picnic among the huge manicured plantations of the ‘Spice Capital of India’? With the aroma of coffee, pepper, and cardamom in the air, Murikkady is an ideal destination for a family picnic in Thekkady. At a distance of 5 km from Thekkady, Murikkady is an abode of lush-green rounding hills, perfectly maintained spice plantations, and vistas of nature’s beauty.
3. Chellarkovil
Chellarkovil is a quaint little village located at a distance of 11 km from Kumily. This local settlement is a huge contributor to eco-tourism in Kerala. The dainty village offers spectacular vistas of lush-green meadows, towering hills, white cascading waterfalls, and different hues of the setting sun.
A watch tower, popularly known as the ‘God’s own balcony', offers a telescope for visitors to witness and appreciate the glowing beauty of the village.
4. Mangaladevi Temple
Nestled in the dense woods of Periyar is the Mangaladevi Temple, which is believed to be 1000 years old. It has a legend attached to it that speaks about Kannaki, a Tamil woman who burned down the entire city of Madurai to avenge the death of her innocent husband, Kovilan, who was wrongly accused of theft. She is believed to reach the Suruli Hills here for her final journey to heaven with her husband.
The temple, made up of huge granite rocks, was commissioned by the Chera king, Chenkuttuvan. The temple, unlike others, is opened to visitors once a year during the Chitrapournami Festival during the months of April or May.
The priests from both the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu perform the rituals and pray to Mangaladevi for great moral power. Visitors who wish to visit the temple need to get prior permission from the Wildlife Warden of Thekkady.
Mangaladevi Temple is not only a religious site but also an exhilarating experience because of the journey through the dense woods of Periyar, making it one of the best tourist attractions in Thekkady.
5. Ramakkalmedu
Panoramic views of the hills and romantic sunsets make Ramakkalmedu an enchanting retreat. The hamlet in the Idukki district gets its name ‘Ramakkalmedu’ from the fact that Lord Rama set foot on the rocks here in search of his consort, Sita, who was abducted by the demon king, Ravana.
The hill town is blessed with a miraculous wind energy of approximately 35 km/hr. It is one of the windiest places in Asia, and because of that, you’ll find wind energy farms here. Another main tourist attraction in Ramakkalmedu is the statue of Kuravan and Kurathi, placed atop the hill. From this point, you can witness some of the villages in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu.
According to the locals, Kuravan and Kurathi are two historical characters who helped find the perfect location for setting up the Idukki Dam. Ramakkalmedu is one of the popular points of tourist interest; therefore, do not miss this quaint little town on your trip to Thekkady.
6. Parunthumpara
Parunthumpara is an offbeat destination in the Idukki district, near Peermedu. The quiet village literally means eagle’s rock, as it offers an eagle’s view of the endless stretch of dense forest and low-lying valleys. Parunthumpara is a trekker’s paradise because it offers challenging trekking trails to reach the Parunthumpara Hill Viewpoint, which offers a panoramic view of the towering hills covered in dense forest.
The Dainty village is also a filming location where many South Indian movies are shot, including Nazrani and Bramaram. Visitors can also witness the Sabarimala forests on a clear day from the hill viewpoint. Free from toxic carbon footprints, this hamlet offers a serene escape from the bustling life of the city.
7. Peermedu
Nestled among the beautifully-maintained plantations of coffee, pepper, tea, and cardamom, Peermedu is one of the most beautiful hill stations in Kerala. The town gets its name from the abode of ‘Peer Hills', which were gifted to a renowned Muslim saint, Peer Mohommed, who was a dear friend of the Travancore royal family.
Peermedu was also the former summer retreat of the Travancore Royal Family. The majestic vistas of the rolling hills of the Western Ghats with glistening streams and roaring cascades make the hill town a must-visit for every nature lover.
This destination is highly popular for activities like trekking, horseback riding, and cycling. Tourists can opt for a morning cycle tour among the huge plantations with the aromatic fragrance of spices and coffee hanging in the air.
8. Vandanmedu
Popularly known for being the world’s largest auction centre, Vandanmedu is undeniably one of the must-visit destinations in Thekkady. The high-grade cardamom plantations fill the air of the town with a mesmerizing aroma, which makes it hard for tourists to leave this magical land.
Vandanmedu takes you back in time with its centuries-old buildings constructed during the colonial era. The British constructed various buildings and post offices for communication regarding the spice plantations.
In recent times, the post offices have been used as government residences for its officials. With a commercial air around the town, tourists can also witness the sprawling beauty of nature with the sky-scraping hills and dense woods of the Western Ghats.
9. Kumily
Popularly known as the ‘Plantation Town’ or the ‘Gateway to Thekkady’, Kumily is the most popular tourist attraction in Thekkady. Formerly called Kuzhumoor, the region used to be the capital of the Thekkumkoor kings, which was later annexed by the Travancore kings in the 18th century. The hill town offers the sprawling beauty of the Western Ghats and is a busy commercial town because of the high-grade spice plantations.
During the British Raj, it was the Britishers who bought or leased the land and cleared a vast stretch of forests to initiate the plantation of coffee, pepper, tea, rubber, and cardamom. Sharing its boundary with Tamil Nadu, Kumily is an important trading centre along with a holiday destination. The beautiful mist-covered hills with dense forgotten woods make Kumily a perfect getaway on your trip to Thekkady.
10. Pandikuzhi
Nestled between Chellarkovil and the Tamil Nadu border is the picturesque hill town of Pandikuzhi. Bestowed with a sprawling beauty of cascading waterfalls, rounding hills, lush green valleys, and hidden creeks, Pandikuzhi is one of the best places to visit in Thekkady. The welcoming hearts of the locals, along with the natural beauty of the hill town, encourage nature lovers and avid travelers to take up a vacation in the hills of Pandikuzhi.
Adding to this, the hill town is a shutterbug’s haven, for all that the camera captures here is the timeless beauty of how nature offers its abundance to mankind. Pandikuzhi is a must-visit on your trip to Thekkady, for all that this place has to offer is tranquility and serenity.
11. Periyar Lake
Built in the centre of Periyar National Park is the manmade Lake Periyar. Surrounded by a rounding chain of lush green hills, the lake has developed into an entire ecosystem that serves as a home to the wildlife of Periyar. A large area of forest had to be submerged in the water to create it. Tree bark jutting out of the lake is a living example of it.
During summers, the lake becomes the only source of water, and tourists can spot herds of wild elephants playing in the water to escape the humid heat, along with various species such as tigers, gaur, sambar deer, and rare migratory birds.
Thrilling activities such as bamboo rafting take you deep into the wilderness of the natural reserve through Lake Periyar to explore the wildlife and the tribal settlements of the region from a safe distance. With an ocean of things to see, Periyar Lake makes it to the list of top places to visit in Thekkady!
