Major city · India
Thenmala
Half a day to one day: walk the hanging bridge, see the dam and boat on the reservoir. Not a base — use Punalur or Kollam for overnight stays.
Thenmala is Kerala's first planned eco-tourism destination, built around a dam reservoir and forest. The core sights — the hanging bridge, the dam, the adventure zone and a boat ride — take 4–5 hours. Most visitors come as a day trip from Kollam or Punalur. Palaruvi Waterfalls and Kulathupuzha add another half day if you have a vehicle.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid Mar–May (hot), Jun–Sep (heavy rain, some paths closed)
- Airports
- TRV · COK
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Thenmala112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Thenmala, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyThenmala is a quiet, low-risk destination.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 112 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTRV Thiruvananthapuram International (About 2.5 h by road; taxis and buses available).
- Getting aroundTaxis and jeeps are the main options; the eco-tourism zone is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealTea or snack at the zone₹30–80 (≈ under US$1)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from Punalur to Thenmala (one way)₹500–800 (≈ US$6–10)
- Museum or sight ticketEntry to eco-tourism zonecheck₹50–150 (≈ US$1–2)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹1,500 (≈ US$18) · Mid ₹3,000 (≈ US$35) · High ₹6,000 (≈ US$70)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TRV Thiruvananthapuram International (About 2.5 h by road; taxis and buses available) · COK Kochi International (About 3.5 h by road)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Apr
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
May
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Mar–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jun (18 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Thenmala: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
Mar
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
4 rd
Apr
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
8 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Taxis and jeeps are the main options; the eco-tourism zone is walkable. A taxi for the day (dam, hanging bridge, Palaruvi) costs about ₹2,000–3,000 (2026 estimate).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Palaruvi Waterfalls
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Taxi from Thenmala, about 30 min
Best after monsoon (Oct–Feb); check water flow.
Kulathupuzha
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Taxi, about 20 min south
Ayyappa temple, temple fish pond and forest range.
Punalur
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Taxi or bus, about 20 min
Hanging bridge and local market.
Kollam
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Train or taxi, about 1 h
Backwater cruises and beach.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Thenmala (limited)
A few eco-lodges and forest rest houses; book ahead. Most visitors sleep in Punalur (20 min) or Kollam (1 h).
Punalur
Closest town with budget and mid-range hotels; 20 min by taxi.
Kollam
Major rail hub with many hotels; 1 h by train or taxi.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹1,500–2,500 (≈ US$18–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹3,000–5,000 (≈ US$35–60) excl. bed
- High
- ₹6,000 (≈ US$70)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Day trip (no bed)2 × 1 night × ₹0 | ₹0 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₹3,000 | ₹6,000 |
| Taxi for the day (dam, hanging bridge, Palaruvi)1 × ₹2,500 · check | ₹2,500 |
| Boat ride on the reservoir2 × ₹300 · check | ₹600 |
| Entry to eco-tourism zone2 × ₹100 · check | ₹200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹930 |
| Trip total≈ ₹5,120 per person per day, bed included | ₹10,230≈ US$120 |
Thenmala is a day trip; sleep in Punalur or Kollam.
2026 estimate in rupees; flights excluded. Day-trip only — no overnight costs included.
Prices of common things
| Taxi from Punalur to Thenmala (one way) | ₹500–800 (≈ US$6–10) |
| Boat ride on the reservoircheck | ₹200–400 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Entry to eco-tourism zonecheck | ₹50–150 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Tea or snack at the zone | ₹30–80 (≈ under US$1) |
| Guide for a half-day walkcheck | ₹500–1,000 (≈ US$6–12) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Palaruvi Waterfalls can be dry outside the monsoon; check before you go.
- The hanging bridge has a weight limit — check the notice before crossing.
- Monsoon (Jun–Sep) closes some trails and makes the rocks slippery.
- No ATMs inside the eco-tourism zone; carry cash.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ThenmalaThenmala
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ഈ വിലാസത്തിലേക്ക്, ദയവായിTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Fire and ambulance112
Embassy
Most embassies are in New Delhi; consulates in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. Check your country's India page.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi Punalur → Thenmala: ₹500–800 (≈ US$6–10), about 20 min
- Taxi Thenmala → Palaruvi: ₹600–1,000 (≈ US$7–12), about 30 min
- Boat ride on the reservoir: ₹200–400 (≈ US$3–5) (check)
Say or show
- എത്രയാണ്? — How much? (ethrayaanu)
- ടോയ്ലറ്റ് എവിടെയാണ്? — Where is the toilet? (toilet evideyaanu)
- നന്ദി — Thank you (nandi)
- ദയവായി എന്നെ തെന്മലയിലേക്ക് കൊണ്ടുപോകുക — Please take me to Thenmala (dayavaayi enne thenmalayilekku kondupokuka)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Thenmala. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb · avoid Mar–May (hot), Jun–Sep (heavy rain, some paths closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Thenmala
Loading…
Was this useful?