Major city · India
Thekkadyതേക്ക്കാടി
Spend 1–2 days in Thekkady for Periyar wildlife activities; add a night if you want a guided trek or plantation tour.
Thekkady is a gateway to Periyar Tiger Reserve and surrounding spice plantations. A full day covers a boat ride and a short nature walk; a second day lets you add bamboo rafting, elephant ride, or a guided trek. Overnight stays are available in Kumily (4 km away).
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Sep–Mar
- avoid Apr–Jun (heavy monsoon)
- Airport
- COK
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 Thekkady112 ▾
- Police / General emergencies112
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 Thekkady, 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
- SafetyThekkady is generally safe for tourists; keep valuables secure, follow guide instructions in the reserve, and avoid wandering off marked trails.
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 / general emergencies (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.
- AirportcheckCOK Cochin International (≈ 3 h by bus to Thekkady; check schedules.).
- Getting aroundLocal buses run between Kumily and Thekkady (≈ 10 min).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeTea or coffee at a local café₹30–₹80 (≈ under US$1)
- Budget bedBudget hostel/guesthouse, a night, per person₹800 (≈ US$10)
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel double room, a night, per room₹3,500 (≈ US$40)
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel double room, a night, per room₹5,000 (≈ US$60)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹1,200 (≈ US$14) · Mid ₹2,500 (≈ US$30) · High ₹5,000 (≈ US$60)
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
- COK Cochin International (≈ 3 h by bus to Thekkady; check schedules.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
Feb
Best
Mar
Best
Apr
Avoid
May
Avoid
Jun
Avoid
Jul
not flagged
Aug
not flagged
Sep
Best
Oct
Best
Nov
Best
Dec
Best
Best: Sep–Mar. Avoid: Apr–Jun. Month by month →
Weather and climate
Thekkady: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
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
Local buses run between Kumily and Thekkady (≈ 10 min). Auto‑rickshaws and taxis are common for short hops to the reserve gate. For longer trips (Kochi, Munnar) use Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses or hire a car with driver.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Periyar Boat Ride
goDoor to door: ≈ 30 min total
Walk from Kumily to boat landing (≈ 10 min).
₹150 per person, 2‑hour cruise.
Bamboo Rafting
goDoor to door: ≈ 7 h total
Start at boat landing; guided 8 AM departure.
≈ ₹2,000 per person; includes lunch.
Elephant Ride
goDoor to door: ≈ 1 h total
Book at Elephant Camp, 4 km (2.5 mi) from Thekkady.Book at Elephant Camp, 2.5 mi (4 km) from Thekkady.
₹350 per person, 30 min ride.
Spice Plantation Tour
goDoor to door: ≈ 2 h total
Arrange locally; short drive from Kumily.
₹50–₹100 per person.
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.
Abad Green Forest
Kumily, close to reserve entrance; budget rooms.
Carmelia Haven
Cottages and tree‑house options near Thekkady.
Hotel Ambadi
Edge of Periyar reserve; standard, deluxe, suite.
Hotel Periyar Meadows
Mid‑range, budget‑friendly.
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
- ₹1,200–2,000 (≈ US$14–25) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹2,500–4,000 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- High
- ₹5,000 (≈ US$60)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel double room1 × 1 night × ₹3,500 | ₹3,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₹2,500 | ₹5,000 |
| Boat ride on Periyar Lake2 × ₹150 · check | ₹300 |
| Bamboo rafting (full day)2 × ₹2,000 · check | ₹4,000 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × ₹1,200 · check | ₹2,400 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹1,520 |
| Trip total≈ ₹8,360 per person per day, bed included | ₹16,720≈ US$190 |
2026 estimate in INR; flights and long‑distance train tickets excluded.
Prices of common things
| Tea or coffee at a local café | ₹30–₹80 (≈ under US$1) |
| Masala dosa | ₹50–₹120 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Bottle of water (500 ml) | ₹20–₹30 (≈ under US$1) |
| Auto‑rickshaw (5 km) | ₹150–₹250 (≈ US$2–3) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Monsoon rains can close forest trails; check local forecast.
- Elephant rides and bamboo rafting operate only in dry season; confirm availability.
- Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed; early morning boat rides give the best chance.
Emergency numbers
- Police / General emergencies
- 112
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Thekkadyതേക്ക്കാടി
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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ഈ വിലാസത്തിലേക്ക് ദയവായിTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / General emergencies112
Embassy
US Consulate in Chennai; Indian embassies in New Delhi and Mumbai.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Cochin → Thekkady (KSRTC bus): ≈ ₹350–₹500, 3 h (check)
- Kumily → Periyar boat landing (auto‑rickshaw): ≈ ₹100–₹150 (5 min)
Say or show
- क्षमിക്കണം — Excuse me / Sorry (kshamikkana)
- നന്ദി — Thank you (nandi)
- ഇത് എത്രയാണ്? — How much is this? (ith ethraanu?)
- കാർഡ് ഉപയോഗിച്ച് പണമിടാൻ കഴിയുമോ? — Can I pay by card? (card upayogichu panamidaan kazhiyumo?)
- ടോയ്ലറ്റ് എവിടെയാണ്? — Where is the toilet? (toilet evideyaanu?)
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 Thekkady. 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: Sep–Mar · avoid Apr–Jun (heavy monsoon) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in Kumily for guided trekking (Periyar Tiger Trail).
- Combine with a day trip to Kuttikanam (35 km) for hill‑station trekking.
Sources
Ask about Thekkady
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