my next stop

Kerala

Thekkady (Periyar)

Periyar Tiger Reserve - boat safaris around a forest lake

WildlifeTrek

Best time to visit Thekkady (Periyar)

peak shoulder off-season avoid

  • Go: December to February
  • Shoulder: March and October to November, quieter, and the weather is less of a sure thing
  • Skip: April to September

Planning a specific month? JanuaryFebruaryDecember

Thekkady (Periyar) season by season

Winter December to February Prime time

Peak season - cool mornings, best wildlife visibility as animals gather at waterholes, scenic boat safaris

Summer March to May Shoulder

Increasingly hot and humid; April can still bring decent waterhole sightings but treks are sweatier

Monsoon June to September Do not go

Leech-heavy treks and rain-hampered boat safaris; animals scatter into cover so sightings drop off

Autumn October to November Shoulder

October-November is a good reset - monsoon clears, forest is lush, wildlife viewing starts improving

What Thekkady (Periyar) is actually like

Kumily's guesthouses organise group treks and rafting - an easy way for solos to team up

Things to do in Thekkady

The local places worth your time in and around Thekkady, with how far each sits from the centre. Tap a name to open it in Google Maps.

  • Periyar Lake

    Lake · 2 km out

    The flooded valley you cross by boat for elephants and gaur on the shore; forest boats sell out, queue at the ticket office by 7 am.

  • Periyar Tiger Trail

    Trek · 3 km out

    One or two day guided trek camping inside the reserve, led by reformed poachers; five people per group, book well ahead.

  • Periyar Bamboo Rafting

    Activity · 3 km out

    Full day forest programme, a long walk then rafting on the lake with lunch; starts at eight, seats are few, book a day early.

  • Mangala Devi Kannagi Temple

    Temple · 15 km out

    Ruined stone temple on the Tamil Nadu border, gates opened only on Chithra Pournami in April; forest jeep and pass, no walking up.

  • Chellarkovil

    Viewpoint · 15 km out

    Village on a cliff edge with the Cumbum plains a kilometre below and a step waterfall in the rains; go late afternoon for the light.

  • Kadathanadan Kalari Centre

    Heritage · 2 km out

    Evening kalaripayattu show in a sunken pit theatre, an hour of fire and swords; buy the ticket earlier in the day, it fills up.

Getting to Thekkady (Periyar)

Fly to Cochin or Madurai, 4-5h taxi/bus to Kumily/Thekkady

Practical ways in: flightroad

Trip facts

How long to stay
3 days
Budget
Mid-range
How busy
Busy at its peak
Solo travel
Fine solo
Altitude
900 m
State
Kerala
Coordinates
9.5916, 77.1600

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Thekkady (Periyar)?

December to February is peak season in Thekkady (Periyar). March and October to November is shoulder season: thinner crowds, a bit more risk in the weather. Avoid April to September. Peak season - cool mornings, best wildlife visibility as animals gather at waterholes, scenic boat safaris.

How many days do you need in Thekkady (Periyar)?

3 days is the usual stay. Kumily's guesthouses organise group treks and rafting - an easy way for solos to team up.

How do you get to Thekkady (Periyar)?

Fly to Cochin or Madurai, 4-5h taxi/bus to Kumily/Thekkady. Practical ways in: flight and road.

Is Thekkady (Periyar) expensive, and does it get crowded?

Mid-range by Indian travel standards, and it runs busy at the busiest time of year. Fine solo.

What are the best things to do in Thekkady?

Periyar Lake, Periyar Tiger Trail, Periyar Bamboo Rafting, Mangala Devi Kannagi Temple, Chellarkovil and Kadathanadan Kalari Centre. The flooded valley you cross by boat for elephants and gaur on the shore; forest boats sell out, queue at the ticket office by 7 am.

Nearby, and where to go next

More places to visit in Kerala

All 38 destinations in Kerala