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Kerala

Thenmala

India's first planned ecotourism site, built round a dam reservoir

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Best time to visit Thenmala

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: June to July

Planning a specific month? JanuaryFebruaryDecember

Thenmala season by season

Winter December to February Prime time

Dec-Feb is dry at 20-32°C and everything runs: the canopy walk, the swinging bridge, reservoir boating and dry forest trails.

Summer March to May Shoulder

Mar-May climbs to 36°C in the Shencottah gap, the reservoir drops, the trails bake and the deer rehabilitation area is the only shade.

Monsoon June to September Mixed, read the detail

June-July brings hard rain and leeches on every trail, and the nearby Palaruvi falls gets closed off when the river rises.

Autumn October to November Shoulder

Oct-Nov catch the north-east monsoon in short evening bursts, but the forest is at its greenest and virtually empty.

What Thenmala is actually like

A forest-department set-up rather than a village scene: KTDC and small lodges, school groups by day and silence at night

Things to do in Thenmala

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

  • Palaruvi Falls

    Waterfall · 10 km out

    A 300 foot fall on the Shencottah road with a bathing pool below; ticket plus a forest bus from the gate, shut in heavy rain.

  • Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary

    Wildlife · 5 km out

    Evergreen forest around the reservoir, with boat safaris and guided trails; book at the eco office in the morning, guides are few.

  • Parappar Dam

    Reservoir · 3 km out

    The Kallada irrigation dam that holds back Thenmala's reservoir; short climb up from the ecotourism gate, best light early morning.

  • Thenmala Adventure Zone

    Activity · 1 km out

    Rope bridges, rock climbing and mountain biking run by the ecotourism board; pay per activity at the counter, school groups by day.

  • Aryankavu Sastha Temple

    Temple · 13 km out

    One of the old Sastha shrines on the Ayyappa route, busiest in the Mandala season; dress code applies, men bare chested inside.

Getting to Thenmala

Thenmala has a station on the Kollam-Shencottah line; buses from Kollam cover the 65 km in about two hours

Practical ways in: trainroad

Trip facts

How long to stay
2 days
Budget
Shoestring
How busy
Quiet at its peak
Solo travel
Fine solo
Altitude
200 m
State
Kerala
Coordinates
8.9653, 77.0700

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Thenmala?

December to February is peak season in Thenmala. March and October to November is shoulder season: thinner crowds, a bit more risk in the weather. Avoid June to July. Dec-Feb is dry at 20-32°C and everything runs: the canopy walk, the swinging bridge, reservoir boating and dry forest trails.

How many days do you need in Thenmala?

2 days is the usual stay. A forest-department set-up rather than a village scene: KTDC and small lodges, school groups by day and silence at night.

How do you get to Thenmala?

Thenmala has a station on the Kollam-Shencottah line; buses from Kollam cover the 65 km in about two hours. Practical ways in: train and road.

Is Thenmala expensive, and does it get crowded?

Shoestring by Indian travel standards, and it runs quiet at the busiest time of year. Fine solo.

What are the best things to do in Thenmala?

Palaruvi Falls, Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, Parappar Dam, Thenmala Adventure Zone and Aryankavu Sastha Temple. A 300 foot fall on the Shencottah road with a bathing pool below; ticket plus a forest bus from the gate, shut in heavy rain.

Nearby, and where to go next

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