Awesome Places to Visit Near Thekkady

Known For : Eravikulam National Park Mattupetty Dam Kolukkumalai Tea Estate

The idyllic hill station Munnar - famous for its tea estates, exotic lush greenery and craggy peaks, is located in the Western Ghats, in the state of Kerala. It serves as the commercial centre for some of the world’s largest tea estates. In addition, Munnar has many protected areas which are home to endemic and highly endangered species like the Nilgiri Thar and the Neelakurinji. One of the biggest tea-plantation area of South India, Munnar is one of the most beautiful and popular hill-stations of Kerala. Situated on the banks of three rivers- Madupetti, Nallathanni and Periavaru, Munnar is also blessed with natural view-points apart from the tea-plantations.

Distance from Thekkady: 90 km

Best Time: September to May

54 Munnar Attractions

Known For : Houseboats in Alleppey Alleppey Beach Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple

Officially called Alappuzha, Alleppey is a city in the South Indian state of Kerala. Bordering the Laccadive Sea, it is known for its wide network of interlinking, palm-fringed canals called backwaters and rejuvenating Ayurvedic resorts. Allepey is also popular for its Houseboat cruises that pass through the serene backwaters, where you can catch glimpses of green paddy fields, choir making activities, beautiful avifauna and witness the life of locals in Kerala. Allepey is also popular for its Houseboat cruises that pass through the serene backwaters, where you can catch glimpses of green paddy fields, choir making activities, beautiful avifauna and witness the life of locals in Kerala.

Distance from Thekkady: 124 km

Best Time: June to March

39 Alleppey Attractions

Known For : Green Valley View (Suicide Point) Kodaikanal Lake Bear Shola Falls

Located in the state of Tamil Nadu, Kodaikanal is one of the most famous honeymoon destinations in India. When you think of Kodaikanal, you think of a wonderful climate, cliffs covered in mist, cloud-capped mountains and beautiful lakes and valleys, and once you visit this hill station, you will find that every bit of what you have imagined it to be is true. Nestled amidst the rolling slopes of the Palani Hills in Tamil Nadu, Kodaikanal stands at an altitude of 7200 feet above sea level and has a cool, pleasant climate all year round. Kodaikanal means the gift of the forests.

Distance from Thekkady: 150 km

Best Time: September to May

35 Kodaikanal Attractions

Known For : Varkala Cliff Sivagiri Mutt Water Sports in Varkala

Varkala is a coastal town in the southern part of Kerala known for the unique 15m high 'Northern Cliff' adjacent to the Arabian Sea. It is popular for its hippie culture, shacks on the cliff serving great seafood and playing global music and the samadhi of Kerala's saint Sree Narayana Guru. Varkala is also known for Jardana Swami Temple, also known as Dakshin Kashi. Varkala has some of the best pristine beaches, hills, lakes, forts, lighthouses, natural fisheries and springs - all of this together makes this town a little paradise.

Distance from Thekkady: 176 km

Best Time: October to February

31 Varkala Attractions

Known For : Vagamon Falls Kurisumala Vagamon Lake

1100 meters above sea, far way from the loud city culture, lush greenery and serenity to gift every visitor, Vagamon could be your quiet offbeat hill station in Kerala away from maddening tourist crowds. If you are a forest lover, the first place you should visit in Vagamon is the Vagamon Pine forest, which is the major tourist attraction of this place. A very popular spot for movie shootings, Vagamon forest is actually a man-made forest which was created during the British era. The forest overlooks the entire Vagamon valley and is a beautiful place where you can go for a long walk, or just sit under a pine tree and breathe in the fresh mountain air.

Distance from Thekkady: 46 km

Best Time: October - March

20 Vagamon Attractions

Known For : Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary Kumarakom Backwaters Thanneermukkom Bund

Located at a distance of 16km from Kottayam in Kerala and located on the banks of Vembanad Lake, Kerala's largest lake, Kumarakom is a cluster of many small man-made islands reclaimed from the lake. Part of the Kuttanad region, Kumarakom along with Alleppey, has beautiful backwater areas and they collectively form the most important tourist centres of Kerala. Known for paddy fields, fishing, a network of backwaters, delicious local cuisine, traditional Kettuvalloms (rice barges) houseboats and luxury and budget resorts. The Kumarakom bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres, is a favourite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise.

Distance from Thekkady: 111 km

Best Time: October - February

19 Kumarakom Attractions

Known For : Mattancherry Palace Fort Kochi Jew Town

Situated on the south-west coast of India, Kochi or Cochin is a bustling commercial port city with a trading history that dates back to at least 600 years. Called as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, the city is the financial, commercial and industrial capital of Kerala. The city is marked by influences of Arabs, Dutch, Phoenicians, Portuguese, Chinese and the British city as well as that of the Indian rule of the Chera Dynasty followed by rule of the Feudal Lords. A gaggle of islands interconnected by ferries, this cosmopolitan town has upmarket stores, art galleries and some of the finest heritage accommodations.

Distance from Thekkady: 156 km

Best Time: July to April

62 Kochi Attractions

Known For : Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal Vaigai Dam

Madurai, the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities of India. Ruled by Pandya kings for the longest time in its history, Madurai is constructed in the form of a lotus. Madurai is known for Meenakshi Amman Temple, dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi with a sanctum for her consort, Sundareshwarar. There are many other ancient temples in Madurai, including Thiruparankundram. It is one of the important old temples dedicated to Lord Muruga(Karthikeya) and is located on a hillock approximately 8 km from the city.

Distance from Thekkady: 137 km

Best Time: October to March

20 Madurai Attractions

Known For : Shenbaga Falls Five Falls Main Falls

Courtallam, also known as Kutralam, is a perfect getaway from Tenkasi and Tirunelveli. A small town bordering Kollam District, Courtallam is famous for its waterfalls on the Western Ghats. With captivating panoramic vistas, the township is popularly renowned as 'Spa of South'. It has nine waterfalls in the region that add a charm to its exotic beauty. One will also find Kutrallam adorned with ancient temples reflecting the age-old legends attached to them. The town itself like many other cities of India narrates mythological folklores adding to its mystique.

Distance from Thekkady: 199 km

Best Time: July to March

9 Kutrallam Attractions

Known For : Thangassery Lighthouse Kollam Beach Jatayu Earth's Centre

A treasure trove of natural wonders and historical edifices, Kollam is an enchanting town with backwaters and picturesque landscapes. Located 70kms away from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Kollam is a commercial centre and home to India’s cashew producing industry. Popularly known as Quilon, it is often regarded as the gateway to the backwaters of Kerala. It sits on the bank of the Ashtamudi Lake, hence, cruising along the Alappuzha route is one of the main highlights of the region.

Distance from Thekkady: 159 km

Best Time: September to February

40 Kollam Attractions

Known For : Grampi Thrissanku Hills Peeru Hills

Blessed with lots of green cover, beautiful rolling hills, wandering streams and gurgling waterfalls; Peermede is a small bewitching hill station of Kerala, pure and pristine. Perched at an altitude of 915 m above the sea level, the town has many hidden treasure troves waiting to be uncovered. Peermede, lying in Idukki District also comprises sprawling spreads of tea, coffee, rubber and cardamom. The place being home to various types of tribes like Malapandaram, Malayarayan and Orali exhibits a rustic essence of blending cultures.

Distance from Thekkady: 31 km

Best Time: April to June, September to November

8 Peermede Attractions