Exuding endless natural grace, Thekkady is an unmissable part on any Kerala trip owing to its rich wildlife and flora, lush green hills, sparkling backwaters, and a clear blue sky. Offering travelers a rare chance to be in the lap of nature that is pure and untouched, Thekkady is considered one of the best tourist spots in Kerala. But there’s more to this place than meets the eye. Lying a few kilometers away are some delightful places near Thekkady that deserve equal attention. Unspoiled and undiscovered, most of these attractions and hamlets offer a rich blend of tranquility, nature, and breathtaking landscapes that you’ll regret missing out on. So, the next time you decide to visit God’s Own Country, make sure you move beyond the regular tourist spots and explore these unconventional and equally gorgeous places that are sure to take your breath away!
10 Best Places Near Thekkady
Go through each of these charming places to visit near Thekkady and make a note of all the ones you’d like to visit. With all the unique and heart-warming experiences they offer, we bet it’ll be difficult to pick just a few!
1. Murikkady
It’s among the closest sightseeing places near Thekkady and it’s very popular for its scenic spice and coffee plantations. Your drive to this small village will be met by stunning misty hills, rich green valleys, and aroma of nearby cardamom, tea and pepper plantations flowing in the air. Murikkady is a picture-perfect picnic spot where you can share a romantic evening with your better half. The endless expanses of coffee, tea, and spice plantations also make it an ideal place for nature lovers and landscape photographers.
Distance from Thekkady: 5 km
Travel time: 15 minutes
Must Read: 10 Serene Resorts In Thekkady: Enjoy A Harmonious Stay
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2. Chellarkovil
Blessed with abundant natural beauty and some of the most picturesque waterfalls you’ll ever have laid eyes on, Chellarkovil is a must-visit place near Thekkady. It’s a tiny village that gradually slopes down and blends into the state of Tamil Nadu, with some rich coconut groves marking the border. The Aruvikkuzhi Waterfall, lush green views, panoramic valleys and hills, meandering rivers, an old cave, and enormous fruit and vegetable orchards are some of the main attractions here that draw nature lovers and couples to this place.
The Chellarkovil Unit Level Organisation (ULO) here is responsible for maintaining the natural outlook of this place. It is a community-based organization that provides training to women in food processing and forest protection, promotes afforestation, and has an effective waste dumping management system.
Distance from Thekkady: 15.3 km
Travel time: 31 minutes
3. Anakkara
Anakkara is popular for its scenic and aromatic spice plantations spread around on this small town. Anakkara is situated at a distance of about 13 km from Kumily over the Kumily-Munnar road and is relatively easy to get to from Thekkady by road. The Airports Authority of India has put forth proposals to build a new airport in this town, which will soon make this place as well as other tourist spots nearby super accessible for tourists and locals alike. The postcard-ready plantations of cardamom and tea here will surely cast a spell on you! Don’t forget to buy some spices from authorized stores at subsidized rates before heading home.
Distance from Thekkady: 13.6 km
Travel time: 26 minutes
Suggested Read: 10 Best Hotels In Thekkady For Luxury & Mid-Budget Stays
4. Mangala Devi Temple
Next on the list of the nearby places in Thekkady is this 1000-year-old temple sitting atop a hill 1337 meters above sea level. The temple is open to the public only during the Chitra Pournami festival. If someone wishes to visit this temple at any other time, they have to acquire a special permit from the forest ranger. But even if you’re unable to visit the temple itself, you must visit this spot for the panoramic and breathtaking views of the Eastern Ghats as well as some villages of Tamil Nadu that you can see from here. It’s totally worth the time and effort!
Location: Idukki, Tamil Nadu 685509
Distance from Thekkady: 11.8 km
Travel time: 40 minutes
Suggested Read: 8 Best Restaurants In Thekkady Where You Can Dine In On Your Trip
5. Pattumalay Tea Factory
Located just 24 km from Thekkady, the scenic and lovable Pattumalay Tea Factory is a significant producer and manufacturer of Orthodox tea. The entire estate belongs to Harrisons Malayalam Limited and it happens to be the oldest Orthodox factory that produces tea at a capacity of a whopping 16,000 kg per day. It’s a great place to visit for all tea lovers who’ll be delighted to roam in these aromatic gardens and learn the nuances involved in the tea making process.
Location: Pattumalay Estate, Karadikuzhy p.o, Peermade, Idukki, Kerala 685531
Distance from Thekkady: 24.5 km
Travel time: 1 hour
Note: Orthodox tea refers to hand-processed tea (or even tea rolled with machinery via a mimicked hand-rolling method). Most of the specialty tea, as well as whole-leaf tea, are made this way.
Suggested Read: Thekkady Wildlife: Your Personal Guide To Spot The Glorious Fauna
6. Panchalimedu Viewpoint
Panchalimedu is essentially a viewpoint located 2,500 ft above sea level. This beautiful hillock offers lovely views of the striped farms down in Idukki as well as the low-lying hills beyond. It’s also a great trekking destination for adventure seekers and nature lovers. Located amidst the hills and jungles here is a beautiful pond called Panchalikulam, all of which turn this place into a paradise with soothingly fresh foliage during monsoons. According to the great Indian epic Mahabharata, the Pandavas and their wife Panchali had spent some time in these lush environs during their exile. All in all, this hidden beauty is among the best places near Thekkady that you can visit with your significant other or group of friends looking for some adventure.
Location: Panchalimedu, Kerala 685532
Distance from Thekkady: 45.3 km
Travel time: 1 hour 16 minutes
7. Parunthumpara
Also popular as the ‘Eagle Rock’, Parunthumpara is a huge stretch of rock with lush green sprouting all over it. It is named thus owing to the fact that this entire area resembles an eagle. While other sightseeing places near Thekkady listed here are relatively unknown, Parunthumpara is fast catching up with the tourism sector owing to its enormous eagle-like shape and the panoramic views of the high mountains ranges and valleys that it offers to visitors.
Apart from the 360-degree views of misty hills, this place has dense forests and scenic waterfalls with tribal settlements once you descend down the valley, making this attraction heaven for trekkers and nature fans. Going further from these settlements you will also find some deep gorges, followed by the famous pilgrimage site of Sabarimala. But if the beauty of the destination still fails to convince you to visit, the scenic journey flanked by endless stretches of tea, cardamom, and coffee definitely will!
Distance from Thekkady: 24.1 km
Travel time: 55 minutes
Suggested Read: 20 Exciting Things To Do In Thekkady: Walks, Tours, & Safaris
8. Gavi
Gavi is spread across the Periyar Tiger Reserve which is among the top tourist places in Thekkady. Gavi is a peaceful haven luring in wildlife enthusiasts and bird watchers. Some of the animal species that can be spotted here include the tiger, elephant, leopard, bear, Indian gaur, sambar, barking deer, mouse deer, lion-tailed macaque, and the Nilgiri Marten. The 320 plus bird species that can be found here include the great Indian hornbill, Sunbird, woodpecker, kingfisher, myna, drongo, cuckoo, and bulbul.
Nature lovers and adventure seekers instantly fall in love with this untouched foliage of the Western Ghats owing to the endless adventure activities offered here, like trekking, wildlife and bird sighting, staying in tree houses, jungle camping, night-time jungle safaris, spice garden walking tours. Other attractions include Ninnumulli’s Paradise Cove, numerous spice gardens, the cardamom factory, and the Sabarimala temple. Trekkers absolutely love this place since it allows them to be truly one with nature in all its glory, letting them trek into the deep jungle and interact with elephants that roam free here.
Distance from Thekkady: 39.4 km
Travel time: 1 hour 16 minutes
Note: Upon prior booking, visitors can stay at the Green Mansions forest lodge here established and maintained by the Eco Tourism Centre.
Suggested Read: 12 Honeymoon Places In Tamil Nadu
9. Vandanmedu
The petite village of Vandanmedu located in the Idukki district happens to be the largest producer of cardamom. In fact, it is very famous as an auction center for cardamom. It’s not difficult to find this place owing to the endless cardamom plantations in and around this town and the delicious aroma of aromatic spices hanging in the air around the entire town! It’s a great place for adventure enthusiasts owing to the tremendous opportunities for trekking and rock climbing available here.
Nature lovers and couples also fancy visiting this place since it allows them to take leisurely strolls through these fragrant spice plantations and enjoy the lush greenery all around them. One can also opt for guided tours of these plantations where they’ll get to learn about the cardamom cultivation process of Kerala in full detail.
Distance from Thekkady: 22 km
Travel time: 40 minutes
Suggested Read: 15 Kodaikanal Hotels To Pick From For Your Next Trip To Tamil Nadu
10. Ramakkalmedu
Ramakkalmedu is a magnificent tourist place surrounded by green hills and undoubtedly among the best places near Thekkady for thrill seekers courtesy its numerous trekking trails. There’s a viewpoint located at the very top of this hillock which happens to be the highest point in this area that offers mesmerizing 360-degree views of the surrounding greenery as well as the misty low-lying hills. The Ramakkalmedu viewpoint can easily be reached by a small and easy trek of about 3 to 4 kilometers from the Ramakkalmedu Junction. It’s a must visit place for people looking for a blend of adventure, pristine nature, and awesome views near Thekkady.
Location: Nedumkandam, Idukki, Kerala 685552
Distance from Thekkady: 35.8 km
Travel time: 1 hour 11 minutes
Further Read: 50 Best Tourist Places In Tamil Nadu Ensuring The Most Awesome Vacay
This list has made it pretty clear why all nature lovers and adventure seekers have unconditional love for Thekkady and its surrounding areas. Without a doubt, a trip to Thekkady as well as all these serene places near Thekkady will remain etched in your memory forever! So, if you want to discover all these undiscovered paradises, start planning your holiday in Kerala via TravelTriangle right away. Don’t forget to write to us about your memorable holiday experience once you’re back!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Places Near Thekkady
What is Thekkady known for?
Thekkady is known for Periyar National park, Mangla devi temple, Abraham’s spice garden and more such tourist attractions and places near Thekkady that will leave you enchanted.
What is the best time to visit Thekkady?
October to February is the best time to visit Thekkady. During these months, the weather is pleasant to explore the place.
Is Thekkady a hill station?
Yes, Thekkady is a picturesque hill station in Kerala known for offering blissful countryside views, refreshing tea plantations and more.
How far is Thekkady from Cochin?
Thekkady is located at a distance of 165 km from Cochin.
Is Periyar and Thekkady same?
Yes, Periyar and Thekkady is one and the same place. Thekkady is called Periyar sometimes by some people.
What are the best things to do in Thekkady?
Some of the top things to do in Thekkady are Bamboo rafting, border hiking, nature walks, jeep safari and more.
How is the climate in Thekkady?
The climate in Thekkady is pleasant. The summers are not that hot and the winters are bearable.
How many days are sufficient for Thekkady?
Two days are enough for visiting Thekkady and exploring the places.
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Kanika has 4 years of experience in writing blogs and marketing content for travel. And when she’s not writing, she’s either exploring new terrains in a different corner of the world, or out in the city freezing urban scenarios in her camera.
