Wild elephants at the lake shore, cardamom and pepper gardens, and forest walks inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve.
Thekkady is the town at the edge of the Periyar Tiger Reserve, one of India's best-protected forests. The reserve is built around a lake created by the Mullaperiyar dam in 1895, and the boat ride across it is the best chance to see elephants, gaur and sambar coming down to drink.
The hills around Kumily are spice country. Most guests spend the afternoon in a plantation, seeing cardamom, pepper, clove and vanilla growing, and the evening at a Kalaripayattu or Kathakali show in town.
Nearest airport is Kochi (150 km). Nearest railhead is Kottayam, 115 km. Most guests arrive from Munnar and continue to Alleppey or Kumarakom.
A 90-minute forest department cruise. The first boat of the morning has the best wildlife sightings.
A guided walk through cardamom, pepper, coffee and nutmeg, with the chance to buy fresh spices.
Kerala's martial art, performed nightly at centres in Kumily.
Periyar's community ecotourism programmes, run with trained tribal guides. Book in advance.
Views down into the Cumbum valley and its vineyards in Tamil Nadu.
A day in a quieter forest area, reached through tea estates and cardamom hills.
8 itineraries. Each can be changed to suit your dates.
4N / 5DMost booked
Kochi – Munnar – Thekkady – Alleppey
4N / 5D
Kochi – Munnar – Thekkady – Alleppey
4N / 5D
Kochi – Athirappilly – Munnar – Thekkady
5N / 6D
Kochi – Munnar – Thekkady – Alleppey
5N / 6D
Kochi – Munnar – Thekkady – Kumarakom
6N / 7D
Kochi – Munnar – Thekkady – Alleppey – Kovalam
6N / 7D
Kochi – Munnar – Thekkady – Alleppey – Kovalam
9N / 10D
Kochi – Munnar – Thekkady – Kumarakom – Alleppey – Varkala – Kovalam – Kanyakumari
Tiger sightings are rare. Elephants, gaur (Indian bison), sambar deer, otters and many birds are regular sightings on the boat ride and forest walks.
It runs daily, but tickets are limited and can be suspended in heavy rain. We book the earliest available slot where possible.
Send your travel dates and number of guests. A planner from our Kochi office replies with a day-by-day itinerary and a fixed price, usually the same day.
