Thekkady is a wonderful place to visit in Kerala with family since it is entertaining, quiet and calm. Regarding the places to visit in Thekkady with family, the list is fairly extensive and has a greater association with the tourist’s taste. Beginning with spice plantations, the options include Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve. You also get an opportunity to trek on the elephants at the Elephant Junction. Further, Mangala Devi Temple, which is in the forest, makes the tourists interested in the area’s archaeological and religious.
10 Places To Visit In Thekkady With Family
Here are the top attractions to visit in Thekkady with families that combine nature, adventure and active tourism.
1. Periyar National Park (Periyar Tiger Reserve)
Photo: Bernard Gagon / Wikimedia Commons
Periyar National Park also known as the Periyar Tiger Reserve lies in the state of Kerala, Western Ghats biome. It is one of the best places to visit Thekkady with family because of the blessings of creature endowment, natural brightness and scenic beauty. The park spans 925 square kilometres, and the vegetation and wildlife are quite diverse here. Because of the given premises’ features, such as forests, grassland, and water bodies, the park has a number of characteristics that are suitable for natural and wildlife photographers.
Location: Thekkady, Kerala
Entry Fees: ₹45 (adult), ₹15 (child).
Timings: 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Night Safari after 8:00 PM.
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Thekkady
2. Sree Mangala Devi Kannagi Temple
Photo: Siby Periyar / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Mangaladevi Kannagi is the oldest temple, built in the 1st century AD, located at the border of Theni and Idukki district of Kerala state. The temple is one the the most sacred places to see in Thekkady with family. The temple is dedicated to the deity Mangaladevi, commonly known as Kannaki. It nestles at about 1,337 metres above sea level in the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Popular for the Chitra Pournami Festival, which is celebrated quite elaborately and attracts a large number of tourists and devotees.
Major Attractions: The Forum Fiza Mall, Shri Sharavu Mahaganapathi Temple, Kudroli Gokarnath Temple
Entry Fees: Free
Timings: Opened only on Chitra Poornima day (6:00 AM – 10:00 AM)
3. Mullaperiyar Dam
Photo: Rameshng / Wikimedia Commons
It is an example of a masonry gravity dam constructed on the Periyar River in the Indian state of Kerala. Dam constructed a reservoir in a gorge of the Periyar River about 3,000 feet above sea level in a thick and malarial jungle. It is 881m above sea level on the Cardamom Hills of the Western Ghats. The main aim of the project is to let out the water to the east direction for Tamil Nadu‘s dry areas for irrigation and water resources.
Major Attractions: Wild Elephant Village, Ayyappa Swamy Temple
Entry Fees: ₹60 (adult), ₹15 (child)
Timings: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Suggested Read: Hill Stations In Kerala
4. Periyar Lake
Photo: SDDEY / Wikimedia Commons
Wildlife depends highly on Periyar Lake, located in the southern part of Kerala, Western Ghats. Measuring about 26 square Kilometres, the lake offers tourists and travellers calmness, an ambience of nature with vegetation and wildlife boosted around the lake making it one of the best picnic spots in Thekkady for family. It is among the extremely few permanent rivers in the region, and it serves as a water source for many large towns.
Major Attractions: Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Latin Church, Kumily-Town Palli, Periyar Spice, and Ayurvedic Garden
Entry Fees: ₹45(adult), ₹15 (child).
Timings: 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
5. Spice Plantation
Photo: michael clarke / Wikimedia Commons
Spice plantation represents an indication of beautiful diversity and information on the history of the area. Spice Garden includes cardamom, black pepper, cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg, which are some examples of spices grown in the plantations. Enticing the visitors with the smell, taste, and touch of agriculture and direct interaction with farmers, the guests may get to know about the methods of cultivation, its application in remedy, and more.
Location: Kizhakkethala Clal Dairy Farm, Munnar-Kumily Highway, Thekkady
Major Attractions: Infant Jesus Church, Sri Surya Narayana Swamy Temple, Nexus Mall, Koramangala
Entry Fees: ₹50 per person
Timings: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Kerala
6. Kadathanadan Kalari And Navarasa Kathakali Centre
Photo: Bimal Miranchandani / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
This is an arts centre intended to exhibit and propagate the culture of extraordinary traditional martial arts and performing arts. The Kadathanadan Kalari Centre teaches Kalaripayattu martial arts, which originated from Kerala and the Navarasa Kathakali Centre shows Kathakali, a dance-drama form that paints Kerala culture with the colours of attractive costumes and makeup. It is a total present, a real depiction of the vital heritages of the state of Kerala.
Location: Kumily Thekkady Rd, Thekkady
Major Attractions: Yodha Cultural Village, Parunthumpara Hill View Point
Entry Fees: ₹200 per hour
Timings: 1 hour show in the evening from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM, then 8:00 – 9:00 PM
7. Elephant Junction
Photo: Brian Snelson / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
When you search for tourist places in Thekkady for family, the Elephant Junction is a must on the list. It offers a variety of unique elephant experiences such as rides, bathing, and conservation education, attracting wildlife enthusiasts and naturalists alike. On this aspect, Elephant Junction has shown and demonstrated care for the animals and respect for them. Furthermore, you can also explore the intricacies of cardamom processing and tea production, making it a central hub of information for those willing to discover the beauty and wildlife of Kerala.
Location: Murukkady P.O., Thekkady
Major Attractions: Vagamon Lake, Abraham’s Spice Garden, Mangala Devi Temple
Entry Fees: ₹400 (0.5 Hours), ₹1000 (1 Hour), ₹1250 (1.5 Hours), ₹1500 (2 Hours), ₹3000 (Half Day), ₹6000 (Full Day)
Timings: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Suggested Read: Things To Do In Kerala
8. Chellarkovil Viewpoint
Photo: Jaseem Hamza / Wikimedia Commons
The Chellarkovil Viewpoint, lying in the Idukki District of Kerala, provides a full view of the mountains, the dark green hills, forests, and cascading waterfalls. This site is fondly known as God’s Balcony, where tourists can enjoy the best sunset and sunrise views. Due to the splendid sceneries and comparatively least disturbance, it stands for being one of the best-visited places in the whole of the Western Ghats region. Places like Mattupetty Dam, Illikal Kallu, and Thekkady Boat Landing are easily accessible from this part of the town.
Location: Chellarkovil-Mettu Pretty Road
Entry Fees: ₹ 20 per person (adult), ₹10 per person (child)
Timings: 12:00 AM – 11:59 PM
9. Ramakkalmedu
Photo: Arshad.ka5 / Wikimedia Commons
Ramakkalmedu is yet another beautiful place for a stay at a hill station just beside Thekkady, which depicts the beautiful stretch of the Western Ghats and the plains of Tamil Nadu. One of the most beautiful vintage points perched at a high altitude is to experience a pleasant and serene ambience, which is very helpful for photographers and nature lovers. It has windmills, Kuravan and Kurathi statues, and is close to Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary.
Major Attractions: Tortoise Rock, Kuravan, and Kurathi Statue
Entry Fees: Free
Timings: 12:00 AM – 11:59 PM
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Idukki
10. Vandiperiyar
Photo: Jaseem Hamza / Wikimedia Commons
The town of Vandiperiyar is charming and well-known for being home to plantations of tea, coffee, and spices. Located at the lowest point of Thekkady on the bank of Periyar River it is a spice trading centre and occupies one of the major cardamom markets. It is an attraction for tourism mainly due to the availability of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary at just a humble distance. Its appeal is a serene gateway in the heart of Kerala’s plantation.
Major Attractions: Peermede, Kerala Grampi
Entry Fees: Free
Timings: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Monday–Saturday)
Thekkady in the Western Ghats of Kerala offers a pleasant destination for families interested in scenic drives, non-urban sightseeing, and outdoor activities. With its deep, impressive views and captivating experiences, visiting this place is highly anticipated. To make your planning and bookings easier, listing the places to visit in Thekkady with family can be helpful, and TripXL can assist you.
Cover Photo: Jigyasu / Wikimedia Commons