activities

Explore exciting wilderness adventures, bamboo rafting, and spice plantation tours.

Thekkady Activities

Activities in Thekkady can be easily accessed from the elephant court hotel, since we are hailed among the hotels nearby Periyar sanctuary. There are both eco-tourism package activities which functions within the sanctuary and on its peripheries and private activity center’s functions outside the park. You can choose from the vast list and enjoy your days in Thekkady in pure bliss and curiosity. If Thekkady activities are too overwhelming, try out Gavi, a lighter destination in the neighborhood. We are among the hotels near to Gavi.

NATURE WALK

A programme designed to immerse in the unique landscape around you with an opportunity to view wildlife up-close. The trail winds through the tiger reserve, hence you will be prone to spectacular bird watching and other astonishments of the rainforest. Embark a journey to the wilderness of the jungles! Here you can mark your footprints at one of the most arduous trails. If you are a nature lover then this activity will never disappoint you, as while you trace the paths of the park, you can feel close to nature.

JUNGLE SCOUT

Jungle scout is an activity in the outer edges of the eco-development zone of the Tiger Reserve. It is a guided night trekking programme as a part of the eco-tourism package. You will be in the company of armed guards, as you explore the true meaning of a wild nightlife. Seated beautifully in the Western Ghats of Kerala, this place is also famed as the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Holding a significant count of vibrant tigers and majestic elephant population, it hails out to wildlife admirers from all over the map.

SPICE GARDEN VISIT

Spice garden visit is for sure on every to-do-list when in Kumily. Kumily is the spice city of Kerala. You can get almost all spices from here which include cinnamon, pepper, clove, cardamom, vanilla, cocoa, etc. Visit to these spice plantations opens up a world of information and moreover it’s a fun activity. So next time you open your box of clove or cardamom, you know how it got there in your kitchen. The aroma is intoxicating in these plantations.

BAMBOO RAFTING

Bamboo rafting is three hour long programme in the reservoir within the national park. The programme will be assisted by a guide and accompanied by an armed guard. Animal sighting is pure luck, and if you are lucky you would be spotting wild tuskers, gaur and sambar. Not forgetting to mention both endemic and migratory birds.

PERIYAR TIGER TRAIL

Periyar Tiger trail is a 1 night camping and trekking programme in the company of an armed guard and an experienced guide who knows the deep forests like their backyard and is well versed with the ways of the jungle. They were once poachers who transformed to be protectors under the protection force of PTR.

JEEP SAFARI

Thekkady Jeep safari is not just a drive but an experience to cherish for a lifetime. The safari is through good roads and off roads covering the deep forests of Thekkady and on request extends to nearby destinations such as Gavi and Chellarkovil. Trace the dense forests, sparkling waters, and lush green spice plantation of this slice of Kerala with a jeep safari. One of the popular off-the-track adventures, this activity features traversing the bewitching wonders of nature.

BORDER HIKING

Border hiking is a daylong hiking programme on various picturesque terrains within the Periyar Tiger reserve. Exhausting? Yes. Amazing? Couldn’t be better! Experience the rising and falling of altitudes between grasslands and lofty slopes. Spot wildlife up-close too. You will be accompanied by guides and armed guards. Trekking to border is one of the most popular activities in Thekkady that tourist opts for. This place is a true paradise for adventure seekers, as it not only owns arduous terrains but also has a bag full of eye-opening vistas.

BOATING

Take a boat ride in the Periyar reservoir to enjoy the finest of flora and fauna of Thekkady. The open grasslands on the river bank are the grand dining hall of the animal kingdom. Row away in bliss while the wild watches you. Taste the luxury with a plush lavishness at a cruise! If you are here to delve in ultimate bliss, then you must try this. Floating over the man-made lake, and embracing the backwaters and scenic wonders of the province extend a magical experience.

GREEN WALK

Admire the colour and sounds of nature in this short day trek on various nature trails within the park. Green walk is an activity in Thekkady which allows you to be close with nature in a short span. A trained tribal guide will keep you company all along the trek. The walk takes you through the diverse habitats of Thekkady, providing excellent opportunities to spot different species of birds, identify wildlife that roam the jungles of Thekkady and click great pictures of the opulent surroundings

PUGMARK TRAIL

Pugmark trail is a self-guided programme, enjoyed by both grown-ups and children alike. Various themes will be provided to you through bio-diversity themes, pictures of birds carved out in stone, tree species name board etc. Pugmark trail starts from the entrance of the park and extends until boat landing.

KALARIPAYATTU

Kalaripayatu, the oldest martial art also known as the mother of martial arts, along with kathakali is a pompous part of Kerala’s cultural legacy. Ultimate co-ordination and control over mind and body is the key essence of Kalaripayattu, where the weapons become an extension of the body, controlled by the mind to attain strong degree of protection in both offensive and defensive combats. The fearsome metal clanking noises of the weapons held by smartly dressed warriors in a lit theatre style ambience is a feast to your senses. Don’t miss it!

TRIBAL HERITAGE PROGRAM

Tribal heritage programme include a tribal dance performed by two among the six tribes in Thekkady, the Mannan and Paliyan tribes. Witness the culture and heritage of generations, vigorously cherished by the new generation. You will be introduced to various tribal music instruments and costumes. The tribal dance theme is about narrating and presenting the story of the tribes in the region from the very beginning. This one hour programme translates you to a world once reigned by the children of the forest, who now significantly indulges in co-existence with the rulers of the forest.