Periyar travel guide
Wildlife haven with Periyar sanctuary and spice plantations.
Thekkady, home to the renowned Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, is a paradise for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and wildlife enthusiasts. Located in the Western Ghats, this lush green destination is famous for its dense forests, spice plantations, and rich biodiversity. It offers a perfect mix of tranquility and adventure, making it a top travel destination in Kerala.
Best time to visit Periyar
Go Dec–Mar for cool, dry weather; Feb–Apr gives the best chance of seeing animals at the lake. Jun–Oct is wet and green, and heavy rain can halt boat trips.
| Month | Verdict | Temperature | Rain | Crowds | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | best | 16–26 °C | 25 mm | medium | Cool, dry and pleasant; good weather for forest walks |
| February | best | 16–29 °C | 20 mm | medium | Dry; forest pools shrink and more animals come to the lake's edge |
| March | best | 19–31 °C | 60 mm | medium | Warmer and mostly dry; good chances of elephants and gaur along the shore |
| April | good | 20–30 °C | 130 mm | high | Warm with afternoon thundershowers; animals still near water; holiday crowds |
| May | mixed | 20–27 °C | 260 mm | high | Frequent heavy showers before the monsoon; summer-holiday crowds |
| June | mixed | 20–24 °C | 320 mm | low | Monsoon rain most days; misty forest and leeches on walks |
| July | mixed | 19–23 °C | 310 mm | low | Heavy rain; boat trips can be halted in storms; lush forest |
| August | mixed | 19–24 °C | 250 mm | medium | Rain continues; forest very green; Onam holidays some years |
| September | mixed | 19–24 °C | 260 mm | medium | Showery and green; animals harder to spot; Onam holidays some years |
| October | mixed | 19–24 °C | 330 mm | medium | Northeast monsoon brings heavy afternoon storms; leeches on trails |
| November | good | 18–24 °C | 230 mm | medium | Rain eases through the month; cool and green |
| December | best | 17–24 °C | 60 mm | high | Cool and mostly dry; Christmas–New Year crowds |
How many days to spend in Periyar
One day covers an early boat cruise on Periyar Lake, a spice plantation tour and a kalaripayattu show; a second allows a guided nature walk or bamboo rafting in Periyar Tiger Reserve.
How to reach Periyar
- By air: Kochi (COK) — 150 km by road. Madurai (IXM), via Theni, is a similar drive
- By train: Kottayam (KTYM) — 96 km by road. Frequent buses run from Kottayam to Kumily
- By road: From Kochi — 150 km
Getting around
Kumily is walkable and autos are plentiful; a forest-department bus runs from the Thekkady gate to the boat landing. Hire a taxi or jeep for viewpoints and spice farms.
Things to do in Periyar
- Meesapulimala — Scenic peak (8 h · Paid entry)
- Athirappilly Water Falls — Majestic falls (2.5 h · Paid entry)
- Alleppey Beach — Sandy beach (2 h · Free entry)
- Gavi Eco Tourism — Eco paradise (5 h · Paid entry)
- Marari Village Beach Resort — Serene shore (3 h)
- Kolukkumalai Tea Estate — Tea estate (5 h · ₹75)
- Chettikulangara Bhagavathi Temple — Famous temple (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Idukki Arch Dam — Majestic dam (1.5 h · Paid entry)
- Ponmudi Hill Station — Hill retreat (3 h · Free entry)
- Vazhachal Waterfalls — Scenic falls (2 h · Paid entry)
- Mullaperiyar Dam — Historic dam (1 h · Free entry)
- Udupi Sri Krishna Temple, Alappuzha — Famous temple (1 h · Free entry)
- ECHO point Munnar — Echo view (45 min · Free entry)
- Thommankuthu Waterfalls — Cascading fall (3 h · Paid entry)
- Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple — Serpent shrine (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Kerala Folklore Museum — Cultural hub (1.5 h · INR 100)
- Pine Valley Vagamon — Pine retreat (1.5 h)
- Kavalam Agencies — Scenic backwater
- St. George Forane Church | Edathua Church — Pilgrimage site (1 h · Free entry)
- Carmelagiri Elephant Park — Elephant ride (1.5 h · Paid entry)
- Malayattoor — Sacred hill (2 h · Free entry)
- Sri Kulathupuzha Bala Sastha Temple — Sacred site (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Haripad Sree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple Arch — Famous temple (1 h · Free entry)
- suryanelli Anayirankal camp — Serene dam (2 h)
- Nayamakad Waterfall — Misty fall (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Alappuzha — Historic tower
- Amalagiri View Point — Eagle rock (1 h · Free entry)
- Kadathanadan Kalari Centre — Cultural arena (1.5 h · Paid entry)
- Krishnapuram Palace — Historic palace (1 h · ₹10)
- Kallar Meenmutty Waterfalls — Wild falls (3 h · Paid entry)
- Kalloorkad St. Mary's Basilica — Ancient church (1 h · Free entry)
- Lakkam Waterfalls — Soothing fall (1.5 h · ₹20)
- Kumbalanghi village tours (Kochi tours) — Eco village (3 h · Paid entry)
- Kalady — Birthplace of Sankara (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Kuttikkanam — Cool getaway (2.5 h · Free entry)
- Pandikuzhi Road — Nature spot
- St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Basilica Church, Arthunkal — Pilgrim site (1 h · Free entry)
- Sri Subrahmanya Swamy Temple — Sacred site (1 h · Free entry)
- St. Mary's Forane Church (Valiyapally) Pulinkunnu — Historic church (45 min · Free entry)
- Omanappuzha Beach — Scenic beach (2 h · Free entry)
- Panchalimedu — Sacred hill (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Echo Point — Echo valley (45 min · Free entry)
- Tea Museum — Tea history (1.5 h · ₹75)
- Karumadikuttan (Buddha Statue) — Ancient Buddha (30 min · Free entry)
- Parayakad Nalukulangara Sri Maha Devi Temple — Popular temple (1 h · Free entry)
- Market Road — Bustling market
- Chammanadu Bhagavathy Temple — Ancient temple (45 min · Free entry)
- Achankovil River — River view
- pandavan para — Mythic caves (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Green Park Spices plantation — Spice tour (1.5 h · Paid entry)
- Periyar National Park — A famous wildlife reserve home to elephants and tigers. (4 h · ₹45)
- Periyar Lake — A scenic lake within Periyar Reserve offering boat rides. (3 h · Paid entry)
- Chellarcovil View Point — Offers stunning views of waterfalls and lush valleys. (1.5 h)
- Elephant Junction Thekkady — A popular elephant interaction and safari spot. (2 h · Paid entry)
- Vijay Park — Family park (1.5 h · Paid entry)
- Kumily — A spice town known for cardamom plantations and shopping. (3 h · Free entry)
- Murukkady — A picturesque area with coffee, tea, and spice plantations. (2 h · Paid entry)
- Sree Mangala Devi Kannaki Temple — An ancient temple with panoramic views of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. (3 h · Free entry)
- Vandiperiyar — A tea and spice plantation hub with scenic landscapes.
- Periyarexplore Thekkady Spice Garden — Aromatic plantations offering guided tours and fresh spices. (1.5 h)
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Periyar?
Go Dec–Mar for cool, dry weather; Feb–Apr gives the best chance of seeing animals at the lake. Jun–Oct is wet and green, and heavy rain can halt boat trips.
How many days are enough for Periyar?
1–2 days. One day covers an early boat cruise on Periyar Lake, a spice plantation tour and a kalaripayattu show; a second allows a guided nature walk or bamboo rafting in Periyar Tiger Reserve.
How do I reach Periyar?
By air: Kochi (COK) — 150 km by road. Madurai (IXM), via Theni, is a similar drive. By train: Kottayam (KTYM) — 96 km by road. Frequent buses run from Kottayam to Kumily. By road: From Kochi — 150 km.
What are the top things to do in Periyar?
Meesapulimala, Athirappilly Water Falls, Alleppey Beach, Gavi Eco Tourism, Marari Village Beach Resort, Kolukkumalai Tea Estate.
Plan your Periyar trip
Open Guide My Holiday to turn these places into a routed, day-by-day itinerary and book a cab that follows it.
Get it on Google Play · Download on the App Store
Guide checked on 2026-10-06.