Lush green surroundings, picture-perfect landscapes and poised lakes - these are a few things which would describe the destination of Thekkady, apart from the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Located in the district of Idukki in Kerala, Thekkady is one of the places which makes anybody to visit it again and again.
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Sharing its borders with the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, in the town of Kumily, Thekkady is known for its splendid flora and fauna. It mainly attracts wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers. Thekkady is also known for its various eating joints, which offer you some excellent food and another well-known attraction here is the spice garden.
Start Point: Bengaluru
Destination: Thekkady
Best Time To Visit: Thekkady is a year-round destination; however, the months starting from September to April are most preferred by the visitors. To spot wildlife, the best months would be the months of March and April.
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By Air: The nearest airport is the Madurai Airport, which is approximately 136 km away from here. Flights from major cities in India and abroad fly into the Madurai Airport. Another airport that offers connectivity is the Cochin International Airport, which is again about 198 km away from Thekkady.
By Train: The nearest railway station is Kottayam, which is at a distance of 114 km from Thekkady. The railway station is well connected to all the major towns and cities across the state and country, with regular trains plying from Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, etc.
By Road: Thekkady is well connected by road, and has regular bus services which are operated by the Government of Kerala and services being offered by the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation as well.
Route 1: Bengaluru - Hosur - Krishnagiri - Dharamapuri - Salem - Dindigul - Theni - Thekkady, via NH 44 and NH 183
Route 2: Bengaluru - Kanakapura - Malavali - T. Narasipura - Chamrajnagar - Hasanur - Kangayam - Dindigul - Theni - Thekkady, via NH 209
Route 3: Bengaluru - Kanakapura - Malavali - Kollegal - Bhavani - Kangayam - Dindigul - Theni - Thekkady, via NH 183
If your choice of driving is Route 1, it would take you around 8.5 hours to cover the total distance of 508 km from Bengaluru to Thekkady. The road takes you through the four-lane express highway, which would help you zoom head and cover the distance in no time.
Also Read : A Drive From Bangalore To Kasargod
If you are opting for Route 2, it would take you approximately around 11 hours to cover the distance of 569 km and it would take you around 12 hours to cover the distance of 559 km through Route 3, which would take you through the NH 183.
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The journey can be planned as a long weekend drive from Bengaluru, leaving early on a Friday morning. And after spending a day and half, one could opt to return on Sunday early morning or early afternoon and reach Bengaluru by nightfall.
Stops At Krishnagiri and Dindigal
If you're opting for Route 1, either Krishnagiri or Dharmapuri would be an ideal place to stop over for breakfast, and later proceed towards Dindigul for lunch. Dindigul is famous for its delicious biryanis, so make sure you stop over at the Dindigul Venu Biryani to get a taste of the lip-smacking biryanis.
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After lunch, one can proceed towards Thekkady, which is around 138 km and would take you around two to three hours to reach the destination.
Once you reach Thekkady, a walk through this enchanting natural beautiful place is a must do. Head towards the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, which is one of the most bio-deserve regions in the world and is also one of the best protected reserve forests in the country.
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The National Park is a perfect example for the combination of nature, adventure and beauty. It is a perfect place, which provides a peaceful stay option and the most calm atmosphere, along with the sightings of wilderness. From wild elephants to the great tigers, all of them can be sighted here.
A visit to Thekkady is incomplete without a boat ride in the Thekkady lake or also known as the Periyar Lake. The lake is located in the heart of the sanctuary and it is the best place for animal sightings. You must opt to go for a trek in the tiger trail, which is offered by the forest department.
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Trek up to the famous Mangala Devi Temple and wrap up the trip from there after taking in all the energy from the unpolluted surroundings of this beautiful land called Thekkady.