If you are visiting Thekkady and want to know about the things to do in Thekkady in 2 days, then you may be surprised to learn about them. From tiger safari to boating and spice plantation, you can do a lot of things in Thekkady. 2 days in Thekkady will give you a lot more time than you can think. The Kerala Tour Package covers Thekkady, an important nature destination in Kerala. Over these two days, you can go sightseeing in Thekkady and visit the best places in Thekkady. But more importantly, you can do some exciting things in Thekkady during these 2 days.
Thekkady in 2 Days at a Glance
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
| Day 1 | Periyar Lake Boat Safari | Spice Plantation Tour | Kathakali/Kalaripayattu |
| Day 2 | Nature Walk/Trekking | Bamboo Rafting or Wildlife Activity | Kumily Shopping & Departure |
Day 1 – Wildlife, Periyar Lake and Spice Plantations
The first day will turn out to be a real adventure for you in your Thekkady tour. It will give you a preview of what’s in store for you in this Kerala Travel Package. The things to do in Thekkady in 2 days are enough to keep the whole family happy and excited. You can visit the spice plantations and learn about how different spices are grown in Kerala. The Periyar Lake Boat Safari is one of the highlights of this first day of the Thekkady tour. You can view many birds and animals during this Thekkady wildlife tour. End this day with a cultural performance of Kalaripayattu and watch the Kathakali dancers enact episodes from the Hindu scriptures on the stage.
Start with a Periyar Lake Boat Safari
The day starts with a boat ride in Periyar Lake. You can enjoy the views of the lake and the forest surrounding the lake. Take binoculars and DSLR cameras with you because you will need them during this safari. The forests are teeming with wild animals and jungle creatures like elephants, deer, bison, sambar deer, and others. Morning time is the best time to go for this Periyar Lake boat safari, as many animals are awake at this time. You should book for this as tickets are selling fast and you may not get a seat in the boat. According to most tourists, wildlife sightings are almost guaranteed during this boat safari in Periyar Lake.
Explore a Spice Plantation
Periyar is one of the major places to visit if you want to see the spices grown. The spices that are grown in Kerala are not only famous in India, but also internationally. These spices are the very reason that Kerala is known as the Spice Garden of India. Visiting these spice gardens is one of the things to do in Thekkady in 2 days. During this day’s tour, you will see various spice gardens which grow cardamom, cinnamon, clove, coffee, pepper and other spices. Spice garden tour has a major role in Kerala tourism. Spice Plantation Tour in Thekkady is one of the best things to do during a Thekkady 2 day itinerary.
Visit Kumily Spice Market
Kumily Spice Market is among the best places to visit in Thekkady in 2 days. If you want to know about all the things to do in Thekkady besides wildlife, then you can visit the Kumily Spice Market. This is a local market where you can see sellers selling fresh garden spices and trading in them. You can buy spices from this market and buy souvenirs and spices. The market is located close to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and is a huge hit with tourists. You can view spices like cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, and star anise. You can also shop for homemade chocolates, herbal and aromatic oils, tea powder, coffee beans, and cosmetic items.
Watch a Kathakali Performance
Watching a Kathakali show in Thekkady is among the best things to do in Thekkady in 2 days. Kathakali is a traditional dance form of Kerala, and Kathakali artists spend years perfecting the art of dancing in Kathakali style. They wear masks and heavy makeup on their faces. Costumes also play a great part in the Kathakali performance. They wear colorful costumes and make hand gestures and facial expressions in the Kathakali performance. They dance to the beats of drums, and it is usually done live before the audience.
Watch a Kalaripayattu Performance
After all the sightseeing in Thekkady, you are now prepared to watch a thrilling martial art performance. Kalaripayattu in Thekkady is a Kerala martial art, and it offers a peek into the cultural side of Kerala. Kalaripayattu is not just an art, but one of the oldest surviving martial arts traditions of the world. It originated in Kerala almost 3000 years ago and is practiced today by experts in Kerala. You can watch the artists wield swords and make unique combat moves in this Kalaripayattu performance. The performance usually takes place in the evening and is held in a cultural center.
Day 2 – Trekking, Bamboo Rafting and Nature
Day 2 is all about nature, trekking and rafting. You can cover all these activities on this day and also find enough time to rest in your hotel. Walking in the midst of natural greenery and beauty is an essential thing to do in Thekkady. You will also have the option to visit Gavi, which is an eco-tourism site near Thekkady. Any option you take, you are bound to experience the surreal nature of Thekkady on this day. Gavi is also one of the places to visit in Thekkady in 2 days.
Go on a Guided Nature Walk
Day 2 can be more active than the previous day. You can start the day with a nature walk in Thekkady forest. Trekking in Thekkady is an amazing experience in itself. You can spot forest animals, plants, trees, and feel the silence of the forest. Morning is the best time to go on a Thekkady nature walk, as this is the time when the air is cool, and you can have the best sightings of the wildlife. This will be a guided nature walk, where a tour guide or wildlife expert will accompany you and show you the best trails in Thekkady on which to trek.
Try Bamboo Rafting in Periyar
Bamboo rafting in Thekkady is one of the things to do in Thekkady, Kerala. In this activity, you can take a ride on a bamboo raft in Periyar Lake. Lush greenery and thick jungles surround the lake. During this activity, you can explore the remote areas of the lake and spot jungle animals. The bamboo rafting and jungle trek are included in this activity. You must book this activity in your Kerala Tour Package.
Explore Gavi – Optional for Day 2
In this Thekkady tour, you will also have the option to visit Gavi. This is an eco-tourism site near Thekkady. Gavi is one of the best places near Thekkady for one day trip. Thekkady to Gavi is 40 km and takes 40 minutes to 1 hour to reach. To visit Gavi, you should have an advance permit and availability of this option in your Kerala Travel Package. In Gavi, you can generally do forest trekking, boating in Gavi reservoir, wildlife viewing, and eat traditional meals. A Gavi one day trip is one of the best experiences in the Thekkady tour. Gavi offers one of the best eco-tourism experiences and something different in this Thekkady tour.
Best 2-Day Thekkady Itinerary
Day 1
After checking in to the hotel, go for a Periyar Lake Boat Safari. Then have lunch and visit the Spice Plantation and explore the spice plantations. In the evening, you can enjoy a performance of Kathakali or Kalaripayattu. Then visit the Kumily Market.
Day 2
Have breakfast and then go for nature walks in Thekkady in the morning. Trekking around is also a good thing to do. Then do bamboo rafting or any other eco-tourism activity. In the evening, you can shop around in Thekkady, and then have dinner.
Alternative Thekkady 2-Day Itinerary for Families
Day 1
There are so many things to do in Thekkady with family. You can also plan the Thekkady 2 day itinerary so that you can do all the things. Plan your Thekkady tour in such a way that you can enjoy various activities on day 1. In the morning, you can go for a Periyar Lake boating trip. You can view wild elephant herds moving across the banks of the lake. Then explore a spice plantation near the lake and view the spices that are grown in Kerala. You can shop for spices here and view spices like cloves, cinnamon, black pepper, etc. In the evening, you can watch a performance of Kathakali or Kalaripayattu.
Day 2
On this day, you can explore the natural beauty of Thekkady and go for nature walks and trekking. In the evening, you can go for local shopping and sightseeing. Explore the Kumily market and shop for spices.
Best Time to Visit Thekkady for a 2-Day Trip
October to March is usually considered the best time to visit Thekkady. You can plan your Kerala trip package with Varanasi Excursion and visit Thekkady. Temperatures during this time are normally cool, and you will not feel the scorching heat of the sun. The other seasons for visiting Thekkady are shown below.
| Season | What to Expect | Best For |
| October–February | Pleasant weather | Sightseeing & outdoor activities |
| March–May | Warmer days | Wildlife near water |
| June–September | Monsoon greenery | Nature lovers, subject to activity restrictions |
How to Reach Thekkady
- By Air: You can board a flight to Kochi International Airport in Kochi. Then take a taxi to reach Thekkady. You can reach Thekkady in approximately 5 hours.
- By Train: Kottayam Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Thekkady. You can reach Thekkady after a 3-4 hour cab drive.
- By Road: You can take taxi cabs or buses from Kochi, Munnar, Alleppey, Madurai, and reach Thekkady.
Where to Stay in Thekkady
If you are asking the question “where to stay in Thekkady,” then you can have multiple options for this.
Hotels in Thekkady
You will find many good hotels in Thekkady in the Kumily area. If you are visiting Thekkady for the first time, then you should plan your stay in this area. Kumily has many restaurants, shops, and transportation options are many. You will get easy access to all the Periyar tourist attractions from Kumily.
Luxury Resorts in Thekkady
You can stay in luxury resorts in Thekkady, and these resorts are located in the midst of greenery and forests. You can view plantations, hills, and landscapes of Thekkady from these resorts. They have facilities like spa treatments, herbal massage, swimming pool, nature walks and plantation visits.
Budget Hotels and Homestays
The budget hotels in Thekkady are best for backpackers, couples, and families looking for cheap accommodation in Thekkady. These homestays offer basic facilities with local food, homely stays, and other amenities. The homestays in Thekkady offer affordable accommodation in Thekkady and are close to the Kumily area.
Jungle Resorts and Nature Stays
Thekkady is blessed with immense natural beauty, and we strongly recommend that you stay in the jungle resorts to experience this beauty. Forests and lush green plantations surround the resorts. You can enjoy bird watching, jungle walks, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. The nature resorts in Thekkady are best for experiencing the real charm of Thekkady.
| Area | Best For | Main Advantage |
| Kumily | First-time visitors | Close to shops and attractions |
| Thekkady Junction | Budget travellers | Convenient and affordable |
| Periyar area | Wildlife lovers | Close to major attractions |
| Plantation areas | Couples & nature lovers | Peaceful surroundings |
| Forest-side resorts | Families & luxury travellers | Nature-focused experience |
What to Eat in Thekkady
Thekkady is the best place to eat Kerala meals and the authentic taste of Kerala cuisine. You can try these meals in your hotel/ homestay/ jungle resort and in restaurants in Thekkady. The best food items you can taste in Thekkady are shown below. These meals are made from locally produced spices and food available and grown here. It is really an experience to taste the food in Thekkady.
- Kerala meals
- appam and stew
- puttu and kadala curry
- dosa
- seafood
- Kerala snacks
- locally produced spices
Practical Tips for Visiting Thekkady
- Book the activities you want to do in Thekkady ahead and book them in advance.
- Get up early in the morning so that you get time to do these outdoor activities.
- Carry comfortable walking shoes.
- Carry rain protection.
- Use insect/leeches protection during wet conditions.
- Follow forest rules.
- Don’t feed wildlife.
- Don’t promise wildlife sightings.
- Check current activity timings before travelling.
- Keep some cash for smaller local purchases.
Is 2 Days Enough for Thekkady?
2 days are enough to visit the major attractions in Thekkady. You can also do most outdoor activities in Thekkady during these 2 days. Periyar Lake boat safari, spice plantation tour, cultural shows, and a day excursion to Gavi are the various things you can do in Thekkady in 2 days.
FAQ
Periyar Lake Boat Safari, Spice Plantation visit, guided nature walks, evening cultural show, local spice shopping, and bamboo rafting are the best things to do in Thekkady in 2 days.
Yes, 2 days are enough to visit the major tourist attractions in Thekkady and do the popular tourist activities.
Thekkady is famous for Periyar National Park, boat cruises on Periyar Lake, aromatic spice plantations, and Kerala cultural shows.
Yes, the Periyar Lake boating activity is 1.5 hours long, and you can view the natural beauty of Periyar Lake and the surrounding forests and wildlife.
The best time to visit Thekkady is between October and February.
Yes, Thekkady is suitable for a family trip, and the whole family can enjoy sightseeing and outdoor activities in Thekkady.
Thekkady is 90 km from Munnar, and it takes 3 hours to reach.
Yes, you should visit Gavi during the 2-day Thekkady trip. However, you should be prepared to spend half a day in Gavi and sacrifice some activities in Thekkady.