The road from Munnar to Thekkady winds past tea slopes and spice gardens. By the time you reach Kumily, the pace feels different. Some visitors want to see Periyar from the water. Others would rather step into the forest with a guide. Both are good choices, but they need different amounts of time.
Choose your Periyar experience
Periyar Lake boat ride
The reserve’s shared boat ride lasts about 90 minutes. It is an easy choice if you want the lake scenery without a long trek. Watch the wooded banks for birds and other wildlife, but remember that sightings are a matter of luck. The published adult ticket is ₹255 per person, with park entry and reserve bus charges extra. Boat departures include 7:30 am and 9:30 am, with later slots depending on the date. Report at Anavachal parking one hour before sailing, then at the boat landing 30 minutes before departure. The reserve bus takes visitors to the landing; your private tour car does not go there.
Half day bamboo rafting
This is a guided forest walk and raft trip together. The reserve lists 7:30 am to 12:30 pm and 9:30 am to 2:30 pm slots, with about three to four hours of trekking and an hour on the raft. Packed food is provided. The published price is ₹2,200 per person, with park entry and bus charges extra. It suits active guests who want more time in nature. A minimum of two paying participants normally applies, and children under 12 are not admitted.
Full day bamboo rafting
Give this experience the entire day. The reserve describes an 8:00 am start at the boat landing and a return around 5:00 pm, including trekking, rafting and a packed lunch. The published price is ₹2,900 per person, plus park entry and bus charges. As of 28 September 2026, the official site notes a maintenance closure through 30 September. We check reopening and availability before confirming it.
Nature Walk and Green Walk
The guided Nature Walk covers roughly 4 to 5 km in about two and a half hours, with a trained local guide and a small group. The published price is ₹400 per person, though a minimum group charge may apply. The reserve also lists Green Walk as a separate short trek. Ask us to confirm its current trail, time and price rather than assuming the two walks are identical. These experiences reward attention to birds, plants and the quieter details of the forest.
What about a jeep safari?
It helps to clarify what a “Periyar jeep safari” means before booking. The standard Periyar Lake experience is a boat ride; marketed jeep outings may head towards Gavi or viewpoints outside that boating route. The reserve lists a Gavi safari by bus starting around 6:00 am, at a published ₹1,000 per person, with at least ten participants needed for the programme. A private Gavi jeep has a separate vehicle quote, route and permit arrangements. Neither activity guarantees a tiger sighting.
Our 5 day Kerala tour: hills, Periyar and a houseboat
Our Cochin 5 Day Kerala Tour with Houseboat and Wildlife follows Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey and Kochi. These are suggested times, adjusted to flights, road conditions and confirmed activity tickets.
Day 1: Kochi to Munnar
Meet your driver on arrival and allow roughly four to five hours of driving, plus breaks. Stop at Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls when conditions permit. Check in and enjoy an easy evening in Munnar. Overnight in Munnar.
Day 2: Munnar sightseeing
From about 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, explore Eravikulam National Park if open, Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, Kundala Lake and a tea museum as time allows. A Mattupetty boat ride is optional. Overnight in Munnar.
Day 3: Munnar to Thekkady
Leave around 8:00 am and allow three to four hours’ driving plus stops. After check in, take a prebooked afternoon Periyar Lake boat ride and visit a spice plantation. An evening Kalaripayattu performance is optional. Overnight in Thekkady.
Day 4: Thekkady to Alleppey
Leave around 7:30 or 8:00 am to reach the houseboat boarding point around noon, allowing four to five hours for the road and breaks. Enjoy lunch on board and an afternoon cruise past canals and villages. The boat moors for dinner and the overnight stay.
Day 5: Alleppey to Kochi
After breakfast and houseboat checkout, allow two to three hours for the return drive. Explore Fort Kochi if your departure time permits, then continue to the airport or station.
Best Periyar choice for this five day route: the afternoon lake boat ride on Day 3. Half day rafting needs a substantial change to the transfer schedule or an extra night; full day rafting does not fit this published route.
Our 7 day Kerala tour: more time in Thekkady
Our Kerala 7 Day Tour: Tea Hills, Wildlife and Houseboats adds a second night in Thekkady and a night in Kumarakom. Its route is Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady, Kumarakom, Alleppey and Kochi.
Day 1: Kochi to Munnar
For an early arrival, spend two to three hours around Fort Kochi’s waterfront, St. Francis Church, Mattancherry Palace and the synagogue when open. Then allow about four to five hours for the hill drive. Late arrivals should travel straight to Munnar. Overnight in Munnar.
Day 2: Munnar
Spend roughly 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at Eravikulam if open, Mattupetty Dam, tea gardens and a tea museum. Add a short boat ride or tea walk if you wish. Overnight in Munnar.
Day 3: Munnar to Thekkady
Leave around 8:30 am for a three to four hour drive plus breaks. Visit a spice garden or local village after check in. A short guided walk works only if a suitable slot is confirmed. Overnight in Thekkady.
Day 4: A full Periyar day
Choose one main plan. Active travelers can take full day bamboo rafting from about 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. For a gentler day, arrive at Anavachal around 6:30 am for the 7:30 am boat, then consider a guided Nature Walk or Green Walk in an available later slot. Gavi is a separate early excursion by reserve bus or a separately quoted permitted jeep; allow the day for it and skip rafting. Overnight in Thekkady.
Day 5: Thekkady to Kumarakom
After breakfast, allow about four to five hours for the drive. Visit Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary when suitable, or enjoy a short canoe ride or sunset walk. Overnight in Kumarakom.
Day 6: Kumarakom to Alleppey
Transfer after breakfast and aim to board the houseboat around noon. Cruise through the backwaters, enjoy meals on board and spend the night on the moored boat.
Day 7: Alleppey to Kochi
After morning checkout, allow around two to three hours for the transfer to Kochi airport or your onward hotel, plus flight check in time.
Published Periyar activity prices
- Periyar Lake boat: ₹255 per adult, about 90 minutes.
- Nature Walk: ₹400 per person, about two and a half hours; a minimum group charge may apply.
- Green Walk: confirm the current slot and rate.
- Half day bamboo rafting: ₹2,200 per person, a five hour programme.
- Full day bamboo rafting: ₹2,900 per person, approximately 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
- Gavi reserve bus safari: ₹1,000 per person, subject to its minimum group size.
- Private Gavi jeep: quoted separately according to route and vehicle.
These are published activity prices checked on 28 September 2026, not a tour package quotation. Park entry, reserve bus, taxes or other charges may be extra, and schedules or rates can change. We confirm which tickets are included in your final tour quote.
Which trip suits you?
Choose five days for Munnar’s tea hills, a taste of Periyar and an Alleppey houseboat in one compact journey. Choose seven days if you want time for bamboo rafting, a guided walk or another forest outing, with Kumarakom as an additional backwater stop. Send us your travel dates, flights, number of travelers and preferred activities. WhatsApp +91 90051 04999.
Activity information: Periyar Tiger Reserve boating, half day rafting, full day rafting, Nature Walk and Gavi programme.