Thekkady

Thekkady is Kerala’s premier wildlife destination, home to the Periyar Tiger Reserve — one of India’s most important protected areas. Set around the stunning Periyar Lake, this region offers an experience that combines wild jungle beauty with the cool, spice-scented air of the Western Ghats. It’s one of the few places in India where you can spot wild elephants bathing at the lake’s edge from a boat.

Beyond the tiger reserve, Thekkady is the heart of Kerala’s spice country. The surrounding hills are covered with cardamom, pepper, cloves, and cinnamon plantations. A spice garden tour here is a multi-sensory experience — you’ll smell, taste, and touch spices that you’ve only ever seen in jars. The local tribal communities offer guided forest walks and bamboo rafting experiences that bring you close to the raw beauty of the Western Ghats.