- Distance
- About 140 km by road
- Drive time
- 3.5–4 hours one way
- Pickup
- Madurai
- Destination
- Thekkady, Kerala
- Trip type
- Same-day return possible
- Vehicles
- Sedan, SUV, tempo traveller, coach
About the trip
Thekkady, near Kumily on the Kerala border, is home to the Periyar Tiger Reserve and its large lake set in the Cardamom Hills. Visitors take a boat ride to see elephants and birds on the shore, join guided nature walks and tour spice plantations. From Madurai it is the closest Kerala hill destination, reached through Theni and Cumbum and a short climb at the Kumily ghat.
What to see in Thekkady
- Periyar lake boat ride
- Periyar Tiger Reserve nature walk
- Spice plantation tour
- Kumily spice market
- Kalaripayattu show
- Mangala Devi Temple (open on Chitra Pournami)
On the road
Drive via Usilampatti, Theni, Cumbum and Gudalur, then up to Kumily. Leave by 5 am to catch an early boat and book tickets online.
A same-day plan
- 5:00 amPick-up in Madurai and drive via Theni
- 7:30 amBreakfast at Cumbum
- 9:00 amReach Thekkady and board the Periyar boat ride
- 11:30 amSpice plantation tour
- 1:00 pmKerala lunch in Kumily
- 2:30 pmNature walk and spice market shopping
- 5:00 pmStart the drive back to Madurai
Timings are a guide — tell us when you want to leave and what you want to see, and the driver will work around it.
Choose your vehicle
Airport runs, couples and small families on short trips.
The usual pick for family trips, ghat roads and long days on the highway.
Extra room and comfort for special occasions and senior guests.
Extended families, pilgrimage parties and office outings.
Weddings, school trips and temple tours with a big party.
Every car is air-conditioned and comes with an experienced driver. Our quote is all-inclusive — fuel, tolls, parking, interstate permit and driver batta — and is confirmed in writing before you book.
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Send us the date, pickup point, number of people and whether you need a return. We reply with the vehicle and a single all-inclusive price.
