HOME DESTINATIONS Thekkady
Bullock Cart: Riding a Maatu Vandi
The gentle sway of the bullock cart, the pleasing smell of hay, the chatty driver – all come together in Thekaddy to transport you back in time.
The border between Tamil Nadu and Kerala has always been quite porous. People, ideas and culture travel to and fro, leading to a rich exchange. At Thekkady, a town sitting right at the border, you are likely to find that this amalgamation is quite evident.
Thekkady is small, charming, and beautiful town. The people are warm, and life unfolds at its own pace here. The road through the reserve forest leads to Lower Camp. This is the first village in Tamil Nadu after the descent from Thekkady, Kerala. Fields of coconut and paddy stretch for miles on end. And there are plenty of bullock carts to ferry people around.
The ride will take you through the grape vineyards and vegetable farms, past fishermen at work by the river. The stark contrast between the calm of Thekkady and the energy here gets more enjoyable with every passing minute.
A highlight of this experience would include eating Keeravadai (deep-fried spinach-lentil cake) from the roadside hawker-style shops. A real treat.
Good to Know :
Location: 9 km drive from Sterling Thekkady
Other Attractions
Elephant Junction: Play Time with the Gentle Giants
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Periyar Lake: Where Elephants Come to Drink
3hrsPeriyar Lake was the preferred holiday destination of the Indian Royals for its scenic beauty. Today, it is a picturesque place for a boat ride and getting a glimpse of wildlife.
Ottakathalamedu: Cliff of the Camel 's Back
3hrsOttakathalamedu translates to ‘the cliff of the camel’s back.’ A short 4 km drive from Thekkady, the grassy cliff serves as a great viewpoint.
Bamboo Rafting: River Rafting in the Wilderness
3hrsBamboo rafting is organized by the Forest Department of Thekkady. This day-long programme begins with a hike and is a memorable adventure.
Thekkady: Spice Garden and Ayurvedic Plantations
3hrsThekkady provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the world of plants and how they are used in medicine. If you are interested, make some time for a tour of the spice plantations.
Kalaripayattu: India's Oldest Martial Art Form
3hrsThe Kedathanadan Kalari Centre has regular shows in the ancient martial art-form of Kalaripayattu for its visitors, who come from all over the world.