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Kodai - Thekkady - Munnar with Madurai(7 Nights)

Madurai, Kodaikanal, Thekkady, Munnar, Madurai

for Family Traveller, Honeymooner

Holiday Overview

Anayirangal Dam
Mattupatty Dam
Kannan Devan Tea Museum
Kannan Devan Tea Museum
Periyar Boat Ride (Nivalink Trip Dated - 5 May 2008)
Elephant Junction (Nivalink Trip Dated - 5 May 2008)
Kodaikanal Lake
Flowering in Summer
Boat House
Meenakshi Amman Temple

Kodai - Thekkady - Munnar with Madurai combines Hill station (Kodaikanal), plantation areas (Thekkady and Munnar) and Pilgrimage destination of Madurai. Its recommended for leisure centric travelers using Madurai as access point.

Route

Madurai(1) - Kodaikanal(2) - Thekkady(2) - Munnar(2)

Summarised Itinerary
  • Day-1 Arrival at Madurai. Visit Meenakshi Temple
  • Day-2 Madurai - Kodaikanal. Boating in Kodai Lake
  • Day-3 In and around Kodaikanal
  • Day-4 Kodai - Thekkady. Sightseeing around Thekkady
  • Day-5 Activities inside Periyar reserve forest
  • Day-6 Thekkady - Munnar
  • Day-7 Munnar
  • Day-8 Departure
Sightseeing Summary

Kodaikanal - Kodaikanal Lake (1.00 kms), Bryant Park (1.20 kms), Coakers Walk (1.30 kms), Bear Shola Falls (3.00 kms), Kurinji Andavar Murugan temple (4.00 kms), Green Valley View (5.50 kms), Shembaganur Museum of Natural History (6.00 kms), Pillar Rocks (8.00 kms), Silver Cascade (8.00 kms)

Madurai - Meenakshi Amman Temple (1.00 kms), Gandhi Memorial Museum Madurai (3.00 kms), Thirupparamkunram Murugan Temple (8.00 kms), Pazhamudircholai (21.00 kms)

Munnar - Kannan Devan Tea Museum (1.00 kms), Mattupatty Dam (15.00 kms), Top Station (37.00 kms), Marayur (40.00 kms)

Thekkady - Walking in Periyar (1.00 kms), Elephant Junction (2.00 kms), Spice farm visit (3.00 kms), Periyar Boat Ride (5.00 kms), Gavi Ecotourism (40.00 kms)

Preferred Arrival /Departure Destination
Arrival - Madurai Departure - Madurai
Best Season to Travel
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
Popular Extensions to the Itinerary

Meghamalai, a plantation getaway between Madurai and Thekkady is recommended for off-beat traveller. Guests may also opt for an extra day at Madurai for visiting Rameshwaram (Pilgrim centre and home to Ramanathaswamy Temple, one of the 12 Lord Shiva Jyotirlinga temples).

Distances
  • Madurai to Kodaikanal -115 kms (3.5 hrs)
  • Kodaikanal to Thekkady -150 kms (4 hrs)
  • Thekkady to Munnar -102 kms (3 hrs)
  • Munnar to Madurai -152 kms (4 hrs)
Route

Madurai(1) - Kodaikanal(2) - Thekkady(2) - Munnar(2) - Madurai

Detailed Itinerary

Day-1 Arrival at Madurai. Visit Meenakshi Temple Arrive at Madurai. Visit Meenakshi Temple complex. The complex is massive and renowned for its architecture. Given time guests may visit Lord Muruga Aarupadaiveedu temples around Madurai (two temples Viz. Pazhamudircholai and Thiruparamkunram within 10 kms radius) or visit Gandhi Museum or even opt for a foodies walk.

Day-2 Madurai - Kodaikanal. Boating in Kodai Lake Arrival at Kodaikanal (7000+ ft asl, 115 kms - 3 hours). Evening boating at the Kodai lake.

Day-3 In and around Kodaikanal Sightseeing options around Kodaikanal comprise Green Valley, Pillar Rocks, Coakers Walk, Bear-Shola falls, Bryant Park, Shembaganur Museum of Natural History, Silver Cascade, Kurinji Andavar Temple etc. Guests can choose options to visit accordingly to their preferences.

Day-4 Kodai - Thekkady. Sightseeing around Thekkady Proceed to Thekkady (2500 ft asl) (140 kms - 3.5 hrs). Post Lunch can go for the touristy Periyar boat cruise (on direct payment) and later Kathakali dance show. Given time Spice garden visit (Cardamom, Pepper, Cinnamon, Vanilla) can be done (Direct payment) alongwith a visit to Elephant Junction for the elephant experience (elephant ride).

Day-5 Activities inside Periyar reserve forest Guests can opt for an activity inside Periyar forest such as half day jungle walk / trek forest programme or a full day forest programme involving jungle walk / trek and Bamboo Rafting. Guest also can opt for a full day Gavi eco tourism experience programme (42 kms from Thekkady) involving Jeep Safari (Gavi trip), nature walk / hike, bamboo rafting etc. These programmes require to be reserved in advance.

Day-6 Thekkady - Munnar Proceed to Munnar (5500 ft asl) (110 kms - 3 hours). Drive around Munnar / Visit Team Museum. Evening boating at Mattupetty Dam.

Day-7 Munnar Opt for one or two of the Mini-Excursions ex-Munnar such as Marayoor (Sandalwood Forests - 40 kms), Top Station (Highest view point in the area - 40 kms) or jeep ride to a 70 year tea plantation 30 kms away.

Day-8 Departure Depart for onward journey.

Detailed Sightseeing

Kodaikanal :

  • Kodaikanal Lake - Kodaikanal Lake is a manmade lake that is a central attraction of the Hill station of Kodaikanal. Guests enjoy boating, rowing and pedalling boats in the evenings.

  • Bryant Park - Bryant Park is a botanical garden near Bus stand spread over 20.5 acres having more than 300 species of trees, shrubs and cactuses. There is a section in the park that has 700+ varieties of roses.

  • Coakers Walk - Coakers walk is a 1 km paved pedestrian path running along the edge of steep slopes near approachable from the lake. There is an observatory with a telescope halfway along the walk.

  • Bear Shola Falls - A waterfall 3 kms from Kodaikanal town centre. Final approach is a gentle walk.

  • Kurinji Andavar Murugan temple - Kurinji Andavar Murugan temple is a Lord Murugan temple here built in 1930s at 4 kms from town centre. The area is renowned for its Kurinji flower which blossoms once every 12 years.

  • Green Valley View - 5.5 kms from town centre offering excellent panoramic view of the plains and Vaigai Dam.

  • Shembaganur Museum of Natural History - 6 kms from town centre, open to the public (except Tuesdays) having 500 species of animals, birds and insects and a living collection of over 300 exotic orchid species.

  • Pillar Rocks - Pillar rocks are a set of three rock pillars standing 122 metres high at 8 kms from town centre

  • Silver Cascade - 8 kms from Kodaikanal, 55-metre waterfall formed from the outflow of Kodaikanal Lake. Kind of touristy and not good for bathing.

Madurai :

  • Meenakshi Amman Temple - Meenakshi Amman Temple is a 17th century temple dedicated to Goddess Parvati known as Meenakshi and her consort, Lord Shiva as Sundareswarar. It is most prominent landmark of the city. The complex houses 14 gopurams, highest being about 52 meters. Meenakshi Amman Temple is one of the most visited temples of Tamilnadu and must visit for any traveller.

  • Gandhi Memorial Museum Madurai - Gandhi Memorial Museum was established in 1959 is one of the five Gandhi Museums in the country. Collection on display includes photos, paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, quotations and some of the selected Photostat copies of many of Gandhiji's letters

  • Thirupparamkunram Murugan Temple - Tirupparamkunram is renowned for Thirupparamkunram Murugan Temple on outskirts of Madurai. This temple is regarded as an Arupadaiveedu, one of the six abodes of the Lord Muruga.

  • Pazhamudircholai - Pazhamudircholai is a Lord Murugan Temple near Madurai atop a hill covered with dense forests and is One of the six important abodes (Arupadaiveedu) of Lord Muruga. Vishnu temple of Azhagar Kovil is also visited alongwith

Munnar :

  • Kannan Devan Tea Museum - Kannan Devan Hills Plantations Company Private Limited (KDHP) is the largest tea conglomerate in South India. Tea museum opened by the company is one of the first in India.

  • Mattupatty Dam -

    A reservoir and popular tourist spot where boating is offered.

  • Top Station - Top Station is notable as the historic transshippment location for tea delivered up here from Munnar and Madupatty by railway and then down by ropeway. Top station offers stunning views of the hills and plains beyond. Enroute waterfalls can be visited.

  • Marayur - Marayur is is the only place in Kerala that has natural sandalwood forests. Ancient dolmens and rock paintings found in Marayur date back to the Stone Age.

Thekkady :

  • Walking in Periyar - Periyar sanctuary gate in Kumily, the forest department offers guided walks inside Periyar wildlife sanctuary. This is perhaps the best way to explore the forest and to be able to spot wildlife. Indian Bison (Gaur) and elephants have been known to have been spotted on these walks. Forest rangers that accompany the walks ensure complete safety of the guests.

  • Elephant Junction - Elephant Junction is where guests enjoy interaction with elephant that includes bathing elephant, elephant ride and being around playful elephants. Elephant junction is a huge hit with inbound guests and familiies with kids.

  • Spice farm visit - Spice farm visit is a popular excursion for guests in Kerala. The spices grown around the area include cardamom, cinnamon etc. alongwith vanilla, tea and coffee.

  • Periyar Boat Ride - A highly touristy boat ride is the main attraction for average tourist to Periyar. The boats are filled with 30-40 tourists with the aim of spotting wildlife on the edge of the lake. Binoculars are a must to have any chance of spotting a wildlife.

  • Gavi Ecotourism - Gavi is a quiet and pristine forest located at a distance of 40 km from Periyar Tiger Reserve. Gavi often serves as a base camp for deep jungle trekkers, birdwatchers, nature lovers and research student. There are number of eco-tourism related activities that are conducted by the forest authorities around Gavi area and are popular with tourists. Guests typically opt for a full day Gavi eco tourism programme.

Destination Overview

Madurai - Madurai today is one of the busiest towns in Tamilnadu. The Meenakshi temple is awe-inspiring and is a must visit for any South India itinerary for both Indian as well as Overseas guests

Kodaikanal - Kodaikanal (7000 ft asl) traditionally has been one of the favorite hill stations to visit in summer alongwith Ooty. It’s also a destination for corporate conferences ex-Madurai, Chennai and Bangalore

Thekkady - Thekkady (2500 ft asl) is a stopover on the South India Itinerary on Madurai - Kottayam route known for nature centric experiences connected with Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Munnar - Munnar is a premier hill station in Kerala. It is situated at about 6000 ft above sea level and surrounded by tea and Cardamom Plantations

Access
Prefered Arrival : No ImageMaduraiNo ImageMadurai
Prefered Departure : No ImageMaduraiNo ImageMadurai
Distances
  • Madurai to Kodaikanal -115 kms (3.5 hrs)
  • Kodaikanal to Thekkady -150 kms (4 hrs)
  • Thekkady to Munnar -102 kms (3 hrs)
  • Munnar to Madurai -152 kms (4 hrs)

Ready Cost estimate for this itinerary is not available.

However Nivalink would be able to readily offer a cost estimate or customise the itinerary as per specific requirements.

All Nivalink packages offer a Quality Assurance for superior recommendations and hassle free travel experience.

Call 022-6150 6363 to speak to our travel planner or email tn-04@nivalink.co.in to connect with our travel planner for details on the itinerary: Kodai - Thekkady - Munnar with Madurai.

Email to expert@nivalink.co.in to connect with sector expert for specific ideas and recommendations.

Travel Ideas incorporated in the itinerary

Madurai Pilgrimage

Meenakshi temple complex in Madurai is nothing short of an experience. Meenakshi Temple today is a more

Kodaikanal Getaway

Elephant Valley, Eco Farm Hotel is a 100 acres nature reserve at 20 kms from Kodaikanal and an more

Thekkady Getaway

Thekkady (2300 ft asl) is a stopover enroute Kumarakom (100 kms from Kottayam) from Madurai and more

Lines indicate the best available driving routes.
Arrows indicate connectivity other than Road (e.g. Waterways or Air).
Please click on the markers for more detailed Information.

Distances
  • Madurai to Kodaikanal -115 kms (3.5 hrs)
  • Kodaikanal to Thekkady -150 kms (4 hrs)
  • Thekkady to Munnar -102 kms (3 hrs)
  • Munnar to Madurai -152 kms (4 hrs)

Expert Speak

All season itinerary but most preferred in Summer (April - May) where guests are looking for higher areas to visit in search for better weather.

Expert Connect

Nivalink has taken over 300 trips across India and select destinations overseas over last 10 years to verify hotels, evaluate destinations and understand its suitability with different profiles of customers across different seasons.

At Nivalink you are able to connect directly with experts who have travelled to these destinations and are able to offer novel ideas, honest perspectives and help you narrow down choices.

Email to expert@nivalink.co.in to connect with sector expert for specific ideas and recommendations.

All Holidays /Tamil Nadu - Kerala/ Holidays for Tamil Nadu - Kerala/Kodai - Thekkady - Munnar with Madurai

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