Family-Friendly Itinerary for One Day in Thekady

1. 7:00 AM: Periyar National Park
   Located 3 km from Thekady, it is a beautiful wildlife reserve spreading over 300 square miles. Enjoy a guided tour of the park, go on a jungle trek, or take a boat ride on Periyar Lake.

   Periyar National Park opens at 6:00 AM and entry fees start at INR 25 per person.

2. 10:00 AM: Spice Garden
   Located about 2.5 km from Periyar National Park, the spice garden is a vast stretch of land where you can find exotic spices of India. Take a walk around the garden, meet a naturalist and experience live spice picking. Learn about different spices and herbs and their medicinal values.

   The Spice Garden is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and entry fees start at INR 200 per person.

3. 1:00 PM: Lunch at Hotel Ambadi
   Located 1 km away from Spice Garden, Hotel Ambadi is popular for its delicious South Indian cuisine. You can also find vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Don't forget to try out their Masala Dosa and filter coffee.

   The average cost for a meal at Hotel Ambadi ranges from INR 200 to INR 500 per person.

4. 3:00 PM: Elephant Junction
   Located 2.5 km away from the hotel, enjoy a unique experience with elephants. Bathe, ride, and feed them at Elephant Junction. The place also offers jeep safaris, tented accommodation, and outdoor camping in their campsites.

   Elephant Junction is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and offers different packages starting from INR 600 per person.

5. 6:00 PM: Kadathanadan Kalari Centre
   About 3 km from Elephant Junction, experience the martial art form of Kerala at Kadathanadan Kalari Centre. The place offers live shows that depict this ancient technique. Watch professional performers demonstrate unique moves and sword fights.

   Kadathanadan Kalari Centre offers shows starting from INR 200 per person. Shows usually last for an hour.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Periyar National Park (2-3 hours, INR 25 per person)
• Spice Garden (2-3 hours, INR 200 per person)
• Lunch at Hotel Ambadi (1-2 hours, INR 200 to INR 500 per person)
• Elephant Junction (2-3 hours, starting at INR 600 per person)
• Kadathanadan Kalari Centre (1-2 hours, starting from INR 200 per person)
• Total Estimated Costs (excluding transportation): INR 1,050 to INR 1,525 per person.

Useful Tips

For a shorter itinerary, consider skipping Kadathanadan Kalari Centre. For a longer itinerary, you can also add the following places: Thekkady Rose Park, Pandikuzhi, Vandanmedu Spice Plantation, and Periyar Tiger Trail. Don't forget to wear comfortable clothing and shoes, especially for treks and hikes. Also, carry drinking water and snacks for the journey.