Which is better Munnar or Thekkady?

[NN68]

I am planning a trip to Kerala and have a choice of two destinations which are Munnar and Thekkady. The problem I have is I don't know which destination is the better one out of the two.
I have a total of 7 days, and if I visit both of these destinations I don't think I would be able to have a relaxing holiday, so I need to know which is better Munnar or Thekkady?

Do you think it is possible to stay at both destinations within the seven days of holiday I have?

How far is Munnar from Thekkady?

 

[Chahal]

Munnar is the place you want to be at out of the two is relaxation is what you are looking for. You will love walking through tea plantations and looking at the scenery at Mannar. Thekkady is a lot warmer as compared to Munnar and will be at least five degrees higher temperature during the day. Thekkady has a lot of trekking routes due to its proximity to Periyar tiger reserve but other than that it is a very small place with nothing much to do or see in my opinion.

Out of Munnar and Thekkady , I would say Munnar is a whole lot better in every respect.

Distance between Munnar and Thekkady is about 100Km but there is no point going there unless you are going there for the wild life at Periyar or trekking which does not seem to be the case looking at your post.

 

[briannagodess]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

How far is Munnar from Thekkady?

The distance between Munnar and Thekkady is about 89.6 kms. It can take anywhere between three to four hours to reach one of them from the other.

Do you think it is possible to stay at both destinations within the seven days of holiday I have?

It is possible to stay at both destinations since the distance isn't really that much. You can spend most of your holidays at Munnar and spend at least one to two days in Thekkady.

I have a total of 7 days, and if I visit both of these destinations I don't think I would be able to have a relaxing holiday, so I need to know which is better Munnar or Thekkady?

Like what has been said, Munnar is perfect for someone seeking relaxation. If you like sight seeing and smaller/easier treks, then Munnar is a great destination for you. Thekkady is more of for challenging and difficult treks. Let me highlight the places you can visit for both destinations:

Munnar

• You can visit the Tea Museum and see how tea is made and processed.
• You can visit the Marayoor Sandalwood Forest which is said to date back as far as the 10,000 B.C. Stone Age.
• You can visit the Attukad Waterfalls, best after the monsoon season.
• You can visit the Blossom International Park, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the scenery.
• You can visit the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, home to the endangered grizzled squirrel.
• You can visit tea plantations and tour them as well.
• You can visit the Lakkom Waterfalls, majestic all year round.
• You can visit Kundala Lake or go for a boat ride.
• You can visit Echo Point and have fun hearing your voice back when you scream.

Thekkady

• You can visit the Ramakkalmedu and view Tamil Nadu from the top.
• You can visit the Periyar National Park and encounter a tiger if you're lucky. You can also hike or trek in this park.
  
• You can ride an elephant.
• You can shop for spices.

As you can see, there's lots of things you can do and places you can go to in Munnar, most of which are easy and doesn't require any experience at all. With Thekkady, there's not many options although you'd love it if you're a fan of trekking.

I hope this helps!

 

[Admin]

Both Munnar and Thekkady are stunning destinations in Kerala, but they offer distinct experiences depending on what kind of traveler you are. If you're wondering "Which is better, Munnar or Thekkady in 2025?"—here’s a detailed comparison to help you decide:

Munnar vs. Thekkady – Which One to Choose?​

Feature	Munnar	Thekkady
Best For	Lush tea plantations, misty hills, waterfalls, and cool weather	Wildlife, spice plantations, adventure activities
Scenic Beauty	Rolling green hills, tea estates, Eravikulam National Park	Dense forests, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, serene backwaters
Weather	Cool throughout the year, best from October to March	Pleasant, but can be humid in summer (March-May)
Top Attractions	Echo Point, Tea Museum, Mattupetty Dam, Anamudi Peak	Periyar Tiger Reserve, Spice Gardens, Elephant Safari, Boat Ride on Periyar Lake
Ideal for Couples?	Yes, known as one of the best honeymoon destinations in South India	Yes, but more suited for adventure-loving couples
Adventure Activities	Trekking in Eravikulam, rock climbing, camping	Wildlife safaris, bamboo rafting, border trekking
Shopping	Tea, coffee, handmade chocolates	Spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves
Food	Local Kerala cuisine, fresh tea, homemade chocolates	Authentic Kerala dishes, fresh seafood, traditional tribal cuisine
Accessibility	130 km from Kochi Airport	145 km from Madurai Airport, 160 km from Kochi Airport
Best for Family Trips?	Yes, plenty of sightseeing and light adventure	Yes, especially if kids are interested in wildlife

Which One Should You Visit?​

• If you love tea gardens, misty hills, and cool weather, Munnar is the better choice.
• If you’re interested in wildlife safaris, spice plantations, and adventure activities, Thekkady is the place to go.
• For a complete Kerala hill station experience, you can combine both destinations in a single trip (Munnar - Thekkady - Alleppey is a common travel route).