Murikkady, Thekkady
Highlights
- Guided walk through cardamom and pepper vines
- Sunrise view over rolling tea and spice hills
- Visit a family-run spice drying yard
- Birdwatching along shaded plantation trails
- Tasting fresh nutmeg and vanilla pods
- Quiet picnic near a small stream in the groves
Travel Tips
- Carry a small medical kit with motion sickness and antacids: The winding, narrow roads to and around Murikkady can cause nausea, and heavy local food may upset digestion. Pack motion sickness tablets, antacids, and any personal prescriptions in a day bag, and keep a bottle of ORS for dehydration.
- Book a ground-floor or accessible room in advance: Murikkady’s homestays and resorts often have steep stairs and uneven paths. Seniors should specifically request a ground-floor room with a walk-in shower and grab rails when booking, as this avoids strain and fall risks.
- Plan short, shaded walks during early morning or late afternoon: The spice and coffee plantations are beautiful but can be tiring in the midday heat. Stick to 45-minute gentle walks on flat, marked trails between 7-9 AM or 4-6 PM, and carry a walking stick for support on loose soil.
- Pre-arrange a private vehicle with a patient driver: Public buses and shared autos are crowded and bumpy, which is tough for groups and seniors. Hire a single SUV or tempo traveller for the entire stay, and ask the driver to go slow on curves and make rest stops every 30-40 minutes.
- Confirm meal timings and request soft, mild options: Many local eateries serve spicy, oil-heavy Kerala dishes that may not suit older stomachs. Call your accommodation in advance to arrange steamed rice, dal, and boiled vegetables, and always ask for curd or buttermilk to cool the palate.
Things to Do
Evening Chai and Local Market Stroll at Murikkady Junction
1 hourMingle with estate workers and shopkeepers at the tiny junction market, where you can buy fresh spices, jackfruit chips, and tender coconut. End with a glass of strong, sweet Kerala chai from a roadside stall while watching the day’s last light on the hills.
Spice Plantation Walk at Abraham's Spice Garden
1.5 hoursStroll through orderly rows of cardamom, pepper, vanilla, and clove vines on this family-run estate. A guide explains how each spice is grown, harvested, and used in local cooking, ending with a small tasting of fresh spices.
Coffee and Pepper Tasting at a Local Estate Homestay
1 hourVisit a working smallholder estate that doubles as a homestay, where you can sip freshly brewed local coffee while learning about the region’s pepper and cardamom auction process. The hosts often share stories of three generations of spice farming.
Periyar River Fringe Walk from Murikkady Checkpost
2.5 hoursFollow a short, undulating trail that leads from the checkpost area down to a riverine stretch of the Periyar, where you can see otters, monitor lizards, and occasional elephant tracks on the opposite bank. The path is muddy after rain, so wear sturdy shoes.
Murikkady Lake Viewpoint and Picnic Spot
1 hourHead to the quiet, tree-fringed banks of the Murikkady Lake, a lesser-known reservoir on the edge of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. It’s a peaceful spot for birdwatching, light photography, and a relaxed picnic away from Thekkady’s crowds.
Guided Birdwatching along the Murikkady–Kumily Road
2 hoursWalk the quiet, shaded roadside stretch between Murikkady and Kumily, known for sightings of Malabar grey hornbills, drongos, and sunbirds. A local naturalist can point out calls and nests, especially in the early morning hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
The ideal time is between October and March, when the weather is cool and dry, with temperatures ranging from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. Avoid the heavy monsoon months of June to September, as roads can get slippery and leeches are common on nature trails. This window also offers clear views of the surrounding spice plantations and hills.
Yes, the Murikkady Lake viewpoint and the nearby spice plantation walks are mostly flat, short (under 1 km), and shaded, making them ideal for a slow stroll. You can also take a guided jeep or car tour through the cardamom and pepper estates, which lets you enjoy the scenery without much walking. Always carry a walking stick for support on the few uneven patches near the lake.
Most stays are homestays and small eco-resorts within spice gardens, offering ground-floor rooms and attached bathrooms for easy access. Several properties have wheelchair-friendly pathways and offer home-cooked Kerala meals on request. For larger groups, booking a whole homestay or a resort with a common dining hall is common and comfortable.
Yes, it is a quiet, low-stress destination, but the terrain is hilly, so plan for gentle slopes rather than flat ground. Carry your regular medicines, as the nearest pharmacy is about 10 km away in Kumily, and ensure your accommodation has a doctor-on-call service. Most homestay hosts are very attentive and will arrange transport for any local movement, so you rarely need to walk far.
Do not miss a traditional Kerala sadya (banana-leaf meal) or a fresh spice-infused tea, as the region is famous for cardamom, pepper, and vanilla. Many homestays offer a short spice-tasting session where you can see how these are grown and dried. Also, a slow evening boat ride or lakeside walk at Murikkady Lake is a peaceful, must-do experience for the scenic sunset.
Quick Information
Best Time
October to March
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