Thekkady, Kerala
Thekkady & Vagamon Long Weekend Trip
- Duration
- 3D / 2N3 days · 2 nights
- Starts from
- Bangalore
- Trip type
- Nature
A 3-day group trip from Bangalore to Thekkady's elephants, spice gardens and Kerala shows, and the meadows and pine forests of Vagamon.
- Nature
- Heights
- Culture
- Adventure
Dates
- 24–26 Dec 20263 days₹11,999
See 1 more dateShow fewer dates
- 29–31 Dec 20263 days₹11,999
Prices are per person.
The trip
A long weekend in the Kerala highlands, by road from Bangalore. The trip leaves on a Friday-night drive of over 500 km and wakes up in Thekkady, where the day takes in Elephant Junction, a guided walk through a spice plantation and an evening of Kathakali and Kalaripayattu, Kerala's classical dance-drama and martial art. Next morning you drive on to Vagamon for an off-road jeep safari along forest trails, past waterfalls and tunnel routes to the Idukki Dam catchment and the Kaidapara and Uluppuni viewpoints. The last day covers Vagamon Meadows, the adventure park with its zipline and sky cycling, the Pine Forest and the valley views from Thangalpara, before the overnight drive back to Bangalore.
You travel as a small group with a trip captain throughout, in an AC tempo traveller, and stay two nights on triple or quad sharing: one in Thekkady and one in Vagamon. Breakfast is included on Days 2 and 3; other meals, the cultural shows, the jeep safari and all activities are paid on the spot.
Highlights
Day 1 · 11:00 AMElephant Junction
Day 1 · 5:00 PMKathakali & Kalaripayattu shows
Day 2 · 2:30 PMVagamon jeep safari
Day 3 · 10:30 AMVagamon Adventure Park- Day 3 · 2:15 PMThangalpara
Day by day
Overnight Departure & Thekkady Wildlife and Culture
The trip leaves Bangalore the night before, around 8:30–9:00 PM, for the overnight drive of over 500 km into Kerala. Arrive in Thekkady in the morning, check in and rest, then spend time with elephants at Elephant Junction and take a guided walk through a spice plantation. The evening brings live Kathakali and Kalaripayattu performances before the night at the hotel.
- 7:00 AMArrive in Thekkady & check inReach Thekkady after the overnight drive from Bangalore, check in at the hotel and rest.
- 9:00 AMBreakfastBreakfast at a local restaurant (self-sponsored).
- 11:00 AMElephant Junction (a highlight)Spend time up close with elephants. Activity charges are paid on the spot.
- 1:00 PMLunch in ThekkadyLunch at a local restaurant (self-sponsored).
- 2:30 PMGreen Park Spice PlantationA guided walk through the spice gardens. Entry paid on the spot.
- 5:00 PMKathakali & Kalaripayattu shows (a highlight)Kerala's classical dance-drama and its traditional martial art, performed live. Tickets paid on the spot.
- 8:00 PMDinner & overnight in ThekkadyDinner at a local restaurant (self-sponsored), then overnight at the hotel.
Thekkady to Vagamon – Jeep Safari
After breakfast, check out and drive to the quiet hill station of Vagamon and check in. After lunch, set off on a jeep safari along offbeat forest trails, past waterfalls and tunnel routes to the Idukki Dam catchment area and the Kaidapara and Uluppuni viewpoints. Back at the stay by evening for the night.
- 8:00 AMBreakfast & check-outIncluded breakfast, then check out of the Thekkady hotel.
- 9:00 AMDrive to VagamonDrive through the Idukki hills to Vagamon.
- 12:00 PMCheck in at VagamonCheck in at the stay in Vagamon.
- 1:00 PMLunch in VagamonLunch at a local restaurant (self-sponsored).
- 2:30 PMVagamon jeep safari (a highlight)Off-road ride on forest trails, past waterfalls and tunnel routes to the Idukki Dam catchment area. Jeep cost paid on the spot.
- 4:30 PMKaidapara & Uluppuni viewpointsWide views over the hills, covered on the jeep ride.
- 8:00 PMDinner & overnight in VagamonDinner at a local restaurant (self-sponsored), then overnight at the stay.
Vagamon Meadows, Adventure Park & Return
Breakfast and check-out, then a last morning around Vagamon: the open meadows, the adventure park with ziplining and sky cycling, a walk through the Pine Forest and the valley views from Thangalpara. In the afternoon the group starts the overnight drive back to Bangalore.
- 8:00 AMBreakfast & check-outIncluded breakfast, then check out of the Vagamon stay.
- 9:00 AMVagamon MeadowsOpen, rolling grassland with quiet views over the hills.
- 10:30 AMVagamon Adventure Park (a highlight)Ziplining, sky cycling and other activities, paid on the spot.
- 12:00 PMPine ForestA walk and photo stop among the tall pines.
- 1:00 PMLunch in VagamonLunch at a local restaurant (self-sponsored).
- 2:15 PMThangalpara (a highlight)A hilltop with panoramic views over the valleys.
- 3:30 PMOvernight drive to BangaloreOvernight drive back, reaching Bangalore early next morning with drops at HSR Layout and Marathahalli. Dinner on the way is self-sponsored.
What’s included
5 items · extras
Gear & extras, 5 items
- 2 breakfasts (Day 2 and Day 3)
- Trip captain throughout the trip
- 2 nights' stay on triple or quad sharing (1 night Thekkady, 1 night Vagamon)
- Travel throughout the itinerary by AC tempo traveller
- Group travel with travellers from different backgrounds
Not included, 8 items
- GST @ 5%
- Jeep safari costs and entry fees
- Costs from bad weather, landslides, protests or other events beyond our control
- Travel, accidental and medical insurance
- Kathakali and Kalaripayattu show tickets
- Anything not mentioned under inclusions
- Elephant Junction, spice plantation, adventure park and any other activities
- Breakfast on Day 1, all lunches and all dinners
Questions about this trip
What should I carry?
A soft copy of your Aadhaar, a hoodie for the cool evenings in Vagamon, cargo or track pants or shorts, T-shirts, sunscreen, shoes with good grip, two water bottles, a cap and sunglasses, a personal medical kit, flip-flops, polybags for wet clothes, a power bank and a small day backpack. Carry extra cash for meals and activities.
Which meals are included?
Breakfast on Day 2 and Day 3, after each hotel night. Breakfast on arrival in Thekkady, all lunches and all dinners are self-sponsored at local restaurants, so budget for them.
What costs extra on the trip?
The Kathakali and Kalaripayattu show tickets, the Vagamon jeep safari, Elephant Junction, the spice plantation entry, and ziplining, sky cycling or anything else at the adventure park. Travel, accidental and medical insurance is not included either.
Where are the pickup and drop points?
Pickups in Bangalore are at New Udupi Grand, Teacher's Colony, HSR Layout (8:30 PM) and KLM Fashion Mall, Marathahalli (9:00 PM) on the night before Day 1. The return drive leaves Vagamon on the afternoon of Day 3 and reaches Bangalore early the next morning, around 6-7 AM, with drops at the same points. Exact timings are confirmed by the trip team before departure.
Is it safe to travel with strangers?
Yes. You travel as a small group with a trip captain throughout, and rooms are shared three or four to a room. Most travellers join solo and leave with a group of new friends.
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