North Kerala Discovery: Wayanad, Kannur and Bekal — 5 Nights / 6 Days
North Kerala at an easy pace: two nights in the Wayanad hills for caves and waterfalls, a night at Kannur for its fort, beach and handlooms, then two nights at Bekal for the fort and the Valiyaparamba backwaters. Bekal Fort is a 300-year-old laterite headland with the Arabian Sea on three sides, and the region sees a fraction of the visitors the south does.
About this itinerary
This 5 nights and 6 days Kerala tour package covers Wayanad, Kannur and Bekal, based on two nights in Wayanad, one night at Kannur and two nights at Bekal. Day 1 climbs the Thamarassery ghat to Wayanad, Day 2 covers the Edakkal Caves, Soochipara falls and Banasura Sagar Dam, Day 3 moves to Kannur for St Angelo Fort, Payyambalam Beach and the handloom centres, Day 4 drives to Bekal for the fort at sunset, Day 5 is the Valiyaparamba backwater cruise, and Day 6 ends with the Mangalore or Kannur drop.
The mix works for families: caves to climb into, three waterfalls, a headland fort and a boat cruise rather than six days of viewpoints. Theyyam, the ritual performance art of north Kerala, runs roughly December to April but follows each shrine's own calendar, so we never promise a performance on a fixed date and confirm only after checking locally.
Everything below is included unless it is listed under Add-ons.
Day-by-day itinerary
Every day below can be moved, shortened or swapped. Replanning is free — you only pay the difference in what you change.
- Day 1WayanadArrival day
Drive to Wayanad on the Thamarassery Ghat
Pickup and the Thamarassery ghat climb, with a stop at the Lakkidi viewpoint, then the Wayanad check-in.
The highlight of this day is the valley opening up at Lakkidi after the ninth hairpin bend.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: About 3 hrsStay: Wayanad - Day 2WayanadSightseeing
Wayanad: Edakkal Caves, Waterfalls and Banasura
A full day across Wayanad: the Edakkal Caves, the Soochipara waterfalls, the Banasura Sagar Dam and Pookode Lake.
The highlight of this day is the rock carvings inside Edakkal, cut into the stone thousands of years before anything else you will see on this trip.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleStay: WayanadBreakfast included - Day 3KannurSightseeing
Kannur: Fort, Beach, Handlooms and Theyyam
Drive to Kannur for St Angelo Fort and Payyambalam Beach, then the Kannur handloom weaving centres, with a Theyyam performance in the evening if the season and the village calendar allow, the season generally running December to April.
The highlight of this day is Theyyam, if the shrine calendar allows it. It is ritual rather than performance, and unforgettable when you catch it.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: About 3 hrsStay: KannurBreakfast included - Day 4BekalSightseeing
Bekal Fort and the Kasaragod Coast
Drive to Bekal for the fort at sunset and Kappil Beach.
The highlight of this day is Bekal Fort at sunset, a 300-year-old laterite headland fort with the Arabian Sea on three sides.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: About 1.5 to 2 hrsStay: BekalBreakfast included - Day 5BekalSightseeing
Valiyaparamba Backwater Cruise
Ranipuram or the Valiyaparamba backwater cruise, whichever is available, with Nileshwar and beach time at Bekal.
The highlight of this day is a backwater fed by four rivers, with almost none of the houseboat traffic you get further south.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleStay: BekalBreakfast included - Day 6Departure
Departure
A relaxed final morning, then the drop at Mangalore or Kannur.
The highlight of this day is a relaxed final morning before the transfer, with no early checkout rush.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: About 1.5 to 2 hrs to Mangalore or KannurBreakfast included
Hotels on this package
Rooms are held on twin sharing with daily breakfast. Switch the category to see the properties it puts you in — the tab you pick here also sets the price shown at the top of the page and on the enquiry form.
The base category — comfortable, well-run properties in walkable locations, picked for reliable power, water and staff more than for the view.
| Stop | Nights | Standard category | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wayanad | 2 | Hotel Bonita Banasura | |
| Kannur | 1 | Hotel Benale International | |
| Bekal | 2 | Balaji Regency |
Notes
- This package is available with or without flights. To add flights or trains, call us for current fares.
- Customization option is available.
- Extra bed, child with or without bed, and single supplement are quoted separately. Family rooms, connecting rooms or two-bedroom cottages are available on upgrade, and child rates apply, with children usually free below a set age when sharing existing bedding, which varies by property.
- Quoted on the Bed and Breakfast (BB) plan: room with daily breakfast. Any meal not listed for a day, including on the arrival day, is on request and payable directly.
- Theyyam runs roughly December to April but follows each shrine's own calendar, so it is not scheduled to suit tourism. We never promise a performance on a fixed date and confirm only after checking locally against your travel dates.
- The Edakkal Caves involve a climb, so tell us the ages in your group at the time of booking and we will plan Day 2 around it.
- Since Bekal is near the Karnataka border, a Mangalore drop is a convenient way to end the trip with no backtracking. Tell us when you book and we will set up the Day 6 vehicle, driver and timings for it.
Popular add-ons
Priced per person unless noted, and added to your quote only if you want them. Everything below can also be booked on the ground once you are there.
| Add-on | Price | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Ayurveda spa | ₹999/- onwards | Wayanad — Day 1 or 2 |
| Ziplining, Wayanad | ₹400-1100/- per person | Wayanad — Day 1 or 2 |
What’s included
Included
- Hotel or resort stay on twin sharing, BB (CP) plan: room plus daily breakfast
- Private AC vehicle for all transfers as per the itinerary
- Airport or railway station pickup and drop
- Experienced local driver cum guide who knows the routes
- All fuel, toll, parking, inter-state permit and driver allowance
- Sightseeing as per itinerary
- Houseboat night on full board: welcome drink, lunch, evening tea with snacks, dinner and next-morning breakfast, which is standard practice on Kerala houseboats
- 24x7 on-ground assistance from the trip2keralam team in Kerala.
Not included
- Air and rail fare
- Lunch and dinner except where houseboat full board is stated
- Any site, ride or activity not named in the day-by-day itinerary, including wildlife safaris, bamboo rafting and adventure activities
- Ayurveda treatments and spa unless listed, camera fees, tips and personal expenses
- Extra bed, child with or without bed, and single supplement, all quoted separately
- Travel insurance
- Early check-in and late check-out beyond standard hotel timings
- GST as applicable on tour packages
- Anything not mentioned under inclusions
Good to know before you book
- 50% of the package amount confirms the booking. The balance is due before departure or on arrival.
- Prices are per person on twin sharing, land only, and do not include air or rail fare. Adding flights or trains will move the price up.
- Rates move during peak dates: 20 December to 5 January, Onam, Christmas, New Year, festive holidays and long weekends.
- Quoted rates hold for the hotel category confirmed at booking. Room and meal plan upgrades are re-quoted.
- Standard hotel check-in is around 2 PM and check-out by 11 AM or 12 noon. Early check-in and late check-out depend on availability and are not guaranteed.
- Guests must carry a valid government photo ID at every hotel. Foreign nationals must carry a passport and visa.
- Houseboats stop cruising by evening and anchor for the night, as required by Kerala government rules, with air-conditioning running for fixed night hours. This is standard across all operators.
- The itinerary may be re-sequenced on the ground for weather, traffic, forest department closures or temple and festival restrictions. Inclusions stay the same.
- Entry rules and dress codes at temples, and permit rules inside forest areas, are set by the authority concerned and are not within our control.
- Costs arising from events beyond our control, including hartals, floods, landslides, roadblocks and other natural calamities, and from any delay or change they force, are borne by the guest and are not refundable.
- The vehicle is provided as per the itinerary. It is not at disposal for unplanned running.
Cancellation and Payments
- Payment by bank wire transfer to our account. Confirmation follows receipt.
- Confirmed dates may be changed, shortened or cancelled with 30 days' written notice to the company, subject to availability.
- Eligible refunds are processed to the original bank account within a reasonable period after cancellation. Bank or wire transfer charges are deducted from the refunded amount.
- Inside 30 days, the reservation cannot be changed, postponed or cancelled, and the package amount is retained in full.
- No-shows are not eligible for any refund.
- No credit is given for unused nights or an early departure.
- Peak-date bookings (20 December to 5 January) may carry stricter hotel cancellation terms, which we confirm at the time of booking.
Traveller reviews — 4.9 average from 412 trips
Questions about this package
What does the North Kerala Discovery package cover?
2 nights in the Wayanad hills for the Edakkal Caves, Soochipara falls and Banasura Sagar Dam, a night at Kannur for St Angelo Fort, Payyambalam Beach and the handloom centres, then 2 nights at Bekal for the fort and the Valiyaparamba backwater cruise, ending with the Mangalore or Kannur drop. Hotels, a private AC vehicle, and sightseeing named in the day plan are included.
What is included in the package?
Hotel or resort stay on twin sharing with daily breakfast, a private AC vehicle for all transfers and sightseeing, all fuel, toll, parking and driver allowance, airport or railway station pickup and drop, entry tickets and ride charges for everything named in the day-by-day itinerary, and 24x7 on-ground assistance from our team in Kerala. Air and rail fare, lunch and dinner, and anything not named in the itinerary are not included.
Will we definitely see a Theyyam performance?
No, and we will not tell you otherwise. Theyyam season generally runs December to April, but each shrine follows its own calendar, so performances are not scheduled to suit tourism. We check locally against your travel dates and confirm only if there is one we can actually get you to. If you are travelling outside the season, plan the trip for the forts, beaches, handlooms and backwaters and treat Theyyam as a bonus.
Is this trip suitable for families with children?
Yes. It is built as a family route: Edakkal Caves, Soochipara falls, Banasura Sagar, a headland fort and a backwater cruise, so there is something to do rather than a run of viewpoints. Family rooms, connecting rooms or two-bedroom cottages can be arranged on upgrade, and child rates apply. Note that Edakkal involves a climb, so tell us the ages at the time of booking and we will plan the day around it.
How is the Valiyaparamba backwater different from Alleppey?
It is fed by four rivers and carries almost none of the houseboat traffic you get further south. You get the same palm-lined water and village life, without queuing for a berth. If you have already done Alleppey, this is the reason to come north.
Can we be dropped at Mangalore instead of Kannur?
Yes. Bekal sits close to the Karnataka border, so a Mangalore drop is the natural finish and does not mean doubling back. Tell us at the time of booking so the vehicle, the driver and the Day 6 timings are set up for it.
How do I book, and can I cancel?
50% of the package amount confirms the booking, and the balance is due before departure or on arrival. Payment is by bank wire transfer to our account. Dates may be changed, shortened or cancelled with 30 days' written notice, subject to availability. Inside 30 days the package amount is retained in full.
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Want this trip on your dates?
- The same day-by-day plan, priced for your dates and hotel category
- Your houseboat blocked the moment your trip is confirmed
- Free replanning — swap Thekkady for Kumarakom, add nights, upgrade the boat