Wildlife and Waterfalls: Wayanad to Athirappilly — 7 Nights / 8 Days
North to south across Kerala's forest country: Wayanad for caves, waterfalls and the Banasura reservoir, Athirappilly for the falls, Munnar for the tea estates, and two nights at Thekkady for the Periyar Lake cruise and bamboo rafting. Hotels, a private AC vehicle, sightseeing, entry tickets and daily breakfast are included, with open-jaw routing into Kozhikode and out of Kochi or Madurai.
About this itinerary
This 7 nights and 8 days Kerala tour package covers Wayanad, Athirappilly, Munnar and Thekkady, based on two nights in Wayanad, one night at Athirappilly, two nights in Munnar and two nights at Thekkady. Day 1 climbs the Thamarassery ghat into Wayanad, Day 2 covers the Edakkal Caves, Soochipara falls and Banasura Sagar, Day 3 is the long drive south to Athirappilly, Day 4 takes in Charpa falls before Munnar, Day 5 is a full day of Munnar sightseeing, Day 6 is the Thekkady spice walk and a cultural show, Day 7 is the Periyar Lake cruise, and Day 8 is the drive out to Kochi or Madurai.
The one stretch to plan for is Day 3, the Wayanad to Athirappilly drive, which runs to roughly six hours, and we flag it upfront rather than let it surprise you in the morning. Flying into Kozhikode and out of Kochi or Madurai keeps the route moving north to south with no backtracking, which is what makes the pacing work.
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
Arrival and the Climb to Wayanad Over the Thamarassery Ghat
Pickup at Kozhikode airport or railway station, then climb up the Thamarassery ghat with a stop at the Lakkidi viewpoint, and check in at Wayanad.
The highlight of this day is the valley opening up at Lakkidi after the ninth hairpin bend.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: About 2.5 to 3 hours from Kozhikode, then sightseeingStay: Wayanad - Day 2WayanadSightseeing
Wayanad Sightseeing: Edakkal Caves, Soochipara Falls and Banasura Dam
A full day around Wayanad covering the Edakkal Caves, the Soochipara waterfalls, Pookode Lake and the Banasura Sagar Dam.
The highlight of this day is Edakkal, where figures were scratched into the rock face long before any of the other sites existed.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleStay: WayanadBreakfast included - Day 3AthirappillyTransfer day
The Long Drive South to Athirappilly Falls
The long drive south to Athirappilly, roughly six hours, with the evening spent at the Athirappilly and Vazhachal falls.
The highlight of this day is reaching Athirappilly in time for the evening light on the falls.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: About 6 hrsStay: AthirappillyBreakfast included - Day 4MunnarTransfer day
Charpa Falls, Then On to the Munnar Tea Hills
Charpa falls in the morning, followed by a drive to Munnar and check-in for the night.
The highlight of this day is reaching the falls early, before the day traffic arrives from Kochi.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: 4 hours to MunnarStay: MunnarBreakfast included - Day 5MunnarSightseeing
Munnar Sightseeing: Tea Estates, Dams and Viewpoints
A full day of Munnar sightseeing covering Mattupetty, Echo Point, Kundala Lake and Top Station, with the Tea Museum.
The highlight of this day is Top Station early, before the mist closes in and takes the view with it.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: Full day local sightseeingStay: MunnarBreakfast included - Day 6ThekkadyTransfer day
Thekkady: Spice Plantation Walk and an Evening Cultural Show (Optional)
The drive to Thekkady and check in, a guided spice plantation walk, and an evening cultural show (optional and directly payable).
The highlight of this day is a refreshing walk through the spice plantation.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: About 3 hours to ThekkadyStay: ThekkadyBreakfast included - Day 7ThekkadySightseeing
Periyar Lake Cruise, Bamboo Rafting and Kumily Market
The Periyar Lake boat cruise, then a choice between bamboo rafting, payable directly, or the guided nature walk, and time at the Kumily market.
The highlight of this day is the first boat of the morning, when animals are still coming down to the water.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleStay: ThekkadyBreakfast included - Day 8Departure
Relaxed Final Morning and Drive Out to Kochi or Madurai
A relaxed final morning, then the drive to Kochi or Madurai for the drop.
The highlight of this day is a relaxed final morning before the transfer, with no early checkout rush.
Transfer: Private AC vehicleTransfer duration: About 5 hours to Kochi or Madurai (3 hrs 15 mins)Breakfast 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 | |
| Athirappilly | 1 | Aathira Agri-Homes | |
| Munnar | 2 | Emerald Inn | Standard, twin sharing |
| Thekkady | 2 | Green view Homestay | Deluxe, twin sharing |
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 and two-bedroom cottages are available on upgrade, and upgrades to deluxe, 4-star or premium and to MAP or AP are re-quoted.
- Quoted on the Bed and Breakfast (BB) plan: room with daily breakfast, twin sharing, land only. Any meal not listed for a day, including on the arrival day, is on request and payable directly.
- Day 3 is a long drive from Wayanad to Athirappilly, roughly six hours. We flag it upfront so it does not land as a surprise, and if you are travelling with young children we will rework the route rather than push this one.
- Fly into Kozhikode and out of Kochi or Madurai. The route runs north to south, so an open-jaw booking means you never drive back over ground already covered, and pickup and drop at either end are included.
- Bamboo rafting at Thekkady is payable directly, and so are wildlife safaris and other adventure activities. Day 7 gives you the choice between rafting and the guided nature walk.
- The waterfalls are fullest soon after the monsoon, so time the trip for the post-monsoon months if Athirappilly, Vazhachal and Soochipara are the priority. The drier winter months give steadier weather across all four stops.
- Entry rules and dress codes at temples, and permit rules inside forest areas, are set by the authority concerned and can change at short notice.
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 |
| Ayurveda spa | ₹999/- onwards | Munnar — Day 4 or 5 |
| Ziplining, Munnar | ₹450-600 per person | Munnar — Day 4 or 5 |
| Bamboo rafting | ₹2,200/- per person | Thekkady — Day 6 or 7 |
| Kathakali Show/Kalari Show | ₹300-600 per person per ticket | Thekkady — Day 6 or 7 |
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 Wildlife and Waterfalls Wayanad to Athirappilly tour package cover?
Two nights in Wayanad for the Edakkal Caves, Soochipara falls and Banasura Sagar, a night at Athirappilly for the falls, two nights in Munnar for the tea estates, and two nights at Thekkady for the Periyar Lake cruise, from a Kozhikode pickup to a Kochi or Madurai drop. Stays are on bed and breakfast, and a private AC vehicle covers all transfers and sightseeing.
Is this Kerala package suitable for families with children?
It is built for families with older children. The Day 3 run from Wayanad to Athirappilly is roughly six hours, and we say so upfront instead of letting it land as a surprise in the morning. If you are travelling with toddlers, tell us and we will rework the route rather than push this one.
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, inter-state permit and driver allowance, entry tickets and ride charges for everything named in the day-by-day itinerary, airport or railway station pickup and drop, and 24x7 support from our team in Kerala.
Which airports should I use for this route?
Fly into Kozhikode and out of Kochi or Madurai. The itinerary runs north to south, so an open-jaw booking means you never drive back over ground you have already covered. Pickup and drop at either end are included.
Are bamboo rafting and wildlife safaris included?
No. The Periyar Lake boat cruise on Day 7 is included, but bamboo rafting is payable directly, and so are wildlife safaris and other adventure activities. Day 7 gives you the choice between rafting and the guided nature walk.
When is the best time to do this trip?
The falls are at their fullest soon after the monsoon, so if Athirappilly, Vazhachal and Soochipara are your priority, come in the post-monsoon months. For steadier weather across all four stops, the drier winter months are easier. Tell us your dates and we will say honestly what the falls are likely to look like.
Can this itinerary be customised?
Customization option is available. Room category and meal plan stay open, family rooms, connecting rooms and two-bedroom cottages are available on upgrade, and nights can be moved between stops. Send us your dates and we will re-quote.
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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