Athirapally, nestled in the lush Sholayar ranges of Kerala, is nature’s paradise waiting to be explored. Often dubbed the “Niagara of India”, this green wonderland is blessed with majestic waterfalls, dense forests, wildlife encounters, and misty treks. Located just a couple of hours from Kochi, it’s the perfect escape for nature lovers, couples, families, and adventurers alike.
Discover the Top 15 Places to Visit in Athirapally with travel tips, food, history, and unbeatable Kochi-Athirapally packages from Kreative Routes 🧳
1. Athirapally Waterfalls 🌊
Description:
Standing at 80 feet tall, Athirapally Falls is Kerala’s most iconic waterfall, thundering down through the verdant Western Ghats. A popular film shooting spot (Bahubali, Raavan), it’s perfect for monsoon lovers, picnics, treks, and photoshoots.
History 🏛️:
Mentioned in early Travancore travelogues and revered by local tribes as a sacred site.
📍Distance from Kochi: 70 km | ⏱️ 2 hours
☀️Best Time to Visit: June to September (monsoon magic) or October to February (pleasant weather)
🚗How to Reach:
- Road: Cabs and KSRTC buses from Kochi
- Nearest rail: Chalakudy (30 km), then taxi
🍤 Must-Try Food:
Enjoy Spicy Kerala Fish Curry & Tapioca at Rainforest Café.
🎭Local Culture:
Tribal stories, nature rituals, and eco-conservation drives are central to Athirapally.
✨ Unlock unbeatable Kochi travel deals including flights, hotels & curated experiences — only with Kreative Routes! ✨
2. Vazhachal Waterfalls 🌿
Description:
Just 5 km upstream from Athirapally, Vazhachal offers a gentler yet scenic cascade surrounded by herbal gardens and forest trails — ideal for meditative walks and nature lovers.
History 🏛️:
This area has long been known for Ayurvedic herbs and tribal healing practices.
📍Distance from Kochi: 75 km | ⏱️ 2.15 hours
☀️Best Time to Visit: July to February
🚗How to Reach:
Via Athirapally road, cab or bus from Chalakudy
🍤 Must-Try Food:
Try Chakka Varatti (jackfruit halwa) from roadside stalls.
🎭Local Culture:
Watch locals offer prayers to forest spirits during the monsoon season.
✨ Reconnect with nature through refreshing waterfall trails by Kreative Routes! ✨
3. Thumboormuzhi Dam & Hanging Bridge 🌉
Description:
A serene river dam with a well-kept garden and a hanging bridge that offers panoramic views of the Chalakkudy River and Western Ghats.
History 🏛️:
Part of a 1960s irrigation project that has now transformed into a tourism hub.
📍Distance from Kochi: 58 km | ⏱️ 1.5 hours
☀️Best Time to Visit: November to March
🚗How to Reach:
Cabs from Kochi or bus to Chalakudy, then local transport
🍤 Must-Try Food:
Sip Tender Coconut Water and munch on Pazhampori (banana fritters) nearby.
🎭Local Culture:
A popular hangout for families and school excursions.
✨ Explore Kerala’s scenic bridges and riverfronts — curated by Kreative Routes from Kochi! ✨
4. Butterfly Garden 🦋
Description:
Located near Thumboormuzhi, this eco-park is home to 150+ butterfly species, medicinal plants, and shaded walking paths — a hit with kids and eco-tourists.
History 🏛️:
Developed by the Forest Department to promote biodiversity awareness.
📍Distance from Kochi: 60 km | ⏱️ 1.5 hours
☀️Best Time to Visit: October to March
🚗How to Reach:
Easily accessible from Thumboormuzhi or Athirapally
🍤 Must-Try Food:
Light snacks and fresh fruit juice available inside the park.
🎭Local Culture:
Promotes local tribal knowledge of herbs and pollinators.
✨ Let your kids fall in love with nature on guided eco-tours by Kreative Routes! ✨
5. Charpa Falls 💦
Description:
Often overlooked, Charpa Falls gushes across the roadside between Athirapally and Vazhachal during monsoons. You can literally feel the mist as water splashes onto the road!
History 🏛️:
A seasonal delight, Charpa is best enjoyed when rain-fed and overflowing.
📍Distance from Kochi: 73 km | ⏱️ 2 hours
☀️Best Time to Visit: June to September
🚗How to Reach:
On the Athirapally-Vazhachal route; accessible by car
🍤 Must-Try Food:
Grab a hot Masala Chai and Uzhunnu Vada from nearby stalls.
🎭Local Culture:
Often used as a local monsoon picnic spot by villagers.
✨ Witness seasonal waterfall wonders with monsoon travel deals from Kreative Routes! ✨
Athirapally Tour Packages
6. Sholayar Forest Viewpoint 🌲
Description:
A breathtaking viewpoint overlooking lush rainforests, perfect for birdwatching, sunrise selfies, and foggy morning drives.
History 🏛️:
The forest corridor here connects Parambikulam and the Western Ghats, home to elephants, bison, and hornbills.
📍Distance from Kochi: 95 km | ⏱️ 3 hours
☀️Best Time to Visit: October to February
🚗How to Reach:
On the way to Valparai via Athirapally
🍤 Must-Try Food:
Enjoy Kattan Chaya (black tea) and roasted peanuts from viewpoint vendors.
🎭Local Culture:
Spot tribal settlements and forest protectors en route.
✨ Feel the thrill of the wild with jungle drives included in Kreative Routes’ packages! ✨
7. Peringalkuthu Dam 💧
Description:
A calm reservoir tucked inside the forest, perfect for those looking to escape the crowds. Ideal for nature walks, photo ops, and bird calls.
History 🏛️:
Constructed for hydroelectric power generation and water regulation in the Chalakudy river.
📍Distance from Kochi: 85 km | ⏱️ 2.5 hours
☀️Best Time to Visit: October to February
🚗How to Reach:
Permit required via forest officials; 4×4 cab or bike preferred
🍤 Must-Try Food:
Pack snacks or eat at Athirapally base.
🎭Local Culture:
The dam is surrounded by tribal lands and untouched forest trails.
✨ Offbeat eco-trips made easy with permits, guides & transport via Kreative Routes! ✨
8. Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary 🐘
Description:
Parambikulam is a haven for wildlife lovers. A UNESCO-protected tiger reserve, it offers thrilling jeep safaris, bamboo rafting, tribal village visits, and eco-stay options.
History 🏛️:
Once a hunting ground for British officials, it became a conservation hotspot in the 1970s, now housing tigers, elephants, leopards, and more.
📍Distance from Kochi: ~150 km via Athirapally | ⏱️ 4.5–5 hrs
☀️Best Time to Visit: October to March
🚗How to Reach:
Via Valparai-Athirapally road; forest entry pass required
🍤 Must-Try Food:
Enjoy Tribal Kerala Meals at forest-run eco-cafés.
🎭Local Culture:
Engage in tribal dance performances and heritage storytelling tours.
✨ Spot the wild with guided jungle safaris & forest permits—only with Kreative Routes! ✨
9. Anakkayam Lake 🌄
Description:
Hidden deep in the forest, Anakkayam (meaning “Elephant Lake”) is a peaceful, untouched gem ideal for nature lovers, bird watchers, and trekkers.
History 🏛️:
According to local legends, elephants once bathed and played here in herds, hence the name.
📍Distance from Kochi: ~110 km | ⏱️ 3.5 hrs
☀️Best Time to Visit: October to January
🚗How to Reach:
Forest access road from Vazhachal (permit required)
🍤 Must-Try Food:
Carry dry snacks; limited eateries around.
🎭Local Culture:
Sacred for the local Kadar tribe, who offer prayers near the lake.
✨ Trek to untouched nature spots with expert guides via Kreative Routes’ eco trails! ✨
10. Malakkappara Tea Estates 🍃
Description:
This misty hill station on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border is dotted with tea gardens, colonial bungalows, and panoramic viewpoints. Ideal for tea walks and cool climate getaways.
History 🏛️:
Developed by British planters in the 1900s, Malakkappara remains a scenic, unspoiled tea hub.
📍Distance from Kochi: ~110 km | ⏱️ 3.5 hrs
☀️Best Time to Visit: September to February
🚗How to Reach:
Drive from Athirapally via forest roads
🍤 Must-Try Food:
Savor Tea & Fresh Cake at Malakkappara estate shops.
🎭Local Culture:
Witness tea plucking rituals and buy fresh organic tea from locals.
✨ Add cool-climate hill retreats to your Kochi-Athirapally combo — with Kreative Routes! ✨
Honeymoon in Athirapally
11. Ezhattumugham Nature Village 🌳
Description:
A riverside eco-village with hanging bridges, riverside trails, and picnic spots — ideal for family outings and nature lovers.
History 🏛️:
Once a simple tribal crossing, now developed as a tourist village blending tradition and conservation.
📍Distance from Kochi: 45 km | ⏱️ 1.5 hrs
☀️Best Time to Visit: November to March
🚗How to Reach:
Taxi or private vehicle from Kochi or Chalakudy
🍤 Must-Try Food:
Enjoy Kappa Biryani and fresh juices at the nature café.
🎭Local Culture:
Craft and dance showcases often happen during Onam.
✨ Perfect for day trips and picnics — included in Kreative Routes’ family packages! ✨
12. Kaprikkad Ecotourism Spot 🏕️
Description:
A serene ecotourism park on the banks of the Periyar River, known for bamboo rafting, nature trails, and a kid-friendly animal rescue center.
History 🏛️:
Created under Kerala’s Responsible Tourism initiative to protect wildlife and empower communities.
📍Distance from Kochi: 45 km | ⏱️ 1.5 hrs
☀️Best Time to Visit: November to February
🚗How to Reach:
Taxi from Kochi or Chalakudy
🍤 Must-Try Food:
Try Nadan Kozhi Curry and Kerala Meals at the community kitchen.
🎭Local Culture:
Run by locals who share forest tales and eco wisdom.
✨ Engage with responsible travel — personalized eco-experiences with Kreative Routes! ✨
13. Abhayaranyam Animal Shelter 🦌
Description:
Located near Kaprikkad, this eco-friendly wildlife rehab center houses rescued deer, elephants, and birds in a forest-like environment. Ideal for kids and animal lovers.
History 🏛️:
Created as a humane alternative to roadside elephant camps, supporting rehabilitation.
📍Distance from Kochi: 47 km | ⏱️ 1.5 hrs
☀️Best Time to Visit: October to March
🚗How to Reach:
Taxi or bus from Kochi via Perumbavoor
🍤 Must-Try Food:
Try Ela Sadya (banana leaf feast) at nearby homestays.
🎭Local Culture:
Works closely with tribal caregivers and forest protectors.
✨ Support conservation with your visit — guided tours available via Kreative Routes! ✨
14. Valparai Scenic Drive 🛣️
Description:
The scenic forest route from Athirapally to Valparai is one of India’s most thrilling drives. Hairpin bends, dense forest, and wildlife sightings are common!
History 🏛️:
Built by the British to connect tea estates, this route cuts through elephant corridors and tropical reserves.
📍Distance from Kochi: 125 km | ⏱️ 4 hrs
☀️Best Time to Visit: November to February
🚗How to Reach:
Via Athirapally-Vazhachal-Sholayar route (self-drive or taxi)
🍤 Must-Try Food:
Enjoy Steaming Idlis & Filter Coffee at tea estate cafés.
🎭Local Culture:
Roadside shrines to forest spirits line the route — a unique local tradition.
✨ Drive the dreamiest hill highway with scenic stops planned by Kreative Routes! ✨
15. Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary 🐾
Description:
A lesser-known sanctuary near Thrissur, Chimmony offers peaceful trekking trails, lake boating, and forest camping.
History 🏛️:
Declared a sanctuary in 1984, Chimmony protects a rich variety of flora and fauna including elephants and exotic butterflies.
📍Distance from Kochi: 65 km | ⏱️ 2 hrs
☀️Best Time to Visit: October to March
🚗How to Reach:
Drive from Kochi via Peechi; forest entry required
🍤 Must-Try Food:
Savor Kanji with Payar & Pickle at forest basecamps.
🎭Local Culture:
Tribal storytelling and conservation awareness camps are common.
✨ Get wild with forest hikes and eco-camps — all organized by Kreative Routes from Kochi! ✨
🌐 FAQs – Athirapally Travel with Kreative Routes ✅
1. What packages are available from Kochi to Athirapally with Kreative Routes?
We offer day trips, weekend getaways, waterfall + wildlife combos, and honeymoon houseboat + hill retreat packages.
2. Is the waterfall open year-round?
Yes, but the best views are during monsoon (June–September) and post-monsoon (October–February) seasons.
3. Can I visit Athirapally with kids or elderly parents?
Yes. Many spots have paved paths, and our packages include vehicle access and senior-friendly accommodations.
4. What kind of food can I expect during the trip?
Local Kerala meals, fresh seafood, jackfruit and tapioca-based snacks. We also arrange vegetarian options and dietary needs on request.
5. Is forest travel safe in this region?
Absolutely. With proper permits, guides, and routes handled by Kreative Routes, it’s safe and enriching.
6. Do you offer private tours or group packages?
Both! From solo nature treks to luxury family packages — we tailor it for you.
7. How do I book my Athirapally adventure?
Simply reach out to Kreative Routes online or via call for the best Kochi-to-Athirapally deals, permits, hotels, and guided trips