Up the nine hairpins of the Thamarassery ghat to Kerala's green north: forest lakes, the country's largest earth dam and Edakkal's ancient carvings — your own vehicle and driver.
Highlights: Edakkal Caves, Banasura Dam, Pookode Lake, Thamarassery ghat
Itinerary
Day 1 · 6:00 AM — Pickup & drive to Wayanad From your door in Thrissur — about 190 km via Kunnamkulam, Kuttippuram, Kozhikode and the Thamarassery ghat, roughly 6 hours with breaks. (Stay booked by you)
Day 1 · midday — Lakkidi viewpoint & Pookode Lake The view back down the ghat, then a forest lake right on the way in. (Boating optional, paid direct)
Day 2 · morning — Edakkal Caves A short, steep climb to caves with prehistoric rock carvings. (Closed Mondays · entry own expense)
Day 2 · afternoon — Banasura Sagar Dam India's largest earth dam, with green islands in the reservoir. (Entry & boating own expense)
Day 2 · or swap in — Chembra, Soochipara or Kuruva A peak trek, a forest waterfall or bamboo-raft river islands — pick one. (Seasonal · we check if open)
Day 3 — Drive home Leave after breakfast; back at your door in Thrissur by mid-afternoon.
Good to know
🪨 Edakkal Caves: Closed on Mondays — we plan around it. The climb is steep: not ideal for elders or small children.
🌧️ Seasonal spots: Kuruva Island closes in the monsoon and has a daily visitor cap; treks and falls can shut after heavy rain. We check on the day and swap stops.
🏨 Your stay: You book your resort or homestay; Kalpetta and Vythiri are central. Your driver's night allowance is in our price.
⛰️ The ghat: Thamarassery ghat jams on weekends and holidays. We start early both ways to beat the queues.
