Athirappilly waterfall is best place to visit in Kerala

Athirappilly waterfall is best place to visit in Kerala-Athirappilly waterfall is situated in Athirappilly panchayat of Thrissur district in Kerala.It originates from Western ghats to Solayar ranges.

Athirappilly waterfall

About this Place

Athirappilly waterfall is situated in Athirappilly panchayat of Thrissur district in Kerala on the Chalakudy river.It is also known as Niagara falls of India. This waterfall originates from Western Ghats to Solayar Ranges. Athirappilly  waterfall is the 10th largest waterfall in India. The height of waterfall is 25 m or 80 feet and it very close to dense green forest. There are many wildlife animals like Asiatic elephant, tiger, leopard , bison, sambar and lion -tailed macaque and wild birds also seen in this forest like great hornbill , Malabar pied hornbill, Malabar grey hornbill and the Indian grey hornbill. The place is popular for film shooting like famous Bollywood movies  Bahubali, dil se , Raavan etc . Some South Indian movies like Ponnapuram kotta , punnagai mannan vanadevatha , paiyaa are shooted here . Many shots of famous Bollywood movies like Bahubali are taken from here. Have to go downstairs to see the waterfall but 10 minutes will have to walk. You can't go too close to waterfall because fences are there and the guard does not let go.  You can take a bath here. Many monkeys will also be seen here and sometimes they snatch the  food packets of the tourist . About more than 7 millions tourist visit this waterfall every year.

How to reach there?

Chalakudy bus stand

If you are travelling from other part of India by train , you can reach to Chalakudy station for athirappilly waterfall. There are only 2 ways to reach the Athirappilly waterfall by government state bus and car. This  waterfall is not directly connected with train and airways because it is located in dense green forest and height of 80 feet.  Chalakudy is the nearest railways station to reach the Athirappilly waterfall . The distance from Chalakudy station to  Athirappilly waterfall is about 32 km. First have to go from station to the Chalakudy bus stand . There is the direct bus from Chalakudy bus stand to Athirappilly waterfall. The fare of bus ticket will be 30-40 rupees. If you are travelling from other country reach to the Cochin international airport. You can reach to Chalakudy station from Cochin  by train or bus which is about 51 km. It takes 1-2 hours to reach Athirappilly waterfall from Chalakudy bus stand.

Where to Stay?

Many hotels are available but  far from the waterfall which is about 15-17 km but few hotels are available near waterfall about 2-3 km. The range of hotels start from 720-5000 rupees per night for 2 person. Check the availability of hotels online during seasonal time ( rainy and winter). The rate of hotels is high in seasonal time. The food is expensive in some hotels as compare to local restaurant mostly in hilly area .

Time to visit

The best time to visit Athirappilly waterfall in winter and rainy season between July to March. Avoid in the summer season for visiting waterfall because the water level of Chalakudy river is decreases. and the temperature varies from 31 to 36 degree in the summer season .The  water level of river is high  in the winter and rainy season and its also look more attractive.

Attractive places

There are many attractive places near the Athirapilly waterfall like:
1] Charpa waterfall  [ 3.4 km from Athirappilly waterfall ]
2] Vazhachal waterfall [ 5.3 km from waterfall ]
3] Illithodu eco tourist spot [ 35 km from waterfall ]
4] Sholayar reserve forest [ 26 km from waterfall ]
5]Abhayaranyam kaprikkadu ecotourism [ 40 km from waterfall ]
6] Valara waterfall [ 81 km from waterfall ]
7] Ezhattumugham prakriti gramam [ 15 km from waterfall ]
8]Paniyeli  poru rapids [ 40 km from waterfall ]
9] Kodanad elephant training centre [ 40 km from waterfall ]
10] Thumboormuzhi hanging bridge [  15 km from waterfall ]
11] Thottapura view pont [ 34 km from waterfall ]

Charpa waterfall

Charpa waterfall is also originates from Chalakudy river and it located enroute to Vazhachal .This waterfall is  about 3.4 km from Athirappilly waterfall and takes 9-10 minutes to reach waterfall from Athirappilly. The best time to visit in between  the month of november and march. You can enjoy the view from the roadside.

Vazhachal waterfall

This waterfall is just 5.3 km from the Athirappilly waterfall . You can reach to Vazhachal waterfall by bus, car and autorickshaw. It takes 13 to 15 minutes to reach waterfall from Athirappilly. This waterfall is so wonderful and the way to the waterfall is so green with fresh air where you can spot elephants and moneys. You can also observe the herbal garden and ayurvedic plants near this waterfall.

Illithodu eco tourist spot

It is located on the bank of the periyar river in the Ernakulam district of Kerala. It is just 45 km from Athirappilly waterfall and takes 1 -2 hours to reach Illithodu eco spot from Athirappilly waterfall by bus. This place is also attract tourist for adventure and wading. There is no hotels surrounding the Illithodu tourist spot .

Sholayar reserve forest

Sholayar reserve water is just 26 km from Athirappilly waterfall and takes 1 hours to reach that forest by bus. Forest is very dense and have many wildlife animals.The sholayar dam have two reservoirs. The upper Sholayar dam is accessed by tourist and it is located in Tamil nadu whereas , the other is located in Kerala called as the lower Sholayar dam. This dam is surrounded by Sholayar forest.

Abhayaranyam kaprikkadu ecotourism

It is the small zoo in the forest and rescuing elephants and deers. Different varieties of tree and plants can be observe in that zoo. The entry fees is Rs 30. This zoo includes kids corner , coffee shop, tree house, butterfly park , elephant corner and deer park. This place is also good to visit and spend some time with family . It is around 42 km from Athirappilly waterfall.

 Ezhattumugham prakriti gramam

It is located in Ayyampuzha in Kerala. This place  is also very attractive to tourist. The calmness  of the gently flowing water and the closeness to nature. You can also take bath in that flowing freshwater. The bridge across the river is very beautiful.  To visit this place you must buy ticket.  It is about 15 km from Athirappilly waterfall and takes 30-40 minutes reach to that river.

Paniyeli  poru rapids

This beautiful river is located in Ernakulam district of kerala. It is sutuated in dense forest and often elephant come to drink water from this river. And you can take bath in that river. Entry fee is  Rs 30 for visitors. You can also buy natural honey from counter. It is just around 56 km from Athirappilly waterfall. The best time to visit in monsoon season.

Kodanad elephant training centre

Kodanad elephant training centre , one of the largest elephant training centre in Kerala. This is another tourist place to visit in Kerala. The visitors can visit daily during the hours of 8 am to 5 pm. and entry fee is Rs 30 per person. It is about 42 km from Athirappilly waterfall . You can reach to Kodanad elephant training centre by bus.

Thumboormuzhi hanging bridge

This hanging bridge is located in Ayyampuzha on Chalakudy river. The bridge near to butterfly garden. The best time to visit in monsoon season. It is just 15 km from the Athirappilly waterfall. There is the entry charges to visit hanging bridge. The view from the bridge is fantastic and good spot for a family outing.

Thottapura view pont

This view point is around 34 km from the Athirappilly waterfall .  It is situated in between Vazhachal and Valparai .You can reach to Thottapura view pont from Athirappilly waterfall by bus and car. You can also see elephants and moneys fromThottapura view pont. This place is also good to visit .

Restaurant and cuisine

Veg and non veg Restaurant are available near Athirappilly waterfall. You can try South Indian food like:

 * Sadhya

* Puttu
* Appam
* Idiyappam
* Dosa sambar
* Malabar biriyani
* Kerala beef fry etc.

Budget of trip
The overall of your trip budget if we including travelling cost(only domestic), hotel stay, food will be 9000 -15000 rupees for 4 days 3 night for 2 persons. To save money use government state bus during travelling. There is the entry ticket for tourist before entering in the waterfall 40 rupees for each person  and 5 rupees for single luggage charges. Avoid taxi, auto and other vehicles except Government bus during travelling. 

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