The Athirappilly Falls in Kerala: A Complete guide

Notably the largest waterfall in Kerala, in the South of India the picturesque Athirappilly Waterfalls is a sought-after travel destination for travelers from across the globe.  Fed by the Chalakudy River, this incredibly gorgeous waterfall gushes down at 80feet in threefold falls that fill you in awe. Also known as the “Niagara of India” the Athirappilly Waterfalls has provided its picturesque backdrop to several South Indian and Bollywood films. Movies like “Guru”,” Dil Se”, Baahubali”, and many more made the falls into a popular destination. 

Here Is A Complete Guide To Athirappilly Falls For Your Future trip

Where Is Athirappilly Falls And How To Reach There

Located in Athirappilly Panchayat, the falls 72kms North -East of Kochi, and it will approximately take you two hours to reach there. To reach the falls, travelers have to go inside the Sholayar Reserve Forest in Thrissur which is about 40 km from the Kochi airport, and nearly 30 km from the Chalakudy railway station. `

There are two ways to reach Athirappilly Falls

Local Bus: Local buses operate daily from Kochi City to Chalakudy and the cost is around 20-30 rupees, there are however not air-conditioned. There are countless bus stations in Kochi, so check for one which is closest to your accommodation. There are also daily buses leaving from Cochin Airport to Chalakudy which are air-conditioned and the cost is between 80-100 rupees. From Chalakudy Athirappilly Falls is a 45-minute drive, which you can commute via a bus which will cost 20-30 rupees or you can take a tuk-tuk which will cost around 300-400 rupees.

Taxi: If you are on a time crunch and have the budget, you take a private taxi from Kochi directly to Athirappilly Falls which will cost around 2000 rupees. They are comfortable and air-conditioned, and if you are traveling in a small group, you can also choose to share the taxi which will reduce the cost. 

What Should You Do There And Some Key Tips For A Good Trip

Access to Athirappilly Waterfalls is controlled by the Forest Department in conjunction with locals known as Vana Samrakshana Samithi. Entry for the falls opens at 8 am and goes on till 5 pm, and you would need tickets. Parking is also available with a charge. The viewing points of the waterfall are from the roadside near the ticket counter, one at the top of the waterfall, and one at the bottom. Each viewpoint is 10 minutes apart from the other. But if you want to truly appreciate the power of the falls you need to go to its base.  An eagle-eye view of the waterfall is possible if you visit a resort located across the waterfalls, which has treehouses and the waterfall can be viewed from these rooms. 

The path to the base of the waterfall is steep making it not suitable for everyone and is closed during the rainy season due to safety reasons. Make sure to bring a change of clothes if you plan to take this route because the waterfall will drench you here. The falls attract tons of visitors during the monsoon season, which typically runs from June to November and this is when the waterfall’s flow is at its strongest. Athirappilly fall sees its maximum footfall during Kerala’s Onam celebrations in August and September, so if you are looking to enjoy the scenic views of the falls with some peace it’s best to avoid visiting the falls during weekends and festivals. 

Your tickets will also grant access to Vazhachal Falls, which are located approximately 5 km downstream of Chalakudy. The atmosphere here is a beautiful as Athirappilly, but the Vazhachal waterfall is more like rapids in comparison to Athirappilly’s vertical drop. On the way, you will also cross Charpa waterfall which is comparatively smaller, but during the monsoon, it springs to life and rushes onto the road. The Sholayar Reserve Forest is a haven for nature and wildlife lovers, and home to exotic birds like the Great Hornbill which is the state bird of Kerala, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Malabar Grey Hornbill, and Indian Grey Hornbill. 

Places To Visit Other Than The Falls

En route to Athirappilly is Thumboormozhi and located here is Ezhattumukham-Prakriti Gramam Nature Village a popular riverside recreation area by a dam site, which features a suspension bridge, butterfly garden, and children’s park. Another place to visit here would be the Malakkappara tea garden which is an hour and 45 minutes past Athirappilly Waterfalls. There is also a full-day jungle safari conducted by the Thrissur District Tourism Promotion Council in conjunction with the Athirappilly Destination Management Council which covers the waterfalls as well as all nearby attractions. Other attractions in the area include Kauthuka Park an award-winning privately landscaped nature garden and Vachumaram Lake located amidst the forest. If you are traveling with family take a trip to the two water parks near Athirappilly: Silver Storm and Dream World so a fun family day out.

Take In The Beauty of the Majestic Falls.

With scenic beauty and thundering waterfalls, a trip to Athirappilly Falls is one that will leave a lasting impression on you for years to come. The evocative, scenic beauty of the place is known to attract tons of travelers who keep re-visiting the place again and again. Hope our guide is useful when you do decide to visit the  Athirappilly Waterfallsalls in Kerala. Do let us know of your experience in the comments below.