Kerala · Waterfalls · Forest

Athirappilly

Athirappilly in Thrissur district is home to one of Kerala’s largest waterfalls, on the Chalakudy River, surrounded by forest. It is about 400 km from Mysuru, about 9 hours by road. Most visitors plan 1 day here. Athirappilly Falls run fullest in the monsoon, June to September, and that is when most people visit.

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Why travellers go

It is a popular day trip from Kochi, especially after the monsoon when the falls are at their fullest.

Suggested time: 1 day
State: Kerala
Good for: Waterfalls, Forest

Best-known sights in Athirappilly

Athirappilly Falls: A waterfall about 80 feet high on the Chalakudy river, at the entrance to the Sholayar forest ranges, in Thrissur district. The district tourism council lists it as open daily, 8 am to 6 pm. Tickets are sold at the Sholayar check-post, about 2 km before the falls.
Path to the foot of the falls: A forest path leads down from the top towards the base of the falls, with a closer view of the water. The path is steep in parts; skip it if anyone in your group has trouble with steps.
Vazhachal Falls: Falls a few kilometres upstream where the water runs over a wide rocky bed instead of dropping straight down, beside thick forest known for hornbills. The rocks are very slippery; stay on the paths.
Charpa Falls: Another waterfall in the area, listed by the Thrissur tourism council as a nearby place to visit.
Thumboormuzhi dam: A dam downstream on the Chalakudy river, where the water calms after the falls.
Ezhattumugham village: A tourism village on the route from Angamaly, reached through an oil palm estate.
Malakkappara forest road: The road beyond the falls climbs through forest towards Malakkappara; jungle trips run along it from Chalakudy. Night travel is not allowed on this forest road.
Chalakudy: A riverside town on NH 544, about 30 km from the falls, with a railway station and bus stand; it is the usual base for the trip.

How many days do you need in Athirappilly?

Plans for one, two or three days. A starting point only, not a Travel Trendzz package.

One day

Athirappilly Falls, top viewpoint
Forest path down towards the foot of the falls
Vazhachal Falls
Charpa Falls on the way back

Two days

Day 1: Athirappilly Falls, top viewpoint, Forest path down towards the foot of the falls, Vazhachal Falls
Day 2: Charpa Falls, Thumboormuzhi dam on the Chalakudy river, Ezhattumugham village

Three days

Day 1: Athirappilly Falls, top viewpoint, Forest path down towards the foot of the falls, Vazhachal Falls
Day 2: Charpa Falls, Forest drive towards Malakkappara (daylight only)
Day 3: Thumboormuzhi dam on the Chalakudy river, Ezhattumugham village, Chalakudy town

How to reach Athirappilly from Mysuru and Bengaluru

From Mysuru

By road: About 310 km, about 5 to 6 hours. The last stretch is about 30 km from Chalakudy on a forest road, and the checkposts at either end close at 6:30 pm.
By train: No train goes to Chalakudy directly from Mysuru. The daily Mysuru-Thiruvananthapuram North Express runs from Mysuru via Bengaluru, Palakkad and Thrissur. From Thrissur station the falls are about 55-60 km by road; Chalakudy station is about 30 km away.
By bus: No direct bus found. Travellers usually change at Kozhikode or Coimbatore for Thrissur or Chalakudy, then take a local bus or taxi from the Chalakudy bus stand to the falls.
By air: Cochin International Airport is about 55 km from the falls. Mysuru Airport has no Kochi flights listed.

From Bengaluru

By road: About 520 km, about 10 to 11 hours, via Hosur, Krishnagiri, Coimbatore, Palakkad and Thrissur (NH 544), then Chalakudy.
By train: The daily Mysuru-Thiruvananthapuram North Express and the daily Island Express (Bengaluru-Kanyakumari) both stop at Thrissur. Continue by road via Chalakudy.
By bus: Buses run from Bengaluru to Thrissur. From Thrissur or Chalakudy, take a local bus or taxi to the falls.
By air: Fly from Bengaluru to Cochin International Airport, then about 55 km by road.

Road times are approximate; check current timings for trains and buses before you travel.

Best time to visit Athirappilly

Athirappilly Falls run fullest in the monsoon, June to September, and that is when most people visit. October to February is drier and milder for walking, though the flow is lower. March to May is hot and humid.

Month	Weather and what to know
Jan	Dry and warm, about 22-33°C
Feb	Dry and warm, about 23-35°C
Mar	Hot and humid, about 24-36°C
Apr	Hot, first showers, about 25-35°C
May	Hot with pre-monsoon rain, about 25-33°C Average rain about 210 mm (IMD normals, Vellanikkara, Thrissur).
Jun	Southwest monsoon, very heavy rain, about 24-30°C Average rain about 615 mm. The falls are at full flow.
Jul	Monsoon, very heavy rain, about 23-30°C Average rain about 595 mm.
Aug	Monsoon, heavy rain, about 23-30°C Average rain about 485 mm.
Sep	Monsoon easing, about 23-31°C Average rain about 320 mm.
Oct	Retreating monsoon showers, about 23-32°C Average rain about 290 mm.
Nov	Drying out, about 23-32°C
Dec	Cool, dry winter, about 22-32°C Kerala Tourism notes mist around the falls in winter and good chances of bird sightings.

Tips for visiting Athirappilly

The forest road has checkposts at both ends that close at 6:30 pm, and vehicles must be out by then. Plan to start back in good time.
Swimming is not advised: the currents are unpredictable, and the water at the base is off-limits.
Monkeys often come in large groups, so keep food packed away.
Snack bars at the falls are run by the forest department's eco-development committee, and there are restrooms on site.
At Vazhachal the rocks are very slippery, so keep children close.

Photos

Athirappilly Falls, a wide waterfall below forested hills — Photo: Pranchiyettan, CC BY-SA 3.0

Travel Trendzz and Athirappilly

Travel Trendzz has no published package for Athirappilly yet. The team plans custom trips; ask for a quote with your dates and group. For a car with a driver from Mysuru, see taxi service in Mysore.

Questions about Athirappilly

When is a good time to visit Athirappilly Falls?

June to September is when Athirappilly Falls run fullest, and most visitors come in these monsoon months. October to February is drier and milder for walking, though the flow is lower. March to May is hot, with daytime highs of about 33-36°C on the nearby plains.

How far is Athirappilly from Mysuru and Bengaluru?

Athirappilly is about 310 km from Mysuru and about 520 km from Bengaluru by road. From Bengaluru the usual drive runs via Krishnagiri, Coimbatore, Palakkad and Thrissur. The last 30 km is from Chalakudy on a forest road, and its checkposts close at 6:30 pm.

Can we swim at Athirappilly Falls?

No, swimming is not advised at Athirappilly. The district tourism council warns that the currents are unpredictable, and the water at the base is kept off-limits because it drops into a deep pool. Enjoy the falls from the top path and the viewpoints lower down instead.

How many days do we need for Athirappilly?

One full day is enough for Athirappilly Falls and nearby Vazhachal Falls, which are less than 5 km apart. With two days you can add Charpa Falls and a slower forest drive. Plan to leave the forest road before the checkposts close at 6:30 pm.

Does Travel Trendzz have a package for Athirappilly?

Not a published one. The team plans custom trips to Athirappilly on request.

Places near Athirappilly

Published package

Kochi

Heritage · 1–2 days

Valparai

Tea estates · 1–2 days

Published package

Munnar

Tea hills · 2–3 days

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Sources

Facts on this page were checked against these sources in November 2026. Rules such as entry passes, timings and road closures change, so check before you travel.

Plan your Athirappilly trip

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Last updated 12 November 2026