Let’s talk about visiting some offbeat North Kerala places today. Of all the places that we have covered in South India, Kerala is definitely one of our favourites. And that is the reason we keep returning back here. We have already covered some of the best places to visit in Kerala previously on our blog. While most of the people flock to see beautiful places in Munnar, spend a day in the backwaters of Alleppey and visit the wildlife in Thekkady on their first trip exploring Kerala. And so did we. But ,after few years we started to look beyond these touristy spots for further places to explore in Kerala.
So, few years later we went on a relaxing holiday to Kumarakom by the banks of Vembadan lake. And finally, now we want to cover some offbeat places in North Kerala. As these are unexplored and still pristine to the mass tourist arrivals. In case you are wondering where to head next on your travel adventures, we suggest pick some of these pristine places.
Table of Contents
A brief introduction to North Kerala
Formerly known as Malabar, Northern Kerala covers 5 prominent districts of Kerala. Namely Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram. And these are strategically located between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. Also, these places in northern Kerala hold prestigious culture and tradition that can be traced from the reign of Cheras. Actually, The Cheras were the illustrious rulers of ancient Kerala and Tamil Nadu. And on a historic note, the entire Malabar region can be divided into three parts:
- Zamorins of Calicut
- Kolathiris of North Malabar
- Valluvakonathiris of Valluvanad.
Today, Northern Kerala plays a significant role in the tourism map of Kerala. And has two of the international airports in Kerala . Which makes it easy to access these regions from anywhere in the world. Also, from culture to tradition and cuisine, places in North Kerala are different from the rest of Kerala. So, whether you are planning for a memorable family vacation. Or, an audacious solo trip. There are some captivating places in north Kerala that make it the number one tourist destination in India. So, here goes our list of the top offbeat North Kerala places to explore on your next travel adventure.
Bekal Fort
The Bekal fort is situated at Bekal. Actually, Bekal is a small town in the north Kerala district of Kasargod. And the Bekal fort is acclaimed as one of the best preserved forts in India. Bekal Fort was built by Keladi Shivappa Nayaka. They were a well known ruler of Keladi Nayaka kingdom. Spreading over 40 acres of land, Bekal Fort is the largest fort in Kerala. And it offers a spectacular view of the Arabian Sea. Also, it was once a main military station of Tipu Sultan. The fort features a keyhole structure. And was built in the year 1650. Then, in the year 1992 the Government of India declared it as a special tourist area. Some of the major attractions at the fort include the following:
- Exquisite peepholes
- An old Anjaneya Temple
- Theyyam sculptures.
- An impressive rock garden erected in the parking area, which adds to the attraction of the site.
- Imposing underground passageways and a grand mosque were built by Tipu Sultan, near to the site.
PS: A virtual armchair tour of Bekal Fort
Visiting Hours
Visiting Hours start from 8:00 AM and closes at 6:00 PM.
You may allocate a minimum of 1 hour to watch the beauty of the fort and based on your interest level, you may extend it to 2 hours.
Entry Fees
Entry Fees for adults is INR15. Visiting is free for children up to the age of 15 years.
How to reach Bekal Fort?
Travelling to Bekal Fort by Flights
The nearest domestic airport to reach Bekal Fort is in Mangalore. Which is 50 km away from the site. The nearest international airport that connects the major city close to Bekal fort, Kozhikode with rest of the cities in India is Calicut International Airport. Also known as Karipur Airport. 180 kilometres is the distance between Kozhikode (Calicut) and Bekal Fort. And you can always score cheap flights to these airports from nearby metropolitans like Chennai and Bangalore which are well connected with rest of the world!
Travelling to Bekal Fort by Train
There are two nearby railway stations where tourists can get off to reach Bekal Fort. They are Kasargod Railway station and Kanhangad Railway station. And both these stations are 12 kilometres away from the tourist site.
Travelling to Bekal Fort by Road
Bekal is connected through local roads and the nearest bus station, Kasargod bus station is approximately 12 kilometres away.
Best time to visit Bekal Fort
Bekal Fort in Summer
The summer season in Kerala is from February to May. It is one of the unfavourable seasons to visit Bekal Fort owing to the humid temperature. That ranges from 28 degrees Celsius to 36 degrees Celsius.
Bekal Fort in Monsoon
From June to September falls the monsoon season. The abundant rainfall makes the fort more greenish. Thus tourists who love to see the beauty of the fort amidst the lush green scenery. Hence for them monsoon is the favourable season.
Bekal Fort in Winter
The best season to visit Bekal Fort is from October to February. Which is the winter season in Kerala. As temperature varies between 20 degrees Celsius to 25 degrees Celsius during the winter season. Thus it is neither too warm nor too cold.
There’s a lot more to do in Bekal. Here’s a list of places to visit in Bekal and things to do in Bekal.
Edakkal Caves
Edakkal caves are located 1,200 meters above the sea level. They are formed due to two natural rock formations vertically placed on the Ambukuthi Hills. Also, Edakkal caves are strategically located at Edakkal. Which is a small place in Wayanad. Which is the north-east district of Kerala. And hence the name Edakkal Caves. The caves were first discovered in 1890 by the then SP (Superintendent of Police) of Malabar, Fred Fawcett. Edakkal Caves features two chambers and impressive cave paintings that date back to 6000 BC! Thus, these rock engravings form the basic evidence of human inhabitations for historians and archaeologists.
And the humans that had lived here belong to the Neolithic and Mesolithic age. The cave paintings are in the form of pictures of humans, animals, weapons, etc. We can also see Tamil and Brahmi Script inside the caves. Overall, ‘A man holding a jar’ is the most notable painting made by the inhabitants lived at that time. These are definitely one of the most offbeat North Kerala places that you will ever visit. Or, for that matter, they are very unique in entire India!
Visiting Hours
Visiting Hours start from 08:30 AM and closes at 04:30 PM.
You need to budget at least 3 – 4 hours to trek up the Ambukuthi Hills and explore the wilderness of the caves.
How to reach Edakkal Caves?
Travelling to Edakkal Caves by Flights
Calicut International Airport. Which is about 23 kilometres from Kozhikode, is the nearest aerodrome available. If you take the Calicut – Wayanad route, the approximate travelling time to reach Edakkal will be 3 hours.
Travelling to Edakkal Caves by Train
The nearest railway station is Kozhikode railway station, which is located 87 kilometres from Edakkal caves.
Travelling to Edakkal Caves by Road
NH 766 is the best route to reach Wayanad. And from Wayanad, it will take only 30 minutes to reach the destination. Actually, we happened to visit the Eddakal Caves on our way back to Bangalore from Wayanad. On the way, we stopped to explore the caves before further continuing our journey. It was a little de tour but completely worth it. You can read the detailed account of our experience visiting the Edakkal Caves here:
Visiting the Edakkal Caves, Wayanad.
Best time to visit Edakkal Caves
The best time to visit Edakkal caves is from November to March. As, this is the time of winter season and the place will be graced by a pleasant climate, which makes tourists to trek in flocks during this season.
PS: Edakkal Caves lie in Wayanad District of Kerala which is full of beautiful landscapes. Here’s our complete guide to explore Wayanad
Thusharagiri Waterfalls
Located 50 kilometres away from Kozhikode, Thusharagiri waterfalls is one of the most popular waterfalls in Kerala. Here, the Chalippuzha River diverges into three waterfalls, namely Erattumukku, MazhavilChattom, and Thumbithullum Para. The name Thusharagiri is coined using two words Thusharam. Which means Snow and Giri means hills. The meaning of Thusharagiri is “Snow-Capped Hills.” Falling from an altitude of 246 feet, Thusharagiri Waterfalls can be reached after completing a short trek which starts from a hanging bridge. Also, on the way to waterfalls, travellers can see a Bedda Nut tree. It is a large deciduous tree, locally known as Thanni Muthassi. According to locals, Bedda Nut tree is believed to be 400 years old. The peculiarity of Thanni Muthassi is that it is hollow inside. And at least three persons can stand inside the tree. Also, that is what makes these waterfalls a truly offbeat destination to explore.
Entrance Timings and Opening Hours
Visiting Hours start from 06:00 AM and close at 06:00 PM
If you are an enthusiastic traveller and a lover of water-loving tourist spots, spend the whole long day at the destination. Also, 5 hours is the minimum time you can allocate to enjoy the beauty of such an imposing waterfalls. Which are set on the backdrop of the Western Ghats. So, do keep that in mind while provisioning your time for visiting these waterfalls.
How to reach Thusharagiri Waterfalls?
Travelling to Thusharagiri Waterfalls by Flights
The nearest airport is Calicut International Airport. From there, hire a cab or taxi to reach the destination.
Travelling to Thusharagiri Waterfalls by Train
If you are planning to travel by train, get off at the nearest railway station to Thusharagiri, that is, Kozhikode railway station. 50 kilometres is the distance between Thusharagiri and Kozhikode railway station.
Travelling to Thusharagiri Waterfalls by Road
The nearest town is Kodencherry. From Kodencherry hire a cab or taxi or KSRTC buses to reach Thusharagiri waterfalls.
Best time to visit Thusharagiri Waterfalls
Thusharagiri Waterfalls in Summer
Summer is generally treated as an off-season for tourism in Kerala. The temperature ranges between 25 degrees Celsius to 35 degrees Celsius.
Thusharagiri Waterfalls in Monsoon
From June to September falls the monsoon season. The place receives abundant rainfall and is the most thrilling time to visit for adventurous travellers. Roads may appear very slippery during this time.
Thusharagiri Waterfalls in Winter
Winter is the best time to visit Thusharagiri Waterfalls. From October to February, the weather is favourable for tourists and let them enjoy the enchanting beauty of Thusharagiri waterfalls to its fullest.
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
Founded in 1973, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is home to endangered species of both flora and fauna. It is ranked as the second-largest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala. Also, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary features both Moist Deciduous forests and semi-evergreen forests. And, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is an important part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Overall it accommodates 45 species of mammals and reptiles, 203 species of birds, and 59 species of fishes! Actually, India has 14 Biosphere Reserves. Out of which Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is the first biosphere in the list. Spread across Muthanga and Tholpetty, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary conducts ecotourism programmes including jeep safari. So, this makes for the next entry in our list of offbeat North Kerala places to visit.
Entrance Timings and Opening Hours
7:00 AM – 10:00 AM
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Total Time required to visiting Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary: 2 to 3 hours
Entry Fee
INR10 for Indian citizens
INR 5 for Children below 12 years and students
INR 100 for Foreign nationals
How to reach Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary?
The Nearest Airport is Kozhikode (Calicut) International Airport
The Nearest Railway Station is Kozhikode Railway station
Travelling to Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary by Road
Well-connected by roadways, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary can be reached from all parts of Kerala through buses, cars and other types of taxis.
Best time to visit Wildlife Sanctuary
Winter season witnesses the peak tourism time of Wayanad. The best time to visit Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is from October to February. The temperature varies from 10 degrees Celsius to 24 degrees Celsius during the winter season.
Pakshipathalam Bird Sanctuary
Pakshipathalam Bird Sanctuary welcomes bird watchers and nature enthusiasts throughout the season. The sanctuary is located in Thirunelli. Which is an isolated place in Wayanad. Erected on the famous Brahmagiri Hills, Pakshipathalam Bird Sanctuary is home to great varieties of bird species and features rolling hills, deep rock caves, and virgin forests. Trekking through this dense forest is equally thrilling and adventurous. Thus, this suites as one of the best offbeat places to visit in Kerala for adventure lovers. And also makes for one of the most offbeat North Kerala places to explore.
Entrance Timings and Opening Hours
6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Pakshipathalam Bird Sanctuary is open on all the days of the week.
Total Time required to visiting: Approximately 6 to 8 hours
Entry Fee
INR50 for Indians Citizen
INR200 for Foreign Nationals
How to reach Pakshipathalam Bird Sanctuary?
Nearest Airport: Kozhikode. The distance between Kozhikode (Calicut) International Airport and Pakshipathalam Bird Sanctuary is 54 kilometres.
Nearest Railway Station: Kozhikode Railway Station. The distance between Kozhikode Railway Station and Pakshipathalam Bird Sanctuary is 46 kilometres.
The best time to visit Pakshipathalam Bird Sanctuary
The best time to visit Pakshipathalam Bird Sanctuary is from November to April. Chances of forest fire make it closed from February to May.
A Guide to the cuisine of North Kerala
The foods from Malabar have unique flavours which make them stand out among the rest of the world. And the preparation of Malabari food is a must-watch. So many spices and magical ingredients go into their preparation. Overall, due to the most delicious and delectable taste, tourists all over the world love Malabar dishes.
Also, here is a list of 10 unique flavors of some Malabar dishes that you can taste in your visit to any of these destinations in North Kerala.
- Malabar Erachi Pola
- Thalassery Chicken Biryani
- Kinnapathiri or Beef Layered Pathiri
- Arikadukka or Stuffed Fried Mussels
- Chicken Ney Orotti
- Ari Pathiri or Thin Rice Roti
- Erachi Thengachor
- Bread Pola
- Carrot Pola or Carrot Egg Cake
- Chatti Pathiri or Layered Crepes
Do note that unlike other parts of Kerala, there is not much tourist crowd in North Kerala. And if you visit North Kerala you can experience non hassled, relaxed and enjoyable vacation in Kerala. And who doesn’t look forward to such vacations! Also, these new destinations have opened a new set of opportunities to explore offbeat for those bitten by the wanderlust bug. So, which of these destinations are you headed to next?
More from our exploration of South India
PS: Our explorations in South India started with a trip to Mysore, followed by a visit to Ooty in August same year. And then happened our first trip to Kerala driving from Cochin to Munnar , visiting beautiful spice gardens on the way and then spending 3 beautiful days in Munnar. We also spent a day in the houseboat on the backwaters of Alleppey during this trip. Then we did a trip to Goa, a trip to Yercaud, another weekend trip to Kodaikanal (including an awesome drive from Bangalore to Kodaikanal), a year end trip to Mahabalipuram, another beautiful trip to Pondicherry, solving the mystery of Lepakshi Temple, exploring ancient ruins of Hampi, a homestay experience visiting Coorg at Casa Coorg, a stay in BR Hills. And then to the backwaters of the Vembadan lake in Kumarakom. And the journey continues…these North Kerala places are high on our bucket list.
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Great post with a lot of details & Beautiful photographs! .This is more useful for every kerala trip planners .Thanks for sharing .