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Thamarassery Churam

Wayanad Scenic Hill Escape: Caves, Dam & Waterfalls

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Kozhikode

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Wayanad Scenic Hill Escape: Caves, Dam & Waterfalls

Kozhikode · Wayanad · Kozhikode·
TOUR RATING
New on Evynx

A scenic Wayanad weekend of ghat drives, ancient rock art, and a swimmable waterfall.

About this tour

Three days in Wayanad - Kerala's hill district at 700-900m on the Western Ghats plateau - covering the Thamarassery Churam ghat ascent, the high-altitude Pookode Lake, the Mesolithic rock engravings of Edakkal Caves on Ambukuthi Mala at 1,200m, India's largest earth dam at Banasura Sagar, and the 3-tier Soochipara Waterfalls with its swimmable base pool. The Calicut-to-Wayanad drive via the Thamarassery Churam ghat road is itself the opening experience - 9 hairpin bends over 13 km lift you from the coastal plains to the Lakkidi plateau at 770m, the landscape shifting from open slopes to dense wet evergreen forest. The Pookode Lake at the top of the ghat sits at 770m, rimmed by shola forest, with rowboats on still water. The interior circuit then runs in geographic sequence: Edakkal Caves (a 1 km trek to twin natural rock shelters on Ambukuthi Mala at 1,200m with Neolithic and Mesolithic engravings dated 8,000-3,000 BCE - among the oldest surviving rock art in peninsular India); then Banasura Sagar Dam (India's largest earth dam, 1.9 km embankment of compacted rock, with DTPC speedboat rides through the reservoir islands). The final morning begins with the Soochipara Waterfalls - a 200m 3-tier cascade reached by a 1.5 km trail through tea estate rows and forest - before a spice market stop on NH212 and the Thamarassery Churam descent back to Kozhikode.

Highlights

  • Thamarassery Churam - 9-hairpin ghat road lifting the Calicut coast to Wayanad at 770m in morning mist
  • Pookode Lake - 770m-altitude shola-rimmed lake with rowboats on still water above the Western Ghats canopy
  • Edakkal Caves - twin rock shelters on Ambukuthi Mala at 1,200m with Mesolithic engravings dated to 8,000 BCE
  • Banasura Sagar Dam - India's largest earth dam, 1.9 km embankment with DTPC speedboat on the reservoir
  • Soochipara Waterfalls - 3-tier 200m cascade 25 km from Kalpetta, swimmable base pool from October to January

Inclusions & Exclusions

IncludedExcluded
  • Private vehicle and driver, all transfers and sightseeing for 3 days (Kozhikode pickup and drop)
  • 2 nights accommodation in Wayanad (Standard; twin sharing; breakfast Days 2 and 3 included)
  • Driver night allowances and all fuel
  • All meals except resort breakfasts Days 2-3 (Day 1 breakfast, lunches, and dinners self-planned)
  • Edakkal Caves entry (INR 30 per person for Indian nationals, self-paid)
  • Banasura Sagar Dam DTPC speedboat (INR 150-200 per person; subject to reservoir water level)
  • Soochipara Waterfalls entry (INR 30-50 per person, Kerala Forest Department gate)
Curated by
Evynx Travel & Experience
Operated byVerified
Evynx Curated
Based in: India
Operator Rating
-(0)

Itinerary at a Glance

Kozhikode (3D): Wayanad
1

The Ghat Ascent and the Forest Lake - Calicut to Wayanad via Thamarassery Churam

Thamarassery Churam Ghat · Pookode Lake Rowboating · Lakkidi Viewpoint Sunset
Night: Wayanad · Drive: 2-4 hrs · Pace: Relaxed
2

Ancient Rock Art and the Great Earth Dam - Edakkal Caves and Banasura Sagar

Edakkal Caves Trek · Mesolithic Rock Engravings · Banasura Sagar Dam · DTPC Speedboat
Night: Wayanad · Drive: 2-4 hrs · Pace: Balanced
3

The Sentinel Rock Cascade and the Spice Road - Soochipara Falls and Calicut Descent

Soochipara Waterfalls Swim · Wayanad Spice Market NH212 · Thamarassery Churam Descent
Drive: 2-4 hrs · Pace: Relaxed

Itinerary

DAY 1

The Ghat Ascent and the Forest Lake - Calicut to Wayanad via Thamarassery Churam

Meeting Time: 8:00 AM
Night: Wayanad · Drive: 2-4 hrs · Pace: Relaxed

The Calicut-Wayanad drive climbs 770m through 9 hairpin bends before the ghat delivers you to the Pookode Lake plateau and your hillside resort.

DAY 2

Ancient Rock Art and the Great Earth Dam - Edakkal Caves and Banasura Sagar

Meeting Time: 8:00 AM
Night: Wayanad · Drive: 2-4 hrs · Pace: Balanced

Day 2 covers Wayanad's most distinctive attractions in geographic sequence - the Edakkal Caves rock art on Ambukuthi Mala at 1,200m, then India's largest earth dam at Banasura Sagar.

DAY 3

The Sentinel Rock Cascade and the Spice Road - Soochipara Falls and Calicut Descent

Meeting Time: 9:00 AM
Drive: 2-4 hrs · Pace: Relaxed

Day 3 begins with the Soochipara Waterfalls trek and swim before a spice market stop on NH212 and the Thamarassery ghat descent to Kozhikode.

Requirements

What you’ll need and key rules before you go.

What you’ll need
Essentials
  • Closed-toe shoes for Edakkal Caves rocky trail and Soochipara Falls forest trail
  • Warm layer for evenings - Wayanad at 700–900m drops to 16–19°C from October to February
  • Motion sickness medication recommended - Wayanad ghats have sharp bends on ascent and descent
Optional
  • Binoculars for birdwatching along Kalpetta–Mananthavady estate roads - hornbills and flycatchers
  • Rain jacket if visiting October–November - post-monsoon afternoon showers are occasional
Rules & entry
  • Edakkal Caves (ASI): no flash on rock engravings - daily cap 500, arrive base by 8:30 AM
  • Soochipara Falls: no glass or non-biodegradable items on trail - non-swimmers stay on rock platforms
  • Pookode Lake: rowboats only, lifejackets provided - no food, drinks, or plastic on the boats

Policies

Cancellation & Refunds Policy

Effective date: 15 Oct 2026

This policy applies to all Tours booked on Evynx, unless a specific tour page clearly states a different policy ("Special Policy"). By booking a Tour, you agree to the terms below. Full policy (V1): evynx.com/cancellation-refund.

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Part Payment balance due 21 days before travel.

  • Within eligible 24-hour window: platform fee only
  • After 24 hours up to 21 days before travel: 10% of package price
  • After 21 up to 7 days before travel: 50% of package price; Travel Credit 55% of the package price, or your cash refund plus Rs. 5,000, whichever is lower
  • Under 7 days, at least 48 hours before: no cash; 10% of the package price, up to Rs. 10,000.
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Part Payment balance due 14 days before travel.

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  • After 24 hours up to 14 days before travel: 10% of package price
  • After 14 up to 7 days before travel: 50% of package price; Travel Credit 55% of the package price, or your cash refund plus Rs. 5,000, whichever is lower
  • Under 7 days, at least 48 hours before: no cash; 10% of the package price, up to Rs. 10,000.
  • Under 48 hours or no-show: no refund or credit

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A quick example

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Use on any eligible Evynx booking. Book within 3 months; travel within 12 months after that. One conversion per cancelled booking. Late-cancellation credit bands on evynx.com/cancellation-refund.

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If you add travellers

Additional travellers at price when added; platform fee not charged again.

If your operator cancels

Full refund including platform fee, or reschedule at no additional cost.

If the trip cannot go ahead

Reschedule first where possible; otherwise refund rules in policy section 16.

Changing a traveller's name

Private/Group: up to 48 hours before departure. Guided Experiences: 24 hours before start.

How to cancel and when your refund arrives

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