North Kerala · 9 days
North Kerala Discovery
The whole of the north in one journey — Theyyam in Kannur, the Kavvayi backwaters, Bekal’s laterite fort, Thalassery’s kitchens, French Mahé, Kozhikode’s old bazaars and the hills of Wayanad.
- Duration
- 9 days / 8 nights
- Start
- Kannur International Airport (CNN)
- End
- Calicut International Airport (CCJ)
- By road
- ≈ 612 km
- Best months
- October – March
- Ideal for
- Explorers
Day by day
The route
Sample itinerary — Ayanam to confirm the days, distances and timings before publishing.
Day 1
Arrive in Kannur
Met at Kannur International Airport and driven to your stay in town. An easy first evening: the sea wall at St. Angelo Fort and sunset on Payyambalam beach.
- RoadKannur International AirportKannur
- St. Angelo Fort
- Payyambalam beach
- Arakkal Museum
Overnight: Kannur
Day 2
Looms, a riverside shrine and the first Theyyam
Morning with weavers at a Kannur handloom cooperative, then upriver to Parassinikadavu, where the Muthappan Theyyam is performed daily. In the ritual season we time the evening to a village kavu.
- RoadKannurParassinikadavu
- RoadParassinikadavuKannur
- Kannur handloom visit
- Parassinikadavu Muthappan
- Curated Theyyam viewing
Overnight: Kannur
Day 3
Kavvayi backwaters to Bekal
North to Payyannur and out onto the Kavvayi backwaters by country boat, past mangrove islands to Valiyaparamba. Continue by road to Bekal for the night.
- RoadKannurKavvayi
- Backwater / boatKavvayiValiyaparamba
- RoadValiyaparambaBekal
- Kavvayi Backwaters
- Valiyaparamba
- Village lunch
Overnight: Bekal
Day 4
Bekal Fort and the lake temple
Early walk on the laterite ramparts of Bekal Fort above the sea, then inland to Ananthapura, the only lake temple in Kerala. Afternoon free at the beach.
- RoadBekalAnanthapura Lake Temple
- RoadAnanthapura Lake TempleBekal
- Bekal Fort
- Ananthapura Lake Temple
Overnight: Bekal
Day 5
South to Thalassery and the drive-in beach
Drive south along the coast to Thalassery. Late afternoon on Muzhappilangad, the long drive-in beach, and an evening culinary walk through the old town.
- RoadBekalMuzhappilangad
- RoadMuzhappilangadThalassery
- Muzhappilangad beach
- Thalassery culinary walk
- Thalassery Fort
Overnight: Thalassery
Day 6
Mahé and on to Kozhikode
A short hop to Mahé, the old French enclave on the river mouth, then down the coast to Kozhikode for Kuttichira, SM Street and a Malabar dinner.
- RoadThalasseryMahé
- RoadMahéKozhikode
- Mahé riverfront
- Kuttichira
- SM Street
Overnight: Kozhikode
Day 7
Up the ghat road to Wayanad
Climb the nine hairpins of the Thamarassery ghat into Wayanad. Afternoon among spice and coffee plantations.
- RoadKozhikodeWayanad (Kalpetta)
- Thamarassery ghat
- Spice plantation walk
Overnight: Wayanad (Kalpetta)
Day 8
Wayanad forests and waterfalls
A full day in the hills: Edakkal caves, the Banasura Sagar dam and a forest waterfall, with a naturalist guide.
- RoadWayanad (Kalpetta)Edakkal Caves
- RoadEdakkal CavesWayanad (Kalpetta)
- Edakkal caves
- Banasura Sagar
- Wayanad forests & waterfalls
Overnight: Wayanad (Kalpetta)
Day 9
Depart from Kozhikode
Drive down to Calicut International Airport for your onward flight.
- RoadWayanad (Kalpetta)Calicut International Airport
Make it yours
Plan this journey
Every day can move — shorter, slower, timed to a Theyyam night or a festival. Tell us your dates and we will plan it.
Thank you — your enquiry has reached our team in Kannur. We usually reply within one working day. If you would like to speak sooner, call or WhatsApp us.
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