Destination
Nine hairpins. Then the plateau opens.
Kochi or Calicut airport to Wayanad, with drivers who take the Thamarassery ghat every week.
Thamarassery ghat viewpoint at Lakkidi, early morning cloud below, Innova Crysta on the outer bend. Alternative: a paddy-and-forest road near Sultan Bathery at 4:30 pm.
Kochi to Wayanad — the long, green way north
Wayanad is the trip people underestimate. It is six to seven hours from Kochi, and if you are flying in, Calicut airport cuts that to three. Once you are up the ghat, everything is close together — which is why most people give it three days rather than two.
Distance and time
| From | Distance | Driving time |
|---|---|---|
| Calicut International Airport | 100 km | 3 hours |
| Kochi International Airport | 270 km | 6–7 hours |
| Kochi city | 280 km | 7 hours |
| Munnar | 300 km | 8 hours |
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Fares
| Vehicle | One way |
|---|---|
| Sedan (up to 4) | On request |
| Innova (6–7) | On request |
| Traveller 17 | On request |
| 34-seater AC bus | On request |
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All-inclusive of fuel, tolls, parking and driver charges.
Local knowledge
What your driver knows that a map doesn't
- Edakkal caves timings, and that they are closed on Mondays
- The Banasura dam road and where to park
- Where the Chembra trek permits are issued and how early they run out
- Muthanga safari slots, and the night-driving rules through the forest stretch
Best time to go
October to May for the plateau. August and September for waterfalls, when the whole district is loud with water.
Vehicles for this route
What most people take to Wayanad
Toyota Innova Crysta
Families of five or six on multi-day tours
Tempo Traveller 17-seater
Extended-family tours
34-seater AC bus
School and college tours
Common questions
Should we fly into Calicut instead of Kochi?
If Wayanad is your main destination, yes. Three hours from Calicut against six or seven from Kochi.
Are there restrictions on night driving?
The Bandipur forest road closes from 9 pm to 6 am. We plan departures around it.
Can a coach make the ghat road?
The 34-seater yes, routinely. For the full-size coaches we will advise by route.
Going to Wayanad?
Send us your dates and headcount. We reply with an all-inclusive fare in one message.