Western Ghats: Kerala's Hidden Gems - hills, waterfalls and rivers to swim
Activities and Sightseeing in Northern Kerala (Malabar Region) - Foothills of the Western Ghats
This is my local guidebook containing off the beaten track experiences in Northern Kerala that are accessible from our Kerala Village Heritage Homestay. Have put together this guidebook to help travellers experience the best of the Malabar region - as a local having lived here for six decades. Hope you enjoy these activities and please reach out if you have any questions
A lovely waterfall in the Western Ghats that is easily accessible by road. Nice place to take a dip in the water with the family. Water is not too deep. Very refreshing to take the dip in the fresh water on a hot day in Kerala. This waterfall is a 25 minute drive from our Kerala Village Heritage homestay. A must visit, don't forget to take your bathing clothes. It's best to go during the weekdays as during the weekends it may be busy as it's a local favourite.
Vilangad Water Falls
A lovely waterfall in the Western Ghats that is easily accessible by road. Nice place to take a dip in the water with the family. Water is not too deep. Very refreshing to take the dip in the fresh water on a hot day in Kerala. This waterfall is a 25 minute drive from our Kerala Village Heritage homestay. A must visit, don't forget to take your bathing clothes. It's best to go during the weekdays as during the weekends it may be busy as it's a local favourite.
Get a birds eye view of the Western Ghats from this spot. The drive here requires 4 wheel drive. Which you can rent with a driver from our Kerala Village Heritage Homestay. Highly recommended to be here for sunrise and sunset. Nice to see the hills of the Western Ghats and the clouds moving from this location.
Urithookki Mala ഉറിതൂക്കി മല
Resort RoadGet a birds eye view of the Western Ghats from this spot. The drive here requires 4 wheel drive. Which you can rent with a driver from our Kerala Village Heritage Homestay. Highly recommended to be here for sunrise and sunset. Nice to see the hills of the Western Ghats and the clouds moving from this location.
A nice river to swim in. Also during sun sets, the bridge is a great place to be on - with nice teashops nearby. This is a ~15 minute drive from our Kerala Village Heritage Homestay.
Mudikkal Bridge
Mudikkal RoadA nice river to swim in. Also during sun sets, the bridge is a great place to be on - with nice teashops nearby. This is a ~15 minute drive from our Kerala Village Heritage Homestay.
Poyantavida beach is a secluded beach - mostly known only to locals. The beach is great for relaxing, for a nice stroll in the evenings to watch the sunset. Its roughly a 50 minute drive from Kerala Village Heritage Homestay
Vatakara
Poyantavida beach is a secluded beach - mostly known only to locals. The beach is great for relaxing, for a nice stroll in the evenings to watch the sunset. Its roughly a 50 minute drive from Kerala Village Heritage Homestay
The great stories of Kerala are often retold using art forms. It is here that our legends truly come to life. Theyyam is a famous ritual art form that originated in North Kerala which brings to life the great stories of our State. It encompasses dance, mime and music. It exalts the beliefs of the ancient tribals who gave a lot of importance to the worship of heroes and the spirits of their ancestors. The ceremonious dance is accompanied by the chorus of such musical instruments as Chenda, Elathalam, Kurumkuzal and Veekkuchenda.
Kalleri Kuttichathan Temple
The great stories of Kerala are often retold using art forms. It is here that our legends truly come to life. Theyyam is a famous ritual art form that originated in North Kerala which brings to life the great stories of our State. It encompasses dance, mime and music. It exalts the beliefs of the ancient tribals who gave a lot of importance to the worship of heroes and the spirits of their ancestors. The ceremonious dance is accompanied by the chorus of such musical instruments as Chenda, Elathalam, Kurumkuzal and Veekkuchenda.
Kerala’s Ayurvedic Traditional treatment Spa Centres are located within a 15-20 minute drive (6-8 km) from our Kerala Village Heritage Homestay.
Kottaram Ayurvedic Hospital
Kerala’s Ayurvedic Traditional treatment Spa Centres are located within a 15-20 minute drive (6-8 km) from our Kerala Village Heritage Homestay.
1 hour drive away from the picturesque village of Iringal, a wonderful world of tradition in the form of finest handicrafts – this exquisite blend of tradition with culture, Sargaalaya has got it all to bestow a unique and joyful experience for every visitor. With highly skilled artisans from over 20 traditional villages across the state of Kerala brought together under one roof.
Sargaalaya Kerala Arts & Crafts Village
Sargalaya Road1 hour drive away from the picturesque village of Iringal, a wonderful world of tradition in the form of finest handicrafts – this exquisite blend of tradition with culture, Sargaalaya has got it all to bestow a unique and joyful experience for every visitor. With highly skilled artisans from over 20 traditional villages across the state of Kerala brought together under one roof.
Kalaripayattu is the martial art form of Kerala (3000 years tradition). Watch Kalari Sangham in action or participate. Kalari Centres are a 50 minute (28km) drive from our Kerala Village Heritage Homestay.
Kadathanad Kalari Sangham
Kalaripayattu is the martial art form of Kerala (3000 years tradition). Watch Kalari Sangham in action or participate. Kalari Centres are a 50 minute (28km) drive from our Kerala Village Heritage Homestay.
The banyan trees of these temples are serene. The temple pool when open is a great place to reflect on life. The temple itself has an aura around it. Visit early mornings or during the evening to see the lamps being lit around the temple. 15 – 45 minute drive to the traditional heritage temples of Kerala from our Kerala Village Heritage Homestay.
Lokanarkavu Temple
The banyan trees of these temples are serene. The temple pool when open is a great place to reflect on life. The temple itself has an aura around it. Visit early mornings or during the evening to see the lamps being lit around the temple. 15 – 45 minute drive to the traditional heritage temples of Kerala from our Kerala Village Heritage Homestay.
Accommodation: Entire House
This heritage house is ideally located from the attractions listed in this guidebook. From waterfalls and rivers that are swimmable (especially during the monsoon season), seeing ancient martial art forms of Kalaripayattu, getting a traditional Ayurvedic spa massage or going to the beaches of Vadakara. Also you can experience local arts and crafts, as well as the folk dances of the Northern Malabar region. A truly off the beat travel experience to immerse yourself in Kerala's village life. To experience the calmness and stillness of Kerala while being amidst the greenery of the Western Ghats Valley in a simple house with basic facilities. Host is helpful and knowledgeable with regards to local insights, sight-seeing and activities. A good place for a workation or a long term stay with family to relax.
Kerala Village Heritage Homestay near Urithooki mala and Vilangad Waterfall
This heritage house is ideally located from the attractions listed in this guidebook. From waterfalls and rivers that are swimmable (especially during the monsoon season), seeing ancient martial art forms of Kalaripayattu, getting a traditional Ayurvedic spa massage or going to the beaches of Vadakara. Also you can experience local arts and crafts, as well as the folk dances of the Northern Malabar region. A truly off the beat travel experience to immerse yourself in Kerala's village life. To experience the calmness and stillness of Kerala while being amidst the greenery of the Western Ghats Valley in a simple house with basic facilities. Host is helpful and knowledgeable with regards to local insights, sight-seeing and activities. A good place for a workation or a long term stay with family to relax.
Accomodation
Kerala Penthouse Homestay
This is a penthouse accommodation hosted by us in our own home. Invite only for select guests. The guest has full access to privacy in the upstairs of the house, with its own terrace, balcony, bedroom, living area, office space and bathroom.
Kerala
This is a penthouse accommodation hosted by us in our own home. Invite only for select guests. The guest has full access to privacy in the upstairs of the house, with its own terrace, balcony, bedroom, living area, office space and bathroom.