Peruvannamuzhi, Kozhikode: dam, reservoir and boating guide

Peruvannamuzhi is a quiet reservoir-and-dam destination in Kozhikode district, Kerala, where the Kuttiyadi river is held back behind a masonry dam to form a broad, island-dotted lake ringed by spice and rubber hills. It sits about 60 km northeast of Kozhikode city, near Kakkayam, and works as an easy half-day trip: a short boat ride, a small island sanctuary and garden, and a green drive through the foothills of the Western Ghats. This guide covers what is there, when to go, how to reach it, and how to boat safely.

Peruvannamuzhi is a scenic reservoir formed by a dam on the Kuttiyadi river in Kozhikode district, Kerala, about 60 km northeast of Kozhikode city. Kerala Tourism lists boating on the reservoir, an island bird sanctuary, a crocodile farm and a wild animal rehabilitation centre, set against the Western Ghats.

About Peruvannamuzhi dam and reservoir

Peruvannamuzhi is a reservoir created by a dam on the Kuttiyadi river at Peruvannamuzhi, in Chakkittapara Grama Panchayat, Kozhikode district, Kerala. The reservoir spreads across the Chakkittapara and Koorachundu panchayats, with the Western Ghats and the Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary as its backdrop, according to Kerala Tourism.

The dam itself is an irrigation and water-supply structure, not a show-piece. Public records for the Kuttiady irrigation project list it as a masonry dam about 35.36 m (116 ft) high and roughly 171 m long, with construction begun in 1962 and completed on 6 February 1973. The catchment is about 108.78 km².

What draws visitors is the lake behind the dam: still, green water studded with small uninhabited islands, one of which holds a forest sanctuary. Do not confuse Peruvannamuzhi with the nearby Kakkayam dam, which is a separate hydel reservoir higher in the hills on the same river system.

Best time to visit Peruvannamuzhi

The best time to visit Peruvannamuzhi is September to March, when the southwest monsoon has eased, the reservoir is full and the hills are green but the tracks are dry enough for boating and short walks. October to February gives the most comfortable days for a Kozhikode-area trip.

The southwest monsoon (roughly June to September) fills the catchment and can look dramatic, but heavy inflow means boat services may be suspended and the dam area can close for safety. If you travel in the rains, treat the boat ride as a maybe, not a certainty, and carry a rain layer.

How to reach Peruvannamuzhi

Reach Peruvannamuzhi by road from Kozhikode, about 60 km to the northeast via Balussery and the Kakkayam road, a drive of roughly two hours depending on traffic through the plantations. There is no rail or air link at the dam itself: the nearest railway station is Kozhikode and the nearest airports are Kozhikode (Karipur) and Kannur.

By road, most visitors hire a taxi or self-drive from Kozhikode city, or come up from Kuttiady town, about 16 km away per public records. Local buses run towards Balussery and Perambra; from there you may need an auto for the last stretch, so a car is simpler for a round trip in a day.

If you are building a wider Malabar route, Peruvannamuzhi pairs naturally with the hill drives in our Kerala travel guide, and with the coast and backwaters further south covered in the Kochi travel guide.

Boating, the island sanctuary and the gardens

The main thing to do at Peruvannamuzhi is take a boat across the reservoir to its small forest island, where the Kerala Forest Department maintains a bird sanctuary and a crocodile farm. Kerala Tourism also lists a wild animal rehabilitation centre, where injured and orphaned animals are cared for, and landscaped gardens around the dam.

Boating has modernised in recent years. According to a 2022 industry report, the Kochi firm NavAlt supplied two solar-electric catamarans, seating 10 and 20 passengers, which entered service in February 2022 when the eco-tourism area reopened after a two-year upgrade; a full excursion runs around four hours over the roughly 13 km reservoir stretch. Older speedboat and smaller craft have also run here.

In May 2025, Kerala Tourism reported that renovated facilities were opened at the dam by Tourism Minister P. A. Mohamed Riyas, including a children’s park, an interpretation centre, a ticket counter and an open cafeteria, with two more solar boats flagged off by Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine. The report put the development cost at about ₹3.14 crore.

A practical caution: some travel listings note that boating is occasionally non-operational, usually for water levels, maintenance or low demand on weekdays. Treat timings as indicative and call ahead. Do not describe the Forest Department’s captive crocodiles or rehabilitated animals as photo props; keep your distance and follow staff instructions.

The Kakkayam trek gateway and plantation hills

Peruvannamuzhi is the usual road gateway to Kakkayam, a hydel-power reservoir higher in the Western Ghats where the real trekking country begins. The surrounding hills are planted with spices and rubber, and the drive up from the dam climbs through estate roads into mist and forest.

At Kakkayam dam, the Kerala Hydel Tourism Centre (KHTC), a wing of the Kerala State Electricity Board, runs a speedboat service across the reservoir with views of waterfalls, dense forest and, sometimes, wildlife such as elephants, bison and sambar in the catchment, per Kerala Tourism. Trekking routes, including walks towards the Urakkuzhi waterfalls, start from around here.

Regulated trekking from the Peruvannamuzhi–Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary side is possible but conditional. Kerala Tourism’s 2025 note said trekking activities here are “pending Forest Department approval”, so arrange any trek through the Forest Department or an authorised operator rather than wandering in. A Tiger Safari Park at the Perambra Estate was listed as an ongoing project.

A suggested day trip

Peruvannamuzhi works best as a relaxed day out from Kozhikode rather than an overnight base. A single full day covers the dam, a boat ride and a short hill drive, with time to eat well in the city at either end.

• Morning: Leave Kozhikode early, drive to Peruvannamuzhi via Balussery (about 2 hours). Buy tickets at the counter, take the boat to the island sanctuary when birdlife is active.
• Midday: See the crocodile farm and gardens, rest at the cafeteria, then drive up towards Kakkayam for the plantation views and the hydel reservoir.
• Afternoon: Short walk or viewpoint stop near Kakkayam (arrange any trek in advance), then head back.
• Evening: Return to Kozhikode for a Malabar dinner, or detour to Thusharagiri if you are staying out that way.

With two days, base one night near Thusharagiri or Kakkayam for a proper morning trek, keeping Peruvannamuzhi for the boat ride on the way in or out.

Where to stay

There is no major hotel cluster at Peruvannamuzhi itself, so most visitors stay in Kozhikode city, about 60 km away, and make a day trip. Kozhikode has the widest choice across budgets, from simple lodges to business hotels and a few heritage and beachfront options.

For a greener base closer to the hills, look at homestays and small resorts around Thusharagiri and the Kakkayam–Thamarassery belt, which suit trekkers and birders. Options near the Western Ghats fill up on weekends and in the December–February season, so book ahead.

Prices are planning estimates, not quotes; confirm current tariffs directly with the property before you book.

Food to try

The food to try around Peruvannamuzhi is Malabar cuisine, best eaten back in Kozhikode, which is known across Kerala for its biryani and snacks. On-site, expect only the dam’s cafeteria and small tea shops, so plan a proper meal in the city or carry your own.

• Kozhikode (Malabar) biryani — short-grain khyma rice with spiced meat, milder and sweeter than north Indian styles.
• Pathiri (soft rice-flour flatbread) with chicken or fish curry — a Malabar staple.
• Kozhikodan halwa (sweet, ghee-rich confection sold on SM Street) — buy a box to take home.
• Fresh fish and prawn curry — the coast is close, so seafood is reliable in the city.
• Sulaimani (black spiced tea) and banana fritters — the standard Malabar tea-shop break.

Budget for a day trip

A day trip to Peruvannamuzhi from Kozhikode is inexpensive, dominated by transport rather than entry costs. For two people sharing a taxi, a realistic planning figure is roughly ₹2,500–4,500 for the day, before any stay. The table below breaks down indicative per-person costs; reconfirm all figures locally.

Entry, parking and boat fares were not published on official pages at the time of writing, so treat these as planning estimates and confirm at the ticket counter or with DTPC Kozhikode.

Boating safety, permits and rules

No special entry permit is needed for Indian visitors to Peruvannamuzhi, but boating is a reservoir activity and should be treated seriously. Wear the life jacket provided, follow the boat operator’s load limits, and skip the ride entirely if water is high, visibility is poor or staff advise against it.

Reservoir water can be deep and cold, with no swimming allowed near the dam. Keep children within arm’s reach on jetties and boats. If you plan to trek towards Kakkayam or the Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary, trekking is regulated and, per Kerala Tourism’s 2025 note, subject to Forest Department approval, so arrange it officially.

• Carry a government photo ID; it may be needed for entry, boating or trekking registration.
• Do not feed or provoke the crocodiles or rehabilitated animals; photograph from marked points.
• Follow Kerala’s plastic rules: carry out your litter and avoid single-use plastics.
• Drone use over a dam and wildlife area needs permission; do not assume it is allowed.

Practical tips

Peruvannamuzhi is rural, so plan for limited services on site. Mobile coverage is patchy in the hills beyond the dam, ATMs are in the towns rather than at the reservoir, and small vendors may prefer cash even where UPI works, so carry some.

• Timing: go early; boating and birdlife are best in the morning, and afternoon light fades fast in the valley.
• Cash: carry enough for tickets, boat fare and food; do not rely on cards at the counter.
• Medical: the nearest well-equipped hospitals are in Kozhikode city; carry a basic kit and any personal medicines.
• Solo women: the dam is a low-key family spot; as anywhere, prefer daytime visits and keep someone informed of your plan.
• Packing: sun hat and water in summer; a rain layer and non-slip shoes in and after the monsoon.

Nearby places

Peruvannamuzhi sits within easy reach of several Malabar hill and water sights, which makes a two- or three-day loop from Kozhikode worthwhile. The table below lists the closest and most logical add-ons.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Peruvannamuzhi and how far is it from Kozhikode?

Peruvannamuzhi is a reservoir on the Kuttiyadi river in Chakkittapara panchayat, Kozhikode district, Kerala, about 60 km northeast of Kozhikode city, per Kerala Tourism. Wikipedia cites 55 km. It is reached by road via Balussery and the Kakkayam road in roughly two hours; the nearest railway station is Kozhikode.

What is there to do at Peruvannamuzhi dam?

At Peruvannamuzhi you can take a boat across the reservoir to a forest island with a bird sanctuary and crocodile farm, see a wild animal rehabilitation centre, and walk the renovated gardens, per Kerala Tourism. Since 2022, solar-electric catamarans have run here, and the dam is the gateway to the Kakkayam trekking area.

Is boating safe at Peruvannamuzhi, and is it always running?

Boating at Peruvannamuzhi is generally safe when you wear the provided life jacket and follow staff instructions, but it is not always running. Travel listings note services can be suspended for high water, maintenance or low demand. Solar-electric and other boats operate from a ticket counter, so confirm operation and fare before you travel.

What is the best time to visit Peruvannamuzhi?

The best time to visit Peruvannamuzhi is September to March, after the southwest monsoon, when the reservoir is full and the days are comfortable; December to February is the most pleasant. During the monsoon (June to September) the area is lush but boating may be suspended in high water, so plan for that uncertainty.

Do I need a permit for Peruvannamuzhi or the Kakkayam trek?

No special permit is needed for Indian visitors to enter Peruvannamuzhi, though a ticket and photo ID may be required on site. Trekking towards Kakkayam and the Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary is regulated: Kerala Tourism’s 2025 note says trekking is pending Forest Department approval, so arrange any trek officially rather than entering the forest alone.

Can Peruvannamuzhi be combined with Kakkayam in one trip?

Yes, Peruvannamuzhi and Kakkayam combine easily in one trip, as Peruvannamuzhi is the usual road gateway to the higher Kakkayam hydel reservoir. A full day covers the Peruvannamuzhi boat ride and a drive up to Kakkayam for its KHTC speedboat and views; for a proper trek, stay a night near Kakkayam or Thusharagiri.

Last updated and sources

Peruvannamuzhi suits travellers who want a calm, green half-day near Kozhikode: a short boat ride, an island sanctuary and a drive into plantation hills. Go between September and March, confirm boating before you set out, and pair it with Kakkayam for the trekking.

Last updated: 23 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.

Sources: Kerala Tourism — Peruvannamuzhi, Kozhikode; Kerala Tourism newsletter — renovated facilities at Peruvannamuzhi dam (May 2025); Kerala Tourism — Kakkayam dam, Kozhikode; Wikipedia — Peruvannamuzhi Dam (Kuttiady irrigation project); Baird Maritime — electric tour boats on Peruvannamuzhi Dam (NavAlt, 2022). Accessed October 2026.