This Thusharagiri Falls travel guide is for travellers who want the real version of a Western Ghats waterfall trek: a forest walk to a cluster of falls on the Chalippuzha river, near Kodencheri in Kerala’s Kozhikode district. Here you get the three falls, the trek, how to reach, where to stay, a budget, and the water-safety rules that matter most.
Thusharagiri Falls is a group of waterfalls in the Western Ghats foothills of Kozhikode district, Kerala, reached by a short forest trek through spice and rubber plantations. According to Kerala Tourism, the site sits about 50 km from Kozhikode city and is best in and just after the monsoon.
Thusharagiri Falls travel guide: quick facts
Thusharagiri means “mist-capped” or “snow-capped” hills. The name comes from the fine spray thrown up where the water drops, which hangs in the air like dew. According to Kerala Tourism, the falls lie in the folds of the Western Ghats, surrounded by evergreen forest and plantations.
Two streams from the Western Ghats meet near here to form the Chalippuzha river, as recorded on Wikipedia. The water then diverges into a set of falls. Note that different sources use slightly different names for the individual drops, so treat the names below as a guide, not a fixed map.
- Where: Near Kodencheri (also spelled Kodanchery), Kozhikode district, Kerala.
- River: Chalippuzha.
- Setting: Rainforest and spice, rubber and arecanut plantations.
- Best for: A day trek, waterfall views and a rainforest walk.
- Tallest drop: listed at about 75 metres (246 ft) by Kerala Tourism and Wikipedia, though they differ on which fall it is.
Best time to visit Thusharagiri Falls
For water, aim for the monsoon and the months just after it. Incredible India lists the best window as September to March, when the falls run strong and the forest is green. Kerala Tourism notes that peak-monsoon visits are “not advisable” because the flow changes sharply and the rocks turn dangerous.
That gives you a simple trade-off: June to August brings the fullest water but the highest risk and the most leeches; roughly September to January gives strong flow with safer footing. The table below is a planning guide, not a guarantee.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| South-west monsoon | June–August | Heaviest flow; slippery rocks; leeches; sudden surges possible — the riskiest time to be near the water |
| Post-monsoon | September–November | Strong flow, green forest, better footing; the most comfortable window for the trek |
| Winter | December–January | Moderate flow, pleasant weather; good for walking and views |
| Dry season | February–May | Flow drops; hot and humid; falls can be thin late in the dry months |
How to reach Thusharagiri Falls
Kozhikode is your gateway by air, rail and road. From the city you drive east towards Kodencheri and Thamarassery, then up a narrow plantation road to the trailhead. Distances below are indicative road distances and worth reconfirming locally, as of October 2026.
| Mode | Point | Approx. distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air | Calicut (Kozhikode) International Airport, Karipur | ~55–65 km | Nearest airport; hire a taxi onward |
| Air | Kannur International Airport | ~90–110 km | Alternative, further out |
| Rail | Kozhikode (Calicut) railway station (CLT) | ~50 km | Well-connected; onward by taxi/bus |
| Road | Kodencheri town | ~5–10 km | Last leg is a narrow forest road |
| Road | Kozhikode city | ~48–50 km | Buses run towards Thamarassery/Kodencheri |
By rail, Kozhikode station is on the main west-coast line. According to Wikipedia’s station page, services include the Mangala Lakshadweep Express, Malabar Express, West Coast Express and Vande Bharat and Jan Shatabdi trains towards Thiruvananthapuram and Mangaluru. Reconfirm train names and numbers on IRCTC or NTES before you book. Airport flight schedules change, so check the Airports Authority of India or your carrier for current Calicut services.
The three falls and the trek
The draw at Thusharagiri is not one grand drop but a cluster of falls close together, linked by a forest trek. Kerala Tourism and Incredible India describe three main falls within roughly 100–500 metres of each other, reached on foot. The trek starts near a hanging bridge over the Chalippuzha and climbs gently through the forest.
| Spot | What it is | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Erattumukku | The point where two streams meet; a strong, broad fall | Kerala Tourism lists a ~75 m drop here |
| Mazhavil Chattom | A gentler cascade over mossy rock (“rainbow cascade”) | Shaded, quieter stretch |
| Thumbithullumpara / Thenpara | The main upper fall; names differ across sources | Wikipedia lists the tallest drop (~75 m) under the name Thenpara |
| Thanni Muthassi tree | An old “grandmother” Thanni (bedda nut) tree on the trail | Kerala Tourism describes it as locally believed to be about 400 years old — a local belief, not verified history |
Kerala Tourism frames the full walk as a day’s hike that passes the hanging bridge, the Thanni Muthassi tree and the falls in turn. The trail is moderate rather than hard, but it is rocky and can be slick. Allow a half to a full day depending on how long you linger.
Spice plantations and rainforest setting
The approach itself is part of the trip. The road and lower trail wind through rubber, arecanut and spice gardens before the canopy closes in. Kerala Tourism describes “evergreen lush forests, criss-crossed by overflowing streams” around the falls.
This is working farmland as much as forest, so you will pass homes, estates and small holdings. Keep to the path, ask before photographing people or property, and treat the plantations as private land. For context on the wider region, see our Kerala travel guide.
Trekking and adventure
Thusharagiri is managed as an eco-tourism site under the Kerala Forest Department, which also means it is a base for walks towards the Wayanad edge and the Vythiri side of the Ghats. Incredible India lists trekking routes through forest and rocky terrain, plus rock climbing and rappelling, birdwatching and nature walks.
Take a local guide for anything beyond the main falls loop. Trails braid and fade in the forest, streams rise fast after upstream rain, and a guide knows which pools are safe and which are not. Guides can usually be arranged locally through homestays or the forest-department point; confirm the day’s conditions with them before you set out.
Suggested itinerary
Most people do Thusharagiri as a day trip from Kozhikode or an overnight from a nearby homestay. Two simple plans:
- Day trip from Kozhikode: Leave early (aim to arrive by opening time), drive via Thamarassery and Kodencheri, trek the falls loop with a guide through the morning, picnic lunch (carry your own), and return to the city by late afternoon before the light goes in the forest.
- Overnight (relaxed): Day one, drive up and settle into a Thusharagiri or Kodencheri homestay, short plantation walk in the evening. Day two, start the falls trek early while it is cool and quiet, then continue towards the Wayanad churam or Kakkayam if you have a vehicle and time.
Start early either way. The site keeps daytime hours, the forest darkens sooner than open country, and the morning is the safest, coolest time on the rocks.
Where to stay
There is no large hotel at the falls themselves. Most visitors stay in Thusharagiri or Kodencheri homestays and plantation stays, or back in Kozhikode city for more choice. The ₹ bands below are indicative planning estimates for a double room per night and should be reconfirmed at booking, as of October 2026.
| Type | Indicative band (double) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget homestay / lodge | ₹1,200–2,500 | Simple rooms in Thusharagiri/Kodencheri; book ahead in season |
| Mid-range homestay / plantation stay | ₹2,500–5,000 | Often includes breakfast and estate walks |
| Hotels in Kozhikode city | ₹3,000–7,000+ | Widest choice; adds ~1.5 hr drive each way |
Rooms near the falls are limited and fill on weekends and holidays, so book early. For a city base and onward planning, see our Kozhikode travel guide.
Food to try
There is little by way of restaurants at the trailhead, so eat in Kodencheri or Kozhikode and carry water and snacks for the trek. The Malabar region is one of Kerala’s best eating zones, so plan a meal in the city:
- Malabar biryani (fragrant rice with meat, a milder, short-grain Malabar style).
- Pathiri (soft rice-flour flatbread, eaten with curry).
- Kozhikode halwa (a dense, sweet confection the city is known for).
- Fish and seafood curries (coconut-based Malabar preparations).
- Kerala sadya staples (rice with a spread of vegetarian sides on a banana leaf).
Carry enough drinking water for the whole trek; do not rely on stream water, and do not count on shops at the top.
Budget breakdown
The figures below are indicative planning estimates for two people on a one-night trip from Kozhikode, as of October 2026. They exclude long-distance travel to Kozhikode and assume a shared taxi or own vehicle. Reconfirm all costs locally.
| Item | Indicative cost | Assumption |
|---|---|---|
| Homestay (1 night) | ₹2,500–4,000 | Mid-range double with breakfast |
| Local transport / taxi | ₹2,500–4,000 | Round trip city–falls + local hops |
| Entry fees | ₹60–100 | See rules section; reconfirm on site |
| Guide | ₹500–1,500 | Local trek guide, negotiate in advance |
| Food | ₹800–1,500 | Meals in Kodencheri/Kozhikode + snacks |
| Total (2 people) | ~₹6,400–11,100 | Indicative; excludes travel to Kozhikode |
Permits, rules and water safety
No special state permit (such as an ILP) is needed to visit Thusharagiri; it is open to Indian and foreign visitors alike. As a forest-department eco-tourism site it does charge an entry fee and keeps fixed hours. The Kerala Tourism ecotourism listing shows a visiting time of 8 am–4 pm and entry of ₹30 for Indian adults, ₹15 for students and ₹50 for foreigners — treat these as indicative and dated (as of October 2026) and reconfirm at the gate, as fees and timings change.
Water safety is the single most important part of this trip. In October 2022, Madhyamam reported a sudden surge at Thusharagiri on a holiday afternoon: there was no rain where the tourists stood, but heavy rain in the forest upstream sent muddy water rushing down within moments. Visitors escaped by running. That is the hazard in one story.
- Do not enter the pools or cross the stream when the water is high or rising, or in or just after rain anywhere upstream.
- Assume rocks are slippery; wear shoes with grip and do not climb on wet rock near drops.
- Watch for a sudden change in water colour or sound — muddy water or a rising roar means get to high ground at once.
- Keep children close and never let anyone wade above a fall.
- Take a local guide, follow forest-department signs and staff, and leave before the site closes.
- Carry out your plastic and litter; this is protected forest.
Practical tips
- Leeches: Expect them in and after the monsoon. Wear closed shoes and leech socks, tuck trousers in, and carry salt or a spray; check your legs on the walk.
- Cash and UPI: Carry cash for fees, guides and small shops; do not assume cards or reliable UPI at the trailhead.
- Network: Mobile signal is patchy in the forest — tell someone your plan and expected return time.
- Medical: The nearest hospitals are in Kodencheri/Thamarassery and Kozhikode city; carry a basic first-aid kit and any personal medicines.
- Solo and women travellers: Stick to the main loop, go with a guide or group, start early and leave well before closing while others are still around.
- Packing by season: Monsoon/post-monsoon — rain jacket, quick-dry clothes, leech protection, grippy shoes; winter/dry — light layers, sun protection and plenty of water.
Nearby places
Thusharagiri pairs well with the Wayanad edge and the coast around Kozhikode. Distances are indicative and worth reconfirming locally, as of October 2026.
| Place | Approx. distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Kozhikode (Calicut) city | ~50 km | Beaches, Malabar food, SM Street; see our Kozhikode guide |
| Kakkayam Dam | ~20 km (per Incredible India) | Reservoir, viewpoints and more trekking |
| Wayanad edge / Vythiri | Up the churam (ghat road) | Hill-station country, waterfalls and resorts |
| Kappad Beach | ~55 km (per Incredible India) | Historic landing point near Kozhikode |
For more ideas across the country, browse our roundup of tourist places in India.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Thusharagiri Falls?
Thusharagiri Falls is in Kozhikode district, Kerala, near Kodencheri in the Western Ghats foothills, on the Chalippuzha river. According to Kerala Tourism it lies about 50 km east of Kozhikode city, reached by road via Thamarassery and Kodencheri and then a short forest trek to the falls.
What is the best time to visit Thusharagiri Falls?
Incredible India lists September to March as the best window, when the falls run strong and the forest is green. Kerala Tourism says peak-monsoon visits are not advisable because flow changes sharply and rocks turn dangerous. Post-monsoon, roughly September to January, gives strong water with safer footing.
How many waterfalls are there and how tall are they?
Thusharagiri is a cluster of three main falls — commonly Erattumukku, Mazhavil Chattom and a main upper fall — within about 100–500 metres of each other. Kerala Tourism and Wikipedia list a tallest drop of around 75 metres (246 ft), though they differ on which fall carries that name.
Is Thusharagiri Falls safe for swimming?
Treat the water with great caution. Sudden surges happen when it rains upstream even in dry weather below, as a 2022 Madhyamam report described. Do not enter pools when water is high or rising, avoid wet rock near drops, follow forest-department staff, and never wade above a fall. A local guide is strongly advised.
Do I need a permit or ticket for Thusharagiri?
No special state permit is required; it is an open forest eco-tourism site. There is an entry fee and fixed daytime hours. Kerala Tourism’s ecotourism page lists 8 am–4 pm and small per-person fees, but treat these as indicative and dated (October 2026) and reconfirm at the gate, as fees and timings change.
How do I reach Thusharagiri from Kozhikode?
Drive or take a bus east towards Thamarassery and Kodencheri, then a taxi up the narrow plantation road to the trailhead — about 50 km and roughly 1.5 hours. The nearest railway station is Kozhikode (CLT) and the nearest airport is Calicut (Karipur); hire a taxi onward from either.
Last updated and sources
Go after the monsoon, roughly September to January, if you want strong water with safer footing, and treat the trek as a guided half-day with water safety front of mind. It suits anyone who enjoys a rainforest walk more than a roadside photo stop.
Last updated: 2 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Kerala Tourism — Thusharagiri Waterfalls; Kerala Tourism Ecotourism — Thusharagiri trek (fees/timings); Incredible India — Thusharagiri Waterfalls; Wikipedia — Thusharagiri Falls (river, coordinates, falls); Madhyamam — flash-flood surge report, 2022; Kozhikode railway station (train services); DTPC Kozhikode (+91 495 2720012) for local confirmation; reconfirm trains on IRCTC/NTES and flights with the Airports Authority of India. Accessed October 2026.
