3-Day Family Friendly Itinerary for Wayanad, Alleppey and Varkala

  1. Day 1: Wayanad
    Estimated drive: 3h 35m (105 km) from Calicut International Airport

    Visit the Edakkal Caves, a historically significant site featuring ancient rock carvings. Take a scenic drive to the Pookode Lake for a peaceful boat ride and picnic with the family. Later, head to the Chembra Peak, the highest peak in Wayanad. The trek up the hill presents stunning views of the area around it. End your day with a visit to the Thirunelli Temple, a must-see for architecture and nature lovers.

  2. Day 2: Alleppey
    Estimated drive: 5h 20m (200 km) from Wayanad

    Begin your day at the Alleppey Beach, a great place to soak up the sun, swim, and relax. Take a scenic boat ride through the Alleppey Backwaters, often referred to as the Venice of the East. Next, visit the Mullakkal Rajeshwari Temple to admire the unique architectural style and learn about the Mythology behind it. Before you leave, make sure to pamper yourself with a traditional Ayurvedic massage to end the day on a high note.

  3. Day 3: Varkala
    Estimated drive: 3h 15m (57 km) from Alleppey

    Begin your day by visiting the Janardanaswami Temple, a prominent temple with a stunning view of the Arabian Sea. Next, visit the Varkala Beach, a serene spot to relax and unwind. Drive to the enchanting Sivagiri Mutt, a pilgrimage center honoring the great social reformer and sage Sree Narayana Guru. Spend your evening watching the sun set from the Varkala Cliff, known to offer one of the most scenic sunset views in the world.

Time and Cost Estimates

  • Edakkal Caves (2-3 hours, INR 40 per person)
  • Pookode Lake (1-2 hours, INR 10 per person)
  • Chembra Peak (4-5 hours, INR 500 per group)
  • Thirunelli Temple (1-2 hours, Free Entry)
  • Alleppey Beach (2-3 hours, Free Entry)
  • Alleppey Backwaters (4-5 hours, INR 5000 per group)
  • Mullakkal Rajeshwari Temple (1-2 hours, Free Entry)
  • Ayurvedic Massage (1 hour, starting from INR 1000)
  • Janardanaswami Temple (1-2 hours, Free Entry)
  • Varkala Beach (2-3 hours, Free Entry)
  • Sivagiri Mutt (1-2 hours, Free Entry)
Total Estimated Costs: INR 6560 per group

Useful Tips

If you have more time, Wayanad’s Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary and Aleppey’s Krishnapuram Palace could be great additions to your itinerary. Alternatively, you could consider extending your stay in Varkala to relax and enjoy the beach more. If you have less time and want to get the essence of each location, we recommend compromising on visiting fewer temples or cutting the boat ride through the backwaters.

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