Malabar Coast & Theyyam Ritual Dance

Explore North Kerala via Beypore, Wayanad, Kannur Theyyam, and Bekal Fort.

Avoid the crowds of South Kerala and discover the Malabar spice ports, highland petroglyphs, and Theyyam ritual dances. The route heads up to Wayanad before returning to the coast to travel north, wrapping up with backwaters and Bekal Fort. Theyyam dates depend on individual temple calendars and should be confirmed with a local guide. Chembra Peak trekking status is unpredictable and is not included in this itinerary.

Village Theyyam performances mostly take place from Nov to May. Some attractions in Wayanad may close temporarily during the monsoon.

Day by day

Day 1 · Kozhikode Old Town and Food

Kozhikode（Kuttichira & Mishkal Mosque、SM Street (Mittai Theruvu)、Kozhikode Beach）

Take a taxi from the airport to the city center (approx. 1 hour). Explore the Old Town on foot or by short taxi rides.

Stay: Beach Road and Westhill

Day 2 · Dhows to Wayanad

Kozhikode（Beypore & Uru Building Yard） → Wayanad（Lakkidi View Point、Pookode Lake）

Visit Beypore in the morning, then drive up the hills via the Thamarassery Ghat Pass (approx. 3 hours).

Stay: Kalpetta

Day 3 · Petroglyph Caves and Dam

Wayanad（Edakkal Caves、Jain Temple, Sulthan Bathery、Banasura Sagar Dam）

Hire a private car to cross the plateau from east to west. Edakkal Caves and the dam are about 1.5 hours apart.

Edakkal Caves require a steep climb of about 45 minutes; closed on Mondays.

Stay: Kalpetta

Day 4 · Down the Hills to Kannur Coast

Kannur（Thalassery Fort、Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach）

Drive down the hills via Thalassery to Kannur (approx. 3–3.5 hours).

Stay: Payyambalam

Day 5 · Dawn Theyyam and St. Angelo Fort

Kannur（Parassinikadavu Sree Muthappan Temple、Arakkal Museum、St. Angelo Fort）

Take a taxi to the temple in the early morning (approx. 40 minutes), and use short taxi rides in the city during the day.

Theyyam is performed daily year-round at Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple; check the calendar for village Theyyams.

Stay: Payyambalam

Day 6 · Valiyaparamba Backwaters

Kannur（Madayipara、Valiyaparamba Backwaters）

Drive north (approx. 2.5 hours) and board a traditional country boat for a half-day backwater cruise.

Stay: Bekal

Day 7 · Bekal Fort and Departure

Kannur（Bekal Fort） → Mangaluru

Visit the fort in the early morning, then hire a private car to Mangaluru Airport (approx. 1.5–2 hours).