The Road to Malakkappara: Kerala's Most Beautiful Forest Drive

From Murai the Athirappilly road keeps climbing. Past the falls and past Vazhachal it enters the protected Sholayar forest and winds for about 50 km through unbroken canopy to Malakkappara, a tea village on the Tamil Nadu border.

Before you go

• Timings: vehicles are generally allowed through the Vazhachal check-post between 6 am and 6 pm (two-wheelers until 4 pm). Confirm the current timings with the forest department.
• Plastic: you'll need to declare plastic bottles and bags at the check-post. Every item is checked again at the exit, and mismatches are fined.
• No stopping: the forest stretch has to be crossed within the allotted time. Parking, feeding animals and leaving the vehicle are not allowed.
• Fuel and food: there's nothing until Malakkappara, so fill up in Chalakudy.

What you'll see

Watch for Nilgiri langurs and lion-tailed macaques in the canopy, elephants on the road (stop well back and wait), and the Sholayar reservoir glinting through the trees. Then the forest gives way to tea slopes and cool air.

Not driving?

KSRTC runs a popular "jungle safari" bus from Chalakudy to Malakkappara. It's cheap and has the best seats for the views. Ask us for the current schedule.