Athirappilly Falls

The Chalakudy river drops about 25 metres in a wide curtain at the entrance to the Sholayar forest ranges. It is Kerala's largest waterfall, nicknamed the Niagara of India and filmed so often that many people recognise it before they arrive. A forest path leads from the ticketed entrance to both the top of the falls and the base, where the noise and the spray take over. Hornbills live in the surrounding forest. It is around 65 km from Kochi, an hour and a half to two hours by road, and the classic full-day nature trip from the city. Fullest in the monsoon, but worth the trip in winter too, when the weather is mild and a light mist hangs over the falls; weekdays are quieter.

Kerala's biggest waterfall at full volume, a day trip and back before dark