Kerala
Palakkad
The gap, and the rice country
The Palakkad gap is a break about thirty kilometres wide in the Western Ghats, and it explains a lot about Kerala: trade came through it, Tamil influence came through it, and so does the wind. The district is flat and hot, and in the growing season very green. This is rice country.
Almost nobody stays here, which is the argument for a night if you like places that are not arranged for visitors.
- When to go
- November to February. April and May are very hot.
- How long to stay
- One night, usually on the way to or from Tamil Nadu.
- Getting there
- About two and a half hours from Cochin airport, on the road to Coimbatore.
Places to see
In Palakkad
05 places
01
The gap and the rice country
Paddy fields across the plain, with the hills of the Western Ghats standing on either side of the gap.
02
Palakkad fort
A stone fort with a moat, in the middle of Palakkad town.
03
Kalpathy
On the edge of Palakkad town, a Tamil brahmin village of old agraharam streets, with a chariot festival in November.
04
Nelliyampathy
The hill station above the plain, quieter than Munnar, with oranges instead of tea.
05
Silent Valley
A national park of old rainforest to the north, entered only by permit.
Tell us about your journey
Since 1997
Our team has been in tourism since 1997. Scenic Escapes India Private Limited is a private company registered in Kerala and based in Karunagappally, Kollam. Its registration details are published for anyone to check.
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