Major city · India
Devala
Skip Devala unless you are a tea-plantation enthusiast or need a quiet stop between Gudalur and Kozhikode: half a day is enough for the gene pool garden and a short trek.
Devala is a tiny tea-town in the Nilgiris, 16 km from Gudalur, with one notable sight — the Tropical Gene Pool Garden — and a few short walks through tribal settlements. It has no lodges and only a couple of eateries. Most travellers use it as a brief detour on the way to or from Kozhikode.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- avoid Jun–Sep (heavy rain, leeches on trails)
- Airport
- CCJ
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Devala112 ▾
- All services112
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Devala, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyDevala is very safe; the main risks are leeches in the wet season and the lack of cash points.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 All services (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckCCJ Calicut International Airport (About 2.5 h by road; check for direct buses or hire a taxi.).
- Getting aroundAutorickshaws are the main transport; short rides about ₹20 (≈ under US$1), shared return trips about ₹5 (≈ under US$1).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealTea at a roadside stall₹10–20 (≈ under US$1)
- Budget bedBasic lodge room (Pandallur), a night, per room₹800 (≈ US$10)
- Mid-range bedBasic lodge room (Pandallur), a night, per room₹1,200 (≈ US$14)
- High-end bedBasic lodge room (Pandallur), a night, per room₹2,000 (≈ US$25)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹1,500 (≈ US$18) · Mid ₹3,000 (≈ US$35) · High ₹5,000 (≈ US$60)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CCJ Calicut International Airport (About 2.5 h by road; check for direct buses or hire a taxi.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Feb
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Mar
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Apr
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jun
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Dec
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Best: Oct–Mar. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C) low), wettest Jul (20 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Devala: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2 rd
Feb
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2 rd
Mar
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6 rd
May
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
18 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
20 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
17 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
12 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
12 rd
Nov
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 rd
Dec
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Autorickshaws are the main transport; short rides about ₹20, shared return trips about ₹5. Walking works for the garden and the Kuruman Colony Road trek.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Gudalur
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Autorickshaw or bus, about 30 min
Market town with more eateries and ATMs.
Door to door: About 2.5 h
Bus via Gudalur, about 2 h
Full day; Nilgiri Mountain Railway and botanical gardens.
Door to door: About 3.5 h
Bus via Ooty, about 3 h
Long for a day trip; better as an overnight from Ooty.
Kozhikode
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Bus or taxi, about 2 h
Beach and food tour; start early.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Pandallur
10 km (6.2 mi) from Devala; Bijo Lodge is the main option. No lodges in Devala itself.6.2 mi (10 km) from Devala; Bijo Lodge is the main option. No lodges in Devala itself.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹1,500–2,500 (≈ US$18–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹2,500–4,000 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- High
- ₹4,000 (≈ US$50)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Basic lodge room (Pandallur)1 × 1 night × ₹1,200 | ₹1,200 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₹3,000 | ₹6,000 |
| Autorickshaw from Gudalur to Devala (one way)2 × ₹100 · check | ₹200 |
| Entry to Tropical Gene Pool Garden2 × ₹50 · check | ₹100 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹750 |
| Trip total≈ ₹4,130 per person per day, bed included | ₹8,250≈ US$95 |
2026 estimate in rupees; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Short autorickshaw ride | ₹20 (≈ under US$1) |
| Shared autorickshaw return | ₹5 (≈ under US$1) |
| Meal at Gold Hotel or Pandallur restaurant | ₹100–200 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Tea at a roadside stall | ₹10–20 (≈ under US$1) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No ATMs in Devala; carry cash from Gudalur or Kozhikode.
- Rainy season (Jun–Sep) brings leeches on trails: wear long pants and carry salt or a leech repellent.
- Gold Hotel is the only eatery in Devala; Pandallur has three more options.
Emergency numbers
- All services
- 112
Pocket card
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DevalaDevala
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
இந்த முகவரிக்கு என்னை அழைத்துச் செல்லுங்கள்Take me to this address
Emergency
- All services112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Gudalur → Devala, autorickshaw: about ₹100 (≈ US$2), 30 min (check)
- Devala → Pandallur, autorickshaw: about ₹50 (≈ under US$1), 15 min (check)
Say or show
- எவ்வளவு? — How much? (evvaḷavu?)
- பஸ் நிறுத்தம் எங்கே? — Where is the bus stop? (bas niṟuttam eṅkē?)
- தேயிலை, தயவு செய்து — Tea, please (tēyilai, tayavu ceytu)
- நன்றி — Thank you (naṉṟi)
Tamil is the main language; some Malayalam spoken near the Kerala border.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Devala. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Mar · avoid Jun–Sep (heavy rain, leeches on trails) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Devala
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