In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · India
Vythiri
Spend 1–2 days in Vythiri; see the lake, dam and tea plantations, then head to nearby Kalpetta or Sultan Bathery.
Vythiri is a hill‑station in Kerala (≈1,300 m) with coffee, tea and spice plantations. It sits 66 km (≈2 h) from Kozhikode airport and is a gateway to Wayanad’s natural sights. One full day covers the lake and dam; a second day lets you explore nearby viewpoints or ride horses at the veterinary university.
- Country
- India
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- Avoid
- Jun–Sep (monsoon)
- Stay
- 1–2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- INR
- Money
- Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₹1,200–2,000 excl. bed · Mid ₹2,500–4,000 excl. bed · High ₹4,500+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Jio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.
- Emergency
- Police 100 · Fire and ambulance 101 · General emergency 112
- Plugs
- Types C, D, M · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin C plugs fit most sockets; D (three round pins) is the common wall socket; hotels often have universal sockets. UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Street food and dhabas: Nothing.; Restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.; Car and driver: ₹300–500 a day at the end of the trip.; Guide: ₹300–500 for a half day.; Hotel porter / housekeeping: ₹50–100.; Auto or Uber: Round up.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap. Buy sealed bottles (check the cap), or use RO-filtered refill stations in hotels and cafés; avoid ice from street stalls.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages. Carry tissue and sanitiser; paid public toilets (Sulabh) cost ₹5–10.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Tea/coffee at a café | ₹30–₹80 |
| Meal at a local restaurant | ₹150–₹300 |
| Taxi (10 km (6.2 mi))Taxi (6.2 mi (10 km)) | ₹300–₹500 |
| Bus ticket (Kozhikode → Vythiri) | ₹45–₹55 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- CCJ · Kozhikode International Airport
- —
Typical fares
- Kozhikode airport → Vythiri (taxi)
- ≈₹1,200, 30 min (check)
- Bus Kozhikode → Vythiri
- ₹45–₹55 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Tourist taxis are the most convenient; they can be booked at the airport, railway station or hotels. Buses run to Kalpetta, Sultan Bathery and Ooty.
See and do
Known for
- Banasura Dam
- Pookode Lake
- Coffee & tea plantations
- Horse‑riding at Veterinary University
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Banasura Dam | Taxi from Vythiri, about 15 km (9.3 mi)Taxi from Vythiri, about 9.3 mi (15 km) | ≈30 min |
| Pookode Lake | Taxi or local bus, 3 km (1.9 mi) southTaxi or local bus, 1.9 mi (3 km) south | ≈15 min |
| Lakkidi Viewpoint | Taxi, 10 km (6.2 mi) via ghat roadTaxi, 6.2 mi (10 km) via ghat road | ≈25 min |
Sleep
- Annapara Home Stay
- Doubles ₹4,500
- Jungle Park Resorts
- ₹3,500–₹8,000
- Windflower Resorts & Spa
- ₹18,000
- Winter Valley Hotel
- ₹1,300
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | क्षमിക്കണംkshamikkana |
| Thank you | നന്ദിnandi |
| How much is this? | ഇത് എത്രയാണ്?ith ethraanu? |
| Where is the bus stop? | ബസ് സ്റ്റോപ്പ് എവിടെയാണ്?bus stop evideya? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Namaste (palms together) or a handshake between men; wait for a woman to offer her hand; avoid: Hugging or kissing strangers
- Hands and feet: Give and eat with the right hand; apologise if your foot touches someone; avoid: Pointing feet at people or shrines; touching books or food with your feet
- Temples: Shoes off, walk clockwise around shrines, accept prasad (blessed food) with the right hand; avoid: Leather in Jain temples; entering sanctums that say Hindus only
- Home visit: Bring sweets or fruit; accept tea at least once; avoid: Refusing all food; wearing shoes inside
- Questions: Expect personal questions (married? job? salary?) as friendliness; avoid: Taking offence; answer vaguely if you prefer
- Saying no: A firm, polite 'nahi, dhanyavaad' (no, thank you) and keep walking; avoid: Long explanations to touts
- Dress: Loose clothes covering shoulders and knees; kurta tops are cheap and cool; avoid: Swimwear or shorts away from Goa beaches
Scams and watch-outs
- The final 9‑hair‑pin ghat road can cause motion sickness; carry medication.
- Bus fares from Kozhikode to Vythiri are ₹45‑₹55 (check latest rates).
Vythiri is low‑risk; main concerns are road safety on the ghat and occasional rain‑related landslides.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Vythiri yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Banasura Dam
- Pookode Lake
- Coffee & tea plantations
- Horse‑riding at Veterinary University
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata Vythiri: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Vythiri, revision 5290092 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5290092
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/vythiri). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.