Palakkad is where Kerala opens up. Through the great mountain pass known as the Palakkad Gap, winds sweep across golden paddy fields and rows of sugar palms, and the sky feels wider than anywhere else in the state. The old stone Palakkad Fort stands quietly in the heart of the town, the gardens and reservoir of Malampuzha Dam spread out below the hills, and in Kalpathy, ancient agraharam lanes still echo with temple bells. Higher up, mist settles over the orange and coffee estates of Nelliampathy, while Silent Valley and Parambikulam guard some of the oldest rainforest in the Western Ghats. This guide gathers the must-visit places in Palakkad, from heritage streets and dams to waterfalls and wildlife forests, each with a little of its own story. Read on, and let the next morning's journey begin here.
