The Athirapally Falls is indeed a sight to behold, especially in the monsoons. It is the largest waterfalls in Kerala, almost 1000-feet above sea level at a height of 25 m (82 feet) with 4 drops and 100 M (330 feet) wide. Many a Bollywood movie has been shot at this picture-perfect location. It is located about 70 kilometers from the city of Kochi. It joins the Chalakudy River after plunging down 80 ft from the top.
It's also called "The Niagara of India" because of its close resemblance to the Niagara Falls in the USA. For nature lovers, this place is God's gift. Forest wildlife in the area includes the Indian elephant, Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, gaur, sambar, and lion-tailed macaque. The unique 180 meters (590 ft) elevation riparian forest in the Athirapally -Vazhachal area is the only location where all four South Indian species of hornbills — the great hornbill (the state bird of Kerala), Malabar pied hornbill, Malabar grey hornbill, and the Indian grey hornbill are found living together.
Daily jungle safari trips are organized by Thrissur District Tourism Promotion Council with Athirappilly Destination Management Council from Chalakudy to Malakkappara.Plantations in the area contain teak, bamboo, and eucalyptus. Environmentalists claim that Athirappallyis a one-of its-kind riparian ecosystem in Kerala. V.S. Vijayan, Chairman of the Kerala State Biodiversity Board and former Director of the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Coimbatore, has been quoted in Down to Earth magazine as affirming that the Vazhachal forest division is the second most biodiverse area in the State.