Kerala and Maharashtra make a magnetic pairing: riverine landscapes and spice-laden cuisine segue into pilgrim routes and vineyard sunsets. Begin in Tirur, a Malabar town steeped in language, poetry, and riverside rituals, then arc north to Trimbakeshwar—one of India’s twelve Jyotirlingas—before exploring Nashik’s caves and wineries. This 5-day itinerary blends backwaters and temple bells with tea, toddy, and fine Indian wine.

History hums everywhere. Tirur preserves the legacy of Thunchaththu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan, father of modern Malayalam, while nearby Thirunavaya hosted the famed Mamankam festivals on the Bharathapuzha riverbank. Trimbakeshwar sits under the green folds of the Western Ghats, where the Godavari River rises at Brahmagiri; Nashik’s ancient caves and Panchavati temples trace the epic route of the Ramayana.

Practical notes: dress modestly for temples (men may require dhotis for special rites at Trimbakeshwar), carry cash for small eateries, and remember monsoon months (June–September) can bring heavy rain and lush scenery. For flights and trains, book early during festival seasons and weekends for the best schedules and fares.

Tirur

Tirur is Kerala in miniature—poetry parks, palm-fringed river bends, and easy access to serene estuaries. Explore Thunchan Parambu (a leafy memorial and cultural center), the historic Navamukunda Temple at nearby Thirunavaya, and coastal stretches like Padinjarekkara where the Bharathapuzha meets the Arabian Sea.

• Top sights: Thunchan Parambu; Thirunavaya Navamukunda Temple; Padinjarekkara Beach; Kadalundi–Vallikunnu bird sanctuary (seasonal migratory flocks).
• Local flavor: Malabar biryani, kallummakkaya (mussels fry), pathiri, and sweet banana chips from old-school bakeries.

Where to stay: Tirur has simple business hotels and homestays; many travelers also base in Kozhikode (Calicut) for wider choices. Browse stays on VRBO Tirur or Hotels.com Tirur. For a larger hotel pool nearby: VRBO Kozhikode or Hotels.com Kozhikode.

Getting there: Fly into Kozhikode (CCJ), 1–1.5 hours by road from Tirur. Compare fares on Kiwi.com or Trip.com. Kerala’s coastal trains are frequent—check times on Trip.com Trains.

Where to eat (local favorites): In and around Tirur/Kottakkal, try Salkara (Kottakkal; classic Malabar biryani, chicken 65, flaky pathiri). If you venture 1–1.5 hours to Kozhikode: Paragon (iconic biryani and seafood), Zain’s Hotel (home-style Malabar), and Rahmath (beef fry, banana fry)—all stalwarts as of 2025.

Trimbakeshwar (Nashik)

Trimbakeshwar is a pilgrimage powerhouse, home to a revered Shiva Jyotirlinga and stone-carved courtyards perfumed with incense. The surrounding Sahyadris cradle the Godavari’s source, with steps up Brahmagiri and the myth-rich Anjaneri hills nearby.

• Top sights: Trimbakeshwar Temple; Brahmagiri trail to the Godavari origin; Anjaneri Fort; Nashik’s Pandavleni Caves; Panchavati temples and ghats.
• Wine country: Nashik’s Sula, York, and Soma vineyards offer tours, tastings, and vineyard-side dining with golden-hour views over Gangapur Lake.

Where to stay: Trimbak has pilgrim lodges; most travelers prefer Nashik (30–40 min) for comfort and amenities. Browse VRBO Trimbakeshwar, Hotels.com Trimbakeshwar, plus VRBO Nashik and Hotels.com Nashik.

Getting there: From Kerala, the fastest route is CCJ → Mumbai, then train or car to Nashik. Search flights on Trip.com or compare on Kiwi.com. Mumbai–Nashik trains take ~2–3 hours; see schedules via Trip.com Trains. A private car Mumbai–Trimbakeshwar is ~160–180 km, 3.5–4.5 hours depending on traffic.

Where to eat: In Nashik, book tastings and meals at Sula’s Tasting Room and Little Italy (sunset pizza and pasta pair well with crisp Sauvignon Blanc), York’s Cellar Door (Indian grills; try the Viognier), and local favorite Sadhana Chulivarchi Misal (wood-fired misal pav, a spicy Maharashtrian icon). For hearty vegetarian thali, Panchavati Gaurav is a dependable classic.

Day 1 — Arrive in Kozhikode (CCJ) and Settle into Tirur

Morning: Fly into Kozhikode/Calicut (CCJ). For fares and schedules, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com. A prepaid taxi to Tirur takes ~1–1.5 hours (≈₹1,800–2,500).

Afternoon: Check in via Hotels.com Tirur or VRBO Tirur. Stroll Thunchan Parambu, a peaceful grove honoring Ezhuthachan; see palm-leaf manuscripts and a pen crafted from iron stylus lore.

Evening: Drive to Thirunavaya for riverfront views at the Bharathapuzha ghats; time your visit for sunset. Dinner at Salkara (Kottakkal, ~30 min from Tirur): order Malabar chicken biryani, beef ularthiyathu, and ney pathiri; round it out with a tender banana fry.

Day 2 — Kerala Backwaters Day (Alleppey Houseboat)

Morning: Catch an early coastal express from Tirur to Alappuzha/Alleppey (≈4.5–5 hours; ₹250–₹800 depending on class). Check times on Trip.com Trains. A quick tuk-tuk takes you from the station to the Alleppey boat jetty.

Afternoon: Board a traditional kettuvallam for a slow cruise past paddy fields and coconut groves—the scene Kerala is famous for. Lunch is typically a homestyle spread (karimeen pearl-spot fish, cabbage thoran, sambar, and red rice). Book this well-rated option departing from Kochi/Alleppey:

Kochi Private Tour: Kerala Backwater Houseboat Day Cruise in Aleppey

Evening: Return by train to Tirur (aim for an early evening departure from Alleppey). Light supper—look for a thattukada (street cart) for egg roast with porotta or a simple veg curry with appam.

Alternative if you prefer to stay closer: Visit the Kadalundi–Vallikunnu estuary (≈1 hour from Tirur) for birding from November–March, then unwind at Vallikunnu Beach; cap with dinner in Kozhikode at Paragon or Zain’s.

Day 3 — Fly to Mumbai, Onward to Nashik/Trimbakeshwar

Morning: Transfer to Kozhikode (CCJ). Take a morning flight to Mumbai (≈1h50; typical fares $40–$120). Search on Trip.com or compare via Kiwi.com.

Afternoon: From Mumbai, take a fast train to Nashik Road (≈2–3 hours; ₹150–₹1,100 depending on class) via Trip.com Trains, or a private car to Trimbakeshwar/Nashik (3.5–4.5 hours; ₹4,000–₹6,000). Check in: browse Hotels.com Nashik or stay near the temple via Hotels.com Trimbakeshwar.

Evening: Head to Sula Vineyards for a golden-hour tasting overlooking Gangapur Lake. Book dinner at Little Italy at Sula (wood-fired pizzas, arancini, and bruschetta pairings) or try York Winery’s Cellar Door kitchen for Indian grills and a glass of their crisp Chenin Blanc.

Day 4 — Trimbakeshwar Darshan, Brahmagiri, and Old Nashik

Morning: Arrive at Trimbakeshwar Temple by 5:30–6:00 am for crowd-free darshan. For special abhishek/kaal-sarpa pujas, ask onsite about attire (men may be requested to wear a dhoti and go bare-chested; women in saris/salwar). Keep valuables minimal and follow the no-photography rule inside.

Afternoon: Climb the Brahmagiri steps (allow 2–3 hours round trip) to see the Godavari’s origin springs and vast Sahyadri views. Hydrate, wear grippy shoes, and avoid the mid-day heat. Late lunch back in Nashik at Panchavati Gaurav (Rajasthani–Gujarati thali) or go full-tilt local with misal pav at Sadhana Chulivarchi Misal.

Evening: Explore Nashik’s Panchavati: Ramkund ghats, Kalaram Temple’s black-stone sanctum, and Sita Gufa’s narrow cave shrine. If you prefer a quieter evening, watch sunset from York Winery lawns and linger over a tasting flight.

Day 5 — Caves and Coins, Then Depart

Morning: Visit Pandavleni (Pandu Leni) Caves, a set of ancient Buddhist rock-cut caves (3rd c. BCE–10th c. CE) with inscriptions and meditative chambers. Coffee at the Sula Tasting Room or a city café before a vineyard-side early lunch.

Afternoon: If time permits, stop at the Indian Institute of Research in Numismatic Studies (Coin Museum) near Anjaneri for India’s monetary history in miniature. Depart to Mumbai by train (≈2–3 hours) or car (≈3.5–4.5 hours), then connect to your onward flight via Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: Flight home. If staying an extra night, consider a chef’s tasting at The Source at Sula or a relaxed riverside dinner in town before your departure next morning.

In five concise days you’ll trace the arcs of two great rivers—Bharathapuzha and Godavari—while tasting the spectrum of South and West India, from Malabar spice to Maharashtrian misal and modern Indian wines. Expect thoughtful temples, green hills, and backwaters that drift at the pace of a poem.