Dimapur to Kozhikode Flights

  About Dimapur

A fast-growing and flourishing city in Nagaland that is certainly worth exploring is Dimapur. It is not the most popular tourist spot, but you won't regret taking a trip here. From resting by the Dhansiri River to exploring the 10th-century Kachari Ruins, there is quite a lot that you can do in this city. Since the city is only used in transit because of its airport, even just a day is enough for you to get around the city. The Triple Falls, located in Seithekima village, is a sight for sore eyes. You can also visit the Kachari Ruins that was created by the Dimasa Kachari Kingdom of Dimapur. You can also shop for handmade products that are made by the Naga tribes. Dimapur is the perfect destination if you want to enjoy some alone time with nature. If you are planning a backpacking trip across North-East India, it is highly recommended that you add Dimapur to your list.

Best Time to Visit Dimapur

Since Dimapur is surrounded by hills, the weather is quite moderate throughout the year. However, October to June is considered to be the best time to visit Dimapur. October to March are also suitable months to plan a trip to Dimapur. You can book a hotel in Dimapur that has a view or even a decent homestay. You will find several homestays and good flight deals to Dimapur, too. The people are quite friendly and will make sure that you have a wonderful vacation.

October to March is when the city experiences winter. The temperature ranges from 13 to 18 degree Celsius. The climate is very soothing and pleasant during this time, which makes it a suitable time to plan a trip here. The view of the hills and the waterfalls during this season will leave you mesmerised. The summer is from March to June. The maximum temperature reaches 38 degree Celsius. The weather remains pleasant even during summer and also makes for a decent time to be in the city.

Dimapur experiences heavy rainfall from July to September, making it a less favourable time to plan a trip here. Since it is offseason and a lot of activities that you can otherwise do remain closed, you might get cheap flight tickets to Dimapur. However, you can sit at a cafe or in your hotel room and admire the beautiful city post the downpour.

Places to Visit in Dimapur

The Triple Falls is one of the highly recommended places in Dimapur. It's an apt sightseeing spot, especially if you are a fan of waterfalls. You get to see three waterfalls rush and converge down at the same spot. The waterfalls are maintained by the Government of Nagaland and are a major tourist attraction here. Whenever you are in Dimapur, you must certainly visit the Triple Falls. This is also a trekking point for all you adventure and nature lovers out there.

If it is archaeology and history that has your attention, do visit the Kachari Ruins. According to beliefs, these monoliths shaped like mushrooms were created by the Kachari Kingdom in the 13th century. Though a lot of it is ruined, the ones that still stand erect make for a breathtaking view. The interesting part about the ruins is that no one knows about the purpose and origin of the pillars. This is also an apt place to take lots of pictures. Visit the beautiful Chumukedima Village to enjoy its tranquillity and the magnificent waterfalls near the village. You can book a hotel in Dimapur that is around Chumukedima village.

Dimapur also has a Zoological Park which is touted to be one of the best places to go to in the city. The Rangapahar Reserve Forest is another popular tourist attraction for sightseeing. Not only will you spot animals like bears, deers, wild goats and so on, but you will also find medicinal plants in the forest. It is advisable to hire a tour guide when you plan to visit the forest. You can also visit the Intanki Wildlife Sanctuary. The Shiva Temple in Dimapur also has religious significance. It is believed that the village was built in 1961 by the villagers. You can also visit the Nagaland Science Centre, which is one of a kind. It is quite a unique experience, and if you are travelling with your kids, they will definitely love it.

Things to do in Dimapur

If you are in the city in December, do visit the Hornbill Festival that is organised by the Government of Nagaland. Since the state has a lot of different tribes living together, the government organises the festival to get the different tribes to interact with each other and promote their culture further. Make sure you also visit the Museums in the city to know more about Nagaland's culture and the tribes that reside there. The wildlife photographer in you will love the visits to the wildlife sanctuaries.

Go for a trek at the Triple Falls or any other waterfall of your choice. It will undoubtedly be an experience of a lifetime. You can even try out waterfall rappelling at Amsoi. Make sure you listen to all the safety protocols, too. Take a Nagaland Rural Experience tour. Get to know more about the lifestyle of the people of Nagaland. You can also participate in the festivals and be a part of the celebrations. Go shopping at the Hong Kong Market or any other shopping markets for that matter. This is like a paradise for all shopaholics. You will get foreign goods here that are imported from Thailand and Myanmar, at a cheaper rate. If it is souvenirs that you are looking for during your shopping spree, you will find a lot of those, too.

You will also find a lot of packages and readymade itineraries online if you are unsure about how to plan the trip. There are quite a few adventurous outdoor activities, too, for nature lovers and adventure seekers but you will have to make sure that you pick the right season for it. Monsoon might stop you from venturing out and trying out a lot of activities that you would have tried otherwise.

Food and Restaurants in Dimapur

The ILI-AH Restaurant is a place you must go to for delicious food and relaxing, long conversations over the meal. It is known for its pork sizzlers with mashed potatoes. Not only will your taste buds be satiated but you will also feel rejuvenated, thanks to the scenic view. Tibetan Canteen is a favourite joint among people in Hong Kong Market. You can stop by here after your shopping spree. There aren't too many items on the menu, but you'll enjoy whatever it is that you do order from the menu. Beef Dimsums and Thukpa are highly recommended dishes here.

Rusoki's Kitchen is a fancy restaurant that serves a fusion of Naga and oriental cuisine. The seafood here is also highly recommended. You can sit inside comfortably or choose the outdoor seating. Ruby's Cafe is a cosy and small cafe for you to hang out for some time and chill. You can order something from the resort's bakery or beverages of your choice. Zephyr Lounge restaurant serves South-East Asian cuisines, and you'll get the best Thai or Korean food at this restaurant.

How to reach Dimapur (Transportation)

By Air

There is only one airport in Nagaland, and it is located in Dimapur. Due to a lack of dedicated runway and airlines, the flight connectivity from Dimapur is limited to Guwahati and Kolkata. The nearest international airport is in Guwahati. The international routes to Dimapur for tourists travelling from different countries connect from Guwahati. The domestic routes from Dimapur are also quite limited to Kolkata, Guwahati, Dibrugarh and Imphal. If you book in advance, you might even get cheap flight tickets to Dimapur or a good flight deal online that is combined with hotel accommodation.

By Rail

Dimapur is also the only city that is well-connected to other major cities from Dimapur Railway Station, in Nagaland. Though travelling by air can get a little bit tedious because of the poor connectivity, it is a convenient option. Taking a train will be a treat to your eyes, courtesy the beautiful view outside till you reach Dimapur station. The trains run quite frequently from these cities. As an important city in Nagaland, Dimapur is the centre for all kinds of transport connection from air to rail. However, travelling within the state will not be that big a problem since transport is easily available to reach the nearby cities within the state.

By Road

It is easier to reach Dimapur by road from neighbouring North Indian states. You can either opt for the bus services or hire a private taxi. The National Highway 39 is a popular route to Dimapur that connects from Kohima and Imphal. A road trip from any one of these cities is also not that bad an option. Of course, you will have to be quite careful and mindful of the roads if you travel during monsoon.

  About Kozhikode

Formerly known as Calicut, the city of Kozhikode is one of the major commercial cities in the Kerala state. After Kochi, Kozhikode is the second biggest commercial capital of Kerala with its extensive overseas businesses. Over the years, Kozhikode has been transformed into a modern city with traces of its traditional culture still intact. It is a proper city with quaint cafes, malls, and more importantly, a hub to some of the biggest educational institutions in India. From Indian Institute of Management (IIM) to National Institute of Technology, Kozhikode has illustrious colleges and universities.

The city is entirely developed with an international airport in place. Although it is located a little away from the city centre, the airport has a plethora of Indian and international airlines providing services. The flight connectivity to and from Kozhikode is excellent, making it one of the best in the country. It also caters to overseas flying.

Best time to visit Kozhikode

Kozhikode enjoys tropical weather, much like the rest of Kerala. The summers are scorching and the winters sublime. While the beaches look beautiful during summers as the blue waters taunt back, the winter season is the best time to visit Kozhikode. During winters, the temperature in Kozhikode drops to 14 degree Celsius, making it exceptionally tourist-friendly. You can pick up your swimming trunks and head straight to the waters without having to worry about heat strokes and dehydration. October to February is winter for Kozhikode and also the peak season. Beyond this, you will be roasted as the summer heats would be too much to handle.

As a tropical city, humidity is in the air, and it only rises exponentially during summers. In fact, the temperatures soar to 37 degree Celsius. Venturing out under the summer sun in Kozhikode would be uncomfortable. The heat would further prevent you from exploring or sightseeing. Flight tickets to Kozhikode during summer would be cheap as it is off-season. Even accommodations would be affordable so if you do plan to take a trip, book yourself a luxury hotel in Kozhikode.

Places to visit in Kozhikode

Thikkoti Light House

As a coastal spot, there are many lighthouses in Kerala. Kozhikode also has a majestic lighthouse going by the name Thikkoti. Perched atop a small hill touching the Arabian Sea in the Thikkoti village, the lighthouse has been attracting tourists since its inception. The structure is at an elevated terrain which is said to be the remains of a shipwreck. The setting is so beautiful, especially from the top of the lighthouse.

Kozhikode Beach

Kozhikode Beach is one of the most popular and tourist's favourite. The beach's vibe is extremely relaxed and perfect for travellers who wish to unwind from the long day of sightseeing. The beach is known to offer a visual spectacle with the sky turning into various colours during sunset. Plus, it is only 1 km away from the railway station.

Beypore

Beypore is actually a shipbuilding port as well as a fishing harbour. One of the major reasons why you should add this to your list of places to visit in Kozhikode is because you will get to see how ships are built as well as get to see the busy fisherman head to the seas and return with delicious fish. Beypore is an important port in the West coast of India as not only does it build ships but is also essential for commercial purposes.

Thali Temple

The Thali Temple is another major tourist attraction in Kozhikode with pilgrims visiting to seek blessings from the deity. The temple is built to honour Lord Shiva, and a Shivalunga measuring about 2 ft is nestled perfectly within the premise. It is believed to be one of the oldest temples, and the sheer beauty lies in the simplicity with which it has been constructed.

Calicut Planetarium

Kozhikode has a Planetarium which will take you through some mysteries of the universe while you rest on a reclining chair. The place has a capacity of 250 visitors and is located close to the new bus stand. The Calicut Planetarium is always full with many visitors who are astronomy enthusiasts.

Things to do in Kozhikode

Drench yourself under the Kozhippara Falls

Located on the outskirts of Kakkadampoyli are the gorgeous Kozhippara Falls. Not only can you make a day of it as you hike through the trails, but you can also sit under the waterfall and relax.

Check out the Thusharagiri Falls

Nestled in the Western Ghats is the beautiful Thusharagiri waterfall. It is a little away from the main city, and you will have to trek towards the Lakkidi Ghat to reach the falls. It is quite the tourist spot in Kozhikode as many trekkers who would like to engage in outdoor activities. There are three waterfalls in the area which make quite the spectacle.

Hit the Sweet Street

There is a street in Kozhikode popular for the sweet savouries that they prepare. In fact, it is called Mithai Theravu, which translates to Sweet Street. It is actually one of the busiest streets in Kozhikode for all the right reasons. Pamper yourself with an array of delicious sweets and give yourself a sugar rush.

Watch shows at the Sargaalaya Kerala Arts

An art patron would be very much invested in the cultural heritage of Kerala. If you're one of them, then you should head to the Sargaalaya Kerala Arts which is an initiative undertaken by the Department of Tourism to promote and preserve the affluent art and culture of the state. While you're here, d check out the gorgeous backwaters that play a perfect setting for the place.

Food and Restaurants in Kozhikode

Kozhikode's food culture is a melange of Arab flavours interspersed with Indian culinary. It is known to be a foodie's hub as everyone here is enthused by the art of cooking with an acumen for exemplary cooking. The city has a unique take on culinary which is famously known as Mapilla cuisine with fish as the staple meat. The city is a foodie's paradise, and the more you try to explore, the more you'll be lost in the blissful flavours. Even though Kochi is known to have a thriving culinary scene, it is Kozhikode's flavourful food that takes the cake. You will be amazed by the exquisite food culture of the city.

Kozhikode's Paragon restaurant in Kannur Road is a haven for a biryani aficionado. The subtle mix of spices will leave you in a happy daze. Not to mention the Sulaimani tea that will go perfectly with the food. At Sagar restaurant sells delicious fish curry with pathiri which should definitely be tried. Then you have Zain's Hotel, a hotel run by women who have perfected the Mapilla cuisine. The Bombay Hotel in Silk Street also has some fantastic snacky fast food that will go down well with you. To indulge in something savoury, you can head to Maharaja Sweets where you'll find some exciting desserts like sticky halwa made from flour, jaggery and coconut oil.

How to reach Kozhikode (Transportation)

By Air

Kozhikode's airport has tremendously good connectivity with domestic cities as well as international destinations. Karipur airport, famously known as Calicut International Airport is about 23 km away from the city centre but has great internal network. There are numerous flights to and from Kozhikode flying to major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kochi, Hyderabad and more. The best part about Kozhikode airport is that it also caters to international flights. The city's airport serves flights to Middle Eastern countries as there are international routes from Kozhikode that connect the city to foreign countries. With such impeccable flight connectivity to Kozhikode, travelling to the city is quite comfortable and convenient. You can book your flights to Kozhikode online and get some great flight deals in the process.

By Rail

Kozhikode also has its own railway station which connects the city to various states and metropolitans. You can find trains going to Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mangalore, Kochi and more. A plethora of express trains and mails are available, some that cross the city and others with Kozhikode as the last stop. The station is also within the city limits, making travelling tad bit more manageable. You can easily travel within the city as there are transport facilities available right outside the Kozhikode station. In fact, you can book a hotel in Kozhikode which is in the proximity of the railway station. Some affordable hotel rooms are available near the railway station.

By Road

The road connectivity to and from Kozhikode to other major cities is also impressive. The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation have private as well as government-run buses which connect the city to Mangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore, Bangalore, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and more. The big concern that comes from road transport is extensive travel hours. You will end up investing a lot of time on a bus when travelling from Kozhikode to other cities. However, some buses run in the day as well as night so you can pick a convenient option.

  About Calicut Airport

The Calicut International Airport, which is also acknowledged as Karipur airport, serves the Kozhikode and Malappuram districts in the state of Kerala. The international airport enables flight connectivity to the Malabar region of Kerala. The Calicut International Airport is 25 km from the town of Malappuram and about 26 km from Kozhikode. The airport is recognised as the 11th busiest airport in the country, concerning overall passenger traffic. It is also known to be the third busiest airport in the state of Kerala, following Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi. The Calicut International Airport received its international airport stature in 2006. The airport is also known to be the only airport in Kerala with a tabletop runway. There are only three tabletop runway in India after the Calicut Airport - Lengpui Airport and Mangalore Airport. The Calicut Airport serves as the base for Air India Express which has services of the Hajj Pilgrimage, flying to Jeddah and Medina from Kozhikode. The airport also serves as a focus city to airlines such as Air India, Indigo and SpiceJet.

About Calicut Airport Terminals

The Kozhikode Calicut International Airport has two passenger terminals supporting international and domestic airlines. One terminal is dedicated to domestic airlines that offer regional flights to travel within the country. The terminal is a single level which takes care of the arrivals as well as departures of passengers. It also caters to Air India Express, which operates from the airport. The departure and arrivals space in the domestic terminal has restaurants, shops, executive and VIP lounges and other services too. Meanwhile, the terminal also has nine check-in counters, six customs counters, 12 immigration counters and five security booths. The international terminal has two levels. The ground level is reserved for the arrival and departure halls. The space also caters to a bunch of amenities including, cafes, restaurants, shops, duty-free establishments and more. The first floor of the international terminal comes with a port lounge and a VIP lounge. The port lounge is basically for the economy class while the VIP one is reserved for the first-class ticket holders. There are about 23 check-in counters, 42 immigration booths, five customs counters and three security checks.

About airport authority

The Airport Authority of India, famous known by its abbreviation AAI, owns and serves the Calicut International Airport. AAI has worked tremendously on bettering the Calicut International Airport and has managed to put it on the map of busy airports in India. Thanks to the statutory body's intervention helped bring back some international airlines to the airport, including services of the Boeing 777-200LR and Boeing 777-300ER. Over the years, the airport has witnessed tremendous development and expansion.

Top airlines flying from Calicut Airport

Calicut International Airport has good connectivity to some of the cities in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Majorly, the Calicut airport has airlines operating to reach domestic cities such as Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai, as metro stations. Aside from these, cities such as Kannur, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Agatti see flights from the Calicut International Airport. There are a few domestic and international airlines that fly from the airport. Airlines such as Air India, Alliance Air, IndiGo and SpiceJet, operate from the Calicut International Airport. Some of these domestic airlines also have international journeys on their calendar. Air India's Air India Express has flights to cities in Kerala as well as international cities such as Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai, Kuwait, Sharjah, Riyadh and more.

International airlines that fly from the Calicut International Airport include Air Arabia, Air India Express, Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, Flynas, Gulf Air, Jazeera Airways, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, SalamAir and Saudia. A majority of airports in the state of Kerala have direct flights to Middle Eastern countries. Since a lot of demand is prevalent for Middle Eastern cities in Kerala, airlines from the said countries operate from Kerala as well. Air India Express specifically has an operating base with services to Medina and Jeddah from the Calicut International Airport. The cities host the Hajj Pilgrimage and hence, see a lot of demand from pilgrims during the holy seasons.

Facilities at the Calicut Airport

WiFi - The airport terminal has an excellent WiFi connection. You can find details of the same at the check-in counter. The airport's domestic and international terminals both have a good connection. A domestic phone number would be required to log in to the WiFi network. They are available for free.

Special assistance - The Calicut International Airport also caters to services for personal assistance, especially for senior citizens, expectant mothers and physically disabled passengers. There is specific special assistance that you can acquire at the information desk. Informing the airlines about the special requests for wheelchairs or personal assistance can be demanded as well. Each airline has skilled professionals who are trained for these services.

ATMs and forex - There are ATM kiosks and foreign exchange booths present at regular intervals at the airport. To ensure that required liquid currency can be accessed, the airport has brought about a good number of ATM kiosks and currency exchange booths. They are available at the departure and arrival zones of international and domestic terminals.

Prayer rooms - Multi-faith rooms to observe prayers have also been made available at the airport. The Calicut Airport has dedicated rooms that are available at both, departure and arrival terminals. The rooms can also be used for meditation purposes. There are religious books of multi-faith available in the room as well.

Post office - The good part about the airport is how they have postal services as well. In case there is a sudden necessity to post a letter or important documents, it can be arranged at the airport. They are available close to the domestic and international terminals.

Baggage - The airport has several services pertaining to baggage. There are trolley services available at the Calicut International Airport. They can be found at regular intervals outside and within the airport premise. You can find them at the international and domestic terminals.

Restaurants and cafes - There are many restaurants and cafes present at the airport complex. You can find some of the food establishments at the arrival and departure zones. Plus, there are some quick snacks and beverages joints available at the check-in areas too. There are dedicated food courts and also decent restaurants that can be found in the lounge area.

Internet cafes - In case you need to send important emails or work on some projects at the airport, there is an internet cafe installed at the airport. Even though the WiFi services are available, you can get hold of a computer system at the airport and work on professional projects.

Lounges - The airport provides lounge services as well. Since it is an international airport, there are VIP lounges as well as premium lounge authorised by AAI. Some of the lounge services have spas, showers, hotel rooms for in-transit passengers, upscale restaurants and great hospitality.

How to reach Calicut Airport

Rail

The closest railway station is the Feroke railway station from the Calicut Airport. The station is about 18 km away from the airport and is connected to many important cities close to Kozhikode. Meanwhile, the Kozhikode Railway Station, located about 28 km away from the Calicut Airport, is also well-connected. The station is connected to various major Indian cities as well as within Kerala. There are taxi cabs and bus services available from the railway station to the airport. In case you are travelling from within the state and need to reach Calicut Airport, the best route would be to opt for the Kozhikode Railway Station.

The state also has buses operated by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation, to help with connection to the airport. They service FlyBus, which is a low-floor AC bus that shuttles between the main city of Kozhikode and the airport. The bus is a perfect mode of transport to use if you have to reach Calicut International Airport. These services are cheap and perfect for budget travellers who need to save money. Plus, they are quite convenient too. You can find these buses in Kozhikode, Palakkad, Malappuram, to name a few cities. The Calicut International Airport is situated on the National Highway 966 and is further joined by National Highway 66 at Ramanattukara. Both the national highways are located at a distance of 2.3 km and 8 km from the airport. The highways further connect Calicut International Airport to Kozhikode, Malappuram. Wayanad, Coimbatore, Kannur, Thrissur and Palakkad.

About Calicut

Calicut or Kozhikode, is a principal town and the second largest urban agglomeration in the state of Kerala, after Kochi. The city is the 20th largest populated in India with a population of 2 million, as recorded in the 2011 census. Kozhikode's fame comes from its plethora of spice industry. The city is also known as the City of Spices as it catered as an important trading point for Indian spices. Kozhikode or Calicut is recognised as the second-best city to reside in India with respect to the economics research as conducted by the firm Indicus Analytics in 2009. They have accumulated data on residences, investments and earnings to form the ranking. Predominantly, the city features a tropical monsoon climate and witnesses two periods of showers in a year.