Replete with waterfalls, historical caves, comfortable resorts, and homestays, Wayanad in Kerala is famous for its spice plantations and wildlife. Walking through the sprawling spice plantations, trekking to the pre-historic caves, and experiencing a resort holiday are some of the many things you can do to get a taste of Wayanad.
Wayanad is best known for the wildlife reserves - Wayanad wildlife reserve which is home to an exquisite variety of flora and fauna. Wayanad wildlife reserve is an integral part of the Nilgiri biosphere reserve peacefully located amidst the serene hills of Western Ghats. Wayanad homes a wide variety of wildlife like elephants, leopards, and bears. Wayanad is a perfect weekend idea from the cities of South India. If taking a road trip from Bangalore, you will drive through three national parks: Nagarhole, Bandipur, and Mudumalai.
Best Time To Visit :
The temperature in Wayanad remains more or less constant throughout the year, but the best time to visit Wayanad is between October and May. These months covers the winter and the beginning of the summer season. During the monsoons, the hill station receives the right amount of rainfall and the wet and humid weather might not be something tourists would be crazy for. So it is not always recommended except for those who wouldn't mind the rains only to be amidst the beautiful hill station covered with a green carpet of dense trees.
Places To Visit :
1. Banasura Sagar Dam :
Lying in the lap of the Banasura hills in the Wayanad district is the picturesque Banasura Sagar dam. Banasura Dam is the largest earthen dam in the country and the second-largest in Asia. The view of the sprawling reservoir from the top of the dam is breathtaking. Adventures like speed boating are readily available, and a trek up to the Banasura Peak is filled with streams, diverse flora, fauna, lush tropical green, and majestic waterfalls. An earthen dam, also known as an embankment dam is created by placing mounds of clay, sand, rock, or soil. The view of Banasura Lake from the top of the hill is mesmerizing.
Banasura Sagar Dam
2 . Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary :
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is the second largest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala and comprises rare as well as endangered species of both flora and fauna. It is surrounded by the protected areas of Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu as well as Nagarhole and Bandipur in Karnataka. Founded in the year 1973, the wildlife sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve which was the first biosphere out of the 14 present in India. The sanctuary is spread over an area of 345 square km and comprises of two parts namely Upper Wayanad and Lower Wayanad. Eucalyptus, as well as bamboo trees, are grown in the region.Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
3 . Chembra Peak :
Located close to Meppady and just 8 km south of Kalpetta, stands the highest peak of the Wayanad Hill Range- the Chembra Peak at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level. The Chembra peak offers a panoramic view of not only the entire Wayanad district but also a large chunk of Kozhikode, Malappuram and Niligiri districts. The peak, its surrounding lush greenery and the famed heart-shaped lake make it a paradise for travellers to explore.
Chembra Peak
4 . Edakkal Caves :
Famous for its exquisite rock and wall carvings, the pre-historic Edakkal Caves are two naturally occurring alcoves located in the Wayanad district of Kerala. The caves measure at a massive length and width of 96 and 22 feet respectively and lie 1200 metres above the sea level. Owing to its precarious location, one needs to trek for one and half hour (around 4000 ft) to hit the cave entrance, and another 45 minutes to reach the mouth of the cave. The Edakkal caves are of historical and archaeological significance as it has carvings that date back to the Neolithic era, the late Stone Age. The stonework in the interior of the cave is estimated to be as old as 5000 BC to 1000 BC.
Edakkal Caves
5 . Stay In A Treehouse :
One of the best things to do in Kerala is to stay in a treehouse. And there is no better place in the state than Wayanad. You can find several packages in the city where you can stay in the pretty wooden house and as part of the package, you can also enjoy a bonfire and indulge in activities like rock climbing, rappelling, nature walks etc.
Stay In A Treehouse
6 . Soochipara Falls :
Also known as Sentinel Rock Waterfalls, Soochipara Falls is a three-tiered waterfall situated in Vellarimala, Wayanad. Surrounded by deciduous, evergreen and montane forests, this waterfall is regarded as one of the best waterfalls. The drive from Meppadi to Sentinel Rock Waterfalls provides visitors with scenic views of some of the best tea estates in Wayanad.
This enchanting waterfall is 200 meters high that also offer a cliff face, ideal for rock climbing. Also, since the water falling from the waterfall forms a large pool, one can enjoy swimming and bathing in it. The water falling from Soochipara later joins Chulika River aka Chaliyar River after hills from Kerela and Tamil Nadu.
Soochipara Falls
How To Reach :
1 .By Flight :
Nearest airport to Wayanad is Calicut International airport (Kozhikode airport) located at a distance of 93 km from Wayanad. From here on, you can either hire a direct tax or a local bus to Wayanad.
2 . By Road :
Wayanad is well connected with the nearby cities of South India such as Bangalore, Coimbatore, and Kozhikode. You can catch a public bus, hire your own cab or self-drive to Wayanad.
3 . By Train :
Nearest railway station to Wayanad is Nilambur railway station in Kerala if you are travelling from the upper region of the country. It is situated at a distance of 90 km from Wayanad. The bigger railway station is the one in Kozhikode. It is located at a distance of 110 km. To cover the rest of the journey you can hire a can or catch a direct bus to Wayanad.
