Embark on a journey to Wayanad, a verdant gem nestled within the Western Ghats of Kerala. With its mix of paddy fields, aromatic spice plantations, and dense forests, the list of things to do in Wayanad is endless. From treading its mist-laden trails to diving deep into its tribal heritage and exploring ancient caves, this destination offers a captivating blend of nature and traditional Kerala life. Travellers often visit Wayanad from Bangalore by booking a reliable chauffeur driven cab.
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Things to do in Wayanad
With hills and valleys, forests and trails, sanctuaries and waterbodies, there are endless options for all kinds of adventures in Wayanad. You can include these (but not limited to) adventures in your travel itinerary.
- Take a tour of the Wayanad Heritage Museum. The local museum preserves archaeological ruins and artifacts of Neolithic era and documents the history of the natives and their cultures.
- Head to the Phantom Rock for walks, treks, or photo opportunities. The natural metamorphic rock formation is a popular vantage point that offers great views of the surrounding hills and valleys.
- Take the popular trek route to Chembra Peak. The highest peak of the region, the misty peak is famous for breathtaking views of the Nilgiris and misty valleys. The 4.5KM trek starts at the heart-shaped lake at the base, and passes through rugged terrain and wooded trails.
- Go for a birding tour to Pakshipathalam Bird Sanctuary. A bird watcher’s and nature lover’s paradise, the sanctuary is known for housing a huge number of birds of various endemic and migratory species. You can also find a host of plant varieties and some ancient rock-cut caves here.
Places to visit in Wayanad
With plenty of natural bounties and man-made wonders, there’s no shortage of Wayanad tourist places. These are some of the best Wayanad tourist spots and attractions.
Pookode Lake
- How to Reach – The lake area sits at 20KM from the town. You can take the local bus, auto, or book a cab to reach there.
- Timings – 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Entry Fee–
- INR 20 per person for Adults
- INR 10 per person for Children (5-12 yrs)
- INR 20 for Still Camera
- INR 150 for Video Camera
- INR 100 for 2 seat Pedal Boat
- INR 200 for 4 seat Pedal Boat
- INR 350 for Row Boat
- Time Required – 1-2 Hours
Edakkal Caves
- How to Reach – The ancient caves sit at 17KM from the town. You can take the local bus, book a cab or rent a local car to reach.
- Timings – 9.30 AM-4.00 PM
- Entry Fee –
- INR 20 per person for Indians
- INR 40 per person for Foreign Tourists
- INR 25 for Still Camera
- INR 100 for Video Camera
- INR 70 for Jeep Shuttle Service (for 8 people)
- Time Required – 2-3 Hours
Banasura Sagar Dam
- How to Reach – The dam area is 28KM from the town. You can take the local bus or book a cab for half-day to travel and explore the area.
- Timings – 6:00 AM- 6:00 PM,
- Entry Fee –
- INR 10 per person
- INR 450 for 5 persons for speed boating charge
- INR 10 Parking charges per vehicle
- INR 20 for Still Camera
- Time Required – 2-3 Hours
Kuruvadweep Island
- How to Reach – The river island is located at 30KM from the town. You can book a cab for the day to travel and explore the area.
- Timings – 9.30 AM-4.00 PM
- Entry Fee –
- INR 80 per person for Indians
- INR 150 per person for Foreign Tourists
- INR 50 for Still Camera
- INR 10 Parking fee for 2 wheeler
- INR 30 Parking fee for Auto
- INR 50 Parking fee for Car / Jeep
- INR 80 Parking fee for Bus / Mini bus
- Time Required – 3-4 Hours
E3 Theme Park
- How to Reach – The recreational park is located at 22KM from the town. You can book a cab or rent a local car for the day to travel
- Timings – 9 AM-5.30 PM
- Entry Fee –
- Adults (12 – 59 yrs): INR 1200
- Kids (4 – 12 yrs) – INR 1000
- Sr. Citizen (60 yrs and above) – INR 1000
- Time Required – 4-5 Hours
Places to visit near Wayanad
Apart from the popular attractions in Wayanad town, you can also explore other interesting tourist places near Wayanad. Include these destinations in your sightseeing in Wayanad. Most of these places in Wayanad can be covered in one day.
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
- How to Reach – The wildlife sanctuary lies at 31KM from the town. You can book a cab or rent a local car for the day to travel and explore the area.
- Timings – 7AM – 10AM, 3PM – 5PM
- Entry Fee –
- INR 20 per person for Indian Adults
- INR 10 per person for Children below 12 years and bonafide students
- INR 110 per person for Foreign Tourists
- INR 25 for Still Camera
- INR 150 for Video Camera
- INR 50 Parking fee for Light Vehicle
- INR 150 Parking fee for Heavy Vehicle
- INR 100 Guide fee
- INR 300 for Jeep Safari
- Time Required – 3-4 Hours
Nagarhole National Park
- How to Reach – The natural reserve is located on Mysore-Madikeri Road, 63KM from the town. You can rent a car or book a cab for the day to travel and explore the forests.
- Timings – 6.45AM-8.45AM, 4PM-6PM
- Entry Fee –
- INR 150 per person for Indians
- INR 1500 per person for Foreigners
- INR 200 for Still Camera
- Time Required – All-day
Banasuramala Meenmutty Waterfall
- How to Reach – The waterfall is located at 30KM from the town. You can take the local bus or book a cab to the main entrance of the lake. From there you have to trek for 2KM through the wooded areas to reach the base of the falls.
- Timings – 9 AM-5.30 PM
- Entry Fee –
- INR 30 per person for Adults
- INR 15 per person for Children
- INR 60 per person for Foreign Tourists
- INR 75 for Still Camera
- Time Required – 2-3 Hours
Soochipara Waterfalls
- How to Reach – The waterfalls are at 35KM from the town. You can hire a cab to reach the entry point or take the local bus to reach a point near the falls. From there, you have to trek for 2 KM to reach the base of the falls. You can also book a private car to drive all the way to the waterfall.
- Timings – 9 AM-5 PM
- Entry Fee – Free
- Time Required – 1-2 Hours
Thirunelli Temple
- How to Reach – The famous temple sits in Thirunelli district, 47KM from the town. You can book a cab for the day to travel and explore.
- Timings – 9.30 AM-4.30 PM
- Entry Fee – Free
- Time Required – 1-2 Hours
Places to eat in Wayanad
Through quintessentially Malabari, Wayanad’s food has a touch of colonial flavours and a lot of contemporary fusion, owing to its huge influx of tourist population. Explore some of these best-rated Wayanad restaurants –
- 1980’s A Nostalgic Restaurant
- Wilton Hotel & Restaurant
- Jubilee Restaurant
- WMO Qatar Bakery & Restaurant
- Thoufeeque Hotel & Restaurant
- Café Rider’s Lounge
How to Plan a Trip to Wayanad
How to Reach Wayanad
By Train
There is no railway station in Wayanad. The nearest junction is in Nilambur, 90KM away. The nearest major railhead is in Calicut, at 110KM. There are frequent trains to Calicut from all major towns of Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, and other Indian metro cities. From Nilambur or Calicut, you can book a cab to reach the place.
By Road
The hill station is well-connected to all major cities in South India by road like Bangalore, Mysore, Coimbatore, Kozhikode, Kochi, Thrissur etc. There are regular state-run and private buses from Kozhikode to Wayanad, Mysore to Wayanad, and similarly to Wayanad from Chennai, Coimbatore etc. However, the safest and the most convenient way to reach this hill station is by booking a cab from your nearest city.
By Flight
The nearest airport to the town is Calicut International Airport, at 93KM from the main town. You can travel from any other major city/town in India to Calicut. From there, you can book an airport taxi or rent a car to reach Wayanad.
Best time to Visit Wayanad
Tucked in the hills of Western Ghats, the weather is enjoyable and conducive all through the year. However, the rainy season from July to September can be dangerous to travel the steep terrain. Monsoons. Hence, the best time to visit is between October and April, when Wayanad temperature is very pleasant and you can explore the outdoors the most. If you want to enjoy the crispy and chilly winters, visit from December to February.
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About Wayanad
Wayanad is regarded as the most refreshing mountain destination in Kerala. An extension of the Mysore Plateau, Wayanad is the sole plateau region of Kerala. Nestled on the steep slopes of the Western Ghats, the altitude of Wayanad ranges from 700 to 1200 meters, with the highest point at Chembra Peak (2100 meters). The name ‘Wayanad’ is derived from ‘Vayal Naadu‘ (Malayalam) which translates to the land of paddy fields in English.
Wayanad is also the source of the Kabini River, a major tributary of Kaveri, and a significant part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The tranquil forested hamlet is surrounded by the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary on the east, the Ambukuthi Hills on the south, and flanked by the Vellarimala hills of Kozhikode and the Nilgiris of Tamil Nadu, creating an abundance of natural beauty all around.
What is it famous for?
The lush landscape, waterfalls, pleasant climate, and exotic flora and fauna, truly makes Wayanad a ‘green paradise’, while its illustrious history makes it a place worth discovering. The district along with the adjoining Chaliyar valley was once famous for goldfields and the 1800s saw a major gold rush in this region. Apart from that, historians have discovered evidence of human settlements in the town and its neighbouring districts for at least 10 centuries BC. There is evidence of the New Stone Age civilization as well.
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Places to stay in Wayanad
Like its scenic beauty and colorful local culture, your stay is also an essential part of the tour. The best hotels in Wayanad offer great accommodation, amazing views, and not to mention authentic local food. You can choose from a homestay to a tent to stay here. To make your vacation complete and memorable, find a stay at some of the best resorts in Wayanad.
Here are some of the best Wayanad resorts –
- Glendale Holiday Homes
- Hotel Saugandhika West Gate – Premium Luxury Hotel
- Le Coffee Resort
- Jungle Beats Resort
- KTDC Pepper Grove
- Karapuzha Village Resort
- DJ River Meadows
[Also Read: Varkala – A lesser-known gem of Kerala]
Tragic Landslides in Wayanad, Kerala: Helpline Numbers Released
Wayanad district in Kerala has been hit by catastrophic landslides following heavy rainfall, leading to the tragic loss of five lives, including two children. There are fears that hundreds might be trapped. The landslides have severely affected areas such as Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha, leaving them isolated. The ongoing heavy rain is hindering rescue operations, raising concerns about more individuals being trapped.
Wayanad Landslide Helpline Numbers
In response to the emergency, the Health Department has set up a control room and issued two helpline numbers: 9656938689 and 8086010833. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has announced the deployment of two Air Force helicopters to support search and rescue efforts. He emphasized that all government agencies are actively involved, and state ministers will be visiting Wayanad to supervise and coordinate rescue operations.
Rescue efforts are being meticulously planned to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness amidst challenging weather conditions.
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Last Updated on August 3, 2024 by Shabari Shankar
