PLACES IN WAYANAD

TOP TOURIST PLACES IN WAYANAD

Nestled cozily in the hills of the Western Ghats, Wayanad is a picturesque hill station in Kerala. The dewy land gets its name from two local words, ‘Vayal’ meaning ‘paddy field’ and ‘Naad’ meaning ‘land’ combining to form ‘Wayanad’ or ‘The Land of Paddy Fields’.

Set high on the Western Ghats, this popular destination is the only district in Kerala to share its border with Karnataka and Kerala; it is also the least populated district in the state. Wayanad is kerala’s one of the top tourist places in kerala.

This exquisite hill station is home to many attractions. The most frequented tourist places in Wayanad include the ancient ruins, mysterious caves, exotic wilderness and adventurous jungle trails. All of these exquisite treasures have been made even more appealing with the folklore’s surrounding them.

The District was carved out from the then Kozhikode and Kannur Districts. About 885.92.sq.km of area is under forest. The culture of Wayanad is mainly tribal oriented. Though considered as backward, this District is perhaps one of the biggest foreign exchange earners of the State, with its production of cash crops like pepper,cardamom, coffee, tea, spices and other condiments.

The main tourist attractions in wayanad are :

• Chembra Peak
• Neelimala
• Meenmutty Waterfalls
• Chethalayam
• Pakshipathalam
• Banasura Sagar Dam
• Lakkidi View Point
• Edakkal Caves
• Soochipara Waterfalls
• Pookot Lake
• Kuruvadweep
• Wayanad Wildife Sanctuary
• Kanthanpara Waterfalls
• Vythiri
• Jain Temple

CHEMBRA PEAK

Chembra Peak

Photo Credit : keralatravelhub

Tourist places in wayanad are plenty and Chembra Peak is a noted one among them. At above the sea level, it is the highest peak in Wayanad making it a ideal trekking destination surrounded by lush green tea plantations. A Prominent fact to note here is that you require permission from the Forest Office in Meppadi if you wish to drift up the peak.

A heart shaped lake called Hridayasarasu close to the peak serves as the ideal viewpoint. It is said that this lake has never dried up. It offers great views of the entire district and the hills outside Wayanad.

NEELIMALA

Neelimala

Photo Credit : keralatourism

Neelima Viewpoint has a blinding view of the Meenmutty falls and valleys nearby it. From the point, tourists can see the milky

streams gushing through the walk, forming its way towards the river. On will have to walk a lot to arrive the place, people with health issues like joint and leg pain should take a genuine care of themselves. Narrow and lumpy pathways from the nearby motorable road will take tourists to the viewpoint with the mountain blend of the Western Ghats towards its left and a hill slope well stocked with grass across with rocks on the right. This sumptous sight is something that one can never forget throughout life. Mist and aroma nearby generates such a spell that one will be lost in its beauty for a long period of time.

Neelimala view point is located in the south eastern part of wayanad accessible from kalpetta as well as sultan bathery, neelimala is a trekkers charm, with options for dissimilar trekking routes. At the top of neelimala, the sight is awe-inspiring one with a view to the meenmutty falls situated near by and the valley in the foreground.

Location: Neelimala, Wayanad, Kerela, India

MEENMUTTY WATERFALLS

Meenmutty Waterfalls

Photo Credit : yatramantra

Meenmutty Falls is located 29 km from Kalpetta in Wayanad District in the state of Kerala, India. It is a three-tiered waterfall with a height of 300 metres. Meenmutty is a combination of Malayalam words Meen (fish) and Mutty (blocked). Meenmutty Falls can be reached thorough a 2 km hike though the jungle from the Wayanad-Ooty road. Meenmutty waterfalls are dangerous during rainy seasons due to high inflow and many people have drowned since 1991. It is one of the main tourist places in wayanad.

A fascinating 2 km jungle trek will guide to the largest and most stunning waterfall in Wayanad – Meenmutty Waterfalls. A distinctive feature of Meenmutty waterfalls is that the water drops from nearly 1000 ft over three stages, presenting a triple-decker effect. The falls is situated on the Ooty main road in Wayanad.

Getting There : 

Nearest railway station: Kozhikode, via Kozhikode-Vythiri-Gudallur Hwy, about 97 km
Nearest airport: Calicut International Airport, via Kozhikode – Nilambur – Gudalur Rd, about 107 km

CHETHALAYAM

Chethalayam Waterfalls

Photo Credit : keralatourism

Chethalayam falls is located about 12 kilometres from Sulthan Batheri. Chethalayam is smaller and lesser known compared to other waterfalls in Wayanad. Probably many people may consider the long trek to the waterfall as the best part. The woods are thick and there are plenty of birds and butterflies.

If all stars aligned properly, you may also spot a bit of wildlife, as you walk 4 kilometers to the waterfall. Even if you miss out on the boost of a wildlife sighting, no need to worry. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Muthanga sanctuary, is just near to provide a comprehensive experience. This is one of the main tourist places in wayanad.

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The Forest Range Office at Chethalayam issues visitor passes to the waterfall. Their permission is mandatory to get into the jungle surrounding the waterfall. Water flowing down the rocky terrain is red and muddy during the rainy months of monsoon. Though water clears up post monsoon, unfortunately, it gradually reduces to a trickle before finally dries up in peak summer of April and May.

The best time to visit is immediately after monsoon, from September till February. Though waterfall gets to full glory in monsoon, leaches are in abundance during that time. Also, the moss covered wet rocks of the trekking trail get very slippery.

Getting There : 

Nearest railway station: Kozhikode, about 97 km by road from Sulthan Bathery
Nearest airport: Calicut International Airport, Kozhikode, nearly 120 km from Sulthan Bathery

PAKSHIPATHALAM

Pakshipathalam

Photo Credit : muscicapa

It is a challenging tourist spot for any adventure-seeking tourist. The deep rock caves; formed among the thick blocks of rocks at the northern top end of the Brahmagiri are the abode of various birds and wild beasts. The place is bet knows for the presence of `Edible Nest Swift light’ as its nest is made of solidified saliva and is used to make bird’s nest soup.

Here virgin forests, streams and steep hills together offer challenging avenues for trekking. 

Pakshipathalam – the very name of the place refers to the richness of birdlife here. Here virgin forests, rivulets and steep hills together offer challenging avenues for trekking. A cave which rishis (saints) are believed to have used for meditation in ancient times, has become a major attraction for tourists.

Close by is Kuruvadweep, an island (dweep) well known for its rare ecology. Located 17 km from Mananthavady, Kuruvadweep is a 950 acre stretch of evergreen forests on the banks of the Kabani river, and home to rare species of birds, orchids and herbs.

Getting There :

Nearest railway station: Kozhikode, about 106 km from Mananthavady.
Nearest airport: Calicut International Airport, about 23 km from Kozhikode town

Location :

North Wayanad, near Tirunelli temple.
Distance Chart: Mananthavady: 36km/ Kalpetta: 71km/ Sulthan Bathery: 78km

Contact
STD CODE: 04935
Trekking permitting authority, DFO, North Wayanad: Ph: 04935- 240233
Tirunelli forest station: Ph: 04935- 210377
Begur range officer: Mobile: 09447449119

BANASURA SAGAR DAM

Banasura Sagar dam

Photo Credit : thewoodlandshotel

The attractive Banasura Sagar Dam is the largest earthern dam in India and the second sizeable in Asia. situated in the midst of lovely, mist-clad hills with a wildlife sanctuary and park full of flowering trees, this spot of enchantment has no parallel elsewhere. With its placid crystal clear waters Banasura is a wonderful picnic spot. There is a mini hydel project here.

Located about 15 km from Kalpetta, the dam holds a large stretch of water and its charming beauty is enhanced by the chain of mountains seen on the backdrop.  It is built in the Banasura Lake and the nearby mountains are known as Banasura Hills. This is one of the main tourist places in wayanad.

Legends say that the Asura king of Banasura, (the son of King Mahabali, who is believed to visit Kerala during every Onam festival) tackle a severe atonement on the top of these hills and thus it was named after him.  The scenic serene mountains beckon adventure tourists and the dam site is an perfect starting point for trekking.

Getting There :

Nearest railway station: Kozhikode about 73 km away from Kalpetta
Nearest airport: Calicut International Airport, about 86 km from Kalpetta

LAKKIDI VIEW POINT

Lakkidi View Point

Photo Credit : thewoodlandshotel

Lakkidi view point is positioned in the southern fringe of wayanad. Lakkidi is literally known as the gateway to wayanad. This is a prominent picnic spot which provides a extravagant view of the valley and the concealed ghat road known as the ‘Thamarassery Churam’ that connect Wayanad with Calicut.

It’s quite easy to get to Lakkidi. If you are driving from or to Calicut from Wayanad, you’ll naturally pass this place and indeed the ghat pass. Located 700m above sea level at a peculiar fold in the western ghats, Lakkidi gets about 600cm rainfall annually, making it one of the highest rainfall region in Kerala. 

Pookode lake is about 4km north from lakkidi view point. The Chain tree is just a km north of the view point by the side of the highway. Don’t skip this scenic Spot in the list of tourist places in wayanad. 

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EDAKKAL CAVES

Edakkal Cave

Photo Credit : Deepak A.B

Edakkal caves are two natural caves at a remote location at Edakkal, 25 km from Kalpetta in the Wayanad district of Kerala in India’s Western Ghats. They lie 1,200 metres above sea level on Ambukutty Mala, beside an ancient trade route connecting the high mountains of Mysore to the ports of the Malabar coast.

Inside the caves are pictorial writings believed to date to at least 6,000 BCE, from the Neolithic man, indicating the presence of a prehistoric civilization or settlement in this region. The Stone Age carvings of Edakkal are rare and are the only known examples from south India.

It is a residence that showcases nature’s skill and philosophy on architecture and you have to trekk to about 4000 ft up a mountain to arrive the place. We are talking about Edakkal Caves, which still remain a wonder and a mystery for archaeologists and historians alike.

SOOCHIPARA WATERFALLS

Soochipara waterfalls

Photo Credit : grabhouse

Soochipara is also known as Sentinel Rock Waterfalls, Which is a three tiered waterfall in vellarimala  Wayanad, surrounded by Deciduous, Evergreen and Montane forests. Locally referred to as Soochipara, the 15-20 minute drive from Meppadi to Sentinel Rock Waterfalls offers scenic views of some of the best tea estates in Wayanad. 

Soochipara waterfall is One of the most attractive falls in the district, the water hits the sharp spikes of granite at the base and hence the name, Sentinel Rock waterfalls. The waterfalls is located on Kozhikode – Vythiri – Gudallur Highway about 25 km from Kalpetta in Wayanad. 

Getting There :

Nearest railway station: Kozhikode, about 71 km from Kalpetta

POOKOT LAKE

pookot lake

Photo Credit : wikimapia

Pookot Lake is a scenic freshwater lake in the Wayanad district in Kerala, South India. Pookode is a natural fresh water lake nestling amid evergreen forests and mountain slopes at an altitude of 770 meters above sea level. It is 15 km away from Kalpetta.

Panamaram, the rivulet which ultimately becomes Kabani River, originates from the Pookode lake. It is spread across an area of 8.5 hectares and with a maximum depth of 6.5 metres. Lying 3 km south of Vythiri town, the lake is one of the most popular tourist spots in Wayanad.

The lake has the shape of India’s map. This perennial fresh water lake, nestled among wooded hills, is only one of its kinds in Kerala. Pethia pookodensis, is a species of cyprinid fish known to occur only in Pookode Lake. The lake has abundance of blue lotus and fresh water fishes. The forests surrounding the lake hold many wild animals, birds and flies.There are groups of Blue water lily flowers scattered here and there in the lake.

KURUVADWEEP

kuruvadweep

Photo Credit : wikimedia

Kuruvadweep is located about 14 km east of Mananthavady in the northern district of Wayanad, Kuruvadweep is a group of islets forming 950 acres of evergreen forest. These islets are located in one of the tributaries of the River Kabani, which is close to the border with the State of Karnataka.

The island surrounded by streams and river can be accessed using rafts or fiber boats run by Kerala Tourism Department. Entrance to the island is restricted and monitored by Vana Samrakshana Samiti, a Dept of Forest of Kerala initiative to protect forest, and at times of heavy rain and frequency of elephants and other animals to the island a pass obtained prior to the visit of spot from Dept of Forest is mandatory.

Kuruva Islands is 17 km east of Mananthavady and 10 km north west of Pulpally, nearby towns in Wayanad District. More details can be sought in district office of Department of Tourism, Wayanad in Kalpetta. This is another best tourist places in wayanad.

Permitting authority:
Divisional Forest Officer,
South Wayanad
Kalpetta
Ph: +91 4936 203428

Getting There:

Nearest railway station: Kozhikode, about 99 km away from Mananthavady.
Nearest airport: Calicut International Airport, about 119 km

WAYANAD WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Photo Credit : thrillophilia

Wayanad wildlife sanctuary is an animal sanctuary in wayanad. A variety of large wild animals such asIndian bison, elephant, deer and tiger are found there. There are also quite a few unusual birds in the sanctuary. In particular, peafowl tend to be very common in the area. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is the second largest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala. It is bestowed with lush green forests and rich wildlife.This wildlife area houses some of the rare and endangered species of both flora and fauna.

Wayanad provides scope for ecotourism tourism (wildlife tourism), Recreational tourism, Adventure tourism, Heritage tourism, Historic tourism, Pilgrim tourism, Monsoon tourism etc. Muthanga and Tholpetty are the two ecotourism centers in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. Visits to these ecotourism centers provide unforgettable wilderness experience, frequent sightings of free ranging wildlife like herds of elephants, guars, deers, monkeys, tigers, leopards, bears, many species of reptiles, fishes, butterflies, birds including vultures etc.

KANTHANPARA WATERFALLS

Kanthanpara waterfalls

Photo Credit : keralatourism

Assume a cascade making it way from the area lying between two estates— this is Kanthanpara waterfalls for one and all. This picturesque and charming waterfall is a must visit place for every tourist on a trip to Wayanad. Length of the waterfall is 30 m and is divided into different tiers, making it look simply picture perfect. Locations of the surroundings and its picturesque waterfall make it the best place to campaign.

Getting There:

Nearest railway station: Nearest railway station is Kozhikode, about 73 km from Kalpetta
Nearest airport: Nearest airport is Calicut International Airport, about 86 km

9 kms from Meppadi, Muppainad, Kalpetta, Wayanad District, Kerala, 673121, India

VYTHIRI

vythiri hill station

Photo Credit : groupouting

Assume walking around soft undulating hills, surrounded by lush green plantations in a weather that is wet, cool and a perfect complement to the pristine ambience all around. Welcome to the Wayanad district of Kerala, a must visit while on a tour to “God’s Own Country”! If you are planning a holiday in Kerala, make sure you include a trip to Vythiri, a beautiful hill resort tucked away amidst the green slopes of the Western Ghats in Wayanad.

The destination has earned the reputation of having vast areas of spice plantations, luxuriant forests and rich cultural traditions, especially that of the tribal communities. Vythiri, which still retains its unstained natural wealth, makes it an excellent picnic spot for both locals and tourists.

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Major attractions in vythiri are :

• Karalad Lake
• Pookode Lake
• Lakkidi

JAIN TEMPLE

Jain temple

Photo Credit : pickpackago

The Jain temple at Sultan Bathery is believed to have been built in 13th century. The architecture of the temple has strong influences of the then Vijayanagar architectural style and it is made wholly of granite.

The carved square pillars built on a raised platform holds the stone slab roof and intricate cornices on all the sides and the exquisite carvings on the pillars are a connoisseur’s delight. A square granite slab with a carving of Mahavir Jain can be seen in the inner sanctorum of the temple which is surrounded by an open verandah.  There is a raised platform made of granite in front of the main entrance. This too holds carved pillars and their fluted columns end without any crown stones. The surrounding grounds too are paved in granite.

For more details on ‘Outdoor Trail’ in Wayanad, please get in touch with Wayanad Tourism Organization.

Contact details:
General Secretary
Wayanad Tourism Organisation
Vasudeva Edom, Pozhuthana PO,
Wayanad, Kerala, India.
Pin – 673575
Tel. +91-4936-255308, Fax.+91-4936-227341
E-mail: mail@wayanad.org

Getting There :

Nearest railway station: Calicut Railway Station is 62 km away

Nearest airport: Calicut International Airport is about 65 km away

 

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