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Wayanad

Wayanad

hill station · Kerala

Wayanad is a plateau district between 700 and 2,100 metres, and the drive up from Kozhikode climbs nine hairpin bends at Thamarassery that back up badly at weekends.

State
Kerala
Type
Hill Station
Best season
Winter
Things to do
3+

Wayanad is a plateau district between 700 and 2,100 metres, and the drive up from Kozhikode climbs nine hairpin bends at Thamarassery that back up badly at weekends. The one thing here you will not find elsewhere in Kerala is Edakkal: Neolithic carvings on a cliff face, reached by a steep climb and a metal stair. Chembra has the heart-shaped tarn and a permit system. Banasura Sagar is the largest earth dam in India, with drowned hilltops standing in it as islands. This is elephant country in the working sense — the corridors here run through to Bandipur and Mudumalai, and crop raiding is a live conflict. Do not walk plantation edges after dark. Kalpetta, Sultan Bathery and Mananthavady are the three bases. Stay on an estate. October to May. The monsoon is heavy here and this district has had serious landslides.

When to go

October to March, when the mountain air is crisp and the trails are in good condition for trekking.

Why visit

Wayanad is a long drive from the rest of Kerala, which is why it stays quieter than Munnar. The Neolithic carvings at Edakkal are the one thing here you will not find elsewhere in the state.

Cultural notes

The name comes from 'Vayal Nadu', the Land of Paddy Fields, and the history here runs a long way back. The Edakkal Caves, high on the hills, hold rock carvings older than the Neolithic. This was also the country of the legendary king Pazhassi Raja.

How to reach

The closest airport is Calicut International Airport in Kozhikode, 85 km away. The nearest broad-gauge railhead is Kozhikode Railway Station. The road up climbs the winding Thamarassery Churam ghat, with its nine hairpin bends.

Wayanad in 2 days

See the full itinerary

2 days in Wayanad

Take the whole plan, or add any single stop.

Edakkal CavesDay 1

Day 1

Edakkal Caves

Two natural stone caves on Ambukuthi Hill housing rare, multi-century old Neolithic rock carvings and petroglyphs.

Day 1

Chembra Peak trek (permit needed)

Chembra Peak trek (permit needed)

Day 1

Sunset at a viewpoint

Sunset at a viewpoint

Banasura Sagar DamDay 2

Day 2

Banasura Sagar Dam

The largest earth dam in India, and the islands in the reservoir are hilltops left standing when the water rose. Speedboats run from the shore. There is a long uphill walk from the car park that nobody warns you about.

Day 2

Soochipara waterfalls

Soochipara waterfalls

Day 2

Muthanga/Tholpetty jeep safari (early morning)

Muthanga/Tholpetty jeep safari (early morning)

Wayanad guide & itineraries

Wayanad is perfect for

natureadventurefamilycouples

What & where to eat

Wayanad filter coffee

Wayanad filter coffee

Estate-fresh hill coffee

Jackfruit

Jackfruit

Crisp local snacks

banana chips

banana chips

Crisp local snacks

Kerala Sadya

Kerala Sadya

Banana-leaf vegetarian feast

Bamboo rice dishes

Bamboo rice dishes

Tribal-speciality bamboo-rice preparations

Malabar curry

Malabar curry

Rice-flour flatbread with a Malabar meat curry

Pathiri

Pathiri

Rice-flour flatbread with a Malabar meat curry

Nearby getaways

Mysuru (KA)

~2.5 hrs

Ooty (TN)

~3 hrs

Kozhikode

~2.5 hrs

Things to do

How to spend your time in Wayanad.

Chembra Peak trek

Chembra Peak trek

Climb to Wayanad's highest peak and the heart-shaped lake

Soochipara & Meenmutty waterfalls

Soochipara & Meenmutty waterfalls

Multi-tier jungle waterfalls

Muthanga / Tholpetty jeep safari

Muthanga / Tholpetty jeep safari

Safari for elephants, deer and bison

Popular attractions

The places in Wayanad most people come for.

Banasura Sagar Dam

Banasura Sagar Dam

Experience

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Attraction

See all attractions

Frequently asked questions

How many days in Wayanad?

2-3 days for treks, waterfalls and a wildlife safari.

Best time for Wayanad?

October to May; the monsoon is lush but slippery for treks.

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