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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

The ideal window to explore Wayanad is from October to March when the mountain air is crisp and trail conditions are good 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

Derived etymologically from 'Vayal Nadu', translating to the 'Land of Paddy Fields', the region has deep historical roots. The high-altitude Edakkal Caves house unique rock carvings dating back past the Neolithic era. The territory was historically the bastion of the legendary king Pazhassi Raja.

How to reach

The closest air gateway is Calicut International Airport in Kozhikode, located 85 km away. The nearest broad-gauge railway hub is Kozhikode Railway Station. Reached comfortably by road via the spectacular, winding Thamarassery Churam ghat road corridor featuring nine hairpin loops.

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

Estate-fresh hill coffee

Jackfruit

Crisp local snacks

banana chips

Crisp local snacks

Kerala Sadya

Kerala Sadya

Banana-leaf vegetarian feast

Bamboo rice dishes

Tribal-speciality bamboo-rice preparations

Malabar curry

Rice-flour flatbread with a Malabar meat curry

Pathiri

Rice-flour flatbread with a Malabar meat curry

Nearby getaways

Mysuru (KA)

~2.5 hrs

Ooty (TN)

~3 hrs

Kozhikode

~2.5 hrs

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.

Things to do

How to spend your time in Wayanad.

Chembra Peak trek

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

Banasura Sagar Dam

India's largest earthen dam, with boating

Soochipara & Meenmutty waterfalls

Multi-tier jungle waterfalls

Muthanga / Tholpetty jeep safari

Safari for elephants, deer and bison

Reviews & ratings

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