wayanad, the hidden gem

Wayanad district stands in the southern tip of the Deccan Plateau and its chief glory is the majestic Western Ghats with lofty ridges interspersed with dense forest, tangled jungles and deep valleys. In the centre of the district hills are lower in height while the northern area has high hills and they give a wild and mountainous appearance.

The Thamarassery Ghat pass is a must drive pass for any motorcycle enthusiast because of the tricky hairpins and deep valleys. The view on this road will surely take your breath away.

Wayanad is one of the only remaining place in Kerala which remains pristine and untouched by any external force. The mountains, rivers and never ending forests make it a paradise for any visitor. Eve during monsoon season (raining season June-Aug) Wayanad is a popular destination for tourists. Adventure sports like river rafting, mountain climbing, trekking and paragliding are common in Wayanad.


How to reach Wayanad?

The nearest Airport to Wayanad is Kozhikode (Calicut) international airport at a distance of about 100 km from Kalpetta (Wayanad dist HQ).

But the most popular way is riding down from Kochi (Cochin), this is good 5hr trip. Its is around 250kms from Kochi.

Other options include rail and busses, but it does not give you the freedom of absorbing the scenic route to Wayanad.


Where to stay?

Wayanad has lots of resorts and homestays all over the place.Make sure to research some hotels online before you take the trip. The most accessible place to stay is Kalpetta, the district HQ. You can easily access any places in Wayanad easily from here or on the way to Kalpetta.

Expect to pay around $15- 25 per day for a good place.

Resorts can be expensive but the included features for them are definitely worth every buck.


Climate?

Wayanad is mostly around the year cool. It is good to carry a jacket or a hoodie. Umbrella is a must because rains can be a little unpredictable. It is a good escape from the heat of Kerala during summer.


Places to see?

Lakkidi Viewpoint
Lakkidi is located at the crest of Thamarassery Ghat Pass, which features over 9 hairpin curves that start at Adivaram (downhill). This town is situated at a height of about 2,296 feet above the main sea level.It is further 5km away from the nearby town of Vythiri that has steep mountains and dense forests. Lakkidi View Point offers beautiful views of the cliffs and valleys surrounding the region.

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Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary
Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the famous wildlife reserves in the district of Wayanad. It is famous for its night camping and a watchtower, which is located above the lake. This lake is also the main source of water for the wild animals inhabiting the sanctuary. The sanctuary is part of the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and is situated about 15 km north of Mananthavady.
Activities to do: Trekking

Soochipara Waterfalls

The Soochipara Waterfalls,famously called Sentinel Rock Waterfalls, is located near the town of Meppadi. Surrounded by huge hills and dense forests, it falls from a height of 100 feet to 300 feet. There is a pool below this waterfall, which is suitable for bathing, river rafting and swimming.

There are few tree top huts located near the Western Ghats Valley, adding to the beauty of this waterfall. Soochipara Waterfalls is situated at a distance of 22 km from Kalpetta and is known for rock climbing and nature walks. Nature walks are the best way to explore the destination and see deer and other wild animals near the waterfalls.
Activities to do: Trekking, Take bath in the waterfall

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Edakkal Caves

The Edakkal Caves feature a crevice of around 96 feet in length, 30 feet in depth and 22 feet in width. There is a fissure at this site that was created due to splitting of a rock. This fissure and rock walls feature carvings of animal and human figures of the prehistoric period.


The caves are located around 25 km from Kalpetta and about 3 km from Ambalavayal. The trekking trail to these ancient caves from Edakkal extends around 1 km. These caves can be best visited in the morning and can be easily reached from Sulthan Bathery, which is around 16 km away.Trekking is possible through Ambukuthi Hills to travel to these Edakkal Caves.There is a telescope near these caves that are used for seeing the surrounding valley.
Activities to do: Trekking, climbing mountain.

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Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, situated between Muthanga and Tholpetty, is popularly known as Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary. It is the second largest wildlife sanctuary in the state which covers an extensive area of about 344.44 sq km and is close to the Bandipur Tiger Reserve in the state of Karnataka.
Activities to do: Trekking, jeep trip inside.

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Kuruva Island

Kuruva Island is also popularly known as Kuruva Dweep, which lies on the banks of the tributaries of River Kabini. This island is a famous picnic hot spot. It is around 17 km from Mananthavady,inhabited by rare bird species, herbal plants and orchids. This island covers a large area of around 950 acres of evergreen forest.

It is also famous for its bamboo canopy which provides a glimpse into the natural treasure of the confluence of the rivulets. This island is close to the Begur Wildlife Sanctuary, which is home to varied wild animals and birds. Boating facilities are available.
Activities to do: River crossing, picnic. swimming

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Pookot Lake

Pookot Lake is situated amidst a beautiful forest in the wooded hills of the Wayanad region. It is a freshwater lake which is considered to be an ideal picnic spot. Tourists can engage in boating at this lake, however, swimming is prohibited at this site.A  freshwater aquarium and a spices and handicrafts emporium is also located here. You can see the traditional handicraft works of local communities here.

This lake covers an area of around 8.5 hectares, with a maximum water depth of over 6.5 metres. It lies 3 km south of the main town of Vythiri and is known for its pleasant and cool weather. Can be easily accessed on the way to Kalppetta if your driving on the road.The shops located near this lake offer various types of bamboo and wood artefacts along with tea, spices and coffee.
Activities to do: Boating, Exploring, Shopping

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Other places to visit from Wayanad

Mysore, Masinagudi, Bandipur reserve etc are close to Wayanad. The Nilgiris and Coorg districts are also good places to visit.
The forest road is only open during the day, it closes during the night time. You can see a lot of animals on this road, especially during evening and early morning.


Have a good Wayanad Trip!