25 Top Tourist Places In Wayanad To Visit In 2020

Wayanad is a beautiful district situated in the north-east of Kerala. It has amazing tourist spots, like waterfalls, treehouses, caves, wildlife sanctuaries, lush greenery, and adventure resorts. The spectacular hills and valleys give an enthralling experience to the tourists, along with various adventurous forest walks and mysterious ruins for the thrill lovers. So go ahead and explore the spellbinding tourist attractions in Wayanad on your next trip to Kerala !!

25 Best Places To Visit In Wayanad With Pictures:

1. Chembra Peak:

Chembra peak is a perfect weekend getaway for trekkers if you are staying nearer to Wayanad. Chembra peak is the highest peak in the Wayanad district with an elevation of 2100 meters above mean sea level. This is located 8 kilometers south of Kalpetta, close to the town Meppady. On your to the trek, you can witness a heart-shaped lake, which is believed to have never dried up till today. This peak offers you the beautiful panoramic view of the entire Wayanad district, and also some parts of Calicut, Nilgiris, and Malappuram districts.

Highlights:

• This peak is surrounded by lush greenery all over the place.
• On the transit, you will confront a heart-shaped lake, one of the natures’ beauty.
• From the peak of the view of a small dam, Banasura Sagar dam is mesmerizing.

Things To Do:

• Trekking the first and foremost thing to do.
• You can load up your Instagram with beautiful photos, panoramic views, landscapes, and, of course, the picture of the heart-shaped lake.
• Enjoy the greenery and have a chat with local buddies and taste their food on the way.

Best Time to Visit:

• Chembra peak can be visited throughout the year. But, the best time to visit is between September and March since this period is just after the monsoon ends, the forest will be lush green and thick with a cool breeze.

Entry Fees:

• The trek to Chembra Peak is organized by Chempra Peak VSS, which is run by South Wayanad Forest Development Agency. The entry fee for a group of 10 people is Rs 500 for Indians and Rs 1000 for foreigners.

Timings:

• The trekking on this peak is done on all days from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The forest agency allows only 200 persons, i.e., 20 groups per day. So, make sure you reach the base point early because they issue tickets on first cum, first-serve basis.

Peak Season:

• The peak season to visit this place is post-monsoon, i.e., after September.

How to Reach:

• The place can be reached by road, rail, and air. The nearest airport is Karipur International Airport, Calicut which is 92 Km away from the Chembra peak and is well connected by transport buses and cabs.
• You can reach this place by road from Bengaluru or Cochin. Take a bus to Kalpetta, from there, take a bus or taxi to the Forest office.
• The nearest railway station is at Calicut,79 Km away from Chembra peak base. From here, one can find several buses and cabs to reach the base point.

Ideal Trip Duration:

• It takes at least 3-4 hours to complete the trek from the base point.

2. Meenmutty Falls:

Meenmutty, in Malayalam, means a place where fishes are blocked. This breathtaking waterfall is considered as the largest waterfalls in the Kalpetta region and also the second-largest in Kerala. This waterfall is situated 29Km away from the town Kalpetta in Wayanad district. If you are best in trekking and has this adrenaline rush, climb through the steep rocks and trek through the thick jungles from the Ooty-Wayanad route to reach this waterfalls

Highlights:

• Meenmutty waterfalls are the most significant three tired waterfalls located near the Neyyar Reservoir area, gives you a surprising sight to visit.
• The waterfalls fall from a height of 300 meters, offers you a splendid view. These amazing waterfalls are cuddled up in the verdant Mepadi forest range, which makes it the top destination for many trekkers and adventure seekers.
• You can also camp here tonight by taking prior permission from the forest officials.

Things To Do:

• Adventure seekers have a lot to do here. Trekking through the jungle, climbing through the rocks, swimming in the pool at the bottom of the waterfall, rappelling.
• Photography is the best activity that can be done here. You can capture the lush green deciduous forest, breathtaking waterfalls, several trekkers climbing the rocks, the backdrop of blue skies against the white sparkling water of the falls. You sure can create your album of Meenmutty falls
• Enjoy the greenery while trekking through the 2Km thick jungle to reach this place.

Best Time to Visit:

• The best season to visit any waterfalls is post-monsoon. Meenmutty waterfalls can be best enjoyed from October to March.
• The monsoons may be quite dangerous for the trekkers, and the summers can spoil your trip with less water or even no water.

Entry Fees:

• There is an entry fee to visit these beautiful waterfalls. It is Rs 30 for adults and Rs 15 for children below five years. For foreign nationalities, the entry fee is Rs 60 (both children and adults), and if you intend to take the camera with you, it costs Rs 75.

Timings:

• Forest officials and the tourism department have prescribed some timings to visit this place. It opens at 9:00 AM and closes by 5:30 PM.

Peak Season:

• The peak season to visit this place is post-monsoon, i.e., after September.

How to Reach:

• Kalpetta is the nearest town to this gorgeous place. From Kalpetta, several buses help you take to the entrance of the lake, from there you will have to trek for 2 km on the Ooty-Wayanad highway. This walk would be tiresome, but we promise you it will be worth it.

Ideal Trip Duration:

• Ideally, it takes 2-3 hours to finish all your activities near the waterfall and reach back to Kalpetta.

3. Banasura Sagar Dam:

Banasura Sagar dam is of the major tourist places located in Vythiri, Wayanad district. This is one of the largest earthen dams in India constructed across Karamanthodu, a tributary of east flowing Kabini river. This dam, along with Banasura lake, is cuddled in the Banasura hills, which offers you a striking look from the birds-eye view. The hills of Banasura are named after the son of the famous ruler, King Mahabali. Along the Banasura lake, you can spot tiny dotted islands, which gives an incredible look during monsoons. This dam provides irrigation, drinking water, electricity to the surrounding villages as part of the Indian Banasura Sagar Project.

Highlights:

• This is an earthen dam, the bund of this dam is covered with lush greenery giving you a mesmerizing look.
• This dam is situated in the Banasura hills, the trek up to the Banasura peak offers you with diverse flora and fauna with sprawling streams.
• You can find Banasura Hill Resorts at this place, which is an earthen resort. They have a variety of accommodation options with log huts and earthen rooms, but to say the price to stay in here may dig a hole in your pocket if you are on a budget tour.

Things To Do:

• The Kerala tourism offers boating in the Banasura lake. Boating in here has an adrenaline rush because they also provide speed boating.
• You can load up your Instagram with beautiful photos, panoramic views, landscapes, and of course, a picture of a beautiful dam and lake.
• Trekking is another option that you can do on the Banasura hills to reach the peak point.
• Horse racing and Camel rides are also available, provided you need to book these in advance.

Best Time to Visit:

• Banasura hills and dam can be visited throughout the year, but the best time would be between November and May. During monsoon, the engineering officials will not allow you on the dam because of the heavy inflow of the river. During summer you will find less water which can play a spoilsport.

Entry Fees:

• The entry fee to visit the dam is Rs 10 for everyone, and the photography costs you Rs 20. If you wish to do speed boating, it costs you Rs 450 for a group of five persons.

Timings:

• The officers allowed on the dam from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Also, the boating and all other activities close by 5:00 PM

Peak Season:

• Most of the people this place during December and January.

How to Reach:

• This tourist spot can be reached from towns Kalpetta, which is 22Km away, Mananthavady, which is 21Km, and Sulthan Bathery, which is 43Km away. Cabs and buses are available at regular intervals.
• The nearest airport and railway station are at Calicut which is 95 Km away Banasura Sagar dam.

Ideal Trip Duration:

• It takes one whole day to complete the visit to this place from the nearest towns.

4. Chethalayam Falls:

Chethalayam waterfalls are situated in a small village Chethalayam, which is 45Km away from Wayanad and is closer to Wayanad Wildlife sanctuary. This seasonal waterfall is considered as the beauty of nature and also the favorite picnic spot to the tourists.

Highlights:

• This waterfall is quite famous for its panoramic view, with the sprawling water falling from the top of the rocks.
• For adventure enthusiasts, this is the perfect place for trekking.
• On the way to these waterfalls, you can spot a variety of birds and animals like spotted dear, elephants, sambar deer, sloth bear, and gaur.

Things To Do:

• Chethalayam waterfalls are considered to be small-sized, and hence trekking here is very easy.
• This waterfall is near to Wayanad Wildlife sanctuary; you can spot many wild animals and some exotic flora and fauna.
• Swimming can also be done at the bottom of the waterfall.
• Don’t forget the photography. You can load your mobile or camera with some beautiful, scenic pictures of the waterfall, exotic flora, and fauna, animals.

Best Time to Visit:

• This is a seasonal waterfall, and hence post-monsoon is the best time to visit this place. Don’t visit this place during summers because you will find the waterfall dry.

Entry Fees:

• One of the best things is that there is no entry fee to visit this place.

Timings:

• Some say that this place is open for 24 hrs, but the tourist department has put some timing. It opens at 6:00 AM and closes by 5:00 PM.

Peak Season:

• The peak season of this place is from October to December.

How to Reach:

• This tourist spot is 45 Km away from Wayanad. There are state transport buses from Wayanad bus station.

Ideal Trip Duration:

• You can cover this place in 1-2 hours.

5. Thirunelli Temple:

Tirunelli temple is an ancient temple located in Wayanad on the side of the Brahmagiri hills. This temple is dedicated to Looorrrd Maha Vishnu. The word Tirunelli comes from the word Nelli which is given to the tree of Amla. It is said that Lord Brahma had identified the idol of Sri Maha Vishnu under the gooseberry tree when he was passing by.

Highlights:

• One of the significant features of this temple is that it is located at an altitude of 900 meters above the mean sea level.
• The ancient mythology texts of Hindu religion said that Lord Brahma had found the idol of Vishnu under the tree of Amla. Hence the name of the temple is Tirunelli, and the name of hills is Brahmagiri hills.

Things To Do:

• This is a pilgrimage center. You can do sightseeing as well.

Best Time to Visit:

• Temples can be visited throughout the year except during any eclipses.

Entry Fees:

• Most of the temples in Kerala have no entry fee.

Timings:

• The temple timings are 5:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Peak Season:

• There isn’t any peak season to visit this temple. This temple generally has fewer pilgrims throughout the year.

How to Reach:

• The temple is located in the town of Tirunelli, which is 38KM away from Wayanad. There are a lot of State transport buses from Wayanad to Tirunelli.

Ideal Trip Duration:

• It takes 1 hour to reach Tirunelli from Wayanad. Overall it takes 3-4 hours to complete the trip.

6. Pakshipathalam Bird Sanctuary:

Pakshipathalam Bird Sanctuary is one of the important sanctuaries situated in Tholpetty, a small village near Wayanad. The word Pakshi refers to birds and hence the name Pakshipathalm. Nature lovers and enthusiasts find this place lovely, and they seek reasons to linger and extend their trip. The path leading to this sanctuary is suitable for trekking.

Highlights:

• One can find Ornithologists from all over the world in this place because of the rare species birds present here.
• The virgin forests protect these rare species birds, and hence you can find lush greenery and breathtaking views all around.
• This sanctuary gained fame because of ‘Edible Nest Swift Light.’ Inside the sanctuary, there is a nest made up of solidified saliva, and it is used to make bird’s nest soup.
• You can also find a temple and a watchtower inside the premises of this sanctuary.

Things To Do:

• Adventure enthusiasts can do trekking on the way to this Pakshipathalam sanctuary.
• Bird watching is the main activity that is done here.
• You also have permission to go camping overnight near the Pakshipathalm sanctuary.
• When there are birds all around you, would you stop taking pics? No right!! You can show your photography skills here.

Best Time to Visit:

• Bird sanctuaries can be visited throughout the year. You should go early in the morning to spot as many birds as possible.

Entry Fees:

• The entry fee for Indian nationalities is Rs 50, and they charge Rs 200 for foreigners.

Timings:

• This sanctuary opens early in the morning. The timings are between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM.

Peak Season:

• This place gets crowded with trekkers between September and January.

How to Reach:

• This place is near to the Tirunelli temple. One can reach this place by bus or cabs from Wayanad.

Ideal Trip Duration:

• To spend some quality time, you need at least one day to cover the entire sanctuary.

7. Pookot Lake:

Pookot lake also known as Pookode lake is a perennial freshwater lake nestled amidst the vast evergreen forests and wooded hills, situated near the town of Vythiri. Panamaran river, which is a principal tributary of the Kabini river originates from this lake, which later joins the Panamaran valley. The geographical extent of this lake is 8.5 hectares, with a depth of 6.5 meters.

Highlights:

• This is a freshwater lake which is an habitant to many water animals, especially fishes. A rare species of cyprinid fish known as Pethia pookodensis is said to be found in this freshwater lake.
• Geographical experts found that the shape of this lake resembles the India map.
• One can find many species of birds, animals, and a variety of blue lotus and lilies, making this place rich in fauna and flora.
• The lush greenery all around with relaxed boating in the lake gives you a sense of calm and peaceful environment.

Things To Do:

• Wherever you have a lake, you can find boating. Peddle boating, speed boating, and kayaking are present in here.
• There is a freshwater aquarium and a children’s park nearby. You can visit these places for fun and entertainment. You can also do some bird watching.
• You can do handiwork shopping. The tourism department owns the stalls. You can grab some souvenirs.
• Photography is the best that you can do here. You can capture the far away hills with a lake cuddled in its arms and the green forests. Capture some pics of the shopping streets.
• There is an Ashram nearby named Shree Narayan Ashram, which is surrounded by greenery and tranquility. If interested, you can pay a visit.

Best Time to Visit:

• The ideal time to visit this lake is between December and May.

Entry Fees:

• The entry fee for adults is Rs 10, and for kids, it is Rs 5. If you are interested in boating, they cost you Rs 100 for two people. There is a fish spa nearby which costs you Rs 50 for 10 minutes.

Timings:

• The lake is opened for visitors between 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Peak Season:

• Usually, this lake gets crowded in December and January.

How to Reach:

• This place is 2 KM away from the place Vythiri and can be reached via a motorable road. One can hire a bus, auto-rickshaw, or taxi from Vythiri or Wayanad to enter this place.

Ideal Trip Duration:

• The time required to complete the visit to this place is 2-3 hours.

8. Edakkal Caves:

Edakkal caves are well known for their cave art, exquisite rock, and wall carvings, which are thought to be of as old as 6000 BC. These caves measure a length and width of 96 and 22 ft respectively and are considered to lie 1200 meters above mean sea level. To reach these cave, one should trek for 90 minutes to reach the entrance of the cave and another 45 minutes to reach the mouth of the cave. Archaeologists studied the carvings made on the rocks and said that these cave arts belong to the Neolithic age or late Stone Age.

Highlights:

• Edikkal in Malayalam means ‘a stone in-between,’ and indeed describes the formation of these rocks. In Edakkal cave, you can find a smaller rock wedged between two big rocks or boulders.
• There are two chambers inside the cave. The lower chamber is 18ft X 12ft X10ft in length, breadth, and height. Similarly, the upper chamber is 96ft X 22ft X18ft.
• To explore these chambers, one has to trek through uneven boulders, iron ladder, and rock walls with fungi.
• All through the cave, you can find drawings of animals, humans, and the objects used by humans.

Things To Do:

• Trekking the main thing that is being done here. You need to do some trek even to buy the entry tickets. On the onward journey, the trek is even steeper, but don’t worry, proper barricading is provided by the Government.
• Sightseeing of the caves and the cave arts.
• You can enjoy your photography skills by capturing the cave arts and the caves with hollow spaces.

Best Time to Visit:

• The best time to enjoy this pristine beauty is between November and March.

Entry Fees:

• The entry fee for Indians is Rs 20, and for foreigners, it is Rs 40. If you are interested in photography, they cost you Rs 25 for still camera and Rs 100 for cam recorder. You can also hire a jeep till the ticket counter, which costs you Rs 70 for eight people.

Timings:

• The caves are opened for visitors between 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Peak Season:

• This place gets flocked with tourists during December and January.

How to Reach:

• This place can be reached by road. Edakkal caves are located near Kalpetta, Wayanad district. There are several state transport buses and cabs that take you to this place.
• The nearest railway station is the Nilambur Road Railway station, which is 38Km away from Edakkal caves.

Ideal Trip Duration:

• The total time taken to complete the tour to Edakkal caves from Wayanad is one whole day. So plan accordingly.

9. Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary:

Tholepetty wildlife sanctuary is situated in the Western Ghats and the lap of Wayanad. This sanctuary is 20Km away from Mananthavady on the Kodagu Road. This sanctuary is stretched to an area of about 345 square kilometers. This natural beauty is established in the year 1973. Tholepetty sanctuary is dominated by teak trees and has various threatened species. This sanctuary showcases the misty lush green forest with colorful butterflies and birds.

Highlights:

• This lush green forest is a natural habitat for many threatened and endangered species.
• One can spot herds of elephants, tuskers, monkeys, deer, bears, reptiles, guars, and even vultures. If you are lucky enough, you can also spot leopards and tigers.

Things To Do:

• The tourism department provides you with jeep safari into the jungle to spot these animals.
• If you like to adventure, you can go for trekking into the forest to spot various animals. This will be at your own risk.
• This sanctuary is a paradise for bird watchers; you can even stay at the misty covered forest and the watchtower.
• Grab your mobile or camera and start wildlife photography.

Best Time to Visit:

• This place can be visited during all months except in the monsoons. But the best time to visit is during the winter.

Entry Fees:

• The entry fee for adults is Rs 110, and for children, it is Rs 40 per head. For foreigners, it is Rs 300 per head. This sanctuary costs you for photography as well, for the still camera it is Rs 40, and for Video Cam it is Rs 225/-
• The jeep safari costs you Rs 675/- per trip for seven persons.

Timings:

• This sanctuary is open for visitors two times a day. Morning 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM (40 trips) and evenings 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM (20 trips).

Peak Season:

• This place gets flocked with tourists during December and January.

How to Reach:

• Regular buses and cabs are available from Wayanad to this place.
• The nearest airport and railway station is at Calicut which is 90 KM away from this sanctuary.

Ideal Trip Duration:

• To have a satisfying tour of this sanctuary, spend two days at this place.

10. Soochipara Falls:

Soochipara waterfalls, also known as sentinel waterfalls, derives its name from two words Soochi and para, which means rock and needle. The rocks here are in the form of needle and hence the name Soochipara. This is a three-layered waterfall located at Vellarimala in Wayanad district. A 20-minute drive from Meppadi to this waterfall provides the tourists with scenic views of some tea estates in Wayanad.

Highlights:

• This waterfall is quite famous for its serene ambiance with the sprawling water falling from the top of the rocks.
• For adventure enthusiasts, this is the perfect place for trekking and rock climbing.
• The drive to Soochipara waterfall is itself quite enthralling. Kerala forest department provides a few treetop accommodations to the tourists.

Things To Do:

• Trekking and rock climbing can be done.
• Swimming can also be done in the pool at the bottom of the waterfall.
• Night camping at the treetop will be an enthralling experience.
• Don’t forget the photography. You can load your mobile or camera with some beautiful, scenic pictures of the waterfall, the Western ghats.

Best Time to Visit:

• The ideal time to visit this place would be during the monsoons. During summers, the waterfall is dry and closed for visitors from March to June.

Entry Fees:

• They charge you with Rs 80 as an entry fee to enjoy this waterfall. If you want to capture some photos, you need to pay Rs 50 for the camera.

Timings:

• Usual timings are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Peak Season:

• Monsoon is the peak season when this place gets flooded with tourists.

How to Reach:

• Soochipara waterfall can be reached by road from Kalpetta. You can hire a cab or public transport to the entrance of the waterfall. The roads during monsoon are not good, and hence buses drop you at a point which is 2KM away from the entrance of the waterfall. You will have to trek for 30 minutes to reach the waterfall.

Ideal Trip Duration:

• You can cover this place in 1-2 hours.

11. Kuruvadweep:

Kuruvadweep is a tiny scenic island in the river Kabini, an east-flowing river in Kerala. This is the only island in the country which is surrounded by freshwater and several other streams. This island has an area of 950 acres with thick green jungle all around. Kuruvadweep has many islands in the river Kabini and can be accessed by boats and rafts. One can find a variety of birds and trees on this island. Hence it is a paradise for the researchers.

Highlights:

• This is a protected river delta with a group of islands in the river Kabini. The islands can be accessed by bamboo rafts, boats.
• This dweep is home to many birds and plants, and hence it is a perfect tourist spot for nature lovers.
• Some of the islands can be reached by walking through the streams, and some have bridges made of bamboo, which makes the trip quite adventurous.

Things To Do:

• The islands can be reached by boat. Hence boating is the main activity.
• Rafting on the bamboo boats is also available.
• River Safari and Jungle walk can also be done.

Best Time to Visit:

• Kuruvadweep can be best enjoyed from October to March because the weather is pleasant and will have less water level.

Entry Fees:

• The entry fee to Indians is Rs 80/- and for foreigners, it is Rs 150/-. They also charge Rs 10/- for the bamboo boat.

Timings:

• The timings to visit this island is between 9:15 AM to 4:15 PM. Only 200 visitors are allowed per day, and the tourism department issues tickets on first cum, first-serve basis.

Peak Season:

• Tourist visits this place throughout the year, but the peak season is in December and January.

How to Reach:

• Kuruvadweep is 15Km away from Manthavady. State transport buses are frequently available from here. One can take the bus from Pulpally, which is 20Km away from this beautiful island.
• The nearest railway station and airport are in Calicut which is 110 Km away from this place. You can hire cabs, or avail public transport to this place.
• This island is 30Km away from Kalpetta, and you can find a good number of buses and taxis to reach this place.

Ideal Trip Duration:

• You can cover this place in 3-4 hours.

12. Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary:

Muthanga Wildlife sanctuary is considered as the second largest wildlife sanctuaries in Wayanad. This wildlife sanctuary was started in the year 1973 and was declared as a Project Elephant site. This wildlife sanctuary is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, along with Bandipur and Nagarhole area of Karnataka. This Reserve was brought under the Project Tiger between 1991 and 92 to save the tiger population in the country.

Highlights:

• Muthanga wildlife sanctuary is the second largest sanctuary and is home to a variety of animals and birds, trees and plants.
• You can spot elephants moving around freely all along the road.
• One can even spot Indian bison, deer, Panthers, jungle cats, civet cats, wild dogs, beer, and even tigers if you are lucky enough in this dense forest.
• Various birds such as fowls, peacocks, cuckoos, owls, ramped-vultures, and red-head vultures can also be spotted in this sanctuary.

Things To Do:

• The tourism department provides you with jeep safari into the jungle to spot these animals.
• Adventure enthusiasts can go for trekking into the forest to spot various animals. This will be at your own risk.
• This sanctuary is a paradise for Ornithologists. Bird watching can be done.
• You can even experience the Elephant camp visit and the tribal folklore.
• Grab your mobile, camera, or video cam, and start wildlife photography.

Best Time to Visit:

• This place can be visited during all months except in the monsoons because in monsoons the place is extremely humid. But the best time to visit is during the winter, i.e., between October and April.

Entry Fees:

• The entry fee is quite affordable. For adults, it is Rs 10/- and for children, it is Rs 5. For foreigners, it costs Rs 100/-
• The jeep safari costs you Rs 675/- per trip for seven persons with a tourist guide.

Timings:

• This sanctuary is open for visitors two times a day. Morning 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and evenings 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Peak Season:

• This place gets crowded with tourists during December and January.

How to Reach:

• This place is well connected through road and has frequent buses from Wayanad.
• The nearest airport and railway station is at Calicut which is 100 KM away from this sanctuary. One can book a cab from the airport or railway station to this sanctuary.

Ideal Trip Duration:

• This place can be best enjoyed for not less than one whole day.

13. Karapuzha Dam:

Karapuzha Dam is one of the biggest earthen dams in India, situated in Wayanad on the Karapuzha river, a tributary of the Kabini river. The primary purpose of this dam is to provide irrigation water to the nearby areas of Wayanad district. The construction of this dam started in the year 1977 and completed in the year 2020. The height of this dam is 28mts, and the total length is 625mts. After the opening of this dam, the tourism department developed the area around the dam by constructing an aquarium for boating and canoeing.

Highlights:

• This is an earthen dam, the bund of this dam is covered with lush greenery giving you a mesmerizing look.
• The construction of this dam took a whopping 25 years to complete.
• This dam provides you an excellent place to relax and enjoy the scenic landscapes with your family and friends.
• The scenic environment, swamped hills, gushing water make it an excellent spot for the water birds and a charming place for the visitors.

Things To Do:

• The tourism department of Kerala offers you with boating and canoeing on the downstream side of the dam.
• One can go on a relaxed nature walk around the dam. This will serve as a perfect weekend picnic spot for people living nearby.
• You can click beautiful pictures of the dam, green farms nearby, lush green bund, unique birds flying all around, picturesque landscapes, etc.

Best Time to Visit:

• This dam can be visited throughout the year, but the best time would be during the winter season, i.e., between December and February.

Entry Fees:

• There is no entry fee to visit this dam. But the boating here is chargeable.

Timings:

• Timing to visit this dam is 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, but the entry closes by 4:30 PM.

Peak Season:

• This place is often visited post-monsoon season.

How to Reach:

• This dam is situated at a distance of 7Km away from Kakavayal. One can take a taxi or bus to reach this place from Calicut or Wayanad etc.

Ideal Trip Duration:

• Ideally, it takes one whole day to visit this place.

14. Valliyoorkavu Bhagavathy Temple:

Valliyoorkavu Bhagavathy temple is an ancient temple situated near Manathvady, 24 Km away from Kalpetta. This temple is said to be constructed in the 14th century by the local tribes. The main deity in the temple is of Goddess Durga in three forms; Bhadrakali, Jala Durga, and Vana Durga. This temple is famous for the 15-day festival held by the tribes in February, March, and April.

Highlights:

• The main attraction is the Valliyoorkavu festival, a 14-day festival dedicated to Goddess Durga held in March.
• During the festival, various dances are being performed by the local tribes showcasing their culture.
• The main highlight is the dance performed on the last day of the festival by the tribal people using percussion instruments.

Things To Do:

• This is a pilgrimage center. You can do sightseeing as well.
• If you intend to visit during the festival, don’t miss the dance performances.

Best Time to Visit:

• Temples can be visited throughout the year, but the best time to visit this temple is during the 14 day festival season, i.e., during February and April.

Entry Fees:

• There is no entry fee to this temple.

Timings:

• This temple is open from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM every day.

Peak Season:

• The 14 day festival time is the peak season.

How to Reach:

• This temple is 24 Km away from Kalpetta. Frequent buses are running from Kalpetta to this place.

Ideal Trip Duration:

• It depends on the time of the visit. If you intend to visit during the festival, it will take at least two days to enjoy this place.

15. Wayanad Heritage Museum:

Wayanad Heritage Museum, which is also known as Ambalavayal Heritage Museum, is the largest and most accurate archeological museum in Kerala. This museum is situated in Ambalavayal, 12Km away from Sulthan Bathery in Wayanad. This museum has one of Kerala’s most significant and intriguing collections of the remnants, dating back to as early as the 2nd century, and this museum also houses various facets and artifacts of the Wayanad region.

Highlights:

• This museum houses several extraordinary artifacts that are dated back to the Neolithic era, which includes terracotta figurines, memorial stones, regular daily items, decorative items.
• This museum has four sections, namely Devasmruthi, Gothrsmruthi, Veerasmurthi, Jeevansmurthi, and each section has various items that display the simplicity, intelligence, and the rustic way of living in ancient times.
• You can also find the primitive war stones, tiger hunt stones, and stone idols used by the Wayanad tribe during the 12th to 16th centuries.

Things To Do:

• Museums give us immense knowledge. Learn about the Wayanad heritage.
• Study the various artifacts and, if possible, capture some photos.

Best Time to Visit:

• There is no best time to visit this place. You can visit it at any point in time.

Entry Fees:

• The entry fee for children is Rs 5/- and for adults, it is Rs 15/-.

Timings:

• The museum timings are 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Peak Season:

• There is no peak season in visiting this museum.

How to Reach:

• This museum can be reached by local taxis or auto-rickshaws from Wayanad.
• The nearest airport and railway station is at Kozhikode.

Ideal Trip Duration:

• The visit to this museum can be completed within 2-3 hours.

16. Neelimala View Point:

Neelimala’s viewpoint is of the most enchanting point in Wayanad, located near Vuduvanchal. This point offers you an awe-inspiring of the lush green valleys and the breathtaking Meenmutty waterfalls. From this viewpoint, you can see smooth white streams gushing through the walk, advancing towards the waterway.

Highlights:

• The view of the green valleys all around and the view of the Meemutty waterfall is merely superb. One should not miss this viewpoint if planned a tour to Wayanad.
• On the way up the viewpoint, one can experience the fog and the fragrance around, making it a memorable trip of life.
• The voices of the birds chirping and the serene atmosphere all around will put one at ease instantly.

Things To Do:

• Trekking and hiking to reach the viewpoint is the main activity to do.
• Enjoy the beautiful Western ghats and the Meenmutty waterfall from the viewpoint.
• Take out your camera or your mobile to capture the heavenly Western Ghats and the sceneries all around.

Best Time to Visit:

• The best time to visit this place is the post-monsoon. Visit this place during October to May.

Entry Fees:

• The entry fee is Rs 500/- for 6 to 7 people or one jeep.

Timings:

• Visiting timings are from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Peak Season:

• This place gets crowded with tourists during December and March.

How to Reach:

• This viewpoint is in a place called Vuduvanchal that can be reached from Kalpetta and Sulthan Bathery.

Ideal Trip Duration:

• Ideally, it takes around 3-4 hours to complete the trip to the Neelimala Viewpoint.

17. Lakkidi Viewpoint:

One can find Lakkidi’s viewpoint on the Thamaraserry ghat pass that is considered as a passage to Wayanad. This is located 32 km away from Wayanad near to Vythiri at an elevation of 700 meters above the mean sea level. This high altitude viewpoint offers you the bird’s eye view of the entire city of Wayanad.

Highlights:

• There are nine clasp bends from Downhill (Adivaram) to Lakkidi through the hills and a journey through the winding ghat pass.
• The drive to this viewpoint itself is so thrilling and a memorable experience
• The lavish greenery of the slopes, streams seen on both the sides of the road gives you an enthralling encounter.

Things To Do:

• Drive up to the viewpoint to witness the Sunrise or Sunset.
• Enjoy the drive that has hairpin bends throughout the journey upwards.
• Enjoy the view of the city Wayanad.
• Practice some good photography.

Best Time to Visit:

• This viewpoint can be visited at any point in time.

Entry Fees:

• There is no entry fee for this viewpoint. This viewpoint is on the way to the city of Wayanad.

Timings:

• No particular timings. But it is better to leave this place after sunset.

Peak Season:

• There is no such peak season in this viewpoint.

How to Reach:

• Vythiri is the nearest town to the Lakkidi viewpoint. This is at a distance of 5 km from Vythiri, and one can hire a taxi to reach this beautiful place.

Ideal Trip Duration:

• This takes just 1-2 hours to complete the tour to the Lakkidi viewpoint.

18. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary:

Wayanad Wildlife sanctuary is considered as the second largest wildlife sanctuaries in the state of Kerala. This wildlife sanctuary was established in the year 1973 and was declared as a Project Elephant site. This wildlife sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which is considered to be one of the 14 biospheres present in India. Wayanad wildlife sanctuary is spread over 345 kilometers, with four ranges on all sides. The ranges are Tholpetty, Kurichiat, Sulthan Bathery, and Muthanga. It is said that this sanctuary housed the Pazhassi Raja, a rebel against the Britishers. Because of the vast area, this sanctuary is rich in flora and fauna and wildlife can be spotted very easily.

Highlights:

• This wildlife sanctuary is the second largest one in the state of Kerala and has rare as well as endangered species of fauna and flora.
• All along the road, you can find thick and green forest which comprises of bamboo trees, eucalyptus, and spiky ginger bushes. One-third of this sanctuary is covered with silver oak, rosewood, and teak plantations.
• One can spot a variety of animals in this beautiful sanctuary. Herds of elephants and deer walking across the road or in the forest will give you a surprising and exciting look.
• You can spot langurs, bonnet macaques, monkeys, sambar, bears, bison, slender loris, and even tigers and panthers if you are lucky.

Things To Do:

• The tourism department provides you with jeep safari into the jungle to spot these animals.
• Adventure enthusiasts can go for trekking into the forest to spot various animals. This will be at your own risk.
• You can even experience the Elephant ride inside the jungle.
• Do a bit of wildlife photography without disturbing the animals.

Best Time to Visit:

• This place can be visited during all months except in the monsoons because, in monsoons, the heavy rainfall makes the area unsuitable for visiting. But the best time to visit is during the winter, i.e., between October and February.

Entry Fees:

• The entry fee is quite affordable. For adults, it is Rs 10/- and for children, it is Rs 5. For foreigners, it costs Rs 100/- which is the same as all the other sanctuaries.
• The jeep safari costs you Rs 675/- per trip for seven persons with a tourist guide.

Timings:

• All the sanctuaries follow the same timings. This sanctuary is open for visitors two times a day. Morning 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and evenings 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Peak Season:

• This place gets crowded with tourists during December and January.

How to Reach:

• This place is well connected through road and has frequent buses from Wayanad to the entrance point of the jungle.
• The nearest airport and railway station is at Calicut which is 100 KM away from this sanctuary. One can book a cab from the airport or railway station to this sanctuary.

Ideal Trip Duration:

• This place can be best enjoyed for not less than one whole day.

19. Chain Tree:

Chain Tree is one of the Wayanad tourist attraction that is less explored. This is a popular Ficus which has many myths and stories associated with it. One such story is about a tribal person Karthinadan who was shot to death by an engineer who helped the British to construct the road up the ghats. It is said that his spirit is stuck in the tree, causing many accidents on the hairpin curve. The other one is that when the British first came to Wayanad, the Adivasi Mahout helped the British and took them to the top of the mountains. The Portuguese were just behind them, but the British didn’t want the Mahout to go back and help them. Hence the British killed the Mahout, and it is said that his spirit is stuck in the tree. After all these incidents, a local priest chained the soul in the tree with a chain.

Highlights:

• The chain tree holds a massive steel chain hanging from the tree.
• Two different stories and myths about the chain tree made this a famous attraction.

Things To Do:

• You can just do sightseeing in the tree. People pray for a safe journey and return while passing through this spot.

Best Time to Visit:

• This tree can be visited at any point in time.

Entry Fees:

• This tree is located en route to Wayanad. Hence no entry fee is required.

Timings:

• No particular timings as this are present on the route to Wayanad.

Peak Season:

• There is no such peak season in this spot.

How to Reach:

• The Chain tree is present on the State Highway 29 nearby the town Lakkidi. You can reach this place from Wayanad. There are several buses to this place.

Ideal Trip Duration:

• You don’t need to spend much time over here. This is just en route to Wayanad. You can just pit stop here and view the chain tree and proceed further.

20. Puliyarmala Jain Temple:

This is a famous Jain temple in Wayanad district, which is dedicated to Ananthanatha Swami who was considered as a Thirthankar; hence this temple is also known as Anantnath Swami Temple. Puliyamara Jain temple is one of the oldest temples built in the 13th century that depicts the mastery of Jain architectures, a statue of Lord Mahavir is carved at the front door.

Highlights:

• The King of Mysore, Tipu Sultan, stored his ammunition inside this building, and hence this is also known as Tipu Fort.
• The Dravidian style paintings are present all over the temple, and beautiful carvings of Jain religion are on the doors and stupa of the temple. It also has a brass idol on the premises of the temple.

Things To Do:

• This is a pilgrimage center. You can do sightseeing as well.
• Learn about the Jain culture.
• If permitted, do some photography.

Best Time to Visit:

• This temple can be visited throughout the year. There is no such best time to visit.

Entry Fees:

• There is no entry fee to this temple.

Timings:

• This temple is open from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM every day.

Peak Season:

• No such peak season is present to visit this temple.

How to Reach:

• This temple is 6 Km away from Kalpetta. Frequent buses are running from Kalpetta to this place.

Ideal Trip Duration:

• A visit to this place takes hardly 1-2 hours.

21. Pallikunnu Church:

Pallikunnu church, which is referred to as ‘Our Lady of Lourdes,’ is one of the most popular pilgrimage centers in North Kerala. This Latin Catholic church is situated about 19 km away from Kalpetta was conceived by a famous priest Fr. Jefreno, in the year 1908. This church is an important religious center for Christians in the state of Kerala.

Highlights:

• This church is popular among the Kerala Christians because of a significant event that is being conducted in February. The event is called the Pallikunnu Church festival.
• This festival goes on for 16 days from February 2nd to February 19th, in which the 10th and 11th days are the important ones. People from all around Kerala come to enjoy this festival.

Things To Do:

• This is a pilgrimage center. You can do sightseeing as well.
• If you visit this Church during February, enjoy the Pallikunnu Church festival.
• If permitted, do some photography of the architecture and the beautiful marvel.

Best Time to Visit:

• This church can be visited throughout the year, but the best time is during February.

Entry Fees:

• There is no entry fee to this holy place.

Timings:

• This church is open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM every day.

Peak Season:

• February is the peak season.

How to Reach:

• This holy place is 19 Km away from Kalpetta. Several buses run from Kalpetta to this place.

Ideal Trip Duration:

• A visit to this place takes hardly 1-2 hours.

22. Varambetta Mosque:

Varambetta mosque is one of the oldest mosques, as early as 300 years, and stands as the first-ever Mosque of the Wayanad town. Varambetta mosque was said to be built in the remembrance of a Sufi Saint, who visited Wayanad during the 1600s. This is a neat and well-maintained mosque and is open not only for Muslims but to all the people irrespective of the religion.

Highlights:

• Varambetta mosque has a rich heritage and history, making it one of the top tourist attractions in the town of Wayanad.
• This Mosque indulges in an annual festival held in March, where people from all over the town come and participate, making it a grand success.
• The Arab architecture and the impeccable design is undoubtedly a delight to the eyes.

Things To Do:

• People visit the Mosque to pray. If you are interested, spend some time praying.
• Be a part of the Mosque’s annual festival if you intend to visit in March.
• Enjoy the architecture, tour around this magnificent Mosque and do some photography.

Best Time to Visit:

• This temple can be visited throughout the year, but the best time is during March.

Entry Fees:

• There is no entry fee to visit this Mosque

Timings:

• This Mosque opens when the early morning Namaaz starts and closes by 10:00 PM.

Peak Season:

• March is considered the peak season.

How to Reach:

• This temple is 15 Km away from Kalpetta. Several buses run from Kalpetta to this place.

Ideal Trip Duration:

• A visit to this place takes hardly 1-2 hours.

23. Ripon Tea Factory:

When you are on tour to a hill station, you shouldn’t miss the tea factories present over there. Wayanad also has a Tea Factory established by the British in the 18th century which is names as Ripon Tea Factory. This tea factory is spread in an area of 443 hectares of land all along the slopes of Wayanad hills, at an altitude of 2000 meters above the mean sea level. Ripon Tea factory is situated near to Meppadi town of Wayanad district.

Highlights:

• Ripon Tea factory has got a bit of history behind itself and is famous for the premium quality of extravagant tea that is separated into leaf, dust, and blended flavors.
• The lush green tea plantation gives a glimpse of the history of this place.

Things To Do:

• Witness the process of tea making, if interested, learn the process.
• Try to taste various flavors of tea.
• There will be greenery all around with beautiful tea leaves and tea gardens, showcase your skills of photography.

Best Time to Visit:

• This tea factory is open throughout the year. There is no such best time to visit.

Entry Fees:

• There is a nominal entry fee of Rs 10/- per person.

Timings:

• The tea factory is open for visitors from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Peak Season:

• Tourists come and go at any point in time, and hence there is no such peak season to visit this place.

How to Reach:

• Ripon Tea factory is 7Km from Meppadi, 28Km from Sulthan Bathery, and 18Km from Kalpetta towns. There are frequent State transport buses available to this place. One can hire a taxi to visit this place.

Ideal Trip Duration:

• A visit to this place will complete in 1-2 hours.

24. Krishnagiri Cricket Stadium:

Krishnagiri Stadium is a cricket stadium located in the village Krishnagiri of Wayanad district. The foundation stone for this stadium was laid in the year 2020 by two former cricket players Robin Singh and Sunil Joshi. The stadium was inaugurated in the year 2020, and till now, this hosted four first-class matches.

Highlights:

• This stadium is spread over 11.5 acres of land and situated at an altitude of 2100 feet above sea level. This stadium has a capacity of 20,000 spectators.
• It is said that this stadium also serves as a beautiful sunset point.

Things To Do:

• Enjoy the climate all around, enjoy a cricket match.
• Sunset is one thing that you shouldn’t miss at this place.
• Do some photography in and around the stadium.

Best Time to Visit:

• You can visit this stadium every day, but the best time would be when this stadium hosts a cricket match.

Entry Fees:

• Stadium authorities don’t charge any fees to visit this stadium. But during cricket matches, you need to buy the tickets to enjoy the game.

Timings:

• No specific timings to visit this stadium, but this stadium closes after sunset.

Peak Season:

• The peak season is when the stadium hosts a cricket match in it.

How to Reach:

• This place in a village called Krishnagiri. Several auto-rickshaws and cabs will take you to this place from Wayanad. Hire one, go and enjoy the look of the stadium

Ideal Trip Duration:

• A visit to this stadium will finish in 1-2 hours.

25. The Bamboo Factory:

The bamboo factory is one such place in Wayanad that one shouldn’t miss visiting. This factory is located in the village Uravu, which is an initiative to bring back the art and culture of making crafts using bamboos. Uravu also referred to as ‘the bamboo town,’ the people here are engaged in earning their livelihood as bamboo craftsmen.

Highlights:

• Beautiful crafts are made out of the bamboo sticks. Handicrafts include decorative items, furniture, tables, and even houses are made with the bamboo.
• One can witness the wonder of sustainable tourism and explore the ancient traditions preserved in Wayanad from this bamboo factory.

Things To Do:

• Witness the astonishing crafts made from bamboo, learn the whole process of making these crafts.
• One can talk to these talented craftsmen and learn how to convert bamboo into beautiful decorative items.
• You can even shop for some of the decorative items and souvenirs.
• Take out your camera or cam recorder and start recording the making of items from bamboo, click pictures of the decorative items and the craftsmen, and click selfies with these talented villagers.

Best Time to Visit:

• The post-monsoon season is the best time to visit, i.e., October to March.

Entry Fees:

• There is an entry fee to visit this educating and inspiring place. It costs you Rs 500/- per person.

Timings:

• This factory is open to visitors from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Peak Season:

• Tourists visiting Wayanad will surely visit this place. Hence the peak season would be post-monsoon.

How to Reach:

• This factory is very near to the town of Wayanad. One can hire an auto-rickshaw or taxi to visit this place.

Ideal Trip Duration:

• You can cover this place in 2-3 hours.

Precautions:

Wayanad is a place with different tourist spots with hills, mountains, waterfalls, temples, lakes etc; Necessary precautions should be taken before heading to this place.

• This is a hill station, and hence proper clothing like sweaters with gloves and shoes should be packed.
• If you are planning to go for trekking or forest walks, make sure you go prepared with good shoes, proper trousers, and light gear as a precaution against leeches and other insects.
• If you are prone to motion sickness, please carry the necessary medication because there are a lot of hairpin bends and ghat roads in Wayanad.
• All foreigners should obtain an e-Visa for travel any travel plans to Kerala in India. Make sure you carry all the necessary documents such as passport, proper identification, etc.
• In summer, do not miss out on sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen lotions.

Kerala is considered as ‘Gods’ Own Country’ because of the beautiful tourist spots present in the state, and Wayanad is one such place. If you are planning for a trip soon, then Wayanad should be in the first place of your list. Wayanad is a conglomeration of various tourist spots that include adventure, pilgrimage, educational, entertainment, and picnic. Before heading to Wayanad, make sure you pick the right places because Wayanad is home to beautiful places. These places mentioned above will help you choose the right tourist spots before heading to Wayanad. Enjoy your tour, and do share your experiences with us.

FAQ’s

1. What is The Budget Required to Visit Wayanad?

Ans: The budget per person depends on the number of days your tour. You can visit Wayanad in 2 days or seven days. For two days it costs you less than 10000 per person.

2. How Many Days are Required to Complete Sightseeing in Wayanad?

Ans: Sightseeing in Wayanad can be completed in 2 days to a maximum of 10 days. On average, it takes you 4-5 days to complete the tour to Wayanad.

3. What Are Some of The Beautiful Places to Visit Wayanad in 2 Days with Friends?

Ans: With friends, you can visit the Edakkal caves, waterfalls, trekking to the viewpoints, and wildlife sanctuaries in two whole days.

4. What Are The Things to Buy in Wayanad?

Ans: Kerala is famous for its spices and ayurvedic medicines. In Wayanad, you can buy tea, spices, ayurvedic herbs, and traditional Kerala attires.

5. What Are The Popular Food Options to Try Out in Wayanad City?

Ans: Wayanad is famous for seafood and beef curry. Try out the Malabar biryani, Puttu, and beef fry, Malabar duck roast, Kadala curry, Chemmeen Undu Puttu in Wayanad.

6. Is it Easy to Find Public Transport to Reach Famous Places in Wayanad?

Ans: Yes, it is easy to find public transport in Wayanad to reach famous places in Wayanad.