Wayanad is 62 miles away from Calicut International airport- A wide and very green tableland. The road leads to Wayanad consists of many hair pin bends. Wayandan forests is the main tourist attraction. You can have wild safari here. A variety of large wild animals such as Indian bison, elephant, deer and tiger are found there. There are also quite a few unusual birds in the sanctuary.If you would like to have a calm stay with cool climate, Wayanad is the best place.
The major attractions are Pookote lake, Soochipara Waterfalls, Edakkal caves (two natural caves), Muthanga wild life sanctuary, Banasura Sagar Dam.
Edakkal caves become known to the world when British Malabar Police superintendent Fred Fawcett published an article in the journal `Indian Antiquary,' in 1901. Ancient pictorial writings of man, animals, wheels, symbols used for communication, arts, and numbers are carved on the walls of Edakkal Cave. Fawcett suggested the possibility that the carvings might have been the handiwork of Kurumbars (a tribal people of the Wayanad).
Edakkal caves are feet long and 22 feet wide. The script on the stones are 2500 years old. State Archeological department declared Edakkal caves as Historical monument in 1984.Your Wayanad trip will not be full without seeing the wonderful caves.
Ticket rate: Adults- 30 Rupees, Child -20 rupees, Video camera- 200 rupees.
Visiting Time: from 9am to 4 pm. Edakkal Caves remain closed on every Mondays and public holidays.
Banasura Sagar Dam is Asia's second largest earth dam. Boating is the major attraction here. Entry time-9am to 5 pm
Muthunga Wildlife Sanctuary is an Elephant Reserve located fourteen kilometers away from Sultan Bathery, in Wayanad district of Kerala. You can explore Muthanga wild life sanctuary with a jeep safari. Only 40 jeeps are allowed in the morning and 20 jeeps in the evening. Maximum of 7 people can enter in a jeep. The tickets can be obtained from the queue only and no advanced booking available here. Safari duration is aproximately 1 hour.
It is a natural lake shaped like the map of India and a walkway around it. Boating is the major attraction here. Entry time-9 am to 5.30 pm
Another destination at Wayanad is Kuruva Islands (Kuruvadweep) a protected river delta in river Kabani. You can enter to the Island through rafts or fiber boats by the Tourism Department. Since it is a part of reserve forest, please follow the instruction from the Forest department. Kuruva Island is the home of more than 160 rare species of birds (including Migratory Birds) some are only seen in Western Ghats.
Chembra Peak is a mountain zenith at an elevation of two thousand one hundred meters above sea level located 8 km south of Kalpetta of Wayanad. This is one of the favorite place for the tourist and trekking with guide is amazing. Visits to this peak controlled by THE CHEMPRA PEAK VSS under the control of South Wayanad Forest Development Agency. Ascending the Chembra Peak is a breathtaking experience, and it unfolds great amplitudes of Wayanad and the view gets wider when you reach its tip. Ascending and descending the peak would take an entire day. It might be an unforgettable experience if you would like camp at the top of Chembra Peak. The visit to the peak may stop during summer season to avoid wildfire.
Chembra peak visiting time: 7 am to 5 pm
Chembra peak Trekking time: 7 am to 2 pm
Vythiri is a small hill station at an altitude ranging between 3750 to 4500 feet and favorite place to stay during the Wayanad visit. This is home of many migratory birds and is a best place for bird watching. Vythiri is very close to most of the tourist attraction is Wayanad such as Pookote Lake, The Chembra Peak, Soochipara and Meenmutty Falls, Edakkal Caves, Banasura Sagar dam and Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary. There are many resorts with natural environment and modern facilities around Vythiri. The dense green Vythiri Resort situated about four kilometer from Vythiri which offers TREE HOUSES which are quite famous among foreign tourists visiting the place.
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary at Tholpetty which boarder with other wildlife sanctuaries, is one of the top places of wildlife in Kerala and also one of the best places to visit in Wayanad. The sanctuary was set up with an objective of conserving the biological heritage of the region with due consideration to the general life style of tribes and others whose lives are dependent on the forest. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary at Tholpetty has about nine hundred elephants and other rare species of animals such as Tigers, Panthers, Monkeys, Wild Dogs, Bisons, different types of snakes and Monitor lizards. You can explore Wayanad Wildlife sanctuary only with two hours guided Jeep Safari arranged by the forest department. You can see various types of birds like Cuckoos, Peacocks, Babblers, Owls, Woodpeckers and Jungle Fowls during your amazing Jeep Safari. Private vehicles can go to a certain limit but need compulsorily permission to go further. Many accommodation facilities are there in the vicinity provided by the Forest department.
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary visiting time: 7 am to 10 am and 3 pm to 5 pm. Entry Fee: Ten Rupees for Indians, 100 Rupees for Foreigners, 50 Rupees for Vehicle, 100 Rupees for Guide and 300 Rupees per person for Jeep Safari.
This temple was built on thirteenth century when there was a sound presence of Jain community in this area. It is believed that twelve traditional Jain streets were here. This Jain temple built in Vijayanagar architectural style with carved granite pillars. The temple was deserted for about 150 years. Later the Archaeological Survey of India took over the maintenance and declared it a monument. The temple festival falls once a year during Mahavir Jayanthi and will be open to the Jains for worship during the festival.
Jain Temple at Sulthan Bathery visiting time: 8am to 12pm then 2pm to 6pm
Wayanad Heritage Museum is one of the best heritage museums in Kerala located at Ambalavayal which is five kilometers from famous tourist center Edakkal caves. The museum houses fascinating items from tribal communities dating back to the second century AD. Wayanad Heritage Museum has a rare collection of several ancient instruments and tribal artifacts, hunting and fishing weapons, farming instruments, a good collection of sculptures between14 and 16 century, etc. Ancient terra cottas, stone weapons and local art are also on display at the museum. A series of pictorial rock edicts referred to as Hero Stones, memorialize a bygone age of warriors. A fine figure of Urvara known as the Goddess of fertility is displayed in this museum. Most of the artifacts are collected from the Wayanad tribal areas and surrounding regions.
Wayanad Heritage Museum visiting time: 9am to 6pm
Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja is known as LION OF KERALA who was from Kottayam Royal family ruled the northern area of Kerala and one of the Indian early freedom fighter. His tomb is known as Pazhassi Kudeeram located at Mananthavady.
Pazhassi Raja's Tomb visiting time: 10am to 5pm
Thirunelly Temple is located 22 kilometers away from Mananthavad. This three thousand years old temple dedicated to Hindu Deity Maha Vishnu, is a fine specimen of traditional Kerala temple architecture.
Karappuzha Dam visiting time: 7am to 4pm
Meenmutty Waterfalls visiting time: 7am to 4pm
Soochipara Waterfalls visiting time: 7.30am to 5.30pm
Thusharagiri Waterfalls visiting time: 7am to 4pm
Karlad Lake visiting time: 7am to 4pm