Things to Do in Wayanad

Located close to Meppady and just 8 km south of Kalpetta, stands the highest peak of the Wayanad Hill Range- the Chembra Peak at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level. The Chembra peak offers a panoramic view of not only the entire Wayanad district but also a large chunk of Kozhikode, Malappuram and Niligiri districts.

Wayanad is full of lushy greenery with many hilltops and tea gardens. The place is packed with nature beauty with flora, fauna, caves, plantations and dams. One of the exciting acticivities to indulge in Wayanad is ziplining through the nature and beauty of the place.

Famous for its exquisite rock and wall carvings, the pre-historic Edakkal Caves are two naturally occurring alcoves. Owing to its precarious location, one needs to trek for one and half hours (around 4000 ft) to hit the cave entrance, and another 45 minutes to reach the mouth of the cave. The Edakkal cave carvings date back to the Neolithic era, the late Stone Age.

Wildlife is the first thing that comes to one’s mind when you mention Wayanad. Located in the North-Eastern part of Kerala, this rural town has a lot of fancy resort-experiences to offer.

One of the best things to do in Kerala is to stay in a treehouse. And there is no better place in the state than Wayanad. You can find several packages in the city where you can stay in the pretty wooden house and as part of the package, you can also enjoy a bonfire and indulge in activities like rock climbing, rappelling, nature walks etc.

Pookode Lake is a natural freshwater lake snuggled in the evergreen forests and wooded slopes. The lake, accessible via motorable road is an excellent place for an outing, especially with family and loved ones. Apart from the natural view, people enjoy boating, seeing the freshwater aquarium, shopping for handicrafts and just walking around.

Also known as Sentinel Rock Waterfalls, Soochipara Falls is a three-tiered waterfall situated in Vellarimala, Wayanad. Surrounded by deciduous, evergreen and montane forests, this waterfall is regarded as one of the best waterfalls. The drive from Meppadi to Sentinel Rock Waterfalls provides visitors with scenic views of some of the best tea estates in Wayanad. 

Kuruvadweep is a beautiful little island in River Kabini in the district of Wayanad in Kerala. It is the only island in India that is surrounded by fresh water. The mesmerising beauty of the location draws tourists from all over the world, and its landscape makes it a hotspot for nature walks.

The Thirunelli Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to the Lord Maha Vishnu, surrounded by pleasing hills and lush green forests. It stands at the height of 900 meters, overlooking the mountainous landscape and thick forests, nestled on one side of the Brahmagiri hills, at the Karnataka border. Lord Vishnu was first found resting under a gooseberry tree before the temple was built.

Located 29 km away from Kalpetta in Wayanad district, Meenmutty waterfalls is considered one of the largest three-tier waterfalls in the Kalpetta region and the second largest in Kerala. Nestled away in the lap of a jungle trek, the cascading waterfall of Meenmutty makes up for a dazzling view. The experience of climbing through the rocks to reach this enchanting destination is one of a kind.

Wayanad Heritage Museum, also known as the Ambalavayal Heritage Museum, is an archaeological museum that has an impressive collection of artefacts belonging to the tribes of the region. It has an intriguing collection of artefacts belonging to the 2nd century that are tagged as rare. Some of these artefacts have been dated back to the Neolithic era and include regular daily items, decorative items, terracotta figurines, memorial stones, etc. 

Neelimala Viewpoint offers a stunning view of the lush green natural vegetation and the breathtaking Meenmutti waterfalls. The serene atmosphere and the sounds of the birds chirping amidst the whispering leaves will put one at ease instantly. Trekking through the exciting misty trails and soaking in the fresh air to reach the point is a famous activity here.

Pakshipathalam Bird Sanctuary is a nature loverês and bird watchers paradise. They have a stunning population of birds thriving in the natural habitat preserved within the sanctuary. The sanctuary is a favourite amongst campers as well. Some rare species of birds and plants are also found here. Other than the well-preserved natural terrain of the sanctuary, there are also some rock-cut caves that can be explored.

Located in between two lush green tea estates, Kanthanpara Waterfall is a mesmerizing attraction. The walking trails leading up to the waterfall are perfect for nature walks and the picturesque location makes it ideal for camping. The beauty of the attraction is irresistible and offers a quick escape from the busy lifestyle.

Kalpetta is small town where you have a many options available for shopping. If you are a coffee lover, this place is paradise. Other than that, this town is well known for its spices especially pepper, artifacts, honey, tea, bamboo products, ivory craft and coconut shell craft.

A blend of influences from Arab, Brahmin, Zamorin, and Chirakkal food cultures makes Wayanad a flavoursome hot pot. The North of Wayanad is also popular for its Konkani food. Some of the must-try dishes here are Dum Biryani, Malabar paratha, Pathiri or rice bread, and ghee and saffron rice. You will also find popular items such as Ghee Roast Dosa, Appams and Idlis as well as Toddy, a locally fermented alcohol beverage made from palm trees and coconut palms.

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is the second largest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala and comprises rare as well as endangered species of both flora and fauna. It is surrounded by the protected areas of Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu as well as Nagarhole and Bandipur in Karnataka.

Lakkidi Viewpoint is a high altitude offering a bird's eye view of the city. Located 32 kilometres from Wayanad, at an elevation of 700 mts, the region mostly stays misty and offers a beautiful view of the hairpin turns down the hill. One should visit Lakkidi View Point for sunrise and sunset to get the best views. The viewpoint is also a popular picnic spot which is often referred to as the 'Gateway to Wayanad'.

Formerly known as Ganapativatom; Sulthan Bathery, located in the Wayanad district of Kerala, is a quaint and peaceful town. The place came to be known by its new name after the great ruler, Tipu Sultan of Mysore, invaded the region and used the Jain Temple located here as a battery. The pleasant weather in this beautiful town, coupled with excellent opportunities for shopping and spectacular historical sites makes the town of Sulthan Bathery a popular tourist destination.

An important pilgrimage for Jains, Koottamunu Glass Temple was created to honour the famous Jain saint Parshawanatha Swami. Situated 22 km from Kalpetta on the hillside Vellarimala. The interior of the temple is quite tantalizing decorated with mirrors reflecting the image of the idols inside the main temple. The Glass temple truly showcases its name since it is filled with thousands of Glass mirrors, and is perfect for an awe-inspiring experience.

One of the most popular and sought-after pilgrimage centres in north Kerala, Pallikkunnu Church is also referred to as 'Our Lady of Lourdes'. Situated about 19 km away from Kalpetta, this Latin Catholic Church was conceived by a famous priest Fr. Jefreno in the year 1908. A significant event of the year is the Pallikunnu Church festival, which goes on for about 16-days. 

One of the tallest mountains in the region, Banasura Hill is a part of the Western Ghats of India having an altitude of over 2000 metres. The hill has a wide variety of flora and fauna and offers a beautiful atmosphere for nature walks and trekking. The Kurichiya tribe, a tribe expert in bow and arrow, have their settlements at the foothills.

Varambetta Mosque is one of the oldest pieces of architecture in the district of Wayanad. About 300 years old, the mosque is situated at a distance of 15 km from Kalpetta. The whole complex is neat, and well maintained, for the people who visit here. It is one of the most important Muslim religious centres in Wayanad, with Maithali Palli and Juma Masjid being close to it. This place is open for all the visitors.

Also known as Sentinel Rock Waterfalls, Soochipara Falls is a three-tiered waterfall situated in Vellarimala, Wayanad. Surrounded by deciduous, evergreen and montane forests, this waterfall is regarded as one of the best waterfalls. The drive from Meppadi to Sentinel Rock Waterfalls provides visitors with scenic views of some of the best tea estates in Wayanad.

Surrounded by mystic hills and dense tea plantations, Kalpetta is a charming town in the Wayanad district of Kerala. The town is filled with fantastic tea and coffee houses, where you can go and have some of the best early morning breakfasts. It is famous for its fantastic location since the place is surrounded by the famous sightseeing places and nature outings like Chembra Peak, Meenmutty Falls, and Pookode Lake. 

Vythiri is a small town located in the Wayanad district, surrounded by lush rainforest. It is known for its spice plantations and indigenous tribal communities. It is a tourist favourite for adventure sports, trekking, and relaxing amidst the serene beauty of the town. Because of its height, at 700 meters above sea level, this is one of the colder regions in Wayanad and is an all-weather destination. Vythiri houses the Pookot lake; wherein one can enjoy a relaxing boat ride and kayaking.

Though trekking is a favorite part of Wayanad, cycling is a fun -filled activity to admire the tea and coffee plantation and ride along the lush-green lands creating a refreshing experience.

The Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary is the second largest animal sanctuary in Kerala. The elephant is a particular attraction of this Sanctuary. Apart from elephants, the sanctuary is home to the tiger, Indian bison, a variety of deers, panther, wild boar, sloth bear, the Malabar giant squirrel, and others. It is advised to take a guide to understand better and spot the different animal species, and a safari is the surest way to go around the sanctuary.

Lying in the lap of the Banasura hills in the Wayanad district is the picturesque Banasura Sagar dam. Banasura Dam is the largest earthen dam in the country and the second-largest in Asia. The view of the sprawling reservoir from the top of the dam is breathtaking. Adventures like speed boating are readily available, and a trek up to Banasura Peak is filled with streams, diverse flora, fauna, lush tropical green and majestic waterfalls. 

Situated in the thriving Wayanad District of Kerala and present on both sides of the Karapuzha River, Karapuzha Dam is one of the largest earth dams in India. The gushing water, swamped hills, scenic environment, and leafy islands make it a perfect spot for aquatic birds and a charming place for tourists. 

Situated in Wayanad, Chethalayam Waterfalls is a seasonal waterfall in Kerala. Cascading down a height, the mesmerising waterfalls are also a popular bird-watching spot. You can also spot spotted deer, sambar, gaur, elephants and sloth bear etc.
 

Poopoli National Agrifest and Wayanad Flower Show at Ambalavayal in Kerala is held every year in January and marks the beginning of the new year. It is the biggest flower show in Kerala and is a venue for showing and exploring the latest trends and techniques in horticulture and floriculture. The Wayanad Flower Show is a beautiful exhibition of stunning flowers, with as many as 100 stalls a year. 

Valliyoorkavu Bhagavathi Temple is a temple with Goddess Durga as its presiding deity in three forms namely: Vana Durga, Bhadrakali, and Jala Durga. Situated about 24 kms from Kalpetta nearby Mananthavady, the temple was built in the 14th century. The main attraction of the temple is a 15-day festival held in February, March and April and this is the best time to visit.

Located in Vellamunda near Wayanad in the state of Kerala, E3 Theme Pass is one of the country’s best Multi Recreational Theme Parks. The park includes Magnetic Free Fall, Moss Garden, 12D Theatre and a huge Kid’s Park etc. In addition to that, you can also try your hand at adventure activities like rope course, rifle shooting, archery, rappelling, rock climbing etc.