Wayanad is a district nestled among the mountains of the Western Ghats in Kerala, South India. It’s covered with mist-laden mountains, lush forests, and green fields stretching up to the horizon, making it a paradise for the tourists filled with history and culture.
Geographically, Wayanad mostly consists of 3 taluks – Mananthavady, Sulthan Bathery, and Vythiri. The headquarters is located at Kalpetta municipality. They enjoy a salubrious climate throughout the year. The maximum and minimum temperatures for the last five years were 29oC and 18oC respectively.they also experience high humidity which sometimes goes up to 95% during the monsoon period.
MUST VISIT PLACES IN WAYANAD:
- CHEMBRA PEAK-
Chembra peak is believed as the highest peak in Wayanad at 2100m. The peak is located near Meppadi in the southern part of Wayanad. Trekking to the Chembra peak takes almost a day and would test one’s physical prowess. It’s an exhilarating experience, but at the same time very challenging and thrilling. Tourists who camp at the top n the night with a campfire are assured of an unforgettable experience. One can contact the District Tourism Promotion Council for all the trekking implements and guides.
- MENMUTTY WATERFALLS-
The spectacular Meenmutty Falls is 12 km. east of Meppadi. It is considered as the largest of waterfalls in the district of Wayanad and every spray of water creates a mist that then floats gently down into the valley.
The trekking equipments are supposedly available at Tourist Information Centre.
- PAKSHIPATHALAM-
Situated in Bramha Giri hills at Thirunelly at an altitude of more than 1700 meters, the location is home to many birds, animals, and distinctive species of plants. It has a unique location because it is covered with wild forests, hills, and forest sanctuaries.
Visitors trekking towards Pakshipathalam will have to seek permission from the DFO- North Wayanad.
- BANASURA SAGAR DAM-
The dam is known as the largest earth dam in India. Its located in the southwestern part of Wayanad district and 15 kilometers northwest of Kalpetta town. From the viewpoint, one can admire the lovely scenery of the Banasura Hills which might also remind one of some exotic location like Scotland
Activities like speed and pedal boats are taken place, through which one can explore this area, and they also a nursery where one can buy some lovely ornamental plants.
- CHETHALAYAM WATERFALLS
Tourists visiting Wayanad will get attracted to these falls. The falls are small but are very beautiful as they come flowing down in a series of cascades. They are located close to Sulthan Bathery in the northern part of Wayanad. The waterfalls will be a favorite haunt for bird watchers.
- PAZHASSI TOURIST RESORT-
The resort is in the memory of the great Veera Pazhassi Raja constructed by the DTPC, located 1 kilometer south of Mananthavady. Pazhassi Raja is the king of the Kottayam royal family and fought against the British and sought to hide in Wayanad.
- POOKOT LAKE TOURIST RESORT-
The serene lake is located 3 kilometers from the Vythiri town. The lake is the most visited tourist places in the Wayanad district of Kerala. The unique part is that the shape of the lake resembles the map of India. The freshwater has a wide variety of fishes that are managed by the Fisheries Department.
One can go for boat rides as facilities can be arranged in the Pookode Lake.
- THE BOMBAY FACTORY-
The factory teaches you how bamboo constitutes an important factor in both the lifestyle and livelihood of the people in Wayanad. The educating and inspiring experience gives a sneak peek into the lives of the locals in Uravu. The factory is made for uplifting the lives of many rural craftsmen along with offering tourists an experience by getting to know how bamboo.
- JAIN TEMPLE-
The temple is considered as one of the most beautiful heritage sightseeing places in Wayanad, because of its interesting history. The Jain temple is in Sulthan Battery and resonates with the vital presence and influence of the Jain community in the state of Kerala. It is considered one of the holiest places for the Jains, and a festival is celebrated during Mahavir Jayanthi.
- EDDAKAL CAVES-
Eddakal caves help you in travel back in time to the Stone Age that is located at a height of 1200 meters above sea level on the Ambukuthi Hills. The meaning of Eddakal caves translates to ‘a stone in-between’. The cave is associated with many myths and is considered one of the most sacred places to visit in Wayanad.
