Wayanad, snuggled in the embrace of a state lovingly known as ‘God’s Own Country’, is an untouched and undiscovered southern treasure. Resting about 63 km away from the Kozhikode railway station, Wayanad is world-renowned for all the right reasons. Secluded away in the remotest corner of Kerala, Wayanad is an unspoiled location that has retained its natural beauty.
From winding roads, tranquil atmosphere, the enticing fragrance of spices flitting through the air, dense and endless woodlands in all directions, to a large variety of wildlife species, Wayanad has it all. A perfect holiday destination, friends, family, couples, or even solo travelers, Wayanad is packed with many surprises. Not sure about how to spend your time in Wayanad? Here’s our pick of the top 7 things to do that will help you make the most of your trip to Wayanad.
Famed for being the largest rock dam in the country and the second-largest dam in the whole of Asia, the Banasura Dam was built in 1979 as a part of the Banasura Sagar project. Resting at the foot of the beautiful Banasura hills, this dam has been constructed across Karamanathodu, which is one of the main tributaries of the gorgeous Kabini River.
The name of the dam actually comes from an interesting Hindu mythological tale. The hills and the dam have been named after Banasura, a popular ruler of Kerala who was the son of the famous King Mahabali. According to the legend, Banasura is supposed to have performed severe penance in this area.
Built with huge stones as well as boulders, this dam was designed with the aim of assisting the Kakkayam Hydroelectric Power Project and fulfilling the drinking water and irrigation requirements of the region.
Many people visiting the dam prefer trekking around the area and there’s a good reason for that. The trails provide the trekkers with some breath-taking views of the valley that’s surrounded by verdant hills and enveloped in mist most of the time. The boating options that are available here will surely make your outing super fun. Look out for the small yet alluring group of islands that are scattered across the Banasura reservoir. This magnificent view combined with a hilly background entices photographers from all over the country.
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Vythiri is an alluring hill station that is situated roughly 12 km from Lakkidi. Perched at a height of roughly 700 meters, Vythiri is considered to be an ideal summer hideout for those who are looking to vacation in Wayanad. The foggy weather, the lush green terrain, and its strategic location make it the perfect holiday spot for all types of travelers.
However, that’s not all! Visiting a tourist destination and relaxing at a luxurious resort could be your common vacation routine. But be prepared to have your mind blown when you discover that you can choose to live in actual treehouses in Vythiri. Surprised? Staying in a wonderful treehouse instead of a hotel room is what makes your stay in Wayanad extremely unique. Built at a good height and overlooking the lush green valleys, farms, tea estates, or coffee plantations, these treehouses leave you spellbound.
The best part about this is that there are several options to choose from based on your budget and your preferred facilities. You could choose to stay in a treehouse that is surrounded by thick forests or find one that is actually equipped with a jacuzzi or even a pool. Isn’t that wonderful? Waking up to a gorgeous sunrise and listening to the songs of the birds that dwell in the surrounding woods is something you will enjoy when you stay here. Perfect for a romantic getaway, these treehouse stays should not be missed while you are in Wayanad.
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Why would you go around the pristine town of Wayanad cooped up in a car if you get a chance to cycle around this enchanting town and feel the cool breeze touch your warm face? The best way to soak in the beauty of Wayanad is to rent a cycle and explore the hypnotic surroundings of this region.
Off-road cycling lets you get away from the hustle and bustle of the mainstream tourist attractions and explore the more intimate areas of the town and the surrounding woodlands. These cycle rides will take you across verdant coffee plantations, picturesque tea gardens, and bewitching wilderness trails and you will surely end up enjoying a lot. To add to that, you can also take part in the cycling groups that venture on adventurous cycling tours and make some new friends in the process.
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The Kuruva Dweep, also known as the Kuruva Island, is essentially a preserved river delta that rests amid the Kabini River. Comprising a group of islands, Kuruva Dweep covers about 950 acres of land and is heavily inhabited by a rich variety of flora and fauna. The unique topography and the remoteness of the island give the entire place a mystical vibe.
Several gurgling streams surround the Kuruva Dweep and you can choose to go rafting or boating through these streams while taking in the island’s natural beauty. Bamboo rafting is especially famous here. The Kerala Tourism Department provides you bamboo rafts and you can go on an enthralling journey in these rafts.
While exploring the deeper parts of the island, many lovely sites like the bamboo bridges and diverse species of trees swaying in the wind will catch your eye. Kuruva Dweep is a bird watcher’s paradise. Around the island, there are a couple of tiny freshwater lakes that attract a variety of migratory birds. Apart from that, you’ll also come across several rare species of herbal plants and orchids. Kuruva Dweep is truly an enchanting place and you can rest assured that spending some time here will leave you completely rejuvenated.
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Home to artifacts that date back to the Neolithic era, the Wayanad Heritage Museum is one of the biggest and greatest archaeological museums in Kerala. This museum has collected several rare and fascinating items from the surrounding districts and displayed them in 4 separate blocks, namely, Veerasmruthi, Gothrasmruthi, Jeevanasmruthi, and Devasmruthi.
The first block, i.e., Veerasmruthi exhibits a wide range of Hero Stones that date back to the 14th – 16th century. Colloquially known as the ‘veerakkallu’, they depict primitive battles, tiger hunts, and the valiant warriors of the past. Dead warriors were commemorated for their acts of bravery (fighting in wars, killing wild animals, etc.) by placing the headstones on their tombs.
The visitors can then move on to the next two blocks which are the Gothrasmruthi and Jeevanasmruthi. These blocks display a wide range of objects that are used by tribals in their day-to-day life. This includes items like farming tools, jewelry, fishing gears, headgears, musical instruments, and so on.
Lastly, the Devasmruthi block attracts all the fans of archaeology who wish to explore the items from the Neolithic era. This block displays the local artworks that were unearthed from the Malabar region, some stone deities, and terracotta figures that date back to the 12th century. After visiting all the blocks, you can enjoy a show that highlights the best parts of Kerala in the multimedia theatre that is situated just next to the museum.
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After traveling for about 29 km from Kalpetta, you will reach the Meenmutty Waterfall which is undoubtedly a divine site. The stunning waterfall that cascades from a height of roughly 300 meters is one of the tallest waterfalls in the state. The name of this waterfall has been derived from the combination of two Malayalam words which are 'meen' (translates to fish) and 'mutty' (translates to blocked). In order to reach this beautiful spot, you’ll have to trek for about 2 kilometers via the Ooty-Wayanad road.
The ravishing beauty of the trekking trail that winds through the dense forests will surely leave you mesmerized. Not only this, but all the effort spent in trekking will totally be worth it when you finally reach the site of this gorgeous waterfall. Meenmutty Waterfall has three tiers which gives it a triple-decker appearance.
The Meenmutty Waterfall is undoubtedly a lovely location for a picnic. Spending time amid the dense forests, enjoying the splish-splash of the frothy waters, and listening to the soothing murmur of the river can certainly melt out your stress. Do consider trekking to this water if at all you have time to spare because an outing to this site will be etched in your memories forever.
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Nestled between the majestic mountains of the Western Ghats lies the Thirunelli village which is known for housing the Thrissilery Shiva Temple. The most fascinating aspect of this village is that it has extremely rich historical roots. History claims that it has been ruled by a number of rulers that include the Cholas, the Carnatic kingdom, the Malabar and Tirunelveli Sultanates, the Madurai Nayaks, and the British.
Apart from the Mahadeva Temple, people also visit the Maha Vishnu temple. Located just about 19 km apart from each other, both temples have a strong mythical link between them. In addition to Lord Shiva, several other deities like Goddess Sarawati, Lord Hanuman, Lord Ayyappa, etc., are worshipped in these temples. The Thrissilery Shiva Temple was constructed by the royal families of the medieval ages and this is proven by its architecture. The temple is decorated with some wonderful paintings, carvings, designs and it enjoys a spectacular view of its surroundings.
What mainly attracts tourists to this site is the shrine of Jala Durga which is actually located inside the temple tank. The tank receives water from the Papanasini spring that flows in the village. It is believed that the shrine was established by Parasurama and apparently the tank never dries up. Partake in the grand celebrations of Mahashivratri at this temple if you’re in town. Also, don’t forget to feast on the delicious sweets that are available at this temple.
Also read: Things To Do In Kerala.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Wayanad?
Wayanad generally tends to be cooler and pleasant from December to February. The temperature starts dropping from the month of October. That’s why it is best to plan a trip to Wayanad from October to May.
How Can I Go To Wayanad From Chennai?
You should know that there are no transports that connect Wayanad directly to Chennai. The fastest way to travel from Chennai to Wayanad is by air. You simply have to take a flight to the Coimbatore International Airport and then travel to Wayanad by cab. The cab ride will last for about 4 hours.
Meanwhile, the cheapest way of traveling to Wayanad from Chennai is via a public/private bus. You’ll probably have to first travel to Bangalore on a bus and then catch another bus to Wayanad. This entire journey will take you about 16.5 hours.
How Many Days Is Enough For Wayanad?
You can certainly fit all the must-do activities in Wayanad into 3 days. But if you want to relax in the verdant forests along with visiting the main attractions of Wayanad, it would be wiser to plan a 4-day trip.
Which Is The Nearest Railway Station For Wayanad?
Kozhikode is the nearest railway station to Wayanad. If you want to travel to Wayanad by train, you can get off at this station and then travel to Wayanad via a cab or a bus. Finding a train to Kozhikode station is easy as it is connected to various major towns and cities by the railway line.
Is Wayanad Better Than Ooty?
You should know that the climate in Ooty tends to be much cooler owing to the fact that it is located at a higher altitude as compared to Wayanad. However, remember that Ooty is visited by many tourists throughout the year. On the contrary, Wayanad is a relatively unexplored holiday destination. Although both the places are equally beautiful, you can choose to avoid the crowd and travel to Wayanad to enjoy a peaceful and serene holiday.
What Should I Wear In Wayanad?
You can choose to wear trousers or any type of cotton clothes like kurtis, shirts, and pants in Wayanad. Visiting tourist sites in Wayanad mainly involves trekking a bit to the main site. It is advisable to wear full-sleeved clothes in order to avoid getting bitten by insects. Since Wayanad is a wet location, you will feel comfortable wearing clothes that dry quickly.
What Are The Features Of Wayanad?
Wayanad is a cleanser to your stress, with features like mountains, water springs, meadows, and wild forests, Wayanad is sure a calm to your chaos.
What Is Wayanad Called As?
Wayanad is a huge attraction for tourists because it is a green and healthy zone and hence it is called the Green Paradise.
