Salubriousness of weather, cultural reverence, delectable cuisine, and concealed secrets of Wayanad in Kerala in India magnetise a traveller to this part of Malabar. The place is a vault for adventurers, spirituality seekers and idlers. Hemmed with all the wonders of nature, Wayanad hills are contiguous to Mudumalai and Bandipur National Parks in Tamil Nadu & Karnataka, respectively, exposing them to unique biodiversity. There is no such physical land as Wayanad, but geographically, three taluks combined into one – Vythiri, Mananthavady, Sulthan bathery – are called Wayanad. Here is the 4 Days Ultimate Guide trip to Wayanad.

Located 76 km from Kozhikode, Wayanad has ravishing views, an ethereal environment, and sophisticated caves, and is an abode of Cardamom, spice, coffee and Tea plantations. 

Did you know Wayanad earlier had Gold Mines? Unique places and activities await us in pristine Wayanad. One such is the Banasura Sagar Dam. 

Drive through the Gold mines of Wayanad without even knowing they existed. What physical entities [pronounce gold] beneficial to the economy could not do, tourism is doing it. Plunderers and business people have hawked Wayanad’s Gold Mines for millennia. When the mines could not fetch them profits, they created plantations. To make a profit, a lot of forest land vanished. The plantations that you see today were developed for this reason. 

With gold, this part of Kerala could have been covered in silence. But the suitable climate, various art forms, religious diversity, and abundant natural aura invite travellers and trekkers, keeping the fun and frolic ignited in this hill station.

Welcome to Kerala: God’s Own Country

Brief 4-Day Itinerary for Wayanad Trip

Day 1

• Arrive in Wayanad
• Visit the Pookode Lake
• Banasura Sagar Dam. Try water sports.

Day 2

• Edakkal Caves
• Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
• Soochipara Waterfalls.

Day 3

• Chembra Peak – the highest peak in Wayanad. 
• Visit the heart-shaped lake on your way up.
• Explore the Tea Gardens of Wayanad, such as the Meenmutty Heights Tea Estate or the Wayanad Tea Museum 
• Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary

Day 4

• Thirunelli Temple 
• Bamboo Forests
• Karapuzha Dam.

Adventure Tourism in Wayanad

Camping and Trekking

Explore 9 Best Treks in Kerala

1. Aranamala River Trek

A mixture of bolting views, an ethereal environment and an abode of Cardamom plantations, Aranamala is a hill station 12 km from Meppadi and 30 km from Sulthan Bathery in Wayanad district. The highlight of this trip is the Aranamala Stream trek that empties into the Aranamala River. It is a 4 km trek one way and moderate in difficulty. During monsoon, as water fills up, it becomes an adventurous trek.Get a local Guide to do this trek. The local guides will take you down the trodden path on this river trek; it goes to 900 Kandi Glass Bridge.

Trek Distance: 4 km River Trek
Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult (Depends on Water in the Stream)

Wayanad Trek Camping

2. Banasura Hill Trek

A legendary figure from Indian mythology, Banasura, inspired the hill’s name. Situating at an intimidating 6,600 feet in elevation. Banasura is the second-highest mountain between the Nilgiris and the Himalayas, and it has a distinctive cone shape. Located in Wayanad, Banasura offers stunning views of Chembra Peak and Pakshipathalam.

Trek Distance: 8 km
Trek Difficulty: Moderate

Banasura Hill Trek

Know All About Banasura Hill Trek

The trail to the top of Banasura Hill is clearly defined for the most part. The majority of the trail winds through very dense Shola trees. From its base, Banasura, a massive cone-shaped hill, may be seen in all its glory. 

The Banasura Falls diverge into a babbling stream that meanders over stones and plants. About 2.5 kilometres from the Banasura dam in Wayanad is where the ascent begins. The Meenmutty waterfalls are about a half-walk hour from the Forest Service office and are worth the effort (beginning stage of the Banasura Hill trek). 

Meenmutty Falls is Wayanad’s most impressive waterfall, with numerous spectacular cascades. The 1,000-foot cascade is famous for its three-tiered playing field.

It’s an arduous climb to the top of the hill. The hiking path stealthily winds through the valleys, where swaying crops provide a lush backdrop. The trek offers a progressively more impressive view of the Karamanathodu stream of the Kabini River. 

The three-hour hike to the summit is stimulating and taxing due to the path’s undulations and steepness. The first 45 minutes of this route are the most challenging because of how steep it is from the get-go. 

About halfway there, you’ll see three or four breathtaking mountain streams where you can refill your water bottles. After the initial hard elevation, the remaining 1.5 hours will gradually incline. 

Several cliffsides provide a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. Carry on ambling down the trail; you’ll pass a few knolls en route to the summit. The top is the best place to get breathtaking views of the surrounding area. Continue down the same path you came down with. It’ll take you three to four hours to make your way down the nine-kilometre stretch of winding terrain, including mountain streams, knee-high prairie, and 60-70 degree inclines.

River Rafting

Hop on the rafts in Pazhassi Park, Chalippuzha Jungle River Rafting and River Anoth in Vythiri for White Water Rafting. You can also hop on Bamboo rafts in river Kabini for a calming rafting experience.

Zip-Lining

Rush through the landscapes of Wayanad on a zip line. There are multiple adventure providers. Depending on the footfall and zipline distance, it will cost around INR 250-500 per person.

Sightseeing Places to Visit in Wayanad

Pookode Lake 

Pookode Lake is outlined roughly as the map of India. It is located some 3 km from Vythiri and is one of Wayanad’s most visited tourist places.

Soochipara Waterfalls

Also known as Needle Rock Fall, the Soochipara or Sentinel Rock Waterfalls is located near Meppadi. This is a three-tiered waterfall at a height of 200 m. Its cliff face is used by rock climbers. Soochipara Falls later joins the Chaliyar River. 

Banasura Dam

Kara Manathodu, a tributary of the Kabini River, forms the Banasura Dam. This dam is named after Banasura, who was the son of Mahabali. Esteemed as the largest Earth dam in India, it is said to have been impounding mature gold underneath itself. This gold was once minced in quantities. 

The Banasura Sagar dam, India’s largest earthen dam and Asia’s second largest, impounds the Karamanathodu waters, a Kabini river tributary. With the Banasura hill in the distance, the view of the reservoir created by the dam and its many little islands covered in lush vegetation is breathtaking. 

Historic Tourism in Wayanad

Edakkal Caves

These two caves on Ambukuthi hills can be reached after hiking for 1.5 km. Discovered by F. Fawcett in 1894, these remain a subject of discussion to date for their Neolithic drawings dating back to 6000 BC. The caves are situated 20 km from Kalpetta. It is an example of one of the oldest human settlements in the area, ranging from 5000 BC to 1000 BC. The engravings are intriguing. 

 Sulthan Bathery Jain Temple

Did you know Bathery Jain Temple was once a storage area for Tipu Sultan’s ammunition? It also housed Tipu’s army for some time. It was constructed in the 13th century CE during the rule of the Vijayanagara Empire when Shaivism and Vaishnavism of the Hindu religion flourished. Bathery Ancient Jain Temple is 25 km away from Wayanad. 

Read More Kerala Blogs

1. Best Treks in Kerala
2. Ultimate Guide to Exploring Kerala
3. 15 Things You Should Never Miss Seeing in a Place.

Permits and Guide

Carry valid identification documents or passports to ensure a smooth and hassle-free trip. You will require permits if you want to trek in specific areas. You can obtain these from the forest department.

How To Reach Wayanad 

By Air: The nearest airport is Kozhikode Airport, 25 km from the district centre. Calicut International Airport, 95 km from the district centre, can also be used.

By Rail: Kozhikode railway station. 

By Road: There are three routes to reach Wayanad from Bangalore. All three of them go via Mysore and have about the same distance. If you travel at night, the preferable route should be Route 1 through Nagarhole. 

1. Route 1: Bangalore – Mysore – Hunsur- Nagarhole – Kutta – Kartikulam – Mananthavady
2. Route 2: Bangalore – Mysore – HD Kote – Bavali – Kartikulam – Mananthavady
3. Route 3: Bangalore – Mysore – Gundlupet – Muthanga (Bandipur forest) – Sulthan Bathery

Route Credits: TravelEscape

Best Time To Visit Wayanad

October to May. This is when it is cold in Wayanad. Kerala, in general, is hot and humid. During monsoon, it rains heavily in Wayanad. Expect crowds during weekends in the monsoon.

Food to Try in Wayanad

1. Malabar Biryani: A fragrant rice dish cooked with tender meat and aromatic spices. 
2. Appam with Stew: Traditional Appam is made from fermented rice batter and is served with vegetarian/non-vegetarian stew. The stew is usually prepared with vegetables, meat, and coconut milk. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cu9Z93suKCn
3. Puttu and Kadala Curry: In the morning, savour Puttu, a steamed cylindrical rice cake made with grated coconut, served with Kadala Curry, black chickpea curry. 
4. Malabar Parotta with Chicken Fry: A combo to die for. Enjoy the famous Malabar Parotta, flaky, layered bread with spicy Chicken Fry. 
5. Bamboo Rice: Experience the unique Bamboo Rice, a region speciality. The rice is cooked inside bamboo shoots, which imparts a distinct flavour to the grains. 
6. Ney Pathiri with Mutton Curry: Ney Pathiri is a fried, crispy bread made with rice flour. 
7. Banana Chips: Relish the famous Kerala Banana Chips. These thinly sliced, deep-fried banana chips are crispy, savoury and of various flavours.
8. Fish Moilee: Fish Moilee gets its name from a woman named Molly, who once toned down the spices in traditional fish curries for Portuguese officials. She added coconut milk and replaced red chillies with mild green chillies. 
9. Payasam: Payasam is a sweet rice pudding cooked in coconut milk and garnished with nuts and raisins. 

Coffee Plantation in Wayanad

• Wayanad is the second most important tea plantation area in Kerala.
• Coffee cultivation is mainly done in the Southern States of India: Karnataka – 54%, Kerala – 19% and Tamil Nadu – 8%.
• India is the only country in the world where coffee cultivation is grown under shade, hand-picked, and sun-dried. India produces some of the best coffee in the world.

  

Good Reads: 15 Unnoticeable Things That You Should Never Miss in a Place While You Travel

Wayanad FAQs

1. What is Wayanad famous for?

Salubriousness of weather, cultural reverence, delectable cuisine, and concealed secrets of Wayanad magnetise a traveller to this part of Malabar. The place is a vault for adventurers, spirituality seekers and idlers. Wayanad is famous for its Zipline, historical marvels, trekking spots, spiritual seeking, tea and coffee.

Read this detailed list of Things to Carry on a Western Ghats Trek.

2. Which is the best time for the Wayanad trip?

October to May. This is when it is cold in Wayanad. Kerala, in general, is hot and humid. During monsoon, it rains heavily in Wayanad. Expect crowds during weekends in the monsoon.

3. How many days are enough for Wayanad?

The main tourist attractions are Edakkal Caves, Chembra Peak, Kuruva Island, Soochippara Waterfalls, Pookkod Lake, Lakkidi View Point, Banasura Sagar Dam, Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary. Most of them include either walking/ trekking, which makes the trip duration long. 4-5 days is enough to cover all these attractions.

4. Is Wayanad suitable for a family trip?

Yes, of course. A family vacation to Wayanad can turn out to be a rewarding experience.

5. Is Wayanad a hill station?

Yes. Wayanad is a hill station. Wayanad is geographically the three taluks of  Vythiri, Mananthavady, and Sulthan bathery.

6. What is the exceptional food of Wayanad?

• Malabar Biryani: A fragrant rice dish cooked with tender meat and aromatic spices. 

• Appam with Stew: Traditional Appam is made from fermented rice batter and is served with vegetarian/non-vegetarian stew. Vegetables, meat, and coconut milk are used to prepare stew.

Appam With Stew

• Puttu and Kadala Curry: In the morning, savour Puttu, a steamed cylindrical rice cake made with grated coconut, served with Kadala Curry, black chickpea curry. 
• Malabar Parotta with Chicken Fry: A combo to die for. Enjoy the famous Malabar Parotta, flaky, layered bread with spicy Chicken Fry. 
• Bamboo Rice: Experience the unique Bamboo Rice, a region speciality. The rice is cooked inside bamboo shoots, which imparts a distinct flavour to the grains. 
• Ney Pathiri with Mutton Curry: Ney Pathiri is a fried, crispy bread made with rice flour.
• Fish Moilee: Legend has it that the traditional Kerala fish curries were very spicy for the Portuguese officials, and hence, a woman named ‘Molly’ toned down the spice level by adding coconut milk and replaced red chillies with mild green chillies. This resulted in the dish being known as ‘fish molee’.

7. Is the Road to Wayanad hilly?

Yes. The distance between the two places in Wayanad is not much, but it takes time to reach because the terrain is hilly, with steep inclines, narrow roads and hairpin bends.

8. What are the zipline charges in Wayanad?

INR 250-500 per person, depending on the footfall and zipline distance.