Wayanad sightseeing treasures: From wildlife sanctuaries to misty peaks

Hyderabad: Over the years, there has been a great influx of tourists to Wayanad in Kerala due to good roads, traffic discipline, friendly locals and sublime food.

The name Wayanad means ‘the land of paddy fields.’ It is a picturesque plateau situated at a height between 700 meters and 2,100 meters above sea level nested in the mountains of the Western Ghats.

Wayanad is in the north-east of Kerala state with administrative headquarters at the municipality of Kalpetta. Wayanad District came into existence on November 1, 1980, as the 12th District of Kerala consisting of Mananthavady, Sulthanbathery and Vythiri Taluks.

Spice plantations in Vythiri

Vythiri is a small town in the Wayanad district, surrounded by lush rainforest. It is well known for its spice plantations and indigenous tribal communities. It is a tourist favourite for adventure sports, trekking and relaxing amid the serene beauty of the town. Vythiri receives the highest rainfall in the district and is recorded as receiving the second-highest amount of rain in the world.

Beautiful elevation at Lakkidi viewpoint

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 metres, the region mostly stays misty and offers a beautiful view of the hairpin turns down the hill. The thrill of driving up to the point is an experience. One should visit Lakkidi Viewpoint for sunrise and sunset to get the best views.

Heart-shaped lake at Chembra Peak

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 2,000 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. The peak, its surrounding lush greenery and the famed heart-shaped lake make it a paradise for travellers to explore.

Wayanad lakes

Pookode Lake is a natural freshwater lake around 2 km from Vythiri, snuggled in the evergreen forests and wooded slopes. One of the prettiest lakes in Wayanad, Pookode Lake is also known as Pookot Lake. The lake, accessible by road is a lovely spot for an outing.

Karlad Lake, nestled amid the verdant landscapes of Wayanad in Kerala, is a serene and picturesque destination renowned for its natural beauty and tranquil ambience. Situated approximately 8 km from the town of Kalpetta, this enchanting lake offers a perfect retreat for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts alike.

Island in River Kabini

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 location and the geographical characteristics of the site make Kuruvadweep a much sought-after attraction. The mesmerising beauty of the location draws tourists from all over the world, and its landscape makes it a hotspot for nature walks.

Banasura Sagar dam

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 the Banasura Peak is filled with streams, diverse flora, fauna, lush tropical green forests and majestic waterfalls.

Wildlife and bird sanctuaries

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. Founded in the year 1973, the wildlife sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve which was the first biosphere out of the 14 present in India.

Pakshipathalam Bird Sanctuary is a nature lover and bird watcher's 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 one can explore.

Treehouse Stay

One of the best things to do in Wayanad is to stay in a tree house. One can find several in the city where you can stay in a pretty wooden house and also enjoy a bonfire and indulge in activities like rock climbing, rappelling and nature walks.

Edakkal Caves

Famous for its exquisite rock and wall carvings, the pre-historic Edakkal Caves are two naturally occurring alcoves located in Wayanad. The caves measure at a massive length and width of 96 and 22 feet respectively and lie 1,200 metres above sea level. Owing to its precarious location, one needs to trek for one and a half hours (around 4,000 ft) to hit the cave entrance, and another 45 minutes to reach the mouth of the cave.

Waterfalls

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.

Located 29 km from Kalpetta in Wayanad district, Meenmutty Waterfalls is considered one of the largest waterfalls in the Kalpetta region and the second largest in Kerala. It is also one of the most thrilling and beautiful natural attractions in Wayanad.

Wayanad Heritage Museum

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 have been dated back to the Neolithic era and include regular daily items, decorative items, terracotta figurines and memorial stones.

Tea Factory and Museum

The Rippon Tea Factory is a must-visit destination in the heart of Wayanad, Kerala. Set amidst sprawling tea plantations, this historic factory provides a unique insight into the tea-making process while offering a serene environment for visitors to enjoy the lush greenery of Wayanad’s highlands. Established during the colonial era, the factory still retains its old-world charm and is an important part of the region’s tea heritage.

The Wayanad Tea Museum offers visitors a fascinating insight into the history, cultivation, and processing of tea in the picturesque region of Wayanad, Kerala. Situated amid lush tea plantations, the museum provides an immersive experience that educates visitors about the various stages of tea production, from plucking the leaves to the final packaging.

Wayanad Flower Show

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.

Food

Delicious food for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians, plenty of exotic fresh fruit and vegetables and the best seafood make Wayanad the go-to place for foodies.

Shopping

The best shopping is for spices, squash, cane baskets, chocolates, tea, coffee and oils, all available at one of the innumerable Gandhigram outlets in Wayanad at very reasonable prices.