Wayanad

The northern district of Wayanad borders three states, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. The hills border Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu and Bandipur in Karnataka, forming a vast landmass of greenery and wildlife. Wayanad is frequented by tourists visiting Kerala and people visiting neighboring tourist centers like Mysore, Ooty, Wayanad, and Bangalore. At GT Tourism, we can customize Wayanad tour packages to include some of these cities to ensure you make the most of your vacation experience.

Wayanad has a wonderful climate throughout the year, but the place is especially cold during the winters, i.e., between December and February. But it starts getting pleasant from October onwards. If you’re looking for Wayanad tour packages from October to February, make sure you book in advance. And if you’re looking for budget Wayanad tour packages, June to September is the rainy season and the best time to shop for discounts and deals.

With the Western Ghats as its backdrop, Wayanad offers an impressive list of tourist attractions to solo travelers, honeymoon couples, and families. Some of these places are pretty popular, while others are hidden treasures only frequented by people who know the place. We customize Wayanad tourist destinations that match your travel style and budget:

The picturesque Banasura Dam is the largest reservoir in India and the second-largest in Asia. The dam is built across the Karamanathodu River and is strategically placed on the foothills of the Banasura Hills. The place gets its name from Banasura, the son of asura king Mahabali, who is believed to have undertaken penance on the Banasura Hills. The dam is popular among adventure tourists for speed boating, trekking, and rock climbing.

The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1973 and is ranked 8th in the list of the World’s Biodiversity Hotspots. The sanctuary is famous for its wildlife species like elephants, tigers, jungle cats, leopards, sloth bears, wild boars, Indian pangolin, mongoose, and several other species endemic to the Western Ghats. The sanctuary shares its borders with the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and the Nagarhole Tiger Reserve on the Northeast side of the forest.

This place is a favorite among adventure and photography enthusiasts who trek to the peak to view the majestic Phantom Rock that looks like a skull. It is a wonderful destination that’s only another popular destination, Kalpetta.

The Edakkal Caves are famous for their cave art, that are believed to be as old as 6000 BC. The place is frequented by typical tourists and archaeology enthusiasts who visit the caves for its inscriptions, wall carvings, and human and animal figures depicted inside the chambers. To reach the caves, you must trek through the Ambukuthi Hills.

The Soochipara Falls is situated in Vellarimala and is surrounded by dense green forests. It derives its name from soochi – needle and para – rock because of the rocks that look like a needle. This is a three-tier waterfall that’s 200 meters high and offers a large pool where people swim and bathe. Tourists and locals love this place, enjoying the scenic views while driving to the falls.

The Chembra Peak is the highest in Wayanad and is close to the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu. You can trek to the peak from Meppady for a 3-hour walk to catch sight of a heart-shaped lake that locals believe has never dried up. But you must have permission from the Meppady forest office to trek to the peak. There are plenty of government and private buses that carry passengers to Chembra.

Kuruva Island is the only island surrounded by freshwater (River Kabini) and is a sought-after destination. The island is famous for its flora and fauna and is frequented by adventure tourists who undertake jungle walks and river safaris. The island covers around 950 acres and can easily be accessed by boats or rafts maintained by the Kerala Tourism Department.

A visit to Lakkidi Viewpoint is a must if you love road journeys and greenery. The Lakkidi Viewpoint is considered a gateway to Wayanad and offers an unforgettable view of the natural scenery. The entire place is a treat to the senses, offering a bird’s eye view of the city, leaving tourists spellbound.

The Neelimala Viewpoint is loved by trekkers and tourists looking for an out-of-the-box experience. You could either trek to the peak or take a jeep ride to catch a beautiful view of the Meenmutty Falls. And if you’re a bird watcher, don’t miss enjoying the variety of birds native to the Western Ghats.

The Thirunelli Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is believed to have been built by Lord Brahma, who also installed the deity’s statue. The place is loved for its beautiful architecture and the scenery that leads to the temple. People visit the temple to pray for their deceased and take baths in the Papanashini River, a stream believed to have medicinal properties.

Depending on your preference and budget, we include several other places on our Wayanad tour packages. For a complete list of places to visit in Wayanad, call us to consult a travel expert at GT Tourism.