Wayanad is situated on the fringe of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Located at a distance of 76km from Kozhikode on the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Wayanad offers great scenic views of the Western Ghats. It is a beautiful blend of misty mountains, lush green forests, and cascading waterfalls. Top 10 Places to Visit in Wayanad. Places to Visit in Wayanad. Places to Visit.
In the east one can find the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary which is a rich, forested locale with regions of high elevation, home to creatures including Asiatic elephants, tigers, panthers, and egrets.
Here are the Top 10 Places to Visit in Wayanad:
Chembra Peak
Chembra Peak is one of the top 10 places to visit in Wayanad. Eight kilometers south of Kalpetta, close to the town of Meppady, lays the most elevated top in Wayanad. Chembra crest borders Nilgiri slopes in Tamil Nadu and Vallarimala in Kozhikode and it is one of the most beautiful places to see in Wayanad.
This place is a perfect goal for trekking exercises. Climb up the rough landscapes of the Chembra Peak found 2,100 meters above ocean level on the southern piece of Wayanad.
Chembra is the tallest peak in Wayanad and is a perfect zone for trekking. There is a heart-molded lake while in transit to the highest point of the pinnacle, which is accepted to have never become scarce and is a noteworthy vacation spot here.
With authorization from the Forest Department, one-day treks and two-day natural life treks are conceivable. The delightful vistas of rare flora and fauna, small waterfalls, a heart-shaped lake, and lush greenery all around are a healing touch to all the toil-weary souls.
You have to get permission from the forest department to trek in this beautiful landscape. The trekking trail will lead you through emerald tea plantations.
If you want to be lost in the folds of time to talk to nature, Chembra Peak is a beautiful escapade for a wonderful holiday in Wayanad. Overall it is one of the top 10 places to visit in Wayanad.
Kuruva Island
Kuruva Dweep or Kuruva Island is one of the top 10 places to visit in Wayanad. It is a protected river delta, comprising a cluster of islands over the middle of the Kabini River in Wayanad. Spread over 950 acres of land, Kuruva Island is densely populated with rich flora and fauna. The geographical peculiarity of this island makes this place evergreen with a serene ambiance.
Dwelling deep into this island, you can see many attractive things like bridges made up of bamboo trees and other rare species of trees. The uninhabited island is home to rare species of birds, orchids, herbal plants, etc. Coming so much closer to nature, you might be feeling Kuruva Island as nature’s gift.
The island is surrounded by streams and you can have a boat ride or rafting through this stream enjoying the enchanting beauty of the island. The boats and rafts are provided by the Kerala Tourism Department and it will take a few hours to cover each and every island.
Tourists from different parts of the world enjoy the rafting here. The rafts are made up of bamboo providing you with a thrilling and exciting journey through the streams.
Entry to this island is restricted during rainy seasons from June to September. The island is open during the months from October to May and there is a nominal entry fee to the island. The time schedule is from morning 9 to evening 5. Overall it is one of the top 10 places to visit in Wayanad.
Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary
Located around 16 km away from Sulthan Bathery, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, popularly known as Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the top 10 places to visit in Wayanad. Established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1973, the Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary was brought under Project Elephant in the years 1991-92.
It is considered to be the second largest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala and bio-geographically one of the richest tracts of peninsular India. The moist deciduous forest of Muthanga is blessed with varieties of trees and other plants. You can sight here Maruthi, karimaruthi, rosewood, venteak, vengal etc.
The sanctuary is also blessed with its endless population of birds like peacocks, babblers, cuckoos, owls, woodpeckers, jungle fowls, etc.
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary consists of four ranges – Sulthan bathery, Kurichyad, Muthanga, and Tholpetty, of which Muthanga and Tholpetty ranges are mostly targeted by the tourists to Wayanad. They are separated by plantations. These are two eco-tourism centers in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.
The eco-tourism in these places helps to create conservation awareness in the minds of the travelers and to well maintain the sanctuary and its premises. The eco-tourism programs consist of elephant camp visits, jeep safari, trekking, bird watching, tribal folklore, etc. Moreover, it is one of the top 10 places to visit in Wayanad.
Chain Tree
Chain Tree is one of the top 10 places to visit in Wayanad. It is located on the national highway near the Pepper Wayanad Gate Hotel.
It is a Ficus tree that holds a massive steel chain that has multiple stories and legends related to its existence and it is one of the best Wayanad tourist attractions making it one of the top 10 places to visit in Wayanad.
Meenmutty Waterfalls
A major attraction and one of the scenic Wayanad tourist places is Meenmutty Waterfalls is one of the top 10 places to visit in Wayanad. It is located at a distance of around 29 kilometers from Kalpetta. It is a famous waterfall in the state of Kerala. A three-tiered waterfall is a surprising sight to be visited.
The waterfalls fall down from a height of 300 meters. It becomes very dangerous during monsoon and rainy seasons. The gushing waterfalls are located near the Neyyar Reservoir area. People with an adrenaline rush come here plenty to experience the different levels of rock climbing and trekking.
The location exhibits an ideal blend of stunning natural sights with amazing trekking trails in Wayanad. Banasurasagar Dam is the closest attraction which gives the waterfalls fame among adventure lovers. Moreover, it is one of the top 10 places to visit in Wayanad.
Edakkal Caves
Many legends are there behind the formation of Edakkal caves making it one of the top 10 places to visit in Wayanad. One of the stories is that these caves are said to be formed with the arrows fired by Lava and Kusha, the sons of Lord Sri Rama. Another one is associated with Kutti Chathan and the Goddess Mudiampilly.
The local people used to have a pilgrimage trip to this place to honor the Goddess. Edakkal cavesThe caves were discovered by Fred Fawcett, the then Superintendent of Police of the Malabar district in 1890, during his hunting trip to Wayanad. He discovered the Edakkal rock shelter, situated on the western side of Edakkalmala. To his surprise, he identified the place as a habitat of Neolithic people.
Inside the cave, you can see two chambers. The lower chamber is 18 ft long, 12 ft wide, and 10 ft high and the upper chamber is 96 ft long, 22 ft wide, and 18 ft high. You can see carvings of human, and animal figures, and objects used by humans, on the walls of the caves.
These carvings give great evidence of a highly civilized society that lived in the pre-historic age. Edakkal caves have drawn the great attention of archeologists and historians worldwide. That’s why it is one of the top 10 places to visit in Wayanad.
Cheengeri Hills
Trekking and adventure tourism enthusiasts will find heaven in the Cheengeri Hills, Wayanad, Kerala. It is one of the top 10 places to visit in Wayanad. The wonderful sights that may be seen from this peak include the rising sun and the sunset.
The top of Cheengeri Hill, Wayanad, Kerala offers a breathtaking view of the many Wayanad hill ranges, including the Ambukuthimala range, which is home to the well-known Edakkal Caves, the Manikunnu Hills, Phantom Rock, Kolgappara Hills, Arattupara Hills, and the catchment area for the Karapuzha Dam and River.
Cheengeri Hill will undoubtedly rank among Wayanad’s prime vacation spots for tracking tourists in the future. In order to preserve areas’ natural beauty, the construction work has been done carefully. Here, all the rocks are visible in the same way as before.
The elevation of Cheengeri Hill is 2600 meters above sea level. Cheengeri Hills, Wayanad can undoubtedly provide adventurous tourists with fresh experiences. With its hilly terrain, it may surely be referred to as be trekking paradise. That’s why it is one of the top places to visit in Wayanad.
Soochipara Falls
Soochipara waterfall is one of the top places to visit in Wayanad. It is a three-layered waterfall at Vellarimala in Wayanad. This waterfall, encompassed by thick green woodland, is otherwise called Sentinel Rock Waterfall. A 20-minute drive from Meppadi in Wayanad will take you to this awe-inspiring waterfall & it is one of the best Wayanad places to see.
The name is Soochipara is derived from the words “soochi” and “para” which signifies “rock” and ‘needle’. The name given is able as should be obvious needle molded shake here. You need to stroll around 2 km to reach the waterfall, where vehicles can’t move further.
The dilute here falls from a stature of 100 to 200 ft and this waterfall is a perfect place for trekking and rock climbing. You can locate a pool underneath these falls and here you can go for swimming and washing.
A visit to these places should definitely be included in your Wayanad tour to make it a lifetime remembering experience. Moreover, it is one of the top places to visit in Wayanad.
Jain Temple
Jain temples are one of the top 10 places to visit in Wayanad. Its plan is emphatically affected by the design style of the then-ruling Vijayanagar Dynasty.
Another interesting element is the somewhat checkered history of the sanctuary which initially filled in as a place of worship, next as a focal point of business exchange lastly, as the ammo store or battery of Tipu Sulthan’s armed force. A square rock section with a cutting of Mahavir Jain can be found in the inward sanctorum of the sanctuary which is encompassed by an open verandah.
There is a raised stage made of rock before the principal entrance. This too holds cut columns and their fluted sections end with no crown stones. The encompassing grounds too are cleared in granites. Overall it is one of the top places to visit in Wayanad.
The Bamboo Factory
This is among the fascinating Wayanad tourist places. The Bamboo Factory in Uravuis is one of the top 10 places to visit in Wayanad. It is an initiative to bring back the art of making crafts using bamboo. Uravu means ‘the bamboo village’ and quite appropriately the locals here earn their living as bamboo craftsmen.
Here bamboo is used to make various souvenirs and even houses. Wayanad serves the dual purpose of being a source of income for the locals due to its bamboo vegetation and also a responsible tourism spot. One could spend an entire day here learning to make bamboo crafts.
Wayanad with its rich history, abounding folklores, misty mountain ranges, and ambitious waterfalls has become an ideal holiday destination over the years. Be it for families, couples, groups of friends, or corporate teams, very few places in the world offer such appeal and charm that pleases every heart. Moreover, it is one of the top places to visit in Wayanad.
Faq related to one of the top places to visit in Wayanad:
Which is the most beautiful village in Wayanad?
Kalpetta
Which month is best for Wayanad?
October and May.
Which dress is best for the Wayanad trip?
Light cotton or linen
Is Wayanad safe for solo female travelers?
Wayanad is very safe for solo female travelers.
Which is the most famous of Wayanad?
Karapuzha Dam, Pookode & Karlad Lake
What is the special food of Wayanad?
- Fish Moilee
- Appam & Chicken stew
- Nadan Beef Fry
What are the famous fruits in Wayanad?
Jack fruit, mangoes, avocado
Which spices are famous in Wayanad?
Ginger and cardamom
Which is the king of fruit in Kerala?
Mango
Conclusion
As for the finalay, these are the top places to visit in Wayanad. These places have exceptional beauty and are worth a visit.
see also: Top 9 Places to Visit in Jaipur 2024
