Kuruva Island, Wayanad

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is an esteemed natural habitat of many rare and endangered flora and fauna and a wonderful getaway for wildlife lovers. It is one of those rejuvenating retreats where people can appreciate sustainable tourism with a bit of adventure and recreation. The two most important areas in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is Muthanga and Tholpetty.Offering an excellent opportunity to see the elephant herds, deer, langurs and tigers roam freely in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is an absolute delight. Tourists here can also indulge in bird watching or undertake trekking in the forest with advance booking. Being a vital part of Nilgiri Biosphere reserve, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is a biodiversity hotspot that one must add to their places to see in Wayanad.Location: Bathery- Puthupally Road, Wayanad District, Sultan Bathery, Kerala Best Time to visit: The months from October to February are considered to be the best time to visit here.Entry fee: INR 10/ USD 0.15 for Indians and INR 100/ USD 1.54 for foreignersTimings: It is open from 7:00 am to 10:00 am and then from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.Distance from Wayanad: It is approximately 60 kilometres away from the bus station in Wayanad.

Gear up to be astonished by history and ancient relics when you pay a visit to Wayanad Heritage Museum. It is known to be one of the most eminent museums in Kerala and is a storehouse of fascinating artefacts that go back as long as second century A.D. Some of the famous items which you can spot here are ancient terra cottas, tribal artefacts, 14-16th-century sculptures etc. There are also many relics that were unearthed from the neighbouring places and have great archaeological importance. Wayanad Heritage Museum is a great place to know more about Wayanad’s Adivasi population and explore the historical items that narrate their own stories. This museum is a great tourist attraction for those who are looking for an educational and recreational experience in Wayanad.Location: Heritage Museum, Government Hospital Road, Ambalavayal, KeralaBest Time to visit: September to March is the best to visit Wayanad Heritage Museum.Entry fee: INR 20/ USD 0.31 per personTimings: It opens from 9 am to 5:30 pm every dayDistance from Wayanad: The distance between the two places is approximately 42 kilometres.

Take a dip in the cool waters of Thusharagiri Waterfalls for a wonderful retreat to rejuvenate your mind and body. Literally meaning ‘snowcapped mountains’, Thusharagiri Waterfalls is one of the most majestic cascades of Western Ghats and it is one of the best places to visit in Wayanad in 1 day.It is comprised of Erattumukku, MazhavilChattom, and Thumbithullum Para and certainly a scenic wonder for all the adventure enthusiasts. The picturesque backdrop of the misty mountains and verdant plantations makes it an unforgettable sight. It is largely known for offering an exciting trek from Thusharagiri to Vythiri and rock climbing opportunities for those who seek an adrenaline rush. It is also known as one of the most romantic places in Wayanad along with being a famous picnic spot for tourists. Height: It is at a height of 75 metres. Location: Thusharagiri Waterfalls, Thusaragiri, KeralaBest Time to visit: The best time to visit Thusharagiri waterfall is from September to DecemberEntry fee: INR 30/ USD 0.46 per person Timings: It is open for visitors from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Distance from Wayanad: The distance between the two places is 52 kilometres.

Offering an unforgettable experience for wildlife lovers, Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the must-visit places to visit in Wayanad. It is famous for harbouring a diverse number of flora and fauna. Taking a wildlife safari is the most thrilling activity that one should undertake at Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary to make their Wayanad vacation memorable.This natural habitat is a great sightseeing place to spot elephant herds, deer, langurs, panthers, tigers, Indian bison and the rare Slender Loris. Moreover, this wildlife sanctuary offers a wonderful experience for tourists with their tree huts which are open for stay. This beautiful attraction allows the tourists to seek some natural solace and take delight in the company of the wonderful wildlife roaming freely in their natural surroundings.Location: It is located 20 km east of Mananthavady on the Kodagu Road.Best Time to visit: Winters are the best time to visit Tholpetty Wildlife SanctuaryEntry fee: The entry fees is INR 115/ USD 1.77 for Indians. For foreigners, the entry fees is INR 300/ USD 4.62Timings: The timings are 7:00 am to 10:00 am in the mornings. For the evenings, the timings are from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pmDistance from Wayanad: The distance between the two places is 45 kilometres.

One of the most religious places to visit in Wayanad, Thirunelli Temple is a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Known as the Kashi of the South, Thirunelli Temple has an interesting legend associated which says that Lord Brahma himself installed the idol of Lord Vishnu here and made this temple. Encompassed by the breathtaking beauty of Brahmagiri Hills, this temple is known for its tranquil ambience. Devotees at Thirunelli Temple pay their respects at the holy mountain stream known as Papanasini believed to have medicinal powers where rituals are performed and the sacred rock Pinnappara. It is also a popular belief that rituals performed for the dead at this temple attains eternal peace and salvation for the deceased souls.Location: Thirunelly Temple post, Mananthavady, KeralaBest Time to visit: One should visit Thirunelli Temple from the month of September to March.Timings: The temple remains open from 5:30 am to 12 pm and then from 5:30 pm to 8 pm.Distance from Wayanad: It is 50 kilometres away from the bus station in Wayanad.

If you wish to know how bamboo constitutes an important factor in both the lifestyle and livelihood for the people in Wayanad, then a visit to The Bamboo Factory comes highly recommended. This educating and inspiring experience gives a sneak peek into the lives of the locals in Uravu. This place is a great stop to witness the wonder of sustainable tourism and explore the ancient traditions that are still preserved in Wayanad.The Bamboo Factory stands for uplifting the lives of many rural craftsmen along with offering tourists a unique experience by getting to know how bamboo is converted into your favourite items. Tourists at Bamboo Factory also get a chance to talk to these talented craftsmen and know more from their experiences.Location: 100 Acres Road Thrikkaipatta, KeralaBest Time to visit: October to February is the best time to visit here.Entry fee: The cost to visit here is approximately INR 500/ USD 7.7 per personTimings: One can visit here between 10 am and 4 pm.Distance from Wayanad: The distance between the two places is around kilometres.