One of the most spellbinding places to visit in Wayanad, Banasura Sagar Dam is a picturesque tourist hotspot. Known for being India’s largest earthen dam, it boasts of extensive natural beauty with beautiful flora and fauna, majestic hills and mesmerising waterfalls. The Banasura Sagar is a photographer’s delight and offers the most beautiful views from the top of the hill.
It is also famous among adventure enthusiasts who look forward to thrilling activities like boating, trekking, horse racing and camel rides. For the avid trekkers, Banasura hill peak is hailed as one of the most challenging treks. Along with that Banasura Hill Resort adds to the charm of this place that is known as the only ‘earthen’ resort in the country.
Location: Banasura Sagar Dam, Padinjarathara, Kerala
Best Time to visit: November to May offers the most ideal time to visit Banasura Sagar Dam
Entry fee: INR 10/ USD 0.15 per person
Timings: The opening timings are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Distance from Wayanad: It is just 2.3 kilometres away from the bus station.
Travel back in time to the Stone Age with a visit to Edakkal Caves that are located on the Ambukuthi Hills. Edakkal literally translates to ‘a stone in between’ and this cave and showcases a natural masterpiece and it is one of the famous places to visit in Wayanad in 1 day.
It is associated with many myths and considered as one of the most sacred places to visit in Wayanad. Edakkal caves are not actually considered to be caves in a scientific sense yet remain a great piece of archaeological curiosity for tourists.
These caves are identified as a Neolithic settlement and present the evidence of a pre-historic society of highly civilised people. These caves draw in a number of history buffs and students of archaeology who wish to explore these mysterious caves.
Height: It is located at a height of 1200 metres above sea level on the Ambukuthi Hills.
Location: Wayanad, Nenmeni, Kerala
Entry Fee: INR 15/USD 0.23 per person
Best Time to visit: The most preferred time to visit Edakkal Caves is during the months of December to May.
Timings: The visiting time to Edakkal caves is from morning 9:30 to evening 4:30.
Distance from Wayanad: It is located 48 kilometres from here.
One of the delightful of Wayanad tourist places, Meenmutty Waterfalls is a three-tiered waterfall that will take your breath away. A scenic trek through the lush green forest from the Wayanad-Ooty Road leads up to this picturesque natural wonder and it is one of the fun places to visit in Wayanad in 1 day.
There are separate decks which can be accessed in different ways to view the different tiers of this spectacular waterfall. The roaring waters of Meenmutty Falls are situated in the lush forests that makes it a delight for photographers.
Tourists can exalt in a magnificent view of Banasura Sagar Dam from the peak of the third tier of this waterfall. With thundering visuals of the scenery, Meenmutty Waterfalls is hailed as one of the most thrilling places for adventure lovers in Wayanad.
Location: Kallar Meenmutty Falls Road, Kallar, Kerala
Best Time to visit: The best time to visit here is from October to May.
Entry fee: The entry fees is INR 30/ USD 0.46 per person
Timings: It is open from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
Distance from Wayanad: The waterfall is located just 2 kilometres from the bus station.
Between December to February: Wayanad get extremely cold and temperature drops of up to 10°C can be recorded. Travels who are looking to spend some time camping or are in a look out for a romantic getaway will find this time perfect.
Between March to May: Although it's sunny the atmosphere at Wayanad during this time is comfortably pleasant. It is the best time to enjoy activities like trekking and taking soothing dips in waterfalls and lakes across the city.
Between June to September: Surprise showers of rain are common around this time and the temperature can drop too. However, tourists can indulge in sightseeing and witness beautiful waterfalls around the city. This season is also preferred by adventurous for trekking and travelling around the jungles of Wayanad.
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By Bus: A Lot of Bus services are available from Bangalore to Wayanad. The journey takes close to 10 hours. Your bus journey will commence from Kalasipalayam in Bangalore and will end at Kalpetta from where you'll need to change and take a bus to Wayanad.
By Road: By road the journey from Bangalore to Wayanad can take up to 7 hours including breaks and pit stops to enjoy the scenic beauty throughout the journey.
By Air: There are no direct flights to Wayanad so, the next best option is to take a flight to the nearest airport, Karipur International Airport. From here there are ample cabs available to Wayanad.
By Train: You won't find any direct trains to Wayanad from Bangalore. However, trains from Bangalore to Nanjangud are available. From here, you can take a cab or local taxi to Wayanad which is about 100 km from Nanjangud.
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Traveling to Wayanad is completely safe, whether you are traveling alone, with your partner or with a group of friends. The mountains offer specialized tours, be it a romantic vacation or an adventure weekend.
The roads are smooth and there wouldn’t be any problem reaching the place. All the major sightseeing spots too are well connected and smoothly regularized to make it safe and easy for tourists and travelers.
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Wayanad is one of the most popular weekend destinations from Bangalore. Taking just about 7 hours, it’s an amazing drive.
You can even take an overnight bus and reach Wayanad by the morning. Everything is perfectly cut to make Wayanad a great weekend getaway from Bangalore.
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There are several great destination for honeymoons and romantic getaways near Wayanad. Wayanad is home for several resorts that offer private accommodations in the lap of the hills and it would be just amazing to have your partner by your side. It nature, love and a lot of memories in the making.
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Though Wayanad is marketed as a weekend getaway, there is a lot to explore and experience. Places like Kuruva Islands itself demand a day trip.
If you are looking for a complete Wayanad package, a weeklong vacation would be a great way to comfortably space your itinerary.
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Cave camping is a truly amazing experience. Being able to gaze at the clear starry sky with complete darkness all around and complimented by the mystical charm of a cave, it cannot get any better.
The caves in Wayanad go back to the Stone Age where you get to see the inscriptions and painting by the early man. Living in a cave that had once been used by early humans is another kind of excitement. The caves are further naturally air conditioned and you would be sheltered from the rain.
It is necessary that you seek the permission of the forest department before setting up a camp. In some cases, you are even allowed to set up a bonfire and spend the night dancing, just like our early ancestors would have spent their nights.
Cave camping in Wayanad is completely organized and you have amenities like guides, night treks, flashlights and welcome drinks. Alcohol and smoking during cave camping is strictly prohibited. Popular cave camping sites include:
1. Edakkal Caves
2. Kothagiri
3. Makkamkunnu
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The Banasura Sagar dam is about 27 kilometers from Wayanad and can be easily reached via the Kambalakkad – Padinjarethara Road. The journey takes about an hour. At the Banasura Sagar Dam, you can go for Bamboo Rafting Speed boating or just checking out the natural scenery that makes the only earthen dam of India.
It’s a perfect place for photography. Further, several treks start at Banasura Sagar Dam and you can always be a part of an organized group.
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You can go for a waterfall trek across the Meenmutty falls. Also, if you trek in the Kuruvu Islands, it will take you through several small streams and waterfalls. It is completely safe to do a waterfall trek. However, it is advised that you are properly dressed and also have a local guide along.
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Homestays in Wayanad are the best options for experiencing the true essence and culture of Kerala. The locals are very accommodating and do the best to host you with a hassle free vacation.
1. Vythiri Village Homestay
2. Summer Villa
3. Spice Garden Homestay
4. Enteveedu Homestay
5. Peter’s Hill View Residency
6. Melvin’s Homestay
7. Sundara Mahal Homestay
8. Misty Meadows Homestay
9. Dhanagiri Homestay
10. Annapara Homestay
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Wayanad is known for its spices, pure honey, coffee, tea, bamboo products and several naturally derived products. The top places to shop include:
1. Trident Arcade, Sulthan Bathery, Wayanad
2. Dubai Shopping Center, Corporate Hospital, Assumption Junction, Sulthan Bathery
3. Easwaran Namboodiri, near Vivekanand Hospital, Kalpetta Ho
4. Santhi Pappadam, Market Road, Wayanad
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There are several hospitals across the Wayanad District. In case of an emergency, the first point of contact would be the doctor on call at your resort. For more serious emergencies, top hospitals nearby include:
1. Leo Hospital
2. Vinayaka Hospital
3. MES Hospital
4. Jyothi Hospital, Mananthavady
5. Swami Vivekananda Medical Mission Hospital
6. Mayo Hospital
7. Victory Hospital
8. Fatima Mata Mission Hospital
9. Assumption Hospital
9. District Hospital
10. Karuna Hospital, Sultan Bathery
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There is no such restriction on smoking or drinking in Wayanad. However, it is required that you engage in the same in private compounds. Smoking or drinking in open spaces, sanctuaries or protected sites is a punishable offence.
Wayanad is situated in the middle of the Western Ghats rainforests. It forms a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and consequently is a great opportunity for wildlife sighting. Several endemic and rare animals, birds and plants inhabit the jungles of Wayanad.
A wildlife safari is a must for any outdoor / wildlife / nature lover. Photographers flock to Wayanad is search for rare fauna all round the year. The top places to go for a wildlife safari include:
- Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary
- Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
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Ooty is just about 100 kilometers from Wayanad and can be traveled in 3 hours.
Cycling is an amazing way to explore the ghats and tea estates of Wayanad. It is recommended that you hire a cycle to check out the rural beauty of the place.If you have been planning for a laid back experience, cycling can be the perfect advice in Wayanad. The best places for cycling in Wayanad include:
- Plantation trails
- Chundale
- Soochipara Falls
- Banasura Sagar Dam
- Muthanga
- Kuruva Islands
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Kuruvu Islands is located about 30 kilometers from Wayanad and it would be an amazing experience if you love outdoors. It’s completely different from the experience of the hills. Located along the banks of the Kaveri River, it is an ecosystem of its own and hosts several wild flora and fauna.
It can however be reached by a boat across the river and the journey would take about an hour. Top activities to do in Kuruva Islands include:
- Rainforest treks
- Waterfall exploration
- Bird watching / photography
- Cycling
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The most exotic place in the Wayanad district is the Kabani bamboo village in Trikaipetta. It is a beautiful place to visit and hosts the famous Bamboo Factory and you can even learn the way by which they make the products out of the bamboo plants.
It can be beautiful learning experience for both the adults as well as the children. Learn a trick or two about bamboo craft!
Phantom Rock will be a risky climb but is totally worth the adventure. It offers an amazing view of the Wayanad landscape and the trek itself is exciting. You will have to take one of the few jungle trails to reach the open space around the Phantom Rock. Climbing it would be a back breaking task, if you are not quite adept to rock climbing.
An ancient form of Ayurvedic massage, a session would cost you about INR 3000 for a 30-minute session. Top resorts like Vythiri also offer Kalari Massage sessions The top places to get a Kalari Massage in Wayanad include the:
- Ayurkendra Herbal Village and
- Kadathanadan Kalari Sangam
The Pookode Lake is about 25 kilometers from Wayanad along the NH 766. It would take about an hour of drive to reach it. The Pookode Lake offers amazing
- Cycling trails
- Boating experience
- Photography opportunity
- Bird watching
- Walking trails
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1. The best time to visit and enjoy the secrets of Wayanad is between the months of October and May. Around this time the place is blooming with exotic new tropics and the overall temperature is present.
2. The best route to take from Bangalore to Wayanad is through the roads and the route is encapsulated with lush green trees and various pit stops with scenic landscapes.
3. Waterfalls and lakes in the town are in abundance so remember to carry extra clothes.
When visiting Wayanad, it is essential that you carry:
- A bag that would be easy to carry on treks
- Water bottle
- Torch / flashlights – it’s a must
- Sleeping bag
- Small sling bag / shoulder bag
- T-shirts
- Jeans / cotton pants / tights
- Sun cap / scarf
- Hiking shoes
- Warm jacket – mornings in Wayanad are cold, regardless of the time of the year
- Vomit bags – hope you won’t need to use them
- Personal medicines
- Mosquito repellants
- Books
- Toiletries
- Sunscreen
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