Wayanad Travel Guide: Places to Visit in Wayanad
The name Wayanad is derived from the Malayali name of the place, 'Vayal Nadu' which translates to paddy fields. While the fields that Wayanad was named after are long gone, what remains is an endless canopy of emerald trees and lush greenery
Wayanad is a well-loved spot of the Western Ghats as there are many beautiful places to see in here. If you are coming for a short trip, here are the top places to visit in Wayanad:
1.Chembra Peak
At the height of 2,100 metres above sea level, Chembra Peak is the highest among all the hills in Wayanad. It is a beautiful spot to trek, but permission for the trek must be taken from the Meppadi Forest Office in advance. You can spot a heart-shaped lake on the trail of your trek that is believed to never dry up.
2.Kuruva Island
The Kuruva Dweep is a cluster of islands in the delta of Kabini River, which means rafting and boating opportunities are plenty here all of which are organised by the Kerala Tourism Department . Rare species of birds and plants are found in the evergreen forest on these islands. Entry is restricted between June to September due to heavy rains; otherwise the island is open between 9 am to 5 pm.
3. Pookode Lake
Surrounded by lush green forest, the Pookode Lake is a freshwater lake which is perineal in nature and is always full of blue lotuses, and occasionally blue water lilies. There are bamboo boats and pedal boats available at the lake, and there is also a shopping centre, a children's park, and a freshwater aquarium nearby. You can visit this lake between 9 am and 5 pm; watching dawn here is highly recommended.
4. Thirunelli Temple
Dubbed as the Kashi of the South, this temple is dedicated to Lord Maha Vishnu. There runs an elaborate myth that this temple was instated by Lord Brahma himself. The temple is situated on the banks of Papanashini stream, and it is a great example of ancient Indian temple architecture. The Pakshipathalam trek is only 10 kilometres from this temple and can be visited on the same day.
5. Edakkal Caves
These caves are known to have links to the Indus Valley Civilization due to the carvings inside that have been dated back to the Neolithic and Mesolithic ages. The Edakkal Caves are located 1,200 metres above sea level, and it takes a 45-minutes trek through the Ambukuthi Mala to reach the site. The caves are open to visitors between 9.30am to 4.30pm.
6. Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary
The Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary is the second largest in Kerala, and connects Karnataka's Nagarhole and Bandipur parks to Tamil Nadu's Madumalai. The rainforest is covered with various species of evergreen and deciduous trees. The park is best known for its elephants, but is also home to monkeys, wild cats like panthers and tigers, jungle cats, and more. The eco-tourism programme here offers activities like jeep safari, trekking, bird watching, and more.
Now that you know everything about Wayanad, all that is left to do is book your tickets and get going!
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