Tourist Spots

Prominent Tourist Spots At Wayanad

The natural scenic beauty of Wayanad and its rich natural resources offer several opportunities for adventure tourism. The hills rocks and valley which make the very unique character of Wayanad provide a lot for catering to the ever increasing demand for adventure tourists.

Wayanad Churam

Entrance to Wayanad from Calicut with Lofty peaks, gurgling streams and luxuriant forests add magic to the journey up the winding roads to this hill station.

Karlad Lake

The lake spreads in an area of 7 acres and is a place where you can be with yourself, more so because it is not a huge tourist hotspot. The lake with all its beauty and facilities of boating and angling is still to gain its share of popularity. It is around 8 km from Vythiri.

Meenmutty Water Fall

It is a spectacular fall cascading in three tiers, down a height of about more than 300 m. A trekker’s paradise, it has the distinction of being the second largest waterfall in Kerala.

Lakkidi

This is amongst the tallest point in the Wayanad region and has a height of 700 m above the sea level. It is a perfect place where you can capture the beauty of Kerala in your camera. The towering mountain peaks, the rushing stream, verdant vegetation and a deep valley – all await to welcome you. Lakkidi receives the highest average rainfall in Kerala. And Wayanad district receives 300 mm rainfall per year. Owing to the rains, the area is covered by dense forests and thick vegetation. Lakkidi also commands a fantastic scenic beauty.

Chain Tree

A natural fresh water lake surrounded by evergreen forest and rolling hills. Meadows and trees on all sides surround this natural fresh water lake. Its serenity is a heaven for peace loving travellers. A fresh water aquarium with large variety of fish is an added attraction. Tourists can also avail of boating facilities, children’s park, and a shopping centre for handicrafts and spices.

Chembra Peak

Trekking to the Chembra peak is one of the risky tourist endeavors. Chembra peak is the highest peak in Wayanad at 2100m. above mean sea level. It is 14 kms. west of Kalpetta. Trekking to the top of this peak takes almost a day. Tourists can also stay one or two days at the top of the peak in temporary camps. The scenic beauty of Wayanad which is visible from the top of Chembra is very challenging and thrilling. All along the steep and slippery way to the top of the hill, the whispering of the flowing spring which sprouts from the top of the hill accompanies the tourist. Camping in the night with camp fire and sleeping bags at the top of the peak in shivering cold is everlasting experience. At the top Chembra, there is a fresh water lake called ‘Hridayasarassu’ in the shape of heart. The blue eyed water in the lake never dries up even in the peak of summer.

The memorial of The Lion of Kerala Veera Pazhassi Raja

The memorial of The Lion of Kerala Veera Pazhassi Raja, who organised the guerrilla warfare against the British East India Company, is situated at Mananthavady

Pakshipathalam

Pakshipathalam in Bramha Giri hills at Thirunelly is a challenging tourist spot. It is 7 kms. north-east of Thirunelly temple and is situated 1740 m. above mean sea level. To reach ‘Pakshipathalam’, 17 kms. have to be covered through wild forest. The deep rock caves formed among the thick blocks of rocks at the northern top end of the Brahmagiri is the abode of various birds and wild beasts. It is a formation of large boulders, some as tall as two storey buildings. The deep caves found here are home to a wide variety of birds, animals and distinctive species of plants.

Thirunelly Temple

It is known as ‘Thekkan Kasi’, of Kerala. It is believed, that a dip in the river Papanasini, running crystal clear downhill, wipes one off all sins.

Valliyoorkav Temple, Valliyoorkavu Festival

The 10 day festival during the month of March-April is very famous. The temple is dedicated to the mother goddess manifest in the three principal forms of Vana Durga, Bhadrakali and Jala Durga.The two week long festival in February/March is a major event attended by thousands of people.

Jain Temple

There are significant Jain remnants in Wayanad. The temples at Bathery, Punchavayal and Puthanangadi are the best known of these. With their beautifully carved pillars now partly ruined.

Pallikunnu Church

Dedicated to the Lourdes Matha, Pallikkunnu Church was established in 1905 at the initiative of a French Missionary Fr. Jeffrine. An interesting aspect of this church is that it has several rituals and practices similar to those prevalent in Hindu temples. The annual two week “Perunnal” festival in early February draws large number of devotees from other parts of Kerala, as well as outside. The temple is 12Kms. away from Kalpetta.

Varambetta Mosque

It is the oldest mosque in Wayanad (300 years old), situated 15 kms. south-east of Kalpetta, near Padinjarathara

Edakkal Caves

Situated 12kms south of Sultan Bathery, The Edakkal Caves at Ambukutty Mala is a pre-historic rock shelter formed naturally out of a strange disposition of three huge boulders making one to rest on the other two with its bottom jutting out in between and serving as the roof. The discovery of the cave and its identification as a prehistoric site were quite accidental by F. Fawcett, the then superintendent of police. They speak of a highly civilized people at an early centre of human habitation. Edakkal rock engravings stand out distinct among the magnitude of prehistoric visual archives of paintings and graphic signs all over the world. It is the world’s richest pictographic gallery of its kind. Edakkal literally means a “stone in between”. On the walls inside the Edakkal Caves are pre-historic etchings, which have attracted the attention of archeologists and historians worldwide. It’s thought that some of the etchings are more than 5,000 years old.

Kanthanpara Waterfalls

This waterfall is about 30 m in height and gives a panoramic view. It is located 12 kms southeast of Kalpetta.

Sentinal Rock Water Fall

Sentinal Rock Water Fall is 22kms at Soochipara near Meppadi, south of Kalpetta. A three step water fall of more than 200m in height with a fantastic scenery provides for white water rafting, swimming, bathing, etc.

Soochipara Waterfalls

Soochipara Waterfalls is located 22 kms from Kalpetta. One can reach the waterfalls only after a 2-km walk into the dense equatorial forest of Wayanad. The tree top huts at Soochipara will give unique view of the valleys of Western Ghats. It is also an ideal place for rock climbing.

Banasura Dam

Considered to be the largest earth dam in India, the Banasura project precincts are an ideal starting point for treks to the Banasura Peak. An interesting feature is a set of islands that were formed when the reservoir submerged the surrounding areas. The largest earth dam in India, Banasura Dam is 15 kms northwest of Kalpetta. This large expanse of water is bounded on one side with magnificent hills of heavenly charm

Muthanga Wild Life Sanctuary

The Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary is located over an area of 344.44 square kilometers and is home to wildlife such as Gaur, sloth bears, sambhar, elephants, reptiles, tigers, spotted deer, monkeys, panthers, jungle cats, civet cats, wild dogs, bison, lizards, bears, wild pigs, leopards, lion-tailed macaque and other animals.

The Glass Temple of Kottamunda

This temple is located on the slope of Vellarimala and is dedicated to Parswanatha Swamy of the Jain faith. The mirrors inside the temple walls reflect images of the icons in the temple’s sanctum sanctorum.

Muniyara

Around the foot of the Ambukuthi Hill have unearthed a distinctive series of ancient burial vaults commonly called Muniyaras.Remnants of stone Age tools & potteries found within these cellars are now displayed in Wayand Heritage museum.

Kuruva Islands

The Kuruva island, 950 acres of ever green forest on the tributaries of east flowing river Kabani, is an ideal picnic spot, far away from the disturbances of city life. The island is uninhabited. Rare species of birds, orchids and herbs are the sovereigns of this supernal kingdom.

Phantom Rock

Located close to Ambalavayal town, Phantom Rock named so because of its skull head shape, is locally called Cheengeri Mala. The immediate surroundings offer excellent photo opportunities.

Heritage Museum

Located in the town of Ambalavayal, 27 kms from Kalpetta. This Museum is home to an interesting collection of artifacts that shed light on the history, culture and heritage of Wayanad region. This is one of the best-maintained museums of Kerala’s Malabar region. The museum has a fine collection of 14th – 16th century sculptures, tribal artifacts, which include jewels, hunting and fishing weapons, farming implements etc.

Tholpetty Wild Life Sanctuary

Situated along the northern ridge of Wayanad. (bordering Coorg District of Karnataka). Tholpetty is much similar to Muthanga in terms of flora and fauna. The best season to visit between Nov. and May. This sanctuary includes Elephants, Sambars, Deers, Leopards and Medicinal plants etc. There is a Watch Tower facility to see wild animals A watch tower at the top of a tree inside the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuatry near Muthanga. Used in the olden times to spot enemies and other wild animals approaching, the tree top hut is still used to keep away from elephants, bison, tiger, etc