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Wayanad Hill Station

The original name of Wayanad was “Vayal Nadu”, where Vayal means paddy fields and Nadu means place. Wayanad was a place that was brimming with a large number of paddy fields all over. It was officially declared as a district during 1st November, 1980 became the 12th district of Kerala. Today, Wayanad is the top most producers of pepper and coffee in the state of Kerala. When the district was formed, it was made of the important taluks like Vythiri, Mananthavady and Sultanbathery.

The forests of Wayanad can be dated back to at least 3000 years. Evidences have suggested that this place was inhabited by people even before the birth of Jesus Christ. Agriculture was introduced in this place only from 1900 AD. When the state of Kerala was constituted in 1956, Wayanad was a part of the Kannur district, after which, it became a part of the Kozhikode district.  It continued to remain so till 1980, when it became a separate district.

How to Reach Wayanad

By Air

The international airport at Kozhikode, at a distance of 95km, is the nearest to Wayanad.

By Train

Kozhikode railway junction, at a distance of 72km from Kalpetta, Wayanad, is the nearest railway station. Thalassery, Kannur and Mysore railway junctions at a distance of 80km, 93km and 110km respectively from Mananthavadi, Kannur junction are the other nearby railway stations to Wayanad.

By Road

Wayanad district is located in a strategic way such that the Kozhikode – Mysore National Highway No. 212. This road is well connected to all important places of Kerala like the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode and also with the busy places of neighbouring states like Bangalore, Mysore and Karnataka.

Getting Around

There are lots of buses, cars, jeeps and taxis that tourists can use to go around the district of Wayanad. There are quite a few tourist spots in Wayanad for tourists to visit while coming here.

Weather and Best Time to Visit

The dense forests that are located in Wayanad contribute heavily to the pleasant climate that prevails here all through the year. Only during April and May, the place experiences summer season, but the temperatures usually hover at a maximum of 31 degrees Celsius. The months between December and February are very cold as it is the peak of winter season. The best time to visit Wayanad is somewhere between August and November, because that is when  the monsoon season is over and when the winter season is about to set in.

Attractions

Some of the important tourist attractions at Wayanad are as follows:

  • Chembra Peak - Trekking here is a one of the most adventurous activities that you get to do on your vacation to Wayanad. It takes one full day to trek up the full path of the rough terrains of this peak. Once you reach the top of the peak, you get a scintillating view of the Wayanad district that is absolutely priceless.
  • Edakkal Caves – This is a historic cleft that is about 96feet long and 22feet wide. Intricate carvings of humans and animals are found on this cleft, making it one of the must see places of Wayanad.
  • Kuruva Island – No scenes of human habitation are found on this scenic island that stretches to about 950 acres. This is an ideal spot for enjoying short picnics with friends and family. Bird lovers can enjoy a lot here as the place houses some of the rarest species of birds.
  • Lakkidi – This is the gateway of Wayanad and is the tallest spot in the district. This is located at a height of 700m above sea level and is located quite close to the main district of Kozhikode. Tall peaks of mountains, streams and rivers, rare and exotic species of flora and fauna, breath-taking scenes, pleasant climate and the dense green growth of trees are some of the major highlights of this place.
  • Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary - This is the biggest sanctuary in the Malabar region. Lots of wild animals like elephants, bison, cheetah, tiger etc. are found here. Tourists can enjoy exciting elephant rides and wildlife safaris in this sanctuary.
  • Tomb of Pazhassi Raja – Pazhassi Raja, the famous ruler, also known as the “Lion of Wayanad” was buried in this place during 1805. Tourists can have relaxing picnics here that offer boating facilities too. The aquarium found here is hugely enjoyed by kids.
  • Pakshipathalam – This is a dense forest area that is covered by deep rock caves. This is the place where some rare wild animals and beasts are found. You must possess valid permits and approvals for venturing into this risky area. You can hire guides to take you into the interiors of the thick forests, for your safety and comfort.

Some of the other big attractions here are Sentinel Rock Waterfalls, Pookot Lake, Kanthanpara Waterfalls, Banasura Sagar Dam and Soochippara Waterfalls.

Shopping in Wayanad

When you come to Wayanad you must buy some of the special items of the place like gooseberries, coffee, pepper, honey and spices. The handicrafts and other artefact items made by the tribal community people are also sold in almost all shops and they are a huge hit among foreign travellers. The best shops to buy these items are located near the Pookotlake.

Activities to Do in Wayanad

Wildlife viewing, trekking, mountaineering, rainforests trekking, river trials, spice tours, camping, shopping and sightseeing are some of the main activities that you can do when you come to Wayanad.

Nearby Places

The Kozhikode district is quite nearby to Wayanad, Hence in addition to the tourist spots in Wayanad, people coming here can also get the double delight of viewing some of the ancient and historic spots of Kozhikode too.

Eating Out

When you come to Wayanad, you are spoilt for choice in terms of eating out. The best option is to stay in homestays, so that you get to taste the authentic local cuisines of Kerala. The restaurants and hotels here serve international cuisine styles like Chinese, Continental, Mediterranean, Japanese etc. top suit the taste buds of foreign tourists.

Festivals and Events in Wayanad

Onam, Vishu, Mahashivarathri, Karthigai, Easter, Christmas and Eid are some of the important festivals celebrated in Wayanad. The tribal people of the district celebrate many traditional festivals during the months of February to May.

Hotels in Wayanad

Misty Meadows, a beautiful and spacious homestay that has rooms with view of the lakes and peaks, is one of the most sought after places to stay by tourists coming to Wayanad. Aashwas Holiday Home nestled nicely within the coffee and rubber plantations and the Green Gates Hotel, located strategically on the Kalpetta hillock are other great places to stay in Wayanad.

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