At the top of the list for Kerala hill stations lies Wayanad. This destination boasts scenic roads, elephant-filled jungles, and peaceful deer roaming among the lush greenery of Western Ghats. Unlike other places in Kerala, Wayanad’s ecology is truly one-of-a-kind. It is a pristine destination that maintains its natural charm. Among the popular tourist spots in Wayanad are numerous cultural and natural surprises to discover. Families, groups of tourists, and couples can all find endless activities to enjoy at some of the finest resorts in Wayanad.
Upon entering Wayanad, you will be greeted by the scenic mountain roads surrounded by lush green rainforests. In this beautiful hill station in God’s own country, there are countless things to do.
All the Wayanad Tourist spots, whether they are big or small, popular or offbeat, have an enormous amount of natural beauty hidden behind them. Wayanad isn’t just another amicable hill station in Kerala. Whether you stay at home or stay at a resort in Wayanad, your vacation will never feel incomplete.
If you’re on a Kerala holiday, don’t miss these best places to visit in Wayanad.
The following is a short summary of all the attractions in Wayanad;
Places to Visit in Wayanad
- Kalpetta’s natural wonders
Known for its dense coffee and tea plantations, Kalpetta is one of the best places to visit in Wayanad. It is the district headquarters of Wayanad.
For a rejuvenating experience, visit Kanthanpara, Meenmutty and Soochippara Waterfalls. With two of these waterfalls, Kalpetta is one of the best places to visit in Wayanad. Many of the best resorts are located around Kalpetta. You can also stay in a tree house and experience the jungle’s beauty.
One can also discover the beauty of nature through a trek to Vaduvanchal, which showcases stunning attractions such as Phantom Rock, Cheenigeri Mala, Neelima View Point, and Chethalayam Falls. Additionally, Kalpetta features cycling expeditions on its well-maintained paths. This is an environmentally-friendly approach to visit Wayanad’s famous tourist spots. Furthermore, some of the top destinations in Wayanad are situated in remote areas unreachable by road; hence cycling serves as an excellent mode of transportation to these places.
The Kalpetta market is one of the popular Wayanad tourist places that sells coffee, tea, pepper, honey, artefacts, bamboo products, ivory handicrafts, and coconut shell handicrafts.
Information you may find useful:
Calicut International Airport is 85.4 km away
2. Meenangadi
Meenangadi should be on your list of scenic places to visit in Wayanad since it is known for its historical and cultural heritage as well as the several plantations it boasts.
As of the pristine places near Wayanad, Meenagadi is known for its ecological conservation movements. It is also on its way to becoming India’s first carbon-neutral city! As a result of such unique reasons, this place has become one of the best Wayanad tourist destinations in which sustainable and eco-friendly tourism can be taught.
In Wayanad, the St. Mary’s Syrian Orthodox Church, built in 1958, is one of the most popular tourist attractions. Its design is so unique that architecture lovers need to make sure they don’t miss it.
It is believed that the Shivalinga at the Manikavu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is self-manifested and that water pours continuously on it from a stream. This temple is one of the most revered sites for Hindus in Wayanad.
The nature-friendly practices at Meenagadi have made it popular on the Wayanad tourist places list due to the lush-green tea, coffee, cardamom, pepper and rubber plantations.
Information you may find useful:
Calicut International Airport is 99.3 km away and is the closest airport to Wayanad.
3. Pozhuthana – A calm and peaceful place
As it is known for its hilly terrain interspersed with flat valleys and tea plantations, the tiny village of Pozhuthana is also an interesting tourist destination in Kerala. There are a lot of scenic charms hidden here that make this sleepy little town one of the most beautiful places to visit in Wayanad. As well as its lovely, pristine beauty, Pozhuthana is also renowned for its bamboo rafting.
Take a soothing dip at the Pozhuthana River, which is more like a slow flowing river more like a lake than a river. This river gives an impression of backwaters, which is why many tourists and photographers like to visit it. There is no doubt that Pozhuthana River is one of the best scenic spots in Wayanad because it offers a great deal of scenic beauty.
As you glide through the river, you are treated to a scenic view of the green hills and valleys. You can also take a hike in the Sugandagiri forest, which isn’t as popular as other Wayanad tourist attractions, but it is equally charming and pristine as others.
The lush greenery and endless trails with natural paths have made Pozhuthana among one of the most gorgeous places to visit in Wayanad. If water isn’t your thing, you can bike through tea estates and jungles! The roads here are a paradise for driving enthusiasts, especially those who want to explore Wayanad’s mainstream attractions but also do something offbeat.
Information you may find useful:
4. Meppadi – the peak of love – romantic places to visit in Wayanad
Situated on the state highway between Kozhikode and Ooty lies Meppadi, a charming hill station in Kerala known for its popular attractions such as the Chembra Peak and heart-shaped lake. As an ideal weekend escape, Meppadi offers all the necessary amenities and attractions that make it a must-visit destination in Wayanad. The Chembra Peak and Heart Shaped Lake are among the top spots in Wayanad, especially for couples seeking a romantic getaway. The trek to these destinations is relatively easy, making it perfect for novice trekkers, and there are plenty of nearby resorts available. Guides can also be found easily for this trek.
To explore the forest, you will need permission from the Meppadi forest department.
Located atop the hill, the heart-shaped lake offers an excellent view of the lush green mountains and the looming clouds.
Information you may find useful:
Calicut International Airport is 91.5 km away
5. Edakkal
Located around 25 km from Kalpetta, the Edakkal caves are believed to be one of the oldest human settlements in the world. One of the major attractions in Wayanad, Edakkal attracts a lot of nature lovers who want to experience something unique during their visit.
Legend has it that Lord Ram’s children, Luv-Kush, made the cave with their arrows.
A number of archaeologists around the world are fascinated by these caves, which are thought to have existed since the Indus Valley civilization. In Edakkal Caves, there are more than 400 signs and carvings in the caves. With so many fascinating facts and unique aspects, Edakkal Caves are one of the best places in Wayanad.
In addition to being a popular trekking destination, the caves are open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and cost Rs 20 to enter.
Information you may find useful:
Calicut International Airport is 114 km away
6. Banasura’s folklore
As popular as it is for the dam and a hiking trail, Banasura is a very pristine and one of the best places in Wayanad. In addition to the legends and myths about the days gone by, Banasura is one of the best places to visit in Wayanad for history and mythology enthusiasts. Banasura is one of the most mysterious places in Wayanad to visit.
It was named after King Banasura who won Lord Shiva’s favor by playing the ‘mridanga’ with his thousand hands while performing the ‘Tandav’ dance.
From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Banasura Sagar Dam is the largest earthen dam in India and the second largest in Asia.
Besides the dam, the river, and legends, Banasura offers island visits as well. There are three lovely islands that are 40 km away from Banasura, collectively known as the Kuruva Islands. One of the best places to visit in Wayanad is this region due to its amicable surroundings. In order to access these islands, one can use bamboo boats or fibre rafts. It is a must-visit place near Wayanad because of its ambrosial beauty.
A wildlife sanctuary and a large number of flowering trees are also nearby tourist attractions.
Information you may find useful:
Calicut International Airport is 99 km away
7. Pookode’s Paradise
It is located about 15 km from Kalpetta and is one of the prettiest places on Wayanad. The village is perfect for nature lovers and photographers who will simply fall in love with this paradise.
Wayanad’s Pookode Lake is one of its most scenic and pristine attractions. This lake resembles the shape of the Indian map and you can see blue lotuses and fresh water fishes here. Due to its unique shape and natural aura, Pookode Lake is one of the most important tourist attractions in Wayanad.
You can rent a boat and take a trip around the lake. It is open from 9 am to 5 pm.
In addition to the freshwater aquarium, there is a children’s park and a shopping center known for handicrafts and spices.
Information you may find useful:
Calicut International Airport is 73.4 km away
8. Thirunelli’s Divinity
A must-visit on your Wayanad itinerary is Thirunelli, a fascinating destination that combines the best of tourism and history. This ancient settlement boasts a rich legacy, having been ruled by a multitude of kingdoms such as the Pandyas, Cholas, Malabar Sultanate, Tirunelveli Sultanate, Vijayanagar Empire, Madurai Nayaks, Chanda Sahib, Carnatic Kingdom and the British. When exploring nearby places in Wayanad, Thirunelli stands out as the top choice for visitors seeking an unforgettable experience.
As one of the popular Wayanad tourist spots, Thirunelli Temple is open to the public from 5.30 am to 12 pm and 5.30 pm to 8 pm.
Apart from its obvious religious significance, this temple is an important heritage spot of Wayanad Tourism because of its magnificent design, carvings, paintings, and spectacular view.
Try some of the best wheat, sugar, and ghee halwa.
Information you may find useful:
The nearest airport is Calicut International Airport, 140 km away
9. Ambalavayal
The tiny village of Ambalavayal in Wayanad is surrounded by lush green hills of the Western Ghats with a charming weather. The Heritage Museum and Regional Agricultural Research Station are two of the most popular tourist attractions.
It is one of the most unique places to visit in Wayanad for those who enjoy heritage and history. The Wayanad Heritage Museum exhibits archaeological artefacts dating back to the Neolithic era. Wayanad heritage museum is known for its unique tribal artefacts excavated from Malabar.
There are several pictorial rock edicts carved to commemorate heroes who died saving people at Hero Stone, one of Wayanad’s most important tourist attractions. One of the best places to visit in Wayanad is this unique and heart-warming spot. It is open between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
It is an ideal destination for those interested or involved in the cultivation of these crops and allied industries, such as coffee, pepper, rice, ginger, turmeric, clove, cinnamon, summer and cool season vegetables.
Information you may find useful:
Calicut International Airport is 107 km away
10. The Tholpetty and Muthanga families
With some of the best wildlife in India, Tholpetty and Muthanga are 38 km apart. As one of the most scenic places to see in Wayanad, the local tourism offers a variety of activities for those who love nature and wildlife. Both wildlife sanctuaries are separated by tea plantations.
In the midst of the deciduous forests, you can spot peacocks, owls, cuckoos, babblers and jungle fowls. A large number of local tour companies conduct tours here as part of their weekend getaway plans. You can also join the photography groups coming here and test out your lens’ versatility. There are a lot of natural Wayanad attractions you can visit as one of the thriving Wayanad tourist spots.
The entire area takes about two to four hours to cover. It is open from 7 am to 9 am and 3 pm to 5 pm. If you want to make the most of the places to visit in Wayanad, you need to make sure that these forests are on the top of the list of Wayanad tourist places.
For better chances of seeing wildlife, you should visit these places between November and May.
Information you may find useful:
Calicut International Airport is 135 km away
In conclusion,Wayanad, the quintessential southern hill station and a perfect weekend getaway. This charming destination offers an abundance of sights to see, making it necessary to plan multiple visits or an extended vacation. Whether you are a leisurely traveler or an adventure seeker, there is something here for everyone. Kalpetta, Meenangadi, and Pozhuthana are just a few of the many must-see places in Wayanad. The majority of these tourist spots are easily accessible, while more daring individuals can try their hand at activities like hiking, trekking, and cycling. With such a variety of cool destinations in Wayanad, your next trip is sure to be full of memorable experiences. Additionally, there are numerous lesser-known offbeat locations near Wayanad waiting to be explored at your leisure. And with some of the finest resorts in Wayanad at your disposal, every moment spent here will be worthwhile.
The best places to visit in Wayanad offer romantic, spiritual and thrilling experiences in addition to panoramic views, luxurious accommodation and scenic drives. The sky is the limit at this picturesque hill station with destinations like Coorg, Mangalore and Calicut being some of the amazing places near Wayanad, so make sure it’s on your bucket list this fall. The sky is the limit at this picturesque hill station.
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