subject: Wayanad - All Round Experience [print this page] Wayanad is a popular tourist destination set snugly amidst the Western Ghats in the state of Kerala. Situated in the Wayanad district, the hill station of Wayanad is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere.
This green paradise lies at the border of the greener portion of Kerala and is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere. Spread over an area of 2132 square km, it comprises of three taluks Mananthavady, Sulthan Bathery and Vythiri. Wayanad is set in close proximity to many other popular tourist destinations like Ooty, Kannur, Bangalore, Mysore and Coorg.
Fringed by high mountain ranges, bathed in green plantations and dense forests that house several aboriginal tribes, exotic wildlife and a variety of flora, Wayanad is truly a dream destination. In fact there are parts of Wayanad that are even now unexplored owing to the intense forest covers and in these parts are preserved a unique and and as of yet untouched ecosystem. The adventurous kinds are also rewarded with many outback trails and trekking routes due to the undulating terrains of the region. Muthanga and Tholpetty are two wildlife reserves in Wayanad that are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, which even include some endangered species.
Chembra Peak, Edakkal Caves, Kuruva Islands and the highest point in Wayanad, Lakkidi are some of the most popular tourist destinations here. Few other popular places of interest are Pakshipathalam, Pazhassi Raja Tomb, Pookot Lake, Sentinel Rock Waterfalls, Kanthanpara Waterfalls, Soochippara Waterfalls and the Banasura Sagar Dam. Wayanad also has some beautiful temples like the Sulthan Bathery Jain Temple, Thirunelli Temple, Valliyoorkavu Temple, Seetha Luva-Kusha Temple and the Thrissilery Shiva Temple.
Pookote lake is perhaps one of the most visited attractions here. This natural freshwater lake is surrounded by dense evergreen forests and hills. Another popular attraction here is the Banasura Sagar Dam which is famous as the largest earth dam in India. Many Hindu pilgrims take a trip to Thirunelli and bathe in the holy waters of the stream Papanasini, since it is believed to wash off all sins. A lovely island on the Kabini river, Kuruva Island is a relatively untouched mass of tropical forests that houses many exquisite varieties of flora and avifauna. Meenmutty waterfalls is an ideal trekking experience and so is Pakshipathalam in the Brahmagiri hills comprising of a 17 km trek through the wild forests. Edakkal Caves are ancient caves on the Ambukutty Mountains with famous rock carvings on the inner walls.
Kozhikode is the closest city with an airport and a railway station and is situated around 98 km from Wayanad. A network of roads connects Wayanad to Kozhikode and few other major cities within the state and in the neighbouring states too.
