Banasura Sagar DamWayanad tourist places is the Banasura Sagar Dam in Kalpetta. It is the largest dam in India and is the 2nd largest in all of Asia. Constructed at the Banasura Lake, the dam holds huge amount of water and offers the scenic splendour of the mountains as its backdrop.
In the monsoons, the dam submerges all the surrounding areas. The vast expanse is dotted with small patches of land and is a scenic delight for even discerning visitors.
Pookot LakeThe most important tourist destination in Wayanad, Pookot Lake is a natural fresh water lake nestled amidst evergreen forests and wooded slopes. Surrounded by lush greenery all around, this idyllic lake, with its breathtaking scenic beauty and peaceful ambience, mesmerizes every visitor on tour to Pookot Lake. The pathway around the lake is lined by thick bushes and tall trees which further add to the overall charm. One of the main tributaries of the Kabani River – the Panamaram rivulet originates from Pookot Lake and then tumbles down into Panamaram valley. A fresh-water aquarium filled with an excellent array of fishes is a major attraction for tourists on their tour to Pookot Lake. The recreational facilities at the spot include Boating in the lake, Children’s Park, and Handicrafts and Spices Emporium.
The pleasant weather, combined with the scenic beauty and hypnotizing charm of the region promises to make your tour to Pookot Lake a thoroughly rejuvenating and memorable experience.
Edakkal CavesThe Edakkal Caves are at Ambukutty Mala. It 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. Edakkal literally means a stone in between.
The discovery of the cave and its identification as a prehistoric site were quite accidental by F. Fawcett, the then superintendent of police. An enthusiast in pre-history, Fawcett went around exploring the Wayanad high ranges which eventually led to the discovery of the Edakkal rock- shelter in 1894. He identified the site as a habitat of neolithic people on the basis of the nature of representations on the cave walls, which appeared to him as engravings made of neolithics celts.
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.
Soochipara Water FallsSoochipara waterfall is a three tiered waterfall at Vellarimala in Wayanad. This waterfall, surrounded by dense green forest, is also known as Sentinel Rock Waterfall. A 20 minute drive from Meppadi in Wayanad will take you to this splendid waterfall. The name Soochipara derived from the words ‘soochi’ and ‘para’ means ‘rock’ and ‘needle’. The name given is apt as you can see needle shaped rock here.
You have to walk around 2 km to reach the waterfall, where vehicles can’t move further. You have to pay a nominal fee for entrance and camera. From the entrance you need to descend down to reach the falls. The water here cascades down from a height of 100 to 200 ft and this waterfall is an ideal place for trekking and rock climbing. You can sight a pool beneath this falls and here you can go for swimming and bathing.
Best time to visit Soochipara waterfall is during monsoon season as you can see the waterfall at its fullest. The destination is well connected to nearby places. So, you will not find any difficulty to reach here.
Kuruva Dweep IslandKuruva Dweep or Kuruva Island is a protected river delta, comprising a cluster of islands over the middle of Kabini River in Wayanad. Spread over 950 acres of land, Kuruva Island is densely populated with rich flora and fauna. The geographical peculiarity of this island makes this place evergreen with a serene ambience.
The island is surrounded by streams and you can have a boat ride or rafting through this stream enjoying the enchanting beauty of the island. The boats and rafts are provided by the Kerala Tourism Department and it will take few hours to cover each and every island. Tourists from different parts of the world enjoy the rafting here. The rafts are made up of bamboos providing you a thrilling and exciting journey through the streams.
Chembra PeakHike up the rugged terrains of the Chembra Peak located 2,100 metres above sea level on the southern part of Wayanad. Chembra is the tallest peak in Wayanad and is an ideal area for trekking. There is a heart shaped lake on the way to the top of the peak, which is believed to have never dried up, is a major tourist attraction here. With permission from the Forest Department, one-day treks and two-day wildlife treks are possible. You can have group treks of up to ten people or hike on your own, accompanied by a guide.
It will take at least three hours to reach the top point of Chembra peak. On the way to this peak, you can sight a heart shaped lake, which is said to have never dried up. It is one of the topmost attractions of this peak. This lake is known as ‘hridhayathadakam’.
Wayanad Wildlife SanctuaryMuthanga and Tholpetty are the two ecotourism centers in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. Visits to these ecotourism centers provide unforgettable wilderness experience, frequent sightings of free ranging wildlife like herds of elephants, guars, deers, monkeys, tigers, leopards, bears, many species of reptiles, fishes, butterflies, birds including vultures etc, valuable nature education information from interpretation centres etc Medicinal plants’ garden, Birth Star Plants’ (Zodiac Plants) Garden, Muthanga Elephant Camp with 3 tuskers and one female calf, traditional tribal folk lore etc are other attractions in Muthanga.
Ecotourism in Muthanga and Tholpetty is much helpful in creating deep conservation awareness in the minds of visitors. It is much educative and recreational too. It is a main source of livelihood income for local tribes including tourist guides. Ecotourism in these two centers are managed by Muthanga and Tholpetty Eco-Development Committees (EDCs) under supervision of Kerala forest department.
Lakkidi View PointLakkidi is the gateway of Wayanad as it is located at the crest of the serpentine Thamarassery ghat pass. There are nine hairpin curves from Adivaram (Downhill) to Lakkidi through steep mountains and a journey through the serpentine ghat pass is worth an experience. It is about 2296 ft (700 m) above the sea level and the major town nearby is Vythiri which lies five km away.
The lush greenery of the hills, gorges and streams seen on both sides of the passage up the hill are sure to linger in the visitors’ mind for a long time. Tourists often stop by Lakkidi View Point, the vantage point which offers dazzling views of the surrounding cliffs and valleys.
Lakkidi has also emerged as a popular hill destination with many expensive resorts and plantation stays providing stay facility for foreigners and other affluent tourists.
Meenmutty FallsThe Meenmutty Waterfall is located in the middle of a lush, moist, tropical forest, off the Ooty Road, around 29 kilometers from Kalpetta in Wayanad district of Kerala. The largest and most spectacular waterfall in Wayanad, Meenmutty is a three-tiered fall. The water plunges down from about 300 meters in three stages, and all the three stages require separate treks. The path is quiet dangerous and tiresome.
To enjoy the fabulous beauty of Meenmutty Falls, you need to trek for about three kilometers from the road. It is an ideal picnic spot but during the rains it becomes slithery. You have to walk through dense foliage to reach the edge of the falls. The hiking can be strenuous, with steep inclines and rocks to climb over. After reaching the edge, it is an easy but slippery climb down the smooth rocks to reach the water. Although, the climb is exhausting, it is well worth it.
Meenmutty is open for tourists from 8 in the morning till 5 in the evening. There is no need to pay any entrance fee for visiting the waterfall. The most popular time to visit the falls is between November and May because the water is too torrential during the post-monsoon months. Early morning and late afternoons are the better times to visit. Accommodation can be found either at Kalpetta or Sulthan Bathery. Meenmutty is about 50kms from Banasura Hill Resort.
