Wayanad is Kerala’s hill-station district — a mix of forests, spice plantations, waterfalls, and wildlife sanctuaries, and a welcome change of pace from the coast.
Getting there
The nearest airports are Calicut (Kozhikode) and Kannur, each around 2–3 hours away by road; Wayanad itself doesn’t have rail or air access.
Highlights
- Edakkal Caves — home to prehistoric petroglyphs, reached via a short but steep trek with great valley views
- Chembra Peak — known for its heart-shaped lake near the summit, popular with trekkers
- Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary — part of the larger Nilgiri Biosphere, good for spotting elephants and deer
- Soochipara & Meenmutty Falls — multi-tiered waterfalls set in dense forest
- Spice and coffee plantations — many offer walking tours explaining how pepper, cardamom, and coffee are grown
Where to eat
Kerala’s home-style meals (sadya) served on a banana leaf are worth seeking out, along with fresh plantation-grown coffee.
Practical tips
- Mornings can be cool and misty even in summer — pack a light jacket
- Roads are winding; if you’re prone to motion sickness, plan accordingly
