Wayanad
From Wikitravel
Contents
Wayanad [1] is a district in Kerala, best known for its wildlife sanctuaries and natural beauty.
[edit] Cities
[edit] Understand
Wayanad is the name of a District in Kerala. It comprises mainly of three towns Kalpetta which is Headquarters of the District of Wayanad, Sultan Battery and Mananthavady.
Wayanad is often called as the Green paradise in God's own country-Kerala. It's a Hill station district in the northern part of Kerala, with mist claded peaks. The place is famous for it's scenic beauty, wildlife and traditional concepts. The name "Wayanad" is derived from "Vayal nadu" Which means the country of paddy fields.
Wayanad lies between north latitude 11 degree 26’28’’ and 11 degree 48’22’’ and east longitude 75 degree 46’38’’ and 76 degree 26’11’’. It lies in the altitude of 700 to 2100 metres above Mean Sea Level. This district is the meeting place of the southern states of India viz. Kerala, Tamilnadu and Karnataka.
Wayanad gives a combination of plantation, wildlife [Muthanga, Tholpetty] and back waters [Kozhikode] tourism all within a distance of 100 km. Courtesy Abhilash-Raincountry
[edit] Climate
Wayanad has cool weather throughout the year (December and Jan are the coolest - averaging about 15 degree C) though March-April is hotter and dry winds blows.The relative humidity is between 74-95%
[edit] Get in
[edit] By air
- Nearest Airport - Kozhikode/Calicut (90 km).
- Nearest International Airport - Kozhikode/Calicut (90 km).
[edit] By train
Reach Kozhikode Calicut or Mysore by rail from major cities in India then by road to Wayanad.
[edit] By bus
You can also reach here by bus: From Trivandrum - Cochin(280) - Calicut(90) - Wayanad. From Bangalore(260) - Mysore(120) - Wayanad. From Mangalore(270) - Kasargode - Cannanore - Tellicherry - Wayanad. From Coimbatore - Ooty(110) - Gudalur - Wayanad.
[edit] By road
Wayanad is well connected to other cities Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangalore, Chennai, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Madurai by road.
[edit] Get around
- Bus - Plenty of local bus services are available for transportation between the townships. But if you want to go to some tourist places you have to rely on a taxi.
- Autorickshaw - Autorickshaws are cheaper compared to taxis and can be used to reach the interior places from the townships.
- Taxi - Local taxis are also available at cheap rates (In Wayanad, the term Taxi is mostly in reference with Jeep).
- Car - You can hire a car from most of the townships if you want to travel effortlessly.
- Walk - Many places of attractions are nearby the towns so you could walk between them ( It's a good exercise you know ;) ).
[edit][add listing] See
- Begur Wildlife Sanctuary
- Banasura Dam- Largest earth dam in India, situated 15 km north-west of Kalpetta.
- Chembra Peak - It is the highest peak in Wayanad and is 2100 m peak above sea level. It is 14 Km west of Kalpetta.
- Chain Tree - Chain tree has a mysterious story behind it. This is located at the top of the hair pin curves. The road up was built by a foreign Engineer, but the route was given to him by a Local Tribal youth and he was shot to death by the engineer. After the Road was built many accidents happend in the hair pin curve. Later the reason behind the accidents were discovered due to the spirit of the tribal youth. Its believed that his spirit is being chained to the Chain tree. Most of the driver pray and do offerings as they passby the tree to make their trip accident free.
- Edakkal Caves - This location of breathtaking beauty is 25 kilometres from Kalpetta. The Edakkal cave in the Ambukuthy mountain, is not a cave in the real sense. As stated in the India Antiquary, it is only 'a cleft about 96 ft long and 22 ft wide in the rock'. It is a fissure made by a corner of rock splitting off from the main Entrance to Edkal Cavesbody due to some natural causes. The depth of both the cleft and the fissure is 30 ft. What makes it a cave to the ordinary observer is the fact that in the other portion of the large cleft, an enormous rock, weighing several tonnes, has fallen forming a roof over a large part of it. The rock wall contains some interesting carvings, which represent human and animal figures and objects of human use and symbols. These carvings speak of a highly civilized people of pre-historic age and inspires the archaeologists and historians to rewrite the history of Wayanad and Kerala as a whole. The caves accessible only by a 1 Km trekking trail from Edakkal.
- Jain Templeat Panamaram- It is 5 km north-east of Panamaram.
- Kalpetta - Kapetta can be used as a Hub to visit Wayanad. Its has some good hotels where people can stay and is equidistant from most of the tourist spots.
- Kuruva Dweep - The Kuruva island, 950 acres of ever green forest on the tributaries of east flowing river Kabini, is an ideal picnic spot, far away from the disturbances of city life. The island is uninhabited. Rare species of birds, orchids and herbs are the sovereigns of this supernal kingdom. It is 17 km east of Mananthavady and 40 km north west of Sultan Bathery. As a precaution don't stay on this island after dusk.
- Kanthapara Waterfalls- A 30m high water-fall situated 12 km south-east of Kalpetta.
- Lakkidi - hill station situated 700 m above sea level, at Thamarasseri Ghat pass. Winding roads, Lofty peaks, gurgling streams and luxuriant forests. Telephones Microwave station, Hotel Management College and couple of resorts are situate here.
- Mananthavady
- Meenmutty waterfalls- It is 12 km from Meepadi. It involves a good trek through some inhospitable terrain, but the end result is breath-taking. One have to trek inside the jungle for approx 4 km to get a view of waterfalls. It passes through coffee and tea plantation.
- Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary - Deer, Monkeys, Birds, Elephants and tigers.
- Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuaries - This sanctuary extends to Karnataka State.
- Padinjarathara - Famous for Bansura mini hydro project with the largest earth dam in India, and with a sanctuary and park with ever flowering trees.
- Pakshipathalam - It is a bird sanctuary accessible only be trekking. It is 7 km north-east of Thirunelly temple. To visit this place, special permission needs to be obtained from the forest department.
- Papanasini - See Thirunelly Temple in the list below
- Pazhassi Raja Tomb - Memorial of the Lion of Kerala Veera Pazhassi Raja, who organized a guerrilla warfare against the British East India Company.
- Pookote Lake - It is a natural fresh water lake, brimmed with ever green mountains. The weather here is salacious; the scenic beauty, hypnotising and the nature, unspoiled. Pookode lake tourist resort in Vythiri is the most sought after tourist spot of Wayanad. There is an aquarium and a green house here. Boating facilities also are available. Spices and handicraft items are also arranged for sale at Pookode. The lake has an area of 8.5 ha and the maximum water depth is 6.5 m. This lake is three km south of Vythiri
- Soochipara Waterfalls - It is famous waterfalls in Wayanad district. One can go on and take bath under the falls. This seems bit crowdy. The force of water is quite good.
- Sultan Battery Jain Temple - Also known as Tippu's Fort.
- Thirunelly Temple - Thirunelly is situated 29 km north east of Mananthavady under the Brahmarigi hills in the reserve forests. The temple at Thirunelly is often called 'Thekkan Kasi' It is believed that a bath in the holy water of 'Papanasini' will wipe off all the sins. Apart from the temple, Thirunelly is a place of scenic beauty. Its Famous for its architecture, the shrine is shielded with 30 granite on the bank of Papanasini river. Pakshipathalam, an interesting trekking centre, is 7 km away from the temple.
- Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctury - Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary (20 km east of Mananthavady): This sanctuary has a wide variety of animals. Visiting time: 0600 - 0800 hrs and 1500 -1730 hrs. Permitting authority Asst. Wildlife Warden, Tholpetty Tel: 04935-250853
- Vythiri Resorts
[edit][add listing] Do
This is the ideal place for trekking. Go around the hills and stay overnight camping. For those who love adventure tourism, wayand will be a paradise.
[edit][add listing] Eat
[edit][add listing] Drink
[edit][add listing] Sleep
The best tree top houses of Southern India are nestled in Wayanad.There are a very good variety of resorts offering a different experience along the stay. There are also few hotels and guest house are available in Sulthan Bathery and Kalpetta.But best is book the hotel in advance if you are going on weekends or some public holidays.
Tree Top Houses and Varietal stay resorts
- Jungle Park Resorts, Vythiri, ☎ 0495-6521163 (junglepark@rediffmail.com), [2]. 3500 to 8000rs. edit
- Eddakal Hermitage, Near eddakal caves (can be reached on the way to eddakal caves), ☎ 4936 221860 & 91 4936 260123 (info@edakkal.com), [3]. 3500 to 4000rs. edit
- Green Magic Nature Resort 2, Meppadi. edit
- Vythiri nature resort, Lakkidi P.O, Wayanad, ☎ 4936 255366/ 255367/ 255661/ 255662 (vythiri@lezeldor.com), [4]. 4500 to 6000 rs. edit
Budget Hotels
- PPS Tourist home (Budget hotel), ☎ 91-04936-203732. From Rs 250. edit
- Haritagiri Ecotel, Kalpetta, ☎ 4936-203145 - 48, [5]. edit
- Raincountry Resorts, Lakkidi.
[edit] Get out
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