If you are planning to visit in Wayanad and confused where to go, then this article is for you. In this article, we have gathered a list for you of Wayanad Famous Places.
About Wayanad
Wayanad is a rapidly developing district in Kerala. It is well known for its natural beauty, greenery and its famous monasteries. The city of Wayanad has many places of historical importance to visit and some are also unique to the place. It has a cool climate, lush green fields and mountains which make it a tourist spot for all types of travelers.
Wayanad Famous Places For Visit :
1) Banasura Sagar Dam
Banasura Sagar Dam is the major tourist attraction in Wayanad. It is a 4 MW hydro electric project situated on the river Bharathapuzha in the valley of the same name. The dam hosts multiple water sports activities like boating, waterskiing, jet-skiing and deer hunting.
2) Edakkal Caves
Edakkal Caves is the main attraction in Wayanad. These caves are an underground labyrinth situated 2.5 km from the town of Kalpetta. The caves are a blow hole to the Vadakkanandal (underworld) and it is one of the most ancient shrines in Wayanad, known as a place of worship for primitive tribal people. On 22 December 2012, UNESCO listed Edakkal Caves as a World Heritage Site.
3) Chembra Peak
Chembra peak is situated at the top of Wayanad and is a mini Himalayan peak having height of 3,749 feet. The summit of Chembra peak is covered by forests and has a beautiful view from all sides. It is one of the popular spots for tourists to explore on foot, and there are long hiking trails to cover from here.
4) Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is the main attraction in Wayanad. It is spread over an area of 12,799 hectares and is home to a variety of flora and fauna. The sanctuary also hosts Nilgiri Tahr, wild boars etc. Lack of human interference in the region provides a habitat for some rare animals.
5) Soochipara Falls
Soochipara Falls is situated 3 km from Kalpetta, 30 km from Alleppey and at a distance of around 100 km from Kochi. It is a beautiful waterfall on the banks of the river Chaliyar which flows through Wayanad. It is a nature reserve and the falls are surrounded by tall trees close to each other on all sides. The waterfalls have very slow water flow and the best time to visit them is during the monsoon season.
6) Meenmutty Waterfalls
Meenmutty Waterfalls is situated at a distance of around 15 kilometres from Alappuzha and 20 kilometres from Kochi. It is another waterfall near the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and it also consists of thick forests on its banks. The waterfalls are surrounded by greenery and monkeys can be seen in large numbers here.
7) Arippara Waterfalls
Arippara Waterfalls is situated in the midst of thick forests and is at a distance of around 10 km from Vythiri town. This waterfall has a combination of water and rainbows when the sunrays fall on it. The best season to visit the place is during monsoons. The place also has streams and surroundings which are ideal for trekking.
8) Iruppu Falls
Iruppu Falls is yet another waterfall near Wayanad. It is a famous spot for trekking and swimming. The waterfalls are moderate height and it is also surrounded by thick forests. The best time to visit the place is during the monsoon season.
9) Kuruva Island
Kuruva Island is a popular island to visit during the monsoon season. It is a beautiful island surrounded by rivulets of water, which flow over small rocks. The most fascinating part about the place is that one can see crocodiles in their natural habitat in this island. The island is on the way to the Banasura Sagar Dam.
10) Pookode Lake
Pookode Lake is a popular picnic spot for visitors in and around Wayanad. It is one of the biggest lakes in the district and very popular among locals. The lake is surrounded by dense forest patch, and it has a series of small islands also which can be explored by boaters.
11) Thirunelli Temple
Thirunelli Temple is located in the town of Thirunellipara and is one of the most famous temples in Wayanad. It is an ancient temple which was in existence even before Kerala was formed as a state. The temple is very old and has unique paintings inside the structure. The most interesting part about the place is that this place has been used since Bakthi literature era, as a venue for debating and discourses on social issues, religion and politics.
12) Neelimala View Point
Neelimala View Point is situated in the upper part of the town of Kalpetta. The view from here is breathtaking and one can see beautiful hills, greenery and valleys. The point is surrounded by dense forests and is a popular spot for trekking in Wayanad. The best time to visit this place is during the monsoon season when the surroundings have lush green foliage.
13) Pakshipathalam Bird Sanctuary
Pakshipathalam Bird Sanctuary is situated around 20 kilometres from Thiruvananthapuram. It is a beginning point for trekking and also a famous tourist spot. The best season to visit this place is during the monsoon season. There are hundreds of species of birds and animals that can be seen in this sanctuary. Pakshipathalam was an estate (Dutch colony) dating back to 17th century, which has beautifully maintained Dutch architecture.
14) Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary
Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary is a famous tourist destination near Wayanad. It is located around 100 kilometres from Kochi and is also known as the land of hanging bridges. The sanctuary is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including elephants, leopards, sambars and many other species. There are also many varieties of orchids that can be spotted in this sanctuary.
15) Karapuzha Dam
Karapuzha Dam is situated at a distance of around 15 kilometres from Kalpetta. It is one of the most famous dams in Wayanad and most beautiful picnic spots. The dam was constructed by Dutch colonists, during the 17th century. The dam holds back water for a long time and during rainy seasons, it has a heavy flow of water. The best time to visit this place is during monsoon season, when the surroundings are thick with lush green foliage.
16) Kalpetta
Kalpetta is a famous tourist destination in Wayanad. Located on the banks of the Chaliyar River, it has a beautiful and picturesque surroundings. The town was founded by the Dutch colonists when they were constructing their great dam at Karerappuzha. Kalpetta consists of gardens and trees, with many hills around it. Due to its lush green surroundings, it is one of the most famous picnic spots in Wayanad.
17) Puliyarmala Jain Temple
Puliyarmala Jain Temple is located inside the town of Kalpetta and was built by Pulikottil Shri Narayanan Theerthapadmanabha Jain Mutts. The temple is one of the most famous places in Wayanad and is a Hindu religious place. It is considered to be one of the largest temples in Kerala, with a huge number of visitors coming to visit it every year.
18) E3 Theme Park
E3 Theme Park is a new amusement park in Wayanad, that attracts visitors from all over the state. The theme park has been developed on 31 acres of land and contains many attractions like rides, games, food courts and shopping stalls. The best time to visit this theme park is during the monsoon season when the surroundings are lush green with foliage.
19) Karlad Lake
Karlad Lake is located in the midst of thick forests. The lake is surrounded by greenery and it has an area of about 10 square miles. Karlad is rich in wildlife because of its dense forest cover. The lake which has an average depth of 4 metres serves as a drinking water source for surrounding areas. It has a variety of species that can be seen during the monsoon season.
20) The Bamboo Factory
The Bamboo Factory is a unique tourist destination in Wayanad. Located on the banks of the mighty River Kabani, this place attracts many tourists. It is a bamboo-based handicrafts factory and one can see types of bamboo utensils, including various furniture at this place. The best time to visit this place is during dry season as it doesn’t have much water during rains or monsoon.
Concluson
I think, you will be satisfied with the above information of Wayanad Famous Places. Those are some very beautiful and Famous Tourist Places in Wayanad . Hope you like this article and share with your loved ones and If you have wanderlust and live to explore, then you can read about many other places on Travel Tricky