Wayanad is famously regarded as Kerela’s best known secret. Complete with misty mountains, lush green forests, unending meadows, pristine rivers & numerous cascading waterfalls, Wayanad is the hill station of choice in South India. Located in the beautiful Western Ghats of India bordering the Nagarhole tiger reserve, the rural district of Wayanad is one of the ideal weekend destinations for people from Bangalore. Fast growing in popularity as a vacation destination, Wayanad remains a place favoured by those looking for a quick escape from the rapid pace of city life.
Wayanad is famous for its wildlife parks and unspoiled nature coupled with a recorded history dating back to 10th Century A.D. Ancient temples enclosed by mountains and forests brings about the element of reverence and mysticism to the region. Situated roughly at a distance of 275 km’s from Bangalore, the drive to Wayanad can be made in less than 5 hours by road - via the new Mysuru Expressway. The best route to follow is – Bangalore – Mysore – Gundlupet – Suthan Bathery – Wayanad. Road conditions are brilliant apart from stretches where road widening work is in progress.
Pro Tip:
On the way, stop at some Sunflower farms in Gundlupete for a quick photoshoot.
Enjoy a Safari at the Bandipur National Forest on the way to Wayanad.
Where to stay in Wayanad:
The drive through Bandipur & Madhumalai forests en route destination is breathtaking, to say the least. With the south-west monsoons playing catch up throughout the journey, the drive was very memorable. There are plenty of places to stay in Wayanad. Starting from the luxurious to the budget stays, do expect to shell out a decent sum for your accommodation. Among the home stays with a view, we zeroed into our accommodation at ‘Spice Fields Cottage, Wayanad‘. A quaint home-stay nestled between spice plantations & offering a great view of the lush green landscape, the home-stay immediately made us all forget the body aches and tiredness from the long journey. We were afforded great hospitality and the unparalleled views just took our breath away. The rumbling of the clouds and bouts of rain just added to the charm. While we savored on some authentic Kerala cuisine, the grumbling of our empty stomachs were matched by the rumbling of the dark clouds as viewed from the open balcony.
Trip Planner & Itinerary:
Day 1: Journey started in Bangalore. Check in to home-stay. Visit Karapuzha Dam post-lunch.
Day 2: Visit Banasura Sagar Dam & Meenmutty Waterfalls
Day 3: Visit Pookode Lake or Trek to the Chembur Peak.
Day 4: Return to Bangalore.
Top 5 places to visit in Wayanad:
1. Karapuzha Dam - Located on the Karapuzha river, a tributary of the Kabini River, the Karapuzha Dam is considered the second-largest earth dam in India. This is a beautiful place to spend a leisurely afternoon, with a gentle breeze, scenic sky & tranquil waterfront. A bouquet of nearly a dozen lakes have merged together to form the reservoir in Karapuzha river & this does present for breathtaking views! Just strolling along the water catchment area and the greenery all around makes for a quick photoshoot. Now, here comes the twist. There's a newly developed Adventure Park & Garden adjoining the Karapuzha Dam which boasts of South India's longest tandem Zipline (600 metres) & rides like the Human Slingshot. Rope climbing, Rock climbing & Rappelling activities can also be done by the action enthusiasts. Providing the exact balance between peaceful surroundings and adrenaline pumping activities, the Karapuzha Dam is a must visit. After strolling through the park & sipping on some good masala chai, we made our way back to the home-stay to call it a night!
2. Banasura Sagar Dam – We started the second day by heading straight for one of the largest dams in India – The Banasura Sagar dam. Constructed on the tributary of river Kabini and on the foothills of the Banasura hills, it offers unparalleled & spectacular views of the surroundings. Add to it the presence of dark monsoon clouds on the distance & the battering rains. The atmosphere looked electric and felt straight out of a film set. The alighting steps to the dam are a short walk from the parking location and a very pleasant walk. Spectacular views of the clouds rumbling in the background with sudden bursts of rain made the entire experience magical. The sprawling view of the reservoir made for a quick photo session with the entire gang.
The views of the reservoir from the top of the dam are splendid. Unruly gusts of wind have the potential to literally take you down. Add to it the sudden bursts of rain. A good thing currently operational at the Banasura Sagar dam are short trips to take you up - instead of the flight of stairs. This brought a big relief to elderly travellers in the group who could enjoy the beauty of this place as well.
Bonus Content – Ditching the customary tourist spots and going off-beat to explore some adjoining landscapes is always a welcome experience. From the Banasura Sagar reservoir, a couple of right turns led us staring at vast stretches of green paddy fields with the picturesque Banasura hill at the backdrop. After mustering up all our courage, we decided to proceed ahead. The discovery of an old monastery amidst the hills was something close to a moment of rejoicing for the entire group. The eerie landscape, no presence of a living soul around, heavy gushes of wind accompanied by rain made the experience nothing short of magical. The wet moss-covered steps leading down to the main monastery made us come in terms with the mystical nature that surrounds us. While we bowed our heads to the Goddess of the temple, we were also spooked by the surroundings (wondering what goes on in here).
3. Meenmutty Waterfalls – Close to the Banasura Sagar Dam, the Meenmutty waterfalls is one of the most delightful treasures of Wayanad to explore. Known for the 3 decks of waterfalls that gushes through the rainforest, this is one of the must visit places to visit. Cascading through multiple tiers from a height of 800 feet, it is a spectacular falls situated inside the thick forest. The journey to reach the waterfall is equally enthralling. Hikes through the dense rainforest just add to the experience. Starting downstream from the Kallar village, the trail is flanked by gigantic trees with their looping branches and green canopy – almost giving an imaginary experience. The steep 1.5 KM walk roughly takes about 45 minutes to an hour to complete – if you make stops in between to explore the treasures of nature. However, the experience of the entire trek through the dense forest completely makes up for the prize at the end – the Meenmutty waterfalls!
4. Chembra Peak – The Chembra peak is the highest peak of the adjoining Niligiri hills & Vallarimala ranges – standing tall at a height of 2100 meters. Post taking permission from the Meppady forest office, one can go for the soothing 3-hour trek to the peak. The endpoint has a heart-shaped lake called ‘Hridhayathadakam‘ – which is in fact the topmost attraction of the peak. The views from the top are second to none. Explore the serenity of the lush green mountains and spot distant towns of Kozhikode, Malappuram & Nilgiri districts. The rainy season is the most blissful season to visit. However, it can also be a double-edged sword – with slippery conditions and closure of the trek path, at times. It is also advisable to reserve the day for this trek since overnight camping is not allowed. Even though the trek is a medium difficulty one, be prepared to devote almost half a day if you decide to go for this activity.
5. Edakkal Caves & Pookode Lake – Although both are different places, a trip to Wayanad would not be complete without these 2 gems. Being centrally located around the city center, both places attract a good amount of footfall. The Edakkal caves are famous due to the formation of a cave due to a heavy boulder straddling a fissure in the rock. The caves are also famous for its Neolithic paintings dating back to 6000 B.C. Reaching the caves involves another trek of 45 minutes in itself. Another interesting fact is that Edakkal is said to have links with the Indus Valley civilization as well. A contrast to the hills and caves is the freshwater lake, nestled between the evergreen forests and the Western Ghats. An interesting fact about the Pookode lake is that it is actually shaped like the map of the Indian subcontinent!! Open from 9 AM – 5 PM, the lake is a must-visit to experience the serenity of the surroundings.
The evening of the third day & the morning of the next day was spent in leisure - with enchanting views from the homestay. After a sumptuous breakfast, we started our journey back towards Bangalore with hearts full of the memories made & amazed at the mysteries of nature surrounding us.
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