A Memorable Day Trip to Wayanad

In the end, all that remains are memories. When you get a chance to make sweet memories, never miss it. Traveling with dear and near ones brings about together amble instances to treasure. Let us focus on one location where you can spend a memorable day. Wayanad is one of the most verdant and versatile places to visit in Kerala. A day trip to Wayanad can be refreshing, entertaining, thrilling, and adventure-filled. Besides the cool clime and luxuriant nature, the day trip to Wayanad can offer you a wild safari, plantation tour, and picnic spots near dams and waterfalls.

Setting out on a day trip to Wayanad involves preplanning and preparation. The simple reason is that it is almost impossible to see and experience everything in a single day. Hence, it is recommended to spend more than a day in Wayanad to explore the splendor and thrill of being in the district. Viewpoints, waterfalls, parks, museums, religious spots, Edakkal Cave, Kuruva Island, dams, lakes, tea and coffee plantations, and much more await you in Wayanad. An enchanting scent of eucalyptus and coffee flowers envelops you once you are in the district.

Photos and videos courtesy: @shifasmohammed

Kuruva Island

The island on the banks of the Kabini River is one of the popular spots to visit when you are on a day trip to Wayanad. Spread over 900 acres of land, the cluster island is a rich haven for bird watchers to explore nature. Devoid of permanent human settlement, the island is frequented only by tourists and forest officials. A couple of lakes scattered on the island unravel amazing picnic spots for families. There are rafts to ferry visitors across. Sightseeing, bird watching, boating, rafting, swimming, hiking, and walking are the activities on the island. Exploring the flora and fauna on the island is a refreshing experience.

Timings: 9.00 AM – 4.00 PM

Entry Fee: Adults: INR80 and child: INR55. Additional fees are to be paid for rafting and photography.

En Uru – Tribal Heritage Village

Spending a while at the first-of-its-kind tribal heritage village in Kerala situated at Priyadharshini estate Wayanad would be an eye-opening experience. Of late, the location has been frequented by many visitors while making a day trip to Wayanad. Spread across 25 acres, the tribal village houses 10 prototype tribal huts, a tribal market, an art and crafts workshop, a tribal medicines shop, a cafeteria, an amphitheater, and a children's park. The project aims to showcase the indigenous heritage and culture. You can hire jeeps to reach the village from Kalpetta which is the nearest town to En Uru.

Timing: 9 AM to 5 PM

Entry fee: Adult: INR50 and Child: INR20

Wayanad Wildlife

A tour in Wayanad shouldn't be devoid of a safari through the rainforest of Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary. The bio-rich peninsular is popular for wildlife, eco-tourism, and notably for its elephant population. So, how about taking a bumpy ride? The dense forest crisscrosses borders with Western Ghats and densely forested Malabar Hills. Wildlife enthusiasts and nature photographers can feast their senses here. However, it should be said that sighting wildlife depends on sheer luck. Therefore, summer months are preferred by visitors to glance at animals that creep around in search of water.

Apart from that you can also opt for an elephant ride, birdwatch tour, visit an elephant camp, or trek inside the sanctuary. Prior permission is required for any of these activities and you could also hire guides.

If fortune favors, you could spot mammals like tiger, common otter, gaur, leopard, bonnet macaque, sambhar, panther, Nilgiri langur, bison, Malabar giant squirrel, and the Such. Bird species are even more abundant. Malabar Grey Hornbill, peafowl, shrikes, woodpeckers, pheasants, egrets and many more will enchant you. Watch out for the reptiles too.

Pakshipathalam Bird Sanctuary Wayanad, Tea Museum, Wayanad Heritage Museum and Pazhassi tomb are other recommended spots.

Entry Fee: Adults: INR300 and child: INR150. Additional fees are to be paid for photography.

Meenmutty Waterfalls

The vicinity adjacent to Meenmutty Waterfalls is a perfect spot to take a break and enjoy the panoramic views. More than a place to rest and relax, it is one of the most popular waterfalls in the region. Water cascading down in multiple layers from a height of over 800 feet and located in the heart of the forest makes Meenmutty Waterfalls, a must-visit spot. For those of you interested in adventures and hikes, the ascend upward would take you to different tires of the waterfalls. For others, even the lower rung is exciting enough and mostly safe. Nevertheless, if you climb to the top, you can enjoy the views of Banasura Sagar Dam and surrounding valleys. Pookode Lake, Kanthanpara Waterfalls, and Soochipara Falls are cool places too.

Banasura Sagar Dam

The Banasura Sagar Dam is the largest earthen dam in India and the second largest in Asia. The picturesque location of the reservoir with the Banasura hill in the background is an ideal picnic spot for families. Banasura Sagar Dam is built across River Karamanathodu, an offshoot of River Kabini.

Trekking, boating, fishing, and photography are the main activities here. Families tend to take long breaks in the area to relax and enjoy the scenery.

Entry Fee: Adults: INR40 and Child: INR20.

Chembra Peak

At 2100 m above sea level, Chembra Peak is the highest mountain peak in Wayanad. Trekking in the region is coordinated by the forest department. As per the beliefs, Goddess Sita took a bath in the Chembra Peak Lake. It is also said this lake has never dried. In any case, it is one of the most enchanting places to visit in Wayanad. Trekking up there and the view from the top is purely magical.

Guided tours are available and prior permission is needed from the forest department for trekking in the region. Lakkidi View Point and Neelimala View Point are other major attractions for your day trip to Wayanad.

Entry Fee: INR20

PS: it is recommended to buy locally-made tea and coffee powders before leaving Wayanad.