Wayanad District, in Kerala , India , was formed in 1980 out of Kozhikode and Kannur districts. It’s name is derived from the words Vayal (paddy) Naad (land); ‘Land of Paddy Fields’. It is set lofty on the majestic Western Ghat with altitudes ranging from 700 to 2100 m above mean sea level.

Wayanad has a lot of opportunities for adventure tourism. Trekking to the Chembra peak, the highest hill in Wayanad, is a risky mountaineering endeavor and takes almost a day. Tourists can also stay one or two days at the top of the peak in temporary camps where guides, sleeping bags, canvases, huts and trekking implements on hire are available.

The Edakkal cave in the Ambukuthy Mountain is not a cave in the real sense but is a fissure made by a corner of rock splitting off from the main body due to natural causes. On the wall of the cave are some interesting carvings, which represent human and animal figures and objects of human use and symbols which speak of highly civilized people of pre-historic age who inhabited the area.

The Kuruva island, which is spread over 950 acres of ever green forest on the tributaries of east flowing river Kabani, is an ideal picnic spot where you’ll get to see rare species of birds, orchids and herbs. One of the highest locations in Wayanad, Lakkidi also commands picturesque scenery. The lofty mountain peaks, the gurgling stream, luxuriant vegetation and the bird’s eye view of the deep valley on the south, with its winding roads, are breath taking.

Muthanga, located 16 km. east of Sulthan Bathery, is located near the Karnataka border. Wild forests covering an area of 345 sq.km form the Muthanga wild life sanctuary; which houses the biggest abode of wild animals in Malabar including elephant, spotted deer, bison, tiger, cheetah, wild bear, etc. Pazhassi Tourist Resort at Mananthavady is a good picnic centre in north Wayanad. Boating facilities for tourists are available here. Pazhassi Raja, the Lion of Kerala, who organised guerilla type warfare against British East India Company, was cremated here in 1805.

The Pookot Lake is a natural fresh water lake of breathtaking beauty. Boating facilities are available here too. Spices and handicraft items are also arranged for sale at Pookot. The Sentinel Rock Waterfalls near Chooralmala in Meppadi panchayat is a picnic spot as well as a trekking centre. The sentinel rock, a rock of more than 200 m in height, is ideal for rock climbing.

Best time to Visit: September to May

How to reach: By Air: The nearest airport from Wayanad is the Karipur airport of Kozhikode (100 km )

By Rail: The nearest railway station from Wayanad is at Calicut (110 km).

By Road: Wayanad is well connected by a wide network of roads and this place can be easily accessed from anywhere in Kerala as well as from neighboring states. .

This entry was posted on Friday, February 19th, 2010 at 4:14 am and is filed under Hill Station. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.