Things to do in Wayanad
Things to do in Wayanad
Wayanad, a verdant district in Kerala's northeastern highlands bordering Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, is a treasure chest of biodiversity, ancient tribal culture, and misty plantation landscapes. The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, shelters elephants, tigers, leopards, and a spectacular variety of birds. Bamboo rafting on the Kabini River, exploring the prehistoric Edakkal Caves with their neolithic carvings, and trekking to the majestic Chembra Peak — the highest in Wayanad — are experiences that make this district an extraordinary eco-tourism destination.
- No photoHeritage / TrekkingView full guide
3–4 hours
Edakkal Caves Exploration
The Edakkal Caves are two natural rock shelters on Ambukuthi Hill in Wayanad that contain some of the oldest prehistoric petroglyphs in India — carvings dating back to the Neolithic and Mesolithic periods. Hiking up to the caves through scenic forest terrain and then standing before 6,000-year-old human artistry etched into stone is one of the most humbling and fascinating experiences in Kerala tourism. The views from the hilltop over the Wayanad plateau are magnificent.
- No photoTrekking / AdventureView full guide
5–6 hours (round trip)
Chembra Peak Trek
Chembra Peak at 2,100 metres is the highest peak in Wayanad and the most popular trekking destination in Kerala. The trail passes the iconic heart-shaped lake — said to have never dried up in recorded history — making it one of the most photographed trekking waypoints in South India. The sweeping views of the tea and coffee-carpeted Wayanad plateau from the summit on a clear day are nothing short of extraordinary.
- No photoLeisure / NatureView full guide
1–2 hours
Banasura Sagar Dam and Boating
Banasura Sagar is India's largest earthen dam and the boat ride across its enormous reservoir surrounded by verdant forest-covered hills and submerged treetops is one of the most scenic and relaxing activities in Wayanad. The backwater landscape here has an almost ethereal quality — especially in early morning when mist hangs low over the water and the Banasura Hills rise dramatically in the background.
- No photoWildlife / AdventureView full guide
2–3 hours
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary Jeep Safari
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve — one of the UNESCO-recognised biodiversity hotspots — and a jeep safari through its South Zone (Muthanga Range) is the best way to encounter wild elephants, gaur, deer, and leopards in their natural habitat in Kerala. The forested corridors connecting Wayanad to Nagarhole and Bandipur make this one of the finest wildlife corridors in peninsular India.
- No photoNature / AdventureView full guide
2–3 hours
Soochipara (Sentinel Rock) Waterfalls
Soochipara Falls is a three-tiered 200-metre cascade in the heart of Vellarimala forest near Meppadi, and swimming in its cool mountain pool is one of the most refreshing activities in Wayanad. The 2-km forest trail to the falls passes through lush jungle alive with birdsong and the sound of rushing streams — the journey itself is as enjoyable as the destination. A bamboo rope bridge near the falls adds a small thrill to the experience.