The hill district of Kerala, Wayanad has been the top tourist attraction in South India for several years. It is blessed with the natural beauty of the Western Ghats, gushing waterfalls, exotic flora and fauna, bio reserves, caves, tranquil backwaters and verdant plantations along the slope of the hills. Spending holidays in Wayanad could never be mundane or monotonous.
Wayanad is a small town located in northeastern Kerala and accessible from all major cities of the country. The Kerala Tourism Department has made this place a well-known tourist place with all the amenities and services. Wayanad is considered the top visiting place in Kerala if you are searching for an exquisite hill station to spend a refreshing vacation.
Read the following Wayanad top things to do travel guide blog and make your itinerary.
12 Best Things to Do for Tourists in Wayanad, Kerala
- Jungle Safari in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
- Bamboo Rafting at Kuruva Island
- Boating in Pookode Lake
- Trek to Chembra Peak
- Jungle Trek in Kalladi Forest
- Tea Estate Tour
- Cave Camping in Chundale
- Picnic at Soochipara Waterfalls
- Zipline at Karlad Lake
- Luxury Stay in Vythiri Village Resort
- Tree House Stay
- Buy Handicraft Products
Most Popular Kerala Wayanad Tour Packages
Jungle Wildlife Safari in Wayanad Sanctuary
Holidays in Wayanad cannot be completed if you do not experience a wildlife jungle safari in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary is located in northern Kerala, sharing its border with other bio reserves such as Bandipur National Park and Nagarhole Tiger Reserve. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is famed for having the largest recorded tiger and Asian elephant population in the world. People can enjoy spotting tigers, elephants, wild dogs, sloth bears, sambar deers, leopards, Indian pangolin and many more animals while having a jeep safari in Muthanga and Tholpetty Forests in the sanctuary.
Location: Bathery – Puthuppally Road, Sultan Bathery, Kerala 673592
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Bamboo Rafting at Kuruva Island
Bamboo Rafting at Kuruva Island is one of the best things to do in Wayanad. Kuruva Island or Kuruvadweep is a protected zone spanning an area of 3.8 square kilometres. It is an inhabited island perched in dense green forests that give shelter to rare species of birds, herbal plants, orchids and butterflies. The island is surrounded by tributaries of the Kabini River, which makes it a perfect place for bamboo rafting. Kuruva Island is monitored by the Forest Department of the state and you have to take permission before entering the island. A guide will accompany you through the journey and help you in exploring the collection of flora and fauna in the surroundings.
Location: Kuruvadweep or Kuruva Island, Wayanad, Kerala
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Boating in Pookode Lake
The highest altitude freshwater lake in Kerala, Pookode Lake or Pookot Lake is located in the Wayanad district. This natural lake is the starting point of the river Panamaram that flows through the valley of Wayanad and joins the Kabini river near Payyampally. Pookode Lake is blessed with stunning landscapes of its surrounding rolling hills of the Western Ghats. Having a boat ride on the lake is considered one of the top things to do in Wayanad. It will let you be amused by the peace and tranquillity of the place. Besides enjoying the mesmerising views of the place, you can also watch the flowers in the lake closely. Moreover, if you get lucky while boating, you can also get a glimpse of the fish called Pethia pookodensis, which is only found here.
Location: Kunnathidavaka, Kerala 673576
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Trek to Chembra Peak
If you are a trek lover and looking for some thrilling adventures to do, then you must include Chembra Peak in your Wayanad trip plan. The highest peak of Wayanad is located at a height of 2,100 metres, near Meppady town, eight kilometres south of Kalpetta and trekking to the top of this peak will leave you cheered up. The trail starts along the tea plantations and after one hour of trekking uphill you will see the heart-shaped pond perched in green meadows. However, you have to reach the starting point of the trail before 2 PM along with a permit from the forest department. Also, remember to carry your water bottles as plastics are prohibited on top.
Location: Meppady, Wayanad, Kerala
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Jungle Trek in Kalladi Forest
If you are visiting Wayanad during the months between December and March, plan for a jungle trek in Kalladi Forest. The forest is in a village called Kalladi, located 10 kilometres away from Meppadi and home to lush green forests, tea gardens and spice plantations. A trek through the forests of Kalladi will let you experience the beauty of the Western Ghats, starting from Chembra Peak. It will also give you the immense joy of discovering some age-old tea factories, which have been running since the pre-independence era. The trek hardly takes 6-7 hours to complete and you can take rest in the camps in between the trails.
Location: Kalladi, Meppadi, Wayanad, Kerala
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Tea Estate Tour
Kerala, as well as Wayanad, is famed for one of its world-famous productions – tea. Wayanad is home to lush green tea plantations, which you will find all over the place. Wherever you go, be it a jungle trek or a trek to the hill, or a stroll around the roads, you will be amazed by the views of the tea gardens. Most importantly, you will find the factories along with the gardens where you can watch the entire process of how tea is made. One such place is Ripon Tea Factory, which was built in the 18th century and conducts tea estate tours and tea tasting. Ripon Tea Factory is one of the top tourist destinations in Wayanad, situated at an altitude of 2,000 metres along the slope of the hills. It produces three types of tea including leaf, dust and blended.
Location: Ripon Tea Factory, Meppadi, Wayanad, Kerala
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Cave Camping in Chundale
Cave camping in Wayanad has been one of the top tourist attractions these days. If you love exploring night skies and are ready to live in a cave for that, cave camping is the ultimate thing for you. Cave camping will let you experience a stay in a natural air-conditioned cave amidst a thick forest where you will get the whole night for stargazing. You can start the day by watching a stunning sunrise followed by a trek in a jungle and then end the day by starting a campfire and enjoying it with your buddies.
Location: Chundale, Wayanad, Kerala
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Picnic at Soochipara Waterfalls
Also known as Sentinel Rock Waterfalls, Soochipara Waterfalls is a must visit place in Wayanad. It is a three-tiered waterfall, located amidst an evergreen forest. Spending some relaxing time with your dear ones at the base of the waterfall will soothe your body and mind. The water from the falls meets the Chaliyar River near Cherambadi in Kerala. It hardly takes 10 to 15 minutes to reach the waterfall from the parking area. If you want to see the waterfalls in its true form then it is recommended to visit during the monsoon. Apart from the waterfalls, you can also hike to the Sentinel Rock from where you must see the green plantations.
Location: Vellarimala, Wayanad, Kerala
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Zipline at Karlad Lake
Karlad Lake is the second largest lake in Wayanad, located in Thariode, 16 kilometres away from Kalpetta. Being one of the top tourist places in Wayanad, Karlad Lake sees a major tourist footfall all through the year. The zipline across the Karlad Lake is the longest in South India and it is one of the best things to do in Wayanad. DTPC, the District Tourism Promotion Council, started the adventure camp here, which offers the zip lining experience. The line goes all across the lake, a distance of around 350 metres and then you will return from the other side by boating.
Location: Thariode, Wayanad
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Luxury Stay in Vythiri Village Resort
If you are planning a vacation to Wayanad with your family, a luxurious stay in Vythiri Village Resort is all you need. Vythiri Village Resort is one of the ideal places to spend a power-packed family vacation in Kerala. It has all the amenities for children as well as adults. The resort has two swimming pools, playrooms with different games, a 12D theatre and many more. Moreover, if you want to spend some time outside of the resort, you will have several things to explore in Vythiri. You can enjoy cycling and zip lining or walking along the hanging bridge to get an amazing view of a waterfall.
Location: Vythiri Town, Vythiri, Wayanad, Kerala
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Tree House Stay
Staying in a tree house amidst the lush green forests is one of the enticing experiences in Wayanad. Owing to the increasing number of tree houses in Wayanad, as well as Kerala, it has become an important part of Wayanad Tourism. There are several tree houses in Wayanad, some of which are located in a dense forest or an extensive plantation. Every one of them offers an authentic Kerala lifestyle along with classic stays. From waking up in the morning, listening to the birds singing, breathing in fresh air to tasting the original Kerala cuisine, staying in a tree house in Wayanad is unmatched and unforgettable.
Location: Wayanad, Kerala
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Buy Handicraft Products
Wayanad is such a place that offers something for every traveller, be it a refreshing weekend trip, a honeymoon trip or an adventurous Wayanad Kerala tour. Whatever the type of your trip is, buying some authentic products of the place is a must to do while in Wayanad. As Kerala is a world-renowned place for producing handloom and handicraft items, taking some of these to your home is highly recommended. Santhi Pappadam is a unique market, which has several shops to buy authentic handloom and handicraft items. You can also buy Kerala’s world-famous spice, honey, coffee, coconut shell crafts and many more authentic stuffs from here.
Location: Santhi Pappadam, Wayanad, Kerala
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Hope our article helps you with the information on what to do in Wayanad. Besides exploring the scenic beauty and exotic wildlife of the best places to visit in Wayanad, you will have innumerable options for activities in Wayanad.
However, if you are planning for a Wayanad trip this year, do not get worried about the bookings. Browse our website and book one of the packages like the Wayanad tour, Top things to do in Wayanad with your family and the Wayanad Kerala tourism holiday. You can also call us for any details regarding the Kerala Tour Packages.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things for tourists to buy in Wayanad?
Visiting Wayanad cannot be completed if you do not shop for some of the best things produced in this place. You can buy anything you want but including the following things have to be included in the list:
- Spices
- Coffee
- Tea
- Bamboo craft
- Herbal plants
- Honey
- Handloom products
- Coconut shell crafts
What are the top things to do in Wayanad, Kerala for couples?
Wayanad is one of the top tourist places to plan a honeymoon trip. There are innumerable things to do in Wayanad for couples. Following is the list of some of them:
- Trek to Edakkal Caves, a 6,000 BC ancient cave
- Spend amidst nature on Kuruva Island
- Trek to the Chembra Park
- Click a wallpaper picture with your partner in Bamboo Forest Wayanad
- Visit Soochipara Waterfalls and have some relaxing time
- Have a boat ride on Pookode Lake
- Wander around the picturesque tea garden
- Have a bicycle ride around the city
- Spot elephants while having a wildlife safari
What are the top adventurous things to do for tourists in Wayanad?
Spending holidays in Wayanad could be relaxing or it could be adventurous in several ways. Some of the top adventurous things to do for tourists in Wayanad are:
- Trek to Chembra Peak
- Zipline at Karlad Lake
- Paragliding at Vagamon Hills
- Cave camping in Chundale
- Bamboo rafting in the Pozhuthana River
About the author
From the ‘City of Joy,’ Kolkata, Nandini Bhattacharya is a Travel Writer by profession and traveller by passion. She loves to explore places around the world, new cultures, different cuisines and all new things that one can learn outside the home. She also loves to document her journey so that people can be inspired and travel more. Nandini is a nature lover and talks about sustainable tourism. She wants to make this world a good place where people can live healthy and happily.
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