Places to Visit in Wayanad

Located in the middle of Kabini river, Kuruva Island is a natural paradise that is replete with diverse flora and fauna in the most beautiful surroundings. It is blessed with evergreen forests all around that makes it a mesmerising picnic spot away from all pollution and noise of the city and it is one of the beautiful places to visit in Wayanad in 1 day.

Offering an unforgettable experience for wildlife lovers, Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the must-visit places to visit in Wayanad. 

It is famous for harbouring a diverse number of flora and fauna. Taking a wildlife safari is the most thrilling activity that one should undertake at Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary to make their Wayanad vacation memorable.

This natural habitat is a great sightseeing place to spot elephant herds, deer, langurs, panthers, tigers, Indian bison and the rare Slender Loris. Moreover, this wildlife sanctuary offers a wonderful experience for tourists with their tree huts which are open for stay. 

This beautiful attraction allows the tourists to seek some natural solace and take delight in the company of the wonderful wildlife roaming freely in their natural surroundings.

Location: It is located 20 km east of Mananthavady on the Kodagu Road.

Best Time to visit: Winters are the best time to visit Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary

Entry fee: The entry fees is INR 115/ USD 1.77 for Indians. For foreigners, the entry fees is INR 300/ USD 4.62

Timings: The timings are 7:00 am to 10:00 am in the mornings. For the evenings, the timings are from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Distance from Wayanad: The distance between the two places is 45 kilometres.

Famous for its mesmerising scenery, Lakkidi View Point is known for its nine hairpin caves and offers a resplendent view of the mountains in Wayanad. The whole trip of Lakkidi View Point promises an unforgettable charm of natural beauty that should add to their bucket list of attractions in Wayanad. 

Offering a bird’s eye view of the magnificent surroundings, this place leaves you in search of words to describe the panoramic vista that your eyes behold. It is also a famous picnic spot and often known as the ‘Gateway of Wayanad’. 

Lakkidi is also known for receiving the second highest rainfall in the world and its misty environment makes it an unforgettable tourist place in Wayanad.

Height: It is located at an elevation of 700 metres above sea level.

Location:  Kozhikode-Mysore-Kollegal Highway, Lakkidi, Kerala

Best Time to visit: One should visit Lakkidi View Point at the time of early morning or early evening to get the best views.

Timings: The visiting hours are from 12:00 am to 11:59 pm

Distance from Wayanad: The distance to reach here is approximately 32 kilometres.

Promising one of the most enthralling trekking experiences in Wayanad tourist places, Neelimala View Point is a must visit for adventure aficionados. 

It presents some amazing trails that cross the most picturesque landscape of Western Ghats. Tourists are in for a charming surprise as Neelimala View Point offers gushing streams and verdant valleys on the way up to the hill.

This place is a splendid tourist spot where you can appreciate the company of nature with the misty clouds and its pristine ambience. 

This beauty of this popular trekking and camping site is accentuated by the Meenmutti waterfall that brings out the most wonderful view of the place.

Location: Neelimala Viewpoint, Vaduvanchal, Kerala

Best Time to visit: January to May and September to December is the most preferred time to visit here.

Entry fee: The entry fees here is INR 500/ USD 7.7 for a jeep that could carry 6-7 people

Timings: Tourists could visit Neelimala Viewpoint any time between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm

Distance from Wayanad: It is about 50 kilometres away from the bus station in Wayanad.

One of the most religious places to visit in Wayanad, Thirunelli Temple is a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Known as the Kashi of the South, Thirunelli Temple has an interesting legend associated which says that Lord Brahma himself installed the idol of Lord Vishnu here and made this temple. 

Encompassed by the breathtaking beauty of Brahmagiri Hills, this temple is known for its tranquil ambience. Devotees at Thirunelli Temple pay their respects at the holy mountain stream known as Papanasini believed to have medicinal powers where rituals are performed and the sacred rock Pinnappara. 

It is also a popular belief that rituals performed for the dead at this temple attains eternal peace and salvation for the deceased souls.

Location: Thirunelly Temple post, Mananthavady, Kerala

Best Time to visit: One should visit Thirunelli Temple from the month of September to March.

Timings: The temple remains open from 5:30 am to 12 pm and then from 5:30 pm to 8 pm.

Distance from Wayanad: It is 50 kilometres away from the bus station in Wayanad.

One of the most interesting sightseeing places in Wayanad, Phantom Rock is an archaeological structure that you should not miss out on your vacation and it is also one of the best places to visit in Wayanad in 1 day.

It is famous for the rock that is shaped in the form of a phantom skull and thus derives the name of this tourist attraction. This place is an exciting spot for trekkers and hikers offering some amazing opportunities for photography.

Locally known as Cheengeri Mala, this place offers a surreal respite from the crowds and noise. The landscape here is picturesque and surrounded by beautiful greenery that accentuates the brilliance of this archaeological wonder. 

For the lovers of history, Phantom Rock is a wonderful getaway in Wayanad and attracts many tourists who are looking for offbeat things to do in Wayanad.

Height: This rock is at height of 2600 feet above sea level.

Location: Phantom Rock Path, Kerala

Best Time to visit: It can be visited throughout the year.

Distance from Wayanad: The distance between the bus station and Phantom Rock is approximately 40 kilometres.

If you wish to give a boost to your Wayanad vacation with a bit of eco tourism, then Bamboo Forest is one of the most surreal places that you should not miss out upon. 

These unique forests are known for preserving the most endangered flora and fauna and also constitute an integral part in the daily life of tribals who depend on the forests.

These forests extend up to the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and a natural habitat for many animals like bison, cheetah, wild bears etc. 

Bamboo Forest in Wayanad are protected by government authorities and known for collecting a grain called ‘bamboo rice’ that is used in many traditional food recipes in Wayanad.

Location: Muthanga, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Best Time to visit: The months from October to February are considered to be the best time to visit here.

Timings: It is open from 7:00 am to 10:00 am and then from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Distance from Wayanad: It is approximately 60 kilometres away from the bus station in Wayanad.

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is an esteemed natural habitat of many rare and endangered flora and fauna and a wonderful getaway for wildlife lovers. 

It is one of those rejuvenating retreats where people can appreciate sustainable tourism with a bit of adventure and recreation. The two most important areas in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is Muthanga and Tholpetty.

Offering an excellent opportunity to see the elephant herds, deer, langurs and tigers roam freely in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is an absolute delight. 

Tourists here can also indulge in bird watching or undertake trekking in the forest with advance booking. Being a vital part of Nilgiri Biosphere reserve, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is a biodiversity hotspot that one must add to their places to see in Wayanad.

Location: Bathery- Puthupally Road, Wayanad District, Sultan Bathery, Kerala 

Best Time to visit: The months from October to February are considered to be the best time to visit here.

Entry fee: INR 10/ USD 0.15 for Indians and INR 100/ USD 1.54 for foreigners

Timings: It is open from 7:00 am to 10:00 am and then from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Distance from Wayanad: It is approximately 60 kilometres away from the bus station in Wayanad.

Take a dip in the cool waters of Thusharagiri Waterfalls for a wonderful retreat to rejuvenate your mind and body. Literally meaning ‘snowcapped mountains’, Thusharagiri Waterfalls is one of the most majestic cascades of Western Ghats and it is one of the best places to visit in Wayanad in 1 day.

It is comprised of Erattumukku, MazhavilChattom, and Thumbithullum Para and certainly a scenic wonder for all the adventure enthusiasts. The picturesque backdrop of the misty mountains and verdant plantations makes it an unforgettable sight.

It is largely known for offering an exciting trek from Thusharagiri to Vythiri and rock climbing opportunities for those who seek an adrenaline rush. It is also known as one of the most romantic places in Wayanad along with being a famous picnic spot for tourists.

Height: It is at a height of 75 metres.

Location: Thusharagiri Waterfalls, Thusaragiri, Kerala

Best Time to visit: The best time to visit Thusharagiri waterfall is from September to December

Entry fee: INR 30/ USD 0.46 per person

Timings: It is open for visitors from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Distance from Wayanad: The distance between the two places is 52 kilometres.

This beautiful waterfall in Wayanad is all you need to escape the worries of life and dive into the scenic beauty of nature. It is a seasonal waterfall and located close to the famous Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and it is one of the famous places to visit in Wayanad in 1 day.

It is an ideal trekking retreat with some panoramic spots that will take your breath away. With some exotic flora encompassing the trail of this waterfall, it is considered to be one of the most serene Wayanad tourist places. 

Along with admiring the breathtaking beauty of nature, Chethalayam Waterfalls is popular for being a favourite picnic spot for the tourists in Wayanad. For the thrill seekers, a trekking experience at Chethalayam Waterfalls promises an enterprising opportunity.

Location: Chethalayam Waterfalls, Chethalayam, Kidanganad, Kerala

Best Time to visit: The post monsoon season is the best time to visit Chethalayam Waterfalls.

Timings: It is open from 6 am to 5 pm

Distance from Wayanad: It is about 45 kilometres from the bus station in Wayanad.

If you wish to experience some solitary happiness in the most beautiful surroundings, Kolagappara is a wonderful retreat for you. This remote village in Wayanad is the perfect place to relax and unwind away from the crowds. 

One of the most eminent attractions of this place is the elephant shaped rock that stands out in the whole landscape. This rock makes it a climb worthwhile for those interested in rock climbing and other adventure activities.  

Offering a mesmerising view of the hill and the river, this place is often known to attract the most enthusiastic trekkers to savour an adrenaline rush. With a pleasant climate and widespread greenery, it is not easy to ignore the breath-taking beauty of this place in Wayanad.

Height: It is at an altitude of 3000 feet above the sea.

Location: Kolagappara, Kolagapaara, Kerala

Best Time to visit: October to February is the most preferred time to visit here.

Distance from Wayanad: The distance between the two places is around 40 kilometres.