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Things to do in Wayanad

1. Enjoy Boating in Banasura Sagar Dam

Wayanad is famous for Banasura Sagar Dam, India's second largest earth dam. Boating in the dam is a fantastic experience, surrounded by lush green areas and hills. Tourists can hire a motor or country boat to explore the area.

2. Cycling through Wayanad

Cycling is one of the best ways to explore Wayanad. Visitors can indulge in the experience of biking around the winding roads and trails, taking in the fresh cool air, witnessing mesmerizing sunrise and sunsets, and exploring remote villages.

3. Visit the Edakkal Caves

The Edakkal Caves are home to many ancient carvings and wall paintings dating back to the Neolithic age. The caves are set at an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level, and a trek up to the caves is an exciting experience that visitors should not miss out on.

4. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary Safari

The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is home to various animals like tigers, leopards, elephants, gaurs, sloth bears, and much more. Visitors can go on a thrilling safari to explore this beautiful wildlife sanctuary and spot some animals.

5. Pilgrimage

Wayanad is home to several temples, such as Sultan Battery, Mananthavady Church, Puliyarmala Jain Temple, Ananthanathaswami Temple, and many more. Visitors can explore these beautiful temples and take part in the daily rituals.

6. Adventure Sports

Wayanad is perfect for adventure enthusiasts with its many mountains, rivers, valleys, and streams. Visitors can indulge in rock climbing, rappelling, kayaking, and trekking.

7. Breathtaking Sightseeing

From scenic mountain peaks to waterfalls to coffee plantations, Wayanad has plenty of sights for visitors to explore. Popular sightseeing places include Chembra peak, Lakkidi View Point, and Phantom Rock.

8. Trek up to Kalpetta Chembra Peak

Famous for its picturesque landscape, Kalpetta Chembra Peak is the highest peak in Wayanad at an altitude of 2,100 meters above sea level. An exhilarating trek up to the peak through green meadows and forests will surely be an unforgettable experience for visitors.

9. Tree House Stay: A Splendid Experience

Treehouse stays are becoming increasingly popular in Wayanad, as they offer a unique experience with scenic views of nature surrounding them. Visitors can book these tree houses and enjoy a tranquil stay away from the hustle-bustle of city life.

10. Ziplining: Fly In The Hills Of Kerala

Ziplining is one of the most thrilling activities in Wayanad, where visitors can fly up high over lush green hills from one tree top to another, soaring in the skies over the Kerala landscape. This activity is undoubtedly a one-of-a-kind experience that everyone should try out!.

Best Time to Visit Wayanad

The best time to visit Wayanad is from October to May. Tourists experience the cool mountain air and take in the spectacular views of the waterfalls, wildlife sanctuaries, and tea plantations. During these months, tourists can enjoy the picturesque landscapes and the refreshing climate. The higher altitudes experience cooler temperatures, which is perfect for those who wish to escape the heat during their trips. Tourist activities like trekking and camping are also best enjoyed during this period.

How To Reach Wayanad

1. By Air

The nearest airport to Wayanad is the Karipur International Airport in Kozhikode, which is around 100 km from the district. There are regular flights from major cities in India, like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru. The journey time to reach the district is around two hours.

2. By Rail

The Kozhikode Railway Station is the closest railway station to Wayanad, which is about 110 km away from the district. This station is well connected with other parts of India via express and superfast trains.

3. By Road

Wayanad is well connected by road to other major cities in Kerala and neighboring states. Many public and private buses are available from cities like Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Mangalore. The journey from these cities takes 2-8 hours, depending on the traffic and road conditions.

Culture of Wayanad, Kerala

There exists a harmonious respect between these various sects and the people of Wayanad. The culture of Wayanad is defined by the Adivasi culture that has existed for centuries and other cultures prevalent in the district.

Wayanad is known for its unique festivals, especially during the monsoons. The harvest festival of Onam is celebrated with great joy. It honors the departed deity Mahabali while the Puthari Festival, or celebration of the first harvest of the season, marks the arrival of autumn. Other festivals, such as Sree Subramanya Swami Payyannur Thirunal and Kuttippally Thiruna, celebrate specific occasions.

The culture of Wayanad is also defined by its traditional dance forms like kaalaripayattu, kalarippayattu, and parichakali, quintessentially Kerala in origin. Music and performance arts like kathakali,oppanna, oppana, and thullal are also popular among people from all backgrounds. In addition, local cuisines like puttu, appam, and kalari payasam are enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.

Various religious groups, including Hindus, Muslims, and Christians, add to Wayanad's cultural diversity. The local temple festivals, including the annual Thirunelli Temple festival, attract devotees from all over India and beyond. Furthermore, traditional folk art forms such as margamkali, oppanna, and Chakyar Koothu are preserved and performed in Wayanad's villages to this day.

Food of Wayanad, Kerala

1. Puttu & Kadala Curry

Puttu is a traditional breakfast dish from Wayanad made with steamed ground rice and coconut cylinders. It is usually served with banana, coconut chutney, or a sweetened version with jaggery. This dish has roots in traditional Tamil cuisine but has been adapted to suit local tastes in Wayanad.

Kadala Curry is an indispensable part of the local cuisine in Wayanad. This spicy curry consists of black chickpeas cooked in freshly ground spices such as cumin and coriander powder and simmered in coconut milk till creamy. Its flavourful taste goes perfectly well with Appams or Puttus.

3. Porotta and Beef

Porotta and Beef is a popular dish from Wayanad, India, that consists of wheat-based flatbreads called Porottas that are served with a spicy beef curry. The Porottas are cooked on a hot griddle until lightly browned, then stuffed with the beef curry. This dish has a delicious combination of flavors and textures, making it a favorite for locals and tourists.

5. Ela Sadya

Ela Sadya is a traditional meal, typically served for special occasions in Wayanad. The main component of the meal is steamed rice, served with side dishes made with vegetables, legumes, and fish. Ela Sadya is usually served with pickles, chutneys, and papads on banana leaves, adding to its traditional appeal.

7. Dosa Ghee Roast With Kerala Style Sambar

Dosa Ghee Roast is a popular delicacy in Wayanad that consists of a savory crepe made from rice flour, black lentils, and spices. It's roasted in ghee to give it a rich flavor and then served with Kerala-style sambar, which is usually made with vegetables, tamarind paste, and spices. The combination of these two dishes makes for a delicious and flavorful meal.

9. Idli and Sambar

Idli is another famous dish from Wayanad made from rice flour, black lentils, and spices. It's steamed in a special mould to give it its unique shape and texture. Idli is served with a spicy stew called sambar, typically made from tamarind paste and legumes. This traditional dish is often served for breakfast or as an appetizer.

11. Karimeen Pollichathu

Karimeen Pollichathu is another traditional dish from Wayanad made with pearl spot fish (karimeen). The fish is marinated in spices like red chili powder, coriander powder, fennel powder, garlic paste, curry leaves, and mustard seeds before it is wrapped in banana leaves and slow-cooked on a charcoal fire. This dish's smoky flavor combines beautifully with the spice blend used to season the fish. Karimeen Pollichathu is usually served with steamed rice or appam pancakes.

2. Appam with Stew or Egg Curry

Appam is one of the most popular dishes from Wayanad, Kerala. It is a fermented rice and coconut-based pancake made by grinding rice and adding yeast, jaggery, grated coconut, and salt. The batter is then poured into a shallow bowl to make a thin pancake. It is traditionally served with spicy curry, stew, lentils, egg curry and vegetables.

4. Kappa & Fish Moilee

Kappa is one of the most popular dishes in Wayanad. It is a starch-rich side dish made from either tapioca or yam. It is usually cooked with coconut and seasoned with salt, chilies, and other spices for added flavor. This dish is usually served with fish curries, spicy vegetable dishes, and even breakfast items.

Fish Moilee is a traditional fish dish from Wayanad that is usually made with a type of fish known as karimeen. It is cooked in creamy coconut milk gravy seasoned with spices like curry leaves, black pepper, and turmeric. The fish is simmered, so spices and coconut milk enhance its natural flavors. It is usually served with steamed rice and can be garnished with fresh coriander leaves or freshly grated coconut.

6. Sarkara Varatti

Sarkara Varatti is an immensely popular sweet dish made primarily of jaggery, coconut, and sesame seeds, along with other aromatic spices such as cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, and pepper. This sticky delicacy is crunchy and can be served as a snack or dessert.

8. Kozhukkatta

Kozhukkatta is another sweet traditional delicacy of Wayanad that has become immensely popular over the years. It consists of steamed dumplings made from rice flour filled with grated coconut and jaggery and flavored with cardamom powder and raisins. This sweet treat can be a snack or dessert during festivals or special occasions.

10. Unniyappam

Unniyappam is a sweet snack made with rice flour, jaggery, banana, ghee, and cardamom powder, fried in specially shaped deep-frying pans. This snack is trendy during festivals in Wayanad and is usually served with honey or syrup.

12. Kalathappam

Kalathappam is a steamed dessert made from rice flour, jaggery, and grated coconut cooked in banana leaves for fragrance. It is often served as an accompaniment to other dishes during special occasions such as marriage functions or birthday celebrations in Wayanad.