There are more places to visit in Wayanad than one could possibly count! With misty mountain peaks, lush valleys, lakes, waterfalls, caves, and trekkable forests sheltering mighty beasts, Wayanad has a kaleidoscope of landscapes for you to explore and experiences to indulge in. Nestled in the enchanting Western Ghats with pleasingly cool weather, Wayanad tourist places are the perfect escape from the stressful city life!
Wayanad isn’t hard to get to. With Calicut’s Kozhikode International Airport and Kozhikode Railway Station located only about 90 km and 85 km away respectively (only a 2.5 hours drive), the town is fairly accessible.
Regular state-run bus services, private Volvos, and taxis ply this route, making it convenient and comfortable for travelers to reach this otherwise tranquil part of Kerala!
You can simply browse our customized Kerala tour packages and save yourself the hassle of planning the trip and constantly changing modes of transport to reach Wayanad. We’ll take care of that for you!
List of places to visit in Wayanad
Before we tell you about all the delightful Wayanad tourist places, let us list their respective distances from the town so that you can include them in your Kerala tour itinerary as per your preferences and trip duration.
| Places to visit in Wayanad | Distance from Wayanad city center |
|---|---|
| Meenmutty Waterfalls | 29 km |
| Chembra Peak | 22 km |
| Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary | 38 km |
| Edakkal Caves | 24 km |
| Banasura Sagar Dam | 20 km |
| Soochipara Falls | 23 km |
| Lakkidi View Point | 16 km |
| Neelimala View Point | 26.5 km |
| Pookode Lake | 12.5 km |
| Kuruva Island | 33 km |
| Thirunelli Temple | 48 km |
| 900 Kandi | 21 km |
| Karlad Lake | 15 km |
| Bathery Jain Temple | 24 km |
| Kolagappara | 19 km |
Note: The distance mentioned above is of prominent Wayanad tourist spots from the city of Kalpetta, the main tourist hub and capital city of Wayanad district.
ALSO SEE – Best Time To Visit Wayanad
Top 15 Places To Visit In Wayanad
Considering Wayanad as your next holiday destination? You won’t be disappointed!
Home to a plethora of alluring tourist attractions and heart-warming natural landscapes, Wayanad is a treasure trove of adventure and thrill. It’s the perfect antidote to a hectic work life.
And the best part – these charming Wayanad places are suited for all types of travelers.
Everyone from lovestruck newlyweds to families with kids, solo wanderers, backpackers, adventure junkies, nature and wildlife lovers, to corporate groups flock to Wayanad in large numbers to relax and rejuvenate far away from the chaos of their respective concrete jungles!
Scroll down to find the top Wayanad tourist places that ought to be on your list.
1. Meenmutty Waterfalls
Meenmutty Waterfalls is the perfect place to kickstart your Wayanad tour and get a refreshing dose of Nature! It is one of the most fascinating waterfalls in Kerala straight out of a fairytale!
Surrounded by verdant jungles and a soothing haze, this three-tiered waterfall cascading from a height of over 1,000 feet above sea level offers enticing experiences to travelers of all age groups.
From trekking to photography, bird watching, picnicking, and swimming, there’s a lot that visitors can do at Meenmutty. It is, without a doubt, one of the most magical places to visit in Wayanad!
Location: Korome-Karimbil Rd, Thondernad, Kerala 670731
Timings: 9 AM to 5:30 PM
Entry fee:
- Indian nationals: INR 30/- (adults) and INR 15/- (kids)
- Foreign nationals: INR 60/-
- Still camera: INR 75/-
Best time to visit Meenmutty Waterfalls: October to March (right after monsoons)
ALSO SEE – 20 Incredible Waterfalls In Kerala To See In 2024
2. Chembra Peak
Dipped in every hue of green, Chembra Peak is the highest mountain peak in the Western Ghats mountain range in Wayanad district.
Luring adventure lovers and couples alike, Chembra Peak is synonymous with refreshing greenery and year-round cool mountain breeze.
Tucked 2,100 meters above sea level, Chembra Peak from Meppadi makes for the perfect day trek packed with delightful surprises at every turn – small waterfalls, a herd or two of deer grazing in the meadows, a shimmering heart-shaped lake, and majestic views of the Nilgiri hills bordering Wayanad and its neighboring districts.
All you need to do is acquire prior written permission from the Kerala Forest Department office in Meppadi.
Location: Near Meppadi town 8 km south of Kalpetta, Vythiri Taluk, Wayanad District, Kerala 673577
Timings: 7 AM to 5 PM (recommended)
Entry fee:
- Indian nationals: INR 20/-
- Indian students: INR 15/-
- Foreign nationals: INR 30/-
- Trekking fee for a group of 10 Indian nationals: INR 750/- per person
- Trekking fee for a group of 10 foreign nationals: INR 1,500/- per person
Best time to visit Chembra Peak: September to March
3. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
Officially called Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is an eminent nature reserve in India sheltering diverse flora and fauna, including tigers, elephants, langurs, wild boars, Indian Bison, Lion-tailed Macaques, leopards, jungle cats, and deer.
A recent survey revealed a record 268 species of birds found in the sanctuary, including Banasura Laughingthrush, Jeordon’s Baza, Bonelli’s Eagle, Taiga Flycatcher, Legge’s Hawk Eagle, Black Stork, Red-breasted Flycatcher, and Golden-headed Cisticola.
Many endangered species of insects and butterflies can be found here along with an interesting array of plants, trees, herbs, and shrubberies, making it one of the best places to visit in Wayanad for nature lovers.
This sanctuary also lures photographers with its beautiful landscapes of the majestic Western Ghats. Adventure lovers and families with kids take a keen interest in the reserve to explore opportunities like trekking, nature walks, elephant bathing, birding, and Jeep safaris!
Location: Thirunelli Pakshipathalam Trek, Pothumoola, Panavally, Kerala 670646
Timings: 7 AM to 4:30 PM
Entry fee:
- Indian nationals: INR 20/- (adults) and INR 10/- (kids under 12)
- Foreign nationals: INR 110/-
- Still camera: INR 25/-
- Video camera: INR 150/-
- Guide fee: INR 100/-
- Jeep safari: INR 300/-
Best time to visit Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary: October to February
ALSO SEE – Top 10 Wildlife Sanctuaries In Kerala To Visit this year (Updated)
4. Edakkal Caves
Featuring 8,000-year-old prehistoric inscriptions and intriguing wall carvings from the Neolithic settlements, a visit to the Edakkal Caves will teleport you back to the Stone Age!
Tucked on the alluring Ambukuthi Hills at an elevation of 1,200 meters above sea level, these caves are among the most prominent Wayanad tourist places because of their archaeological significance.
History and archaeology buffs visiting the caves from around the world are most intrigued by its intricate figures of humans and animals that had been made by the Homo Habilis using varied styles and objects during the Neolithic period!
The caves have two naturally occurring chambers – the upper chamber (96 feet long and 22 feet wide) and the lower chamber (18 feet long and 12 feet wide). One can reach it with an uphill 90-minute trek followed by another 45-minute walk to its mouth.
Location: Nenmeni, Kerala 673595
Timings: 8:30 AM to 4 PM (Monday closed)
Entry fee:
- Indian nationals: INR 50/-
- Foreign nationals: INR 60/-
- Still camera: INR 25/-
- Video camera: INR 100/-
- Jeep shuttle service: INR 70/- per person
Best time to visit Edakkal Caves: November to March
5. Banasura Sagar Dam
The largest earthen dam in India and the second largest in Asia, the monumental Banasura Sagar Dam sits amid Wayanad’s most refreshing greenspaces! Travelers from all walks of life find solace in its majestic views and lush environs.
Nature lovers, families with kids, adventure enthusiasts, and couples visit this tourist place in Wayanad in large numbers to soak in its endless beauty and indulge in activities like nature walks, trekking, picnics, photography, boating, to even horse riding and camel riding.
Its majestic views of gushing waterfalls, lush hills, and diverse flora have given it the reputation of one of the most scenic places to visit in Wayanad, often luring in landscape photographers and couples for pre-wedding shoots!
To make the most of its verdant landscapes, you can choose to stay at the Banasura Hill Resort offering spacious rooms with great views, high-end restaurants, and Spa.
Location: Banasura Hills foothills, Padinjarathara, Kerala 673575
Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM
Entry fee:
- Adults: INR 40/-
- Kids: INR 20/-
- Still camera: INR 20/-
- Coracle ride: INR 450/- per couple
- Ziplining: INR 300/- per person
- Speed boating: INR 1,000/- 5 persons
Best time to visit Banasura Sagar Dam: September to March
6. Soochipara Falls
Located in the midst of lush hills and evergreen forests, the serene Soochipara Falls is an irresistibly charming tourist spot in Wayanad that you can reach from Meppadi via a scenic drive through serpentine roads, verdant tea estates, and resplendent mountains!
Also called Sentinel Rock Waterfalls, it’s one of the most tranquil places to visit in Wayanad that boasts of a calming atmosphere, vivid colors of nature, and cool winds that can soothe even the most frazzled nerves!
Adventure junkies love to frequent this palace to indulge in rock climbing, trekking, and river-crossing. If you’re not into hardcore adventure, you can swim or dip your feet in the crystal-clear waters of the pool of Soochipara Falls that eventually joins the Chaliyar River.
It’s the perfect place to have a fun picnic, indulge in adventure, take a refreshing swim in cold and clear mountain water, or simply sit back and chill amid the natural surroundings!
Location: Elavayal, Vellarimala, Kerala 673577
Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM
Entry fee: INR 80/- per person
Best time to visit Soochipara Falls: October to March (right after monsoons)
7. Lakkidi View Point
Often called the “Gateway of Wayanad”, Lakkidi Viewpoint treats you with the most whimsical displays of dew-coated natural environs unlike anywhere else!
It’s one of the most tranquil escapades among all popular Wayanad tourist places that offers resplendent bird’s eye views of misty mountains, lush forests, and wisps of cotton-candy clouds floating below you.
Lakkidi is a famous picnic spot among families and couples that come here seeking a respite from the city heat and work chaos to unwind in the arms of nature.
Renowned for receiving the second-highest rainfall in the world, Lakkidi Viewpoint is a delight to drive to! If you fancy driving over winding mountain roads with scenic views of sparkling streams, gorges, and abundant greenery, you’ll love riding to this hilltop!
Location: Kozhikode-Mysore-Kollegal Highway, Lakkidi, Kerala 673576
Timings: Open all day
Entry fee: Nil
Best time to visit Lakkidi View Point: October to February
ALSO SEE – 15 Best Homestays In Wayanad For Your Next Vacay!
8. Neelimala View Point
Neelimala Viewpoint is a rather offbeat and uncrowded version of Lakkidi Viewpoint with untouched natural beauty and stunning vistas.
Promising adventure seekers the most thrilling trekking experience of their lives, this hidden locale is perfect for those who want to go off the beaten track and explore something out-of-the-box on their Wayanad getaway.
Other than verdant landscapes, green valleys, and fresh mountain breeze, this trek lets you bask in picturesque visions of Wayanad’s Meenmutty Falls, rare bird species, and colorful vegetable farms before giving you breathtaking views of the Nilgiris from its mountaintop!
Location: Vaduvanchal, Kerala 673581
Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM
Entry fee: Nil
Jeep ride for 6-7 people: INR 500/-
Best time to visit Neelimala View Point: October to February
9. Pookode Lake
Don’t forget to add the serene Pookode Lake to your list of the best places to visit in Wayanad when you craft your Kerala itinerary!
This mindblowing freshwater lake sandwiched between resplendent forests and the majestic Western Ghats is famed for its azure blue water so clear it mirrors the sky above!
You can go boating in this perennial lake, parts of which are covered with purple-blue lotuses and water lilies year-round! You must also explore its freshwater aquarium and keep a lookout for exotic bird species endemic to this region spread over an area of 8.5 hectares.
Don’t forget to shop for handicrafts and Kerala’s famous spices at the market nearby. If you’re traveling with kids, you can take them to the Children’s Park lying adjacent to the lake.
Location: Kunnathidavaka, Kerala 673576
Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM
Entry fee: INR 20/- (kids- INR 10/-)
- Still camera: INR 20/-
- Video camera: INR 150/-
- Pedal & row boats: Starting at INR 100/- per person
Best time to visit Pookode Lake: September to March
ALSO SEE – How To Celebrate Your Honeymoon In Wayanad?
10. Kuruva Island
Standing in the middle of the Kabini River, Kuruva Island is a dreamy oasis for people who come to Wayanad’s misty hills and verdant valleys to soothe their fatigued souls in the lap of nature that is untouched and pure.
While you’re here, you can explore the island’s scenic nature trails and get up close and personal with its rare flora and fauna. One of the most interesting sights you’ll encounter on your journey is the unique bamboo bridges made from the roots of bamboo trees!
Lying far away from industrial noise and honking vehicles, this island is surrounded by a dense evergreen forest ensuringyou hear only the sounds of birds singing, streams trickling, and leaves rustling!
Other than hiking on natural trails through sunlit forests, you’ll also get to explore the island via bamboo rafting, an enjoyable experience in these calm waters! Both these activities on the island are organized by the Department of Tourism in Kerala.
Location: Wayanad district, Kalpetta, Kerala 673579
Timings: 9 AM to 3:30 PM
Entry fee:
- Indian nationals: INR 110/-
- Foreign nationals (5-12 years): INR 200/-
- Still camera: INR 60/-
Best time to visit Kuruva Island: October to March
11. Thirunelli Temple
Thirunelli Temple is a revered Hindu shrine in Wayanad with immense spiritual significance. Lord Vishnu is the presiding deity within the temple premises that is surrounded by the mighty Brahmagiri Hills.
Legend has it that Lord Brahma himself established this temple and installed the statue of Lord Vishnu in it, which has remained here since.
Other than its interesting folklore and the utterly peaceful aura enveloping the holy shrine, its ancient yet traditional Kerala architecture and iconic location amid lofty mountain peaks also make it one of the best places to visit in Kerala!
People from all over the country come here to perform the last rites of loved ones and pray for their eternal peace and salvation through elaborate rituals and prayers. They also take a bath in the holy Papanasini mountain streams nearby that are believed to have the power to wash away all sins!
Location: North Wayanad, Thirunelli Road, Thirunelly, Kerala, 670646
Timings: 5:30 AM to 12 PM | 5:30 PM to 8 PM
Entry fee: Nil
Best time to visit Thirunelli Temple: September to March
ALSO SEE – 20 Famous Temples In Kerala To Visit In 2024
12. 900 Kandi Glass Bridge
The 900 Kandi Skywalk is South India’s first ever glass bridge built high on a hilltop to offer breathtaking 360-degree views of Wayanad’s valley below! This 100-foot-long bridge provides stunning visuals of the valley’s blue rivers and green hills hues interspersed with dreamy wisps of white clouds floating below.
Recently built, the bridge is already a popular Wayanad tourist place with a unique design and a towering structure that gives guests a gratifying high when they walk its length!
In the local dialect, “Thollayiram” means “900”, while “Kandi” means “a patch of land”, pointing to the 900 acres of undiscovered forest and hill area that constitute Thollayiram Kandi in Wayanad, over which this bridge now stands!
Other than the Instagram-worthy views, this is one of the best places to visit in Wayanad to embrace its year-round pleasant weather and cool winds owing to its great height.
Location: Meppadi, Vellarimala, Kerala 673577
Timings: 6 AM to 6:30 PM
Entry fee: INR 1,200/- for a round trip jeep safari (6 members)
Best time to visit 900 Kandi: September to March
ALSO SEE – 900 Kandi Wayanad
13. Karlad Lake
Traveling with your little munchkins? Don’t skip Karlad Lake!
Famed for being one of the most adventurous Wayanad tourist places, Karlad Lake is full of thrilling and fun activities for people of all ages, especially kids!
A few of the recreational activities people can try here include nature walks, easy forest hikes, rock climbing, rappelling, kayaking, boating, and bamboo rafting.
If you don’t want to indulge in any activity, you can simply have a fun picnic with your friends or family in the vast gardens nearby. The activities are supervised and absolutely safe for both kids and adults, making this lake a family-friendly destination for all!
Location: Thariode, Wayanad, Kerala 673575
Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM
Entry fee: INR 20/- per person
- Boating charges (per couple): INR 100/-
- Kayaking charges (per couple): INR 250/-
- Ziplining charges: INR 290/-
Best time to visit Karlad Lake: October to January
ALSO SEE – Wayanad Glamping Tour Package
14. Bathery Jain Temple
Set in the beautiful town of Sulthan Bathery in the lush hills of Wayanad, the ancient Bathery Jain Temple is a revered pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism.
It got its name from its history of being used as an ammunition battery by Tipu Sultan’s army in the 1700s. It’s the only holy Kerala tourist place in the entire country that has served as a temple, an administrative center, and an ammunition base for a vicious army!
Dating back to the 13th century, this beautiful temple draws in pilgrims, archeology enthusiasts, and photographers with more than just its distinct architectural style belonging to the Vijayanagar Dynasty of old.
Courtesy of its saintly aura and intriguing past, this mysterious temple is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India and one of the holiest places for Jains to visit in India!
There are several intricate carvings, murals, paintings, and pillars to explore in its dilapidated yet magnificent structure that has stood the test of time!
Location: Bangalore-Calicut Highway, Sultan Bathery, Kerala 673592
Timings: 8 AM to 12 PM | 2 PM to 6 PM
Entry fee: Nil
Best time to visit Bathery Jain Temple: October to February
15. Kolagappara
Step away from the touristy places to visit in Wayanad and explore its uncharted, offbeat realms, starting with the remote village of Kolagappara lying 15 km away from Kalpetta in the Wayanad district. Mysore has the nearest railway station to it.
Kolagappara is one of the best Wayanad places for spending some lone time amid untouched nature far away from city crowds and chaos. With delightfully pleasant weather and tranquil hills wrapped in mist, it’s an enchanting locale that’ll give even Narnia a run for its money!
Standing at an elevation of 3,000 feet above sea level, it’s the perfect place to unwind as well as indulge in thrilling activities like trekking, mountain climbing, village excursions, cycling, and river crossing.
There is also a mighty elephant-shaped rock here that is distinctly visible in the entire landscape of Kolagappara and gives it a unique touch! Offering stunning views of the resplendent valley below, the Kolagappara Rock is among the most amazing places to visit in Wayanad and around.
Location: 100 Acres Road Thrikkaipetta, Krishnagiri, Kerala 673593
Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM
Entry fee: Nil
Best time to visit Kolagappara: October to February
ALSO SEE – Munnar or Wayanad- Which is Better? The Complete Guide
Know what the beauty of untamed nature really looks like at these lovely places to visit in Wayanad where you can be free from the worries of the world. Spend time amid these serene Wayanad tourist places set in the Western Ghats and discover inner peace. And when you’re back, don’t forget to tell us all about your incredible adventure. Happy tripping!
