Geography: Wayanad district stands on the southern top of the Deccan plateau and its chief glory is the majestic Western Ghats with lofty ridges interspersed with dense forest, tangled jungles and deep valleys, the terrain is rugged. Quite a large area of the district is covered by forest but the continued and indiscriminate exploitation of the natural resources point towards an imminent environmental crisis.

Climate: During the hot weather the temperature goes up to a maximum of 35 °C and during the cold weather the temperature goes down to 10 °C. The more perceived temperature variation in the last 5-6 years is in the range of 18-28 degree Celsius. The average rainfall is 2,500 mm per year.

Lakkidi, the gateway to Wayanad, is situated 700 m above mean sea level, at the crest of the Thamarasseri Ghat pass.

Lofty peaks, gurgling streams and luxuriant forests add magic to the journey up the winding roads to this hill station. It is situated 55 km east of Kozhikode / 5 km south of vythiri.

Reach Kozhikode Calicut or Mysore by rail from major cities in India then by road to Wayanad.

The nearest airport is Calicut, 109 km from Kalpetta, district headquarters.

Valliyoorkavu Festival: Located high in the Wayanad Hills at Valliyoorkkavu, 3 km from Mananthavady town, the temple is dedicated to goddess Bhagavathy. The idol of the temple is believed to be self- manifested and the annual festival is held in March.

Thirunelli Festival: Thirunelli Festival is a two-day festival celebrated on Vishu day and its eve, in the Malayalam month of Medam (April) is the annual festival of Sree Thirunelli Devaswom at Thirunelli in Wayanad.

Ananthanatha Swami Temple: The temple is at Puliyarmala A beautiful Jain temple, devoted to Ananthanatha Swami, one of the saints of the Jaina faith, is located six kilometres from Kalpetta.

The Glass temple at Koottamunda: Located on the slope of Vellarimala, this temple dedicated to Parswanatha Swami, the Third Thirthankara of the Jain faith, is an exquisitely beautiful family temple.

The icons of Paraswanatha Swami and Padmavathi Devi: This is the set in the sanctum of this temple have thousand reflections in beautiful patterns on the mirrors placed on the inner side of the temple walls. It is 20 km from Kalpetta.

Maha Ganapathi Temple: The temple is at Sulthan Bathery. This temple is believed to have been built eight centuries ago. In the past, it was under the control of the Kottayam royal dynasty. Before the conquest by Tipu Sulthan, Sulthan Bathery was known as Ganapathivattam. The temple is devoted to Ganapathi.

Ponkili Temple: This is an ancient temple associated with the myth of Sita Devi. It is located on the Karnataka border.

Santhinatha Temple: The temple is at Venniyode This is another Jain temple devoted to Saint Santhinatha Swami and is situated 20 km away from Kalpetta.

The Chandranatha Swami Temple: The temple is at Puthanangadi, Vrishabhadeva Swami Temple at Mananthavady and Parawanatha Swami temple at Palkunnu are the other important Jain temples in the district.

Sita Devi Temple: The temple is at Pulpally. This is centuries old temple, dedicated to Sita Devi. The icons of Leva and Kusa are also installed here.

Thirunelli Temple: The temple is located in a valley beneath a hill called Brahmagiri in the reserve forest. This temple is often referred to as the 'Kasi of the South'. The temple is dedicated by Brahma to Vishnu in the form of Chaturbhuja. A little away from this temple is the mountain spring called Papanasini, which literally means destroyer of all sins.

Paallikkunnu Church: It is situated 12 km north of Kalpetta Kallianathum.

St. Peter's Church: It is at Meenangadi. This is an important church of Jacobite Syrian Christians.

Pallickal Mosque: It is situated 10 km southwest of Mananthavady.

Edakkal caves: Edakkal caves in the Ambukuthi Hills in north Kerala, considered to be one of the earliest centres of human habitation. Inside the cave one will find ancient stone scripts, pictorial wall inscriptions of human and animal figures with peculiar head dresses, the swastik form, symbols and cave drawings of human figures, wheels, bows, knives, trees and so on. Similar cave drawings, considered to be 7000 years old, are found only in Stiriya in the European Alps and a few rocky places in Africa. The caves, which are found around 10 km from Sultan Bathery, are two natural rock formations believed to have been formed by a large split in a huge rock. Kozhikode railway station is about 97 km from Sultan Bathery. Karipur international airport is about 23 km from Kozhikode.

Muthanga Wild Life Sanctuary: Muthanga, which is 16 km east of Sulthan Bathery, is located very near to the Karnataka border. Wild forests covering an area of 345 sq km from the Muthanga Wild Life Sanctuary which is the biggest abode of wild animals in Malabar. Elephant, spotted deer, bison, tiger, cheetah, wild bear, etc. are found in this sanctuary. The Forest Department has facilities for providing elephant rides to tourists here. Lakkidi One of the highest locations in Wayanad, Lakkidi also commands picturesque scenery. It is about 58 km north east of Kozhikode and 5 km south of Vythiri. Lakkidi, the gateway of Wayanad, lies atop.

Thamarassery: The ghats pass at an elevation of 700 m. above mean sea level. The lofty mountain peaks, the gurging stream, luxuriant vegetation and the bird's eye view of the deep valley on the south, with its winding roads, are breath taking. The 12 km long journey from Adivaram to Lakkidi through ghats road with nine hairpin bends amidst thick forests, is a fascinating experience.

The Picturesque Banasura Project: It is the largest earthern dam in India and the second largest in Asia. Located in the midst of lovely, mist-clad hills with a wildlife sanctuary and park full of flowering trees, this spot of enchantment has no parallel elsewhere.

With its placid crystal clear waters Banasura is a wonderful picnic spot. Banasura Project is located at Padinjarathara, about 25 km northeast of Kalpetta. Kozhikode about 72 km away from Kalpetta and Karipur international airport is about 23 km from Kozhikode town.

Pazhassi Tourist Resort: Pazhassi Tourist Resort at Mananthavady is a good picnic centre in north Wayanad. There is a good aquarium here. Coin -operated toys for children and boating facilities for tourists are available here. Pazhassi Raja, the Lion of Kerala, who organized guerilla type warfare against British East India Company, was cremated here in 1805. These carvings speak of a highly civilized people of pre-historic are and inspires the archaeologists and historians to rewrite the history of Wayanad and Kerala as a whole.

Ambalavayal Heritage Museum: The Ambalavayal Heritage Museum, the archaeological museum in Wayanad, has Kerala's one of largest collections of the remnants of an era dating back to the 2nd century A.D. The exhibits here are evidences of an advanced civilisation that existed in the mountains of Wayanad. The articles on display are a fascination for the historian, the archaeologist and the ordinary man alike. At the museum one can see articles as varied as clay sculptures, ancient hunting equipments like bows and arrows, stone weapons and other curios. It is situated 12 km south of Sulthan Bathery which is about 98 km from Kozhikode city. There are frequent bus services between Sulthan Bathery and Kozhikode. Karipur International Airport, Kozhikode is about 120 km from Sulthan Bathery. It is open from 10 am to 5 pm.

Heritage Museum, Ambalavayal: This Museum lies at a distance of 12 km from Sultan Bathery and displays items related to tribal communities. Prominent among these items are clay sculptures, ancient hunting equipments like bows and arrows, stone weapons, musical instruments, bangles, ear ornaments and hunting traps. The items have been collected from all over Wayanad region. The Museum is open between 9 am to 6 pm.

Karlad Lake : The lake spreads in an area of 7 acres and is a place where you can be with yourself, more so because it is not a huge tourist hotspot. The lake with all its beauty and facilities of boating and angling is still to gain its share of popularity. It is around 8 km from Vythiri.

Pookote Lake: It is a freshwater lake surrounded by evergreen forests and hills. The lake is crowded during holidays and it is difficult to find isolation. Still if that is what you want then tread the walkaway around the lake and you will experience much tranquility.

The other water falls near the Wayanad are Kanthanpara Waterfall It is situated 6 km east of Meppadi. Meenmutty waterfall It is situated 12 km east of Meppadi. Chethalayam waterfall It is situated 12 km from Sulthan Bathery. Sentinel rock waterfall It is situated 12 km southeast of Meppadi.

District Tourism Promotion Council,
Collectorate Office, Civil Station,
North Kalpetta, Wayanad.
Phone: (91) 04936-202134.

Enjoy Jeep Safaris - Tourists can explore the flora and fauna of the sanctuary on board a jeep. This is an excellent option (and the only one) to remain safe as well as increase the chances of animal sighting. However prior permission is required to be taken from the Forest Department for this purpose. You also need to take along a guide provided by the Forest Department compulsorily. It is to be noted here that the elephants of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary are more violent than their brethrens in other sanctuaries of Kerala. Hence, proper precaution needs to be undertaken during your jeep safari.

Enjoy Bird Watching - Bird watching is thoroughly enjoyable experience in the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary given the number of species found here. Again, proper care and precaution need to be taken while undertaking a bird watching trip.

Don't miss Tea and Cardamom Plantations, Picturesque Locations.