Exploring the Green Paradise of Kerala: WAYANAD (2-day Trip)
The Year 2018 has plenty long weekends, one of them is in this month. When you have three days to plan your travel, why not cover the nearby areas. Wayanad (Kerala) is one of the most beautiful districts of Kerala. And to plan for this amazing place is not the toughest job in the world.
About Wayanad
Derived from the word ‘Vayal Nadu’ which means land of paddy fields, Wayanad is a magnificent plateau situated at a height of 700-1200m. With a rich cultural heritage and mysterious legends, Wayanad is adorned with the natural beauty. Hills, Peaks, Caves, Lakes and Forests- all these make this place worth a visit. Here is a two-day itinerary for exploring Wayanad and enjoying the serene and calm brilliance of nature.
Places to see in Wayanad:
1. Chembra Peak
2. Edakkal Caves
3. Ambukutthi Mala Waterfalls
4. Sochipara Falls
5. Pookode Lake
6. Wayanad Heritage Museum
7. Chain Tree (Big Banyan)
8. Meenmutthi Falls
9. Kanthanpara Falls
10. Heart Lake
There are many other places that can be visited if you have more than 2-3 days.
Day 1
To start with, book a hotel near the Sultan Bathery as that is the central point of the district. You can cover 4 places on day one:
Sulthan Bathery
This can top your list because it won’t take much time to explore the Jain Temple and know the history.
After a quick tour of Sulthan Bathery, you can head towards the Wayanad Museum and then Ambukuthi Mala Mountain (12km from Bathery). The Edakkal Caves are located at a height of 1000m on this mountain.
Sulthan Bathery
Relics of the ancient Jain Temple in Sulthan Bathery
Ambukuthi Mala
The Edakkal Cave Trek: You can opt for this trek as it is not so difficult. Fine weather and good company can keep you going. At the base, you will have to buy the ticket to the caves and then continue walking and climbing. The passage is through numerous smaller caves, through the rocks and boulders. But the installation of steel staircase and presence of the admin staff ensures that the crowd moves safely and there is no mobbing.
Carvings on the rocks
The entry point to reach the Edakkal Caves
After spending quality time on the dry rocks, the urge to dip your feet in cold water will definitely be high. You can opt for the Sochipara falls next. These Falls provide water rafting, bathing, swimming, etc. The tree top huts give a splendid view of the Western Ghats.
Sochipara Falls
If there is still time, you can go ahead with the itinerary and end the day with your visit to the Kanthanpara Waterfalls. These falls are relatively smaller and form an ideal picnic spot.
Kanthanpara Falls
Day 2
After the night’s rest, either you can opt for a day’s trek to Chembra Peak, stay there overnight and then climb down. Or you can visit the following places.
Banasura Sagar Dam: This is the largest earth dam in India and offers a soothing sight for the sore eyes. For cutting the transport cost, you can book the hotel in/ near Kalpetta for the second day.
Banasura Sagar Dam
After Banasurasagar Dam, you can see the Chain Tree, followed by Poodoke Lake. With lush green trees and mountains surrounding this freshwater lake, you can enjoy boating facility too.
The Chain Tree
Further towards the south is the Lakkidi View Point which inhabits the huge mountains and the bird’s eye view of the valley in the south. The road to this viewpoint is composed of nine hairpin bends and the journey is sure to pump up the adrenaline rush.
View of the hairpin bends from Lakkidi View Point
View of the southern valley- western ghats from Lakkidi View Point
Day 3
The last day can be either kept as a buffer day for the return journey, or it can be used to explore the North of Wayanad- Pazhassi Raja Tomb and Kuruva Island.
Hope this information comes handy to all the nature lovers!
Note: Not all photographs are original (Photo Source: Google).
