Wayanad, the green paradise snuggles among the mountains of the Western Ghats. Immaculate, enchanting, and hypnotizing, this land is filled with history and culture. Wayanad enjoys a salubrious climate, resulting in high average rainfall. High-velocity winds are common during the southwest monsoon, while dry winds blow in March-April.
Just like my previous trip, I was in Varanasi, roaming around Lanka and indulging in street food. Winter trips are always best, as having hot tea or coffee in new locations always enhances my experience. The next day, I headed to Banglore to reunite with my friends, and after a Nestolgic evening, I set off for Wayanad.
Glancing at the picture above, captured the true essence of Kerala. The mere thought of spending an evening here is akin to experiencing heaven on earth. The boat in the picture, crafted from bamboo and secured with rope, is a sight to behold. Its natural beauty is truly mesmerizing.
I was accompanied by a friend who brought his car, making my trip more convenient and comfortable. We had the freedom to stop and go wherever we pleased, something that would have been difficult if we opted for a rental cab. During our journey, we stopped at a restaurant for lunch, It was delicious, and the taste of the meat was different than I expected, I loved it. The weather was pleasant and the picturesque view was simply breathtaking. I felt as though I was fully immersed in nature’s embrace.
BANASURE DAM
I made my way towards Banasure Dam, On that day there was a rush, The parking lot was filled to the brim, and the ticket counter and activities ticket booth were teeming with people. Upon entering, I was greeted by a massive wall, which was truly awe-inspiring. I was excited to see the view from the top. However, the long walk up the slope and the harsh sunlight made it difficult to fully appreciate the view.
Wayanad, with its stunning mountains, splendid forests, pristine rivers, and cascading waterfalls, is a site to behold. Although I spent several hours at the Dam, I was unable to experience the boat ride or Zipline due to the long queue. Nevertheless, I did indulge in a cup of Maggie and Tea, which was delightful.
KALPETTA
There is nothing like up to a good cup of coffee or tea. Kalpetta, a bustling town surrounded by dense coffee and tea plantations and mountains, is the tourism hub of Wayanad, thanks to its central location and popular attraction. The aroma of tea permeates the air as soon as you enter the premises. After spending a lovely evening there, I headed out to try the iconic Appam and Chicken stew, which turned out to be absolutely delicious.
KARLAD LAKE
As mentioned, I’m a morning person, just push your soul to wake up early, you may regret it, but you will be so proud of yourself. On this particular morning, I headed to Karlad Lake. The Lake is surrounded by green trees, which gives it a beautiful green hue. Some places offer unique experiences and many activities to keep you busy all day. In contrast, others are perfect for unwinding amidst nature, enjoying the peace, listening to the sound of birds, and the gentle lapping of the water against the boat. My bamboo boat ride was one of the best experiences I had.
CHEMBRA PEAK
I was eager to try the local cuisine, so I decided to try the Fish moilee, If you haven’t tasted the fish moilee of Wayand then your tip is incomplete. After having a delicious lunch, I embarked on a 3-4 hour trek to Chembra Peak. Although the idea of trekking may seem daunting however my motivation is “When everyone feels like an uphill struggle, think about the view from the top”. And the view was indeed worth It – natural and breathtaking.
TRAVEL PLAN
The climate of Wayanad is calm and enjoyable throughout the year. October to May is the most suitable time to visit Wayanad, with a suggested itinerary of three days to fully explore. The main attractions are Kalpetta, Karlad Lake, Chembra Peak, Pookode Lake, Edakkal Caves, Banasura Hill, Banasure Dam, and Kuruvadweep. The closest airport to Wayanad is Calicut International Airport(Kozhikode Airport), which is situated 95 km away.
Day 1 – If you arrive in Wayanad in the evening, I recommend visiting Banasura Hill and Banasura Dam (open from 9 am to 5 pm, and tickets price – Rs 40 for Adults and Rs 20 for Kids) which are conveniently located 1km apart. There are several amazing resorts and budget-friendly dormitories available for travelers.
Day 2 – Karlad Lake (opens from 9 am to 5 pm) is best for the morning. It offers a variety of activities on a ticket basis. It is located 10 km from Banasura Dam. Afterward, head to the next destination Kalpetta, which is 15 km from Karlad Lake and known for its coffee and tea plantations. After enjoying a heavy lunch, prepare for a trek to Chembra Peak, which is 22 km from Kalpetta. There are no hotels near Chembra Peak, so it’s best to return to Kalpetta for the night.
Day 3 – If you like caves, then go for Edakkal caves (opens from 9 am to 4 pm and Monday close, tickets are priced at Rs 50 for adults and Rs 30 for Kids). This activity will take up more than half of your day, as it is located 25 km from Kalpetta and requires more than an hour of walking to see caves. Afterward, return to Kalpetta and visit Pookode Lake ( boating time 9 am to 5 pm), which is 12 km away from Kalpetta. If you have an extra day, you can visit Kuruvadweep, a beautiful island. if you are tight on time, you can skip one point according to your interests.
Taste of Wayanad – When it comes to food, you must try the mouth-watering food here – Fish Moilee ( This is the one dish you must try), Appam and Chicken stew ( traditional Syrian Christian breakfast), Paysam( traditional dessert of Kerala), Karimeen Pollichathu (Fish wrapped in banana leaf ), Puttu ( famous breakfast in karela), Malabar Biryani (traditional biryani, Kamia rice used).
Activities to do – Water sports, Bomboo boating, Zipline, Tracking, Cave camping.
Useful Links
Book a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine. It scours websites and airlines worldwide, ensuring no stone is left unturned.
Google Flight is another excellent resource for finding a reasonably priced flight. By entering your nearest airport and typing “anywhere” as the destination, you can view the cheapest flights available from your location.
Book your accommodation by using Hostel World. It is an ideal option for finding cheap and highly-rated hostels for foreign trips.
If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use booking.com.It is a reliable platform for booking accommodations, including guesthouses, hotels, and apartments, at the most affordable rates.
This is also one of my favorites choice for both accommodation and flight bookings, particularly for domestic travel within India.
It’s a zero mark-up Forex travel card. It charges a minimal fixed amount for cash withdrawals from ATMs in other countries. Complimentary airport lounge access is also available. You can apply easily by installing the Niyo Global app.
Travel insurance provides coverage for injury, illness, COVID-19, and theft. It is comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. Travel insurance is compulsory in many countries.
Book a train and bus from Omino for an international trip. It provides all travel options in one place
One of the best places to start looking for cheap rental cars and great deals for international trips.
Redbus offers various bus services such as a chair, sleeper, AC, and non-AC options. Redbus is India’s largest online bus ticketing platform.