Wayanad travel guide
Green paradise with caves, waterfalls, and wildlife.
Wayanad, nestled in the Western Ghats, is a land of misty mountains, lush forests, and stunning waterfalls. It is known for its rich wildlife, ancient caves, and picturesque tea and coffee plantations. Wayanad’s serene landscapes and adventure activities make it a perfect retreat for nature lovers and thrill-seekers alike.
Best time to visit Wayanad
Dec–Feb is the best window: dry, clear and cool. Nov and Mar are also good. Jun–Aug brings very heavy rain and landslide risk on hill roads.
| Month | Verdict | Temperature | Rain | Crowds | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | best | 17–30 °C | 10 mm | medium | Dry and clear with cool nights; busiest in the first week |
| February | best | 18–33 °C | 5 mm | medium | Driest month; clear days for treks and plantation walks |
| March | good | 20–34 °C | 30 mm | medium | Dry but getting warm; the first thundershowers can start late in the month |
| April | mixed | 22–34 °C | 70 mm | high | Warm, with pre-monsoon thunderstorms; school-holiday crowds |
| May | mixed | 22–30 °C | 180 mm | medium | Showers on most days as the monsoon nears; hills turn green |
| June | mixed | 21–27 °C | 340 mm | low | Monsoon sets in; rain on most days, trails slippery and leech-prone |
| July | avoid | 21–25 °C | 390 mm | low | Wettest month; near-daily downpours and landslide risk on hill roads |
| August | avoid | 20–26 °C | 280 mm | low | Very heavy rain continues; slopes and ghat roads are landslide-prone |
| September | mixed | 20–26 °C | 220 mm | low | Rain easing but still on most days; waterfalls in full flow |
| October | mixed | 20–27 °C | 210 mm | medium | Showers and thunderstorms on many days; hills lush, rain easing |
| November | good | 19–27 °C | 120 mm | medium | Rain thins out; clearer days and cool mornings |
| December | best | 18–27 °C | 30 mm | high | Dry and cool; crowds peak around Christmas and New Year |
How many days to spend in Wayanad
Three days cover Banasura Sagar Dam, Edakkal Caves and Thirunelli Temple; a fourth day adds the Chembra Peak trek.
How to reach Wayanad
- By air: Calicut (CCJ) — 94 km by road. Kannur (CNN) is a similar distance by road
- By train: Kozhikode (CLT) — 85 km by road. The district has no railway; Kozhikode is the main railhead
- By road: From Kozhikode — 84 km. Nearest big city; the road climbs the Thamarassery ghat into the district
Getting around
Sights are spread across the district, so a hired car with a driver is the practical way to cover them. KSRTC buses link the main towns, with the best connections from Sultan Bathery.
Things to do in Wayanad
- Mudumalai — Wildlife park
- Lakkidi View Point — Misty peak (45 min · Free entry)
- Beypore Port — Ancient Port (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Palakkayam Thattu — Hill escape (2.5 h)
- Black Thunder - Water Theme Park — Fun park (5 h · Paid entry)
- Sim's Park — Botanic park (1.5 h · Paid entry)
- Pykara Waterfall — Beautiful falls (1 h · Paid entry)
- Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary — Forest Haven (3 h · Paid entry)
- Dolphin Nose Viewpoint — Scenic view (1 h · Free entry)
- Mukurthi National Park — Scenic trek (7 h · Paid entry)
- Pakshipathalam — Bird haven (6 h · Paid entry)
- Catherine Water Falls — Twin falls (1.5 h · Paid entry)
- Kadalur Point Lighthouse — Historic Beach (1 h)
- Paithalmala Tourism — Hill trek (4 h · Paid entry)
- Lamb's Rock Tea Garden View Point — Rock view (1 h)
- Needle Rock View Point — Panoramic view (1 h · Paid entry)
- Jain Temple, Sulthan Bathery — Ancient shrine (45 min · Free entry)
- Kodanad View Point — Valley view (1 h)
- Banasura Sagar Dam — India’s largest earthen dam, offering boating and scenic mountain views. (3 h · Paid entry)
- Pookode Lake — Serene freshwater lake surrounded by lush greenery, perfect for boating. (2 h · Paid entry)
- Kannur Light House — Sea view (1 h · Paid entry)
- Murugan Temple, Elk Hill — Hill temple (1 h · Free entry)
- Avalanche Lake — Scenic lake (4 h · Paid entry)
- Rangaswamy Peak Access — Rock formation (4 h)
- Ripon Tea Factory — Tea valley (1 h)
- Panniyankara Road — Coastal Calm
- Ooty Golf Course — Golf greens (3 h · Paid entry)
- Attappadi — Tribal Hills
- Peruvannamuzhi Dam — Scenic Dam (2.5 h · Paid entry)
- Valley View — Valley view
- Brooklands Tea Estate — Tea estate (1.5 h)
- Thiruvangad Sree Rama Swami Temple — Ancient Temple (45 min · Free entry)
- Velliyamkallu Vivekanada Rock — Rock Island (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Ralliah Dam — Peaceful dam (1 h)
- Tali Maha Shiva Kshetram — Sacred Site (1 h · Free entry)
- Kottiyoor Temple — Sacred site (3 h · Free entry)
- Chaliyam — Ruined Fort
- Makreri — Quiet beach (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Chembra Peak — Highest peak in Wayanad, famous for the heart-shaped lake on its trail. (5 h · ₹20)
- Pazhassi Raja Tomb — Memorial of Kerala’s legendary warrior king, Pazhassi Raja, set in a peaceful garden. (1 h · ₹20)
- Gopalan Gurrukal Memorial Road — Freedom Site
- Madayi Kavu Sri Thiruvarkkaattu Kaavu Bhagavati Temple (Madayi Kavu) — Goddess shrine (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Valapattanam River — Calm river
- Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary — Protected forest reserve home to elephants, tigers, and diverse wildlife. (3.5 h · Paid entry)
- Soochipara Waterfalls — Stunning three-tiered waterfall, ideal for trekking and swimming. (3 h · Paid entry)
- Sree Thirunelli Mahavishnu Temple — Ancient Vishnu temple, known as the 'Kashi of the South'. (2 h · Free entry)
- Kuruvadweep — Scenic river island with dense forests and rare flora and fauna. (3 h · Paid entry)
- Meenmutty Waterfalls — One of Kerala’s tallest waterfalls, accessible through a thrilling trek. (3 h · Paid entry)
- Edakkal Caves — Prehistoric caves with ancient petroglyphs dating back to 6000 BC. (3 h · Rs. 20)
- RAJA SEAT GARDEN , MADIKERI — Raja's Seat: Scenic Coorg viewpoint with royal history and stunning sunsets. (1.5 h · ₹20)
- Abbi Waterfall — Spectacular waterfall amidst Coorg's coffee and spice plantations. (1 h · ₹10)
Food to try in Wayanad
- Bamboo rice payasam — Sweet pudding of bamboo-seed rice (mulayari); stalls near the Edakkal Caves walkway
- Wayanad coffee and tea — Grown in the district's plantations and sold in many places
- Home-made chocolates — Sold in many places, with plenty of choice in shops near Edakkal Caves
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Wayanad?
Dec–Feb is the best window: dry, clear and cool. Nov and Mar are also good. Jun–Aug brings very heavy rain and landslide risk on hill roads.
How many days are enough for Wayanad?
3–4 days. Three days cover Banasura Sagar Dam, Edakkal Caves and Thirunelli Temple; a fourth day adds the Chembra Peak trek.
How do I reach Wayanad?
By air: Calicut (CCJ) — 94 km by road. Kannur (CNN) is a similar distance by road. By train: Kozhikode (CLT) — 85 km by road. The district has no railway; Kozhikode is the main railhead. By road: From Kozhikode — 84 km. Nearest big city; the road climbs the Thamarassery ghat into the district.
What are the top things to do in Wayanad?
Mudumalai, Lakkidi View Point, Beypore Port, Palakkayam Thattu, Black Thunder - Water Theme Park, Sim's Park.
Plan your Wayanad trip
Open Guide My Holiday to turn these places into a routed, day-by-day itinerary and book a cab that follows it.
Get it on Google Play · Download on the App Store
Guide checked on 2026-10-06.