Wayanad, the ever-green paradise is nested on the southern edge of Deccan plateau among the mountains of the Western Ghats with altitudes ranging from 700-2100 m. It is land of dense jungles, crystal lakes, deep valleys and mountainous landscape. This enchanting place has rich history and culture. This adventurous landscape offers stunning scenery, wildlife sanctuary, trekking and many adventurous sports.
Wayanad offers diverse kind of mesmerising tourist spot to explore, enjoy and experiences. I will try to give details information of those spots.
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary:
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is an esteemed World Heritage Site and home of endangered, endemic, common and rare fauna and flora. This rich in bio diverse sanctuary, is an integral part of the Nilgiri biosphere reserve area. This Biosphere reserve area has been established in 1973 with the special purpose that is conserving the biological heritage of the area. The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is sprawling with an area of 344.44 sq km, including four hill ranges namely Tholpetty, Mathanga, Kurichiat and Sulthan Bathery.
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is a home of diverse array of flora and fauna. Flora interspersed with eucalyptus, teak, bamboo and other plants species. This dense lush forest is become a habitat of wildlife. The flagship species of Sanctuary are Asian tigers and elephants which are largest population of the Wildlife Sanctuary. Other animals include sambar deer, leopards, Indian bison, wild boars, jungle cats and sloth bears. Also, smaller mammals which increase the ecological richness are Malabar giant squirrel and Indian pangolin. The sanctuary is a paradise of bird’s lovers. Here plentiful of bird’s species are sighted including white-bellied woodpecker, orange minivet, Malayan night heron, peacocks, vultures, peafowl, Malabar grey hornbill and several migratory birds.
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary offers a lot of activities for visitors which are trekking, bus safaris, jeep safaris and bird watching. For the visitors who prefer to get firsthand experience about the fauna, flora and picturesque landscapes of the sanctuary, choose trekking and nature walks and explore it. Both bus and jeep safaris are available in the Muthanga and Tholpetty ranges for animal sighting. Also birdwatching tours are offered here by experience guides to show rich avian diversity of the sanctuary.
Banasura Sagar Dam:
Banasura Sagar Dam is situated on the Karamanathodu a tributary of the Kabini River in Padinjarathara in Wayanad district of Kerala. It is the largest earthen Dam in India and second largest in Asia. The dam was constructed (in 1979) of multipurpose including hydropower generation, irrigation and drinking water supply. This engineering marvel is surrounded by Banasura hills of Western Ghats. It is a popular dream destination for adventure travellers, nature lovers, photographers and anyone seeking placid lake and scenic beauty.
Due to natural beauty, the area around Banasura Sagar Dam is famous. The lush greenery, surrounding hills, placid waters create a stunning panorama that attracts tourists year-round. During the monsoon season the reservoir get fill up and the sight of water gushing through the spillway of dam is looked truly fantastic.
Banasura Sagar Dam offers a range of activities for tourists including both pedal and speed boating – available for exploring the islands and reservoir, trekking – is another popular activity here which offers panoramic views of the reservoir, dam and surrounding scenic landscape and also the area is ideal for picnics.
Edakkal Caves:
The Edakkal caves are situated in the sultan bathery in the Wayanad district of Kerala in India. It is at an altitude of 1200 m above the sea level on Ambukutty Mala mountain. Edakkal Caves are renowned for its mystical rock formation and etched that can be traced back to the stone age. The etched on the walls are highly intriguing. It is what attracts tourists to visit and truly be hypnotized by the engraving of our predecessors and the signs left behind by them.
These engravings show a lot of mesmerized details of humans, animals and daily occurrences and messages in many scripts. The complexity of these etched and the huge size of the entire picture is very simple astounding. Also, the scenery from the top is just breathtaking.
Lakkidi View Point:
Lakkidi View Point, popularly known as the ‘‘Gateway of Wayanad’’ is a famous tourist’s destination in Wayanad in Kerala. A high-altitude view point at an elevation of 700 m above the sea level. It is located along NH 766 Kozhikode-Mysore-Kollegal Highway in Wayanad. It is around 33 km away from Wayanad town. It is renowned for its stunning bird’s eye view of Wayanad and nine hairpin turning point. The vista, commonly familiar as the Gateway to Wayanad is a family picnic spot. This place offers stunning sunrise at dawn and mesmerizing sunset in the evening. Also offers stunning view of mountains, mesmerising landscape, thick woods and tumbling streams. It is unparalleled natural beauty. Lakkidi View Point is a heaven for nature lovers and photographers who want to take some photos as a memento of trip.
Karapuzha Dam:
It is situated in the Wayanad district of south Indian state Kerala in a lush green and natural area of Wayanad, Kerala on a tributary of the Kabini River, the Karapuzha river. Commencement of construction of the Dam began in 1977 and completed in 2004. The purpose of the dam is water supple for the irrigation of the area. But due to its beautiful location and expert construction, the dam attracts a plentiful of tourists year-round.
Tourists spend time at the dam area with loved ones and create some lasting memories. The spot offers stunning view, placid catchment area, calm environment and tranquil experience. Travelers picnic in this idyllic spot with admiring beautiful aquatic birds and wandering around in a cool environment.
The Dam has its fair number of tourists who are reached to this location in a different way. You have access to reach here from surrounding town like Ooty, Kozhikode and Mysore, which south Indian cities are also highly sought-after tourist attraction.
Kanthapara Waterfalls:
Kanthapara waterfalls is one of the prominent travel destinations in Wayanad district of Kerala. It is 22 km away from Kalpatta, 8 km east from Meppadi, 23 km from sultan Bathery and 57 km away from Mananthavadi. The waterfall seems to be a white thread when viewed from the Sentinel Rock waterfalls. This stunning water fall is the most tourists’ attraction than the other because very easy to access. You can reach at this beautiful destination using taxi or bus services. It is 30 m high waterfall and comparatively smaller than Meenmutty and Soochipara water falls in Wayanad.
And, the Kanthapara Waterfalls offers most attractive activities including Sightseeing and Photography, Nature Walks and Trekking, Picnicking, Swimming, Bird Watching, Relaxation and village visiting. If you reach here, you won’t be disappointed. You must be refresh.
Meenmutty Falls:
Meenmutty waterfall is located in Padinjarathara in Wayanad district of Kerala in India. It is 29 km away from Kalpetta in Wayanad. This waterfall is one of the topmost tourist attractions in Wayanad district in Kerala. This three-tiered waterfall is on the Banasura hills with a height of 300 m. The work ‘‘Meenmutty’’ derived from the concept of fishes are blocked here. ‘Meen’ conveys the meaning ‘fish’ and ‘Mutty’ conveys ‘blocked’ and so, ‘Meenmutty’
Meenmutty waterfall is considered as a dangerous spot during rainy seasons because of high inflow and many tourists have drowned since 1991. That is why common tourists are recommended to visit this place in the best time October to May.
To reach here, you will have to walk around 2 km through forest. Though it is very difficult to reach at the spot but once you will reach the waterfalls, you must forget all the tiresome of the trekking.
The Meenmutty waterfall area is a part of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary which is covered with dense forest. The waterfall is famous for its stunning nature and lush landscapes.
Meenmutty waterfalls provides a unique and rich experience for tourists with its lush green surroundings, mesmerizing cascade and adventurous trekking trails. Whether tourists are looking for a tranquil retreat in natural beaty, an adventurous trek, or a scope to explore the plentiful biodiversity of Wayanad, the Meenmutty Waterfall offers a perfect travel into the heart of Wayanad’s natural beauty.
Karlad Lake:
Karled Lake is situated in the picturesque landscapes of Wayanad district in Kerala. It is a crystal-clean freshwater lake which provides a perfect blend of serenity and adventure. This natural lake is 3 km away from Banasura Sagar Dam. It is the second largest freshwater lake in Kerala which is surrounded by misty western Ghats and lush green forest. The lake offers a scenic travel for thrill seekers, nature lovers and families.
The lake’s placid catchment area reflects the animated colours of nature, creating an ideal environment for photography, nature wandering and tranquillity. However, the Karlad Lake is not all about relaxation, it also offers adventurous camp, kayak throught the clam waters, range of adrenaline-pumping activities, pedal boating, thrill of ziplinging across the lake a 250 m aerial rope, bamboo rafting rock climbing and most attractive zorbing.
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