Best Places To Stay in Kerala

A trekking paradise, Chembra is the highest peak in the Wayanad Hill Range that will take your breath away. Encompassed by verdant greenery of the Western Ghats, Chembra Peak is one of those attractions in Wayanad that one just cannot ignore for its mesmerising views. 

It is where the clouds brush your cheeks and your eyes are greeted with solace of calm and quietness in the midst of nature.

It is known for offering an enchanting vista of the heart-shaped lake also known as the Cupid Lake. It also offers an unparalleled view of Banasura Sagar Dam surrounded by the majestic tea plantations located along the foothills of Chembra Peak.

Height: It is 2,100 metres (6,890 ft) above sea level

Location: Kalpetta, Wayanad

Best Time to visit: The best time to visit is between the months of September and March.

Entry fee: The entry charge for the peak is INR 50/USD 0.77

Timings: Chembra Peak is open to tourists during the day time.

Distance from Wayanad: It is about 40 kilometres away from the bus station in Wayanad.

One of the most spellbinding places to visit in Wayanad, Banasura Sagar Dam is a picturesque tourist hotspot. Known for being India’s largest earthen dam, it boasts of extensive natural beauty with beautiful flora and fauna, majestic hills and mesmerising waterfalls. The Banasura Sagar is a photographer’s delight and offers the most beautiful views from the top of the hill.

It is also famous among adventure enthusiasts who look forward to thrilling activities like boating, trekking, horse racing and camel rides. For the avid trekkers, Banasura hill peak is hailed as one of the most challenging treks. Along with that Banasura Hill Resort adds to the charm of this place that is known as the only ‘earthen’ resort in the country.

Location: Banasura Sagar Dam, Padinjarathara, Kerala

Best Time to visit: November to May offers the most ideal time to visit Banasura Sagar Dam

Entry fee: INR 10/ USD 0.15 per person

Timings: The opening timings are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Distance from Wayanad: It is just 2.3 kilometres away from the bus station.

Located in the middle of Kabini river, Kuruva Island is a natural paradise that is replete with diverse flora and fauna in the most beautiful surroundings. It is blessed with evergreen forests all around that makes it a mesmerising picnic spot away from all pollution and noise of the city.

If you wish to know how bamboo constitutes an important factor in both the lifestyle and livelihood for the people in Wayanad, then a visit to The Bamboo Factory comes highly recommended. 

This educating and inspiring experience gives a sneak peek into the lives of the locals in Uravu. This place is a great stop to witness the wonder of sustainable tourism and explore the ancient traditions that are still preserved in Wayanad.

The Bamboo Factory stands for uplifting the lives of many rural craftsmen along with offering tourists a unique experience by getting to know how bamboo is converted into your favourite items. Tourists at Bamboo Factory also get a chance to talk to these talented craftsmen and know more from their experiences.

Location: 100 Acres Road Thrikkaipatta, Kerala

Best Time to visit: October to February is the best time to visit here.

Entry fee: The cost to visit here is approximately INR 500/ USD 7.7 per person

Timings: One can visit here between 10 am and 4 pm.

Distance from Wayanad: The distance between the two places is around kilometres.

One of the most beautiful heritage sightseeing places in Wayanad, Jain Temple is known for its interesting history. It was built in 13th century A.D. and largely came to prominence when this ancient temple was used by Tipu Sultan to store ammunition. 

The ruins of Jain Temple in Sulthan Battery resonate the vital presence and influence of Jain community in the state of Kerala.

Maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, the Jain Temple boasts of Vijayanagara style of architecture and has preserved beautiful and intricate carvings on its granite pillars. It is revered as one of the holiest places for the Jains and a festival is celebrated during Mahavir Jayanthi. 

This historically important temple in Kerala is a great visit to appreciate the art and culture of this place.

Location: Jain Temple Rd, Sultan Bathery, Kerala

Best Time to visit: September to March is the best time to visit the temple.

Entry fee: None

Timings: The temple is open for visitors during the day.

Distance from Wayanad: It is around 50 kilometres away from the bus station in Wayanad.

If you’re browsing for the most serene Wayanad tourist places, Pookode Lake should incite your curiosity. Surrounded by the evergreen beauty of Western Ghats and verdant forests, Pookode Lake is a gorgeous freshwater lake. 

One of the most interesting features of this lake is that it virtually appears to be in the shape of India’s physical map. Boasting of picturesque excellence and a mesmerising ambience, this freshwater lake is the initiating point of Panamaram stream in Kerala.

Pookode Lake offers many activities like boating and boasts of a freshwater aquarium, a children’s park and a shopping centre where tourists can empty their pockets on excellent spices and handicrafts. 

Another big attraction of Pookode Lake is the widespread presence of wild animals and birds who can be spotted around the lake.

Location: Pookode Lake, Kunnathidavaka, Kerala

Best Time to visit: August to May are the best months to visit here

Entry fee: INR 10/ USD 0.15 for one person

Timings: The opening hours are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Distance from Wayanad: Pookode Lake is located 27.3 kilometres from the Bus station in Wayanad

Offering an unforgettable experience for wildlife lovers, Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the must-visit places to visit in Wayanad. 

It is famous for harbouring a diverse number of flora and fauna. Taking a wildlife safari is the most thrilling activity that one should undertake at Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary to make their Wayanad vacation memorable.

This natural habitat is a great sightseeing place to spot elephant herds, deer, langurs, panthers, tigers, Indian bison and the rare Slender Loris. Moreover, this wildlife sanctuary offers a wonderful experience for tourists with their tree huts which are open for stay. 

This beautiful attraction allows the tourists to seek some natural solace and take delight in the company of the wonderful wildlife roaming freely in their natural surroundings.

Location: It is located 20 km east of Mananthavady on the Kodagu Road.

Best Time to visit: Winters are the best time to visit Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary

Entry fee: The entry fees is INR 115/ USD 1.77 for Indians. For foreigners, the entry fees is INR 300/ USD 4.62

Timings: The timings are 7:00 am to 10:00 am in the mornings. For the evenings, the timings are from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Distance from Wayanad: The distance between the two places is 45 kilometres.

Travel back in time to the Stone Age with a visit to Edakkal Caves that are located on the Ambukuthi Hills. Edakkal literally translates to ‘a stone in between’ and this cave and showcases a natural masterpiece. 

It is associated with many myths and considered as one of the most sacred places to visit in Wayanad. Edakkal caves are not actually considered to be caves in a scientific sense yet remain a great piece of archaeological curiosity for tourists. 

These caves are identified as a Neolithic settlement and present the evidence of a pre-historic society of highly civilised people. These caves draw in a number of history buffs and students of archaeology who wish to explore these mysterious caves.

Height: It is located at a height of 1200 metres above sea level on the Ambukuthi Hills.

Location: Wayanad, Nenmeni, Kerala

Entry Fee: INR 15/USD 0.23 per person

Best Time to visit: The most preferred time to visit Edakkal Caves is during the months of December to May.

Timings: The visiting time to Edakkal caves is from morning 9:30 to evening 4:30.

Distance from Wayanad: It is located 48 kilometres from here.