BEST OF WAYANAD WITH IRUPPU FALLS (FROM KALPETTA)

At a distance of 21 km from Mananthavady, 22 km from Kalpetta, 46 km from Sulthan Bathery, Banasura Sagar Dam is an earthen dam situated in the Wayanad district of Kerala. It is one of the most popular Wayanad tourist places.

Banasura Sagar Dam was built across the Karamanathodu River, a tributary of River Kabini. Ideally placed in the foothills of Banasura hills, it is the largest earthen dam in India and the second largest in Asia. The dam got its name from Banasura, the son of King Mahabali, the famous ruler of Kerala. It is said that Banasura undertook severe penance on the top of the hills. Banasura hill is the third largest peak in the Western Ghats.

The dam was built in 1979 under the Indian Banasura Sagar Project that was started to support the Kakkayam Hydro Electric Power Project. This project also aimed at contributing to the drinking water and irrigation requirements of the locals during .....

At a distance of 3 km from Vythiri, and 13 km from Kalpetta, Pookote Lake, also known as Pookode Lake is a natural freshwater lake situated close to the Kalpetta - Kozhikode main road in the Wayanad district of Kerala. It is one of the must-visit Wayanad sightseeing places.

At an altitude of about 2500 feet, this fascinating natural freshwater lake is surrounded by evergreen forests and rolling hills. The lake has the shape of India's map. The lake is spread across an area of 13 acres with a maximum depth of 6.5 m. The Panamaram stream, one of the main tributaries of the Kabani River, originates from Pookote Lake.

The lake has an abundance of blue lotus and freshwater fishes. Pethia pookodensis is a species of cyprinid fish known to occur only in Pookode Lake. The forests surrounding the lake hold many wild animals, birds, and flies. The view of this vast expanse of water in the picturesque backdrop .....

At a distance of 16 km from Kalpetta & 4 km from Pookote Lake, Lakkidi is small hill station situated at the highest point in the Wayanad district. Located at an altitude of about 700 m, Lakkidi gets about 600 cm rainfall annually, making it one of the highest rainfall regions in Kerala and also one of the prime Wayanad tourist places to visit.

Often referred as 'the gateway of Wayanad', Lakkidi is located at the crest of the serpentine Thamarassery ghat pass, which features over 9 hairpin curves that start at Adivaram (downhill). The 12 km long ghat road from Adivaram to Lakkidi passing through thick forest leaves a wonderful experience. The lush green hills, gorges and streams on both sides of the passage up the hill are breathtaking sights to the visitors.

This beautiful hill town has a number of scenic locations and enchanting viewpoints. Lakkidi Viewpoint .....

At a distance of 6 km from Ambalavalayal, 14 km from Sulthan Bathery, and 28 km from Kalpetta, Edakkal Caves are two natural caves located on top of Ambukutty Mala near Ambalavalayal in Wayanad. It is one of the popular places of heritage in Kerala, and among the must-include places in Wayanad tour.

Situated at an altitude of 4000 feet, Edakkal Caves were discovered by Fred Fawcett, the then Superintendent of Police of the Malabar district in 1890, during his hunting trip to Wayanad. The name 'Edakkal' literally means 'a stone in between'. Here one can see a cave formed by a heavy boulder straddling a fissure in the rock. This heritage site is considered one of the prime Wayanad places to visit, especially for history buffs.

Many legends are there behind the formation of Edakkal caves. According to one, .....

At a distance of 11 km from Sulthan Bathery & 5 km from Edakkal Caves, 22 km from Kalpetta, Wayanad Heritage Museum is located in Ambalavayal village.

This is one of the best heritage museums in Kerala. The museum houses fascinating items from tribal communities dating back to the second century AD. It has a rare collection of several ancient instruments & tribal artifacts like jewellery, hunting and fishing weapons, farming instruments, a fine collection of 14th - 16th century sculptures, etc. Ancient terra cottas, stone weapons and local art are also on display at the museum.

A series of pictorial rock edicts referred to as Hero Stones, memorialize a bygone age of warriors. There is a fine figure of the Goddess of fertility, Urvara, also displayed here. Most of the artifacts are collected from the Wayanad and surrounding regions.

The museum is spread in two levels with statues occupying lower level while the tribal artifacts are displayed in first level. The museum .....

At a distance of 14 km from Sulthan Bathery and 39 km from Kalpetta, Muthunga Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, is a sanctuary and Elephant Reserve in the Wayanad district of Kerala. It is one of the top places of wildlife in Kerala, and among the best places to visit in Wayanad.

Established in 1973, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary was brought under the Project Elephant in the year 1991-92. The sanctuary is bordered with Nagarhole National Park, Bandipur WLS in Karnataka and Mudumalai WLS in Tamilnadu. Occupying an area of 345 sq. km, Wayanad WLS is the second-largest WLS in Kerala and is now an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The sanctuary was set up to conserve the biological heritage of the region with due consideration to the general lifestyle of tribes .....

At a distance of 30 Kms from Kalpetta, Pazhassi Raja's Tomb is located in Mananthavady. This tomb is the memorial of the 'Lion of Kerala' Veera Pazhassi Raja, a descendent of Kottayam Royal family.

Pazhassi Raja organized guerilla warfare against the British around the year of 1800 AD and he is remembered for his bravery. Pulpally Cave near by is the place where the Pazhassi Raja took refuge until he was captured by the British in 1805. The tomb marks the point where he was cremated after being shot by the British.

Pazhassi museum located nearby has a sword which is believed to have been used by Pazhassi Raja. The location of the tomb offers beautiful views of the surrounding valleys of Wayanad.

Timings: 8 AM to 6 PM. Closed on Monday.

At a distance of 13 km from Mananthavady, 26 km from Kalpetta, 35 km from Irupu Falls & 32 km from Sulthan Bathery, Kuruva Island, also known as Kuruva Dweep, is a protected river delta in Wayanad district of Kerala. Kuruva Dweep is being developed as eco-tourism project and is one of the popular places to visit in Wayanad.

Kuruva Island is a cluster of small islands formed by the delta in the River Kabini and is spread over 950 acres of uninhabited area. These are true natural islands with no other activities. Kuruva Island is densely populated with rich flora and fauna. Rare species of birds, orchids and herbs are the main attraction of the island apart from its breathtaking natural beauty. Several migratory birds are also seen on the island. The main island contains two small fresh water lakes. Other unique features of these islands are the bridges made .....

At a distance of 248 km from Bangalore, 110 km from Mysore, 75 km from Madikeri, 48 km from Virajpet, 32 km from Gonikoppal, 20 km from Nagarhole National Park, 10 km from Kutta & 10 km from Srimangala, Iruppu Falls is a magnificent waterfalls situated in Brahmagiri Hills between Srimangala & Kutta in Coorg district of Karnataka State, bordering the Wayanad district of Kerala. It is one of the best waterfalls in Karnataka and also one of the well-known Coorg tourist places. It can be visited as part of 2 day trip from Bangalore.

Also known as Lakshmana Tirtha Falls locally, Irupu Falls or Iruppu Falls is another popular attraction not to .....