Wayanad, sitting in the heart of the rolling hills of the Western Ghats, is a charming hill station in Kerala. The beautiful place gets its name from the conjunction of two native words; Vaval (paddy field) and Naad (land). So, Wayanad means ‘The Land of Paddy Fields’. It is a popular tourist destination among both Indian and overseas tourists, who come here to enjoy its gorgeous natural vistas.
Chembra Peak
Situated about 2,100 metres above sea level, the gigantic Chembra Peak lies in the southern region of Wayanad near Meppadi. It is counted amongst the tallest peaks in the area and people often try to climb it to test their strength and endurance. The ascent to the Chembra Peak is an invigorating experience and as you go up, the beautiful views of the hills soothe your senses. It takes about a whole day to go up and then come down. For an unforgettable experience, trying camping atop the peak with your family or friends. Before camping out, get in touch with the DTPC (District Tourism Promotion Council) for guidelines and other permissions.
Edakkal Caves
Edakkal Caves are located in the pristine location of Edakkal in Wayanad at a height of about 1,200 metres above sea level. The caves are especially popular amongst history buffs due to certain prehistoric carvings on the walls dating back to around 8000 years. Like the Chembra Peak, one may trek up the mountains here. However, the trek is not suitable for the elderly, kids and people with respiratory or cardiac problems. Spend some time relaxing and introspecting on what life could have been like here thousands of years ago.
Banasura Sagar Dam
Banasura Sagar Dam is another jewel in the crown of the beautiful city. The dam is located in Kalpetta and is the largest dam in India and the second largest in Asia. Situated on Lake Banasura, the dam is a beautiful attraction. It is a family-friendly place and you can easily picnic here against the backdrop of spectacular mountains and watch various colourful birds in flight. During monsoons, many of the areas around Banasura Dam get submerged and this makes the place all the more picturesque. The icing on the cake is that you don’t need tickets to visit this attraction.
