South India · Kerala
Wayanad
Forest, waterfalls and ancient caves in Kerala’s highlands
- Ideal duration
- 2–3 days
- Best season
- October to May
- From Bengaluru
- Approx. 6 hours by road (about 280 km)
- Best for
- Families and nature lovers
About Wayanad
Wayanad is a highland district of Kerala bordering Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Its forests, coffee and spice estates, the prehistoric carvings of Edakkal Caves and waterfalls like Soochipara make it a rewarding nature trip. It is close enough to combine with Kabini or Coorg.
Highlights
- Edakkal Caves
- Pookode and Banasura Sagar lakes
- Waterfalls and estates
- Thirunelli temple
Top attractions
Edakkal Caves
Rock shelters with ancient petroglyphs, reached by a steep climb.
Banasura Sagar
A large earth dam with islands and boating.
Pookode Lake
A forest-fringed lake with pedal boats.
Soochipara Falls
A tiered waterfall reached by a forest path.
Sample itinerary
A suggested outline—we tailor the pace, stays and stops to your group.
Day 1Into the highlands
Drive via Mysuru, check in, evening at Pookode Lake.
Day 2Caves and dams
Edakkal Caves in the morning, Banasura Sagar in the afternoon.
Day 3Falls and return
Soochipara Falls or Thirunelli temple, return to Bengaluru.
Experiences here
Wayanad works well for families and nature lovers. Tap a style to see matching tours from Bengaluru.
Where to stay
We shortlist stays that suit your budget and group. Typical options here:
- Plantation resorts
- Treehouse and forest stays
- Hotels in Kalpetta
Who it suits
- Families— suitable
- Couples— suitable
- Groups & friends— suitable
- Senior travellers— suitable
For senior travellers: Lakes and estates are easy; Edakkal Caves involve a steep climb.
Travel guidance
How to reach
- By road: About 280 km via Mysuru; around 6 hours. Forest roads close to traffic at night.
- By air: Kozhikode and Kannur airports are the nearest.
Weather & season
Pleasant; heavy monsoon rains from June to September.
Best time: October to May
Tips from our planners
- Check local advisories during the monsoon.
- Edakkal has fixed entry timings and a daily visitor limit.
Safety notes
- Heavy monsoon rain can trigger landslides—plans are adjusted to official advisories.
- Follow forest rules on waterfall trails.
Food to try
Puttu and kadala curry · Appam with stew · Wayanad coffee
Distances, travel times and seasons are approximate and can vary with traffic, weather and local rules.
Tours
No ready-made tour yet—we plan Wayanad trips around you.
Share your dates and group size and we’ll send a day-by-day plan.
Plan this tripPlan your Wayanad trip
Tell us your dates. We’ll suggest the best way to do it.
Include who’s travelling—elders, children, a group of friends—and we’ll plan the pace around them.
