WELCOME TO WAYANAD

Wayanad is an exotic Tourist Destination in South India Very close to Mysore and Cochin. Wild Life, Hills, Plantation Areas, Waterfalls, Lakes etc are the main attractions of Wayanad. There are many Historical monuments including the Well Known Edakkal Cave Writings. Some of the ancient Mosques and Churches are also located in Wayanad.For nature lovers and trekkers there are such exciting places to visit and relish in Wayanad. Wayanad can aptly be termed as a paradise for nature lovers and photographers and multicultural tourists. Whether your choice of tourist place is marvelous temples or cascading waterfalls or scenic landscapes or enthralling trekking points, Wayanad does justice to gratify your yearnings. Upavan’s Wayanad trip package includes all the above mentioned places. There are umpteen tourist places in Wayanad to be relished and enjoyed by multi cultural tourists. Remember to include all the famous spots mentioned in your Wayanad trip itinerary. Trekkers and nature lovers visiting Wayanad should be prepared for an enthralling and exciting touring experience. Wayanad is the pride of Kerala and India and a must see for every Indian and international tourist who immensely appreciate nature’s beauty.

                       PILGRIM CENTRES IN WAYANAD                       

MANIKAVU TEMPLE

Manikavu Temple Wayanad is a must visit for Hindu tourists who visit Kerala. Manikavu temple Wayanad is situated near Sulthan Bathery. The principle deity of the temple is lord Shiva. In Sanskrit, an Indian language, Shiva means “Auspicious one”. Lord Shiva is the Destroyer or transformer of the Trimurti. Lord Shiva is seen as the Supreme Being in Shaiva tradition of Hinduism. Lord Shiva is regarded as one of five principal forms of god In Smarta tradition. Generally Hindus who worship Lord Shiva are called Shaivites or Shaivas.Manikavu Temple Wayanad is located at Meenangadi, near Choothupara. The Shivling, seen here is Swayambhoo and the speciality is that water is poured continuously over Shivling through a stream. The amount of water remains the same even in rainy season.Manikavu temple holds excellent carvings and architecture. The inner of the temple is very pleasant and beautiful. The ambience that prevails inside the temple is calm and serene. All tourists are allowed to visit the temple. Remember to carry coconut, banana fruit, and flowers for give as offerings for the Lord. Manikavu temple Wayanad is one of the famous Wayanad tourist spots for Kerala and multi cultural tourists.

THIRUNELLY TEMPLE

Thirunelli is wellknown for the ancient temple located on the side of Brahmagiri hill in Wayanad and dedicated to Lord Vishnu. According to legend, Lord Brahma was attracted by the beauty of the area around the Brahmagiri Hill. Descending upon the spot, Brahma noticed an idol of Lord Vishnu on an Amla tree and installed the idol there. At Brahma's request Vishnu promised that the waters of the area would have the power to wash away all sins. The river near the temple is called Papanasini, which means the cleansing of sins. Thirunelli temple is the holy emotion of Wayanad. It is also known as Amalaka temple, Northern Kasi and Southern Gaya. Each day, many pilgrim's reach the spot seeking deliverance and for 'balitharpanam' here. Thirunelli temple situates 31 km distance from Mananthavady, in the lap of Brahmagiri hills in the Karnataka border, adjacent to Kodagu mountains. In Mysore road turn left of Kattikulam, Thettu road junction, the route to Thirunelli begins there.The temple is believed to be 1500 years old. Mainly importance is being given to four occasions like Karkadakavavu, Thulavavu, Kumbhavavu and Vaisakavavu in Thirunelli temple.

 VALLIYOORKAVU BHAGAVATHY TEMPLE

Valliyoorkavu Bhagavathy Temple is dedicated to goddess Durga who resides here in three forms - VanaDurga, Bhadrakali and JalaDurga. This is the most important place of worship for tribal communities. An annual festival of 15 days is conducted at Valliyoorkavu Bhagavathi Temple during the period February and March and this is the biggest festival in the entire Wayanad district. Tourists can see various rituals of these temples during this festival time.

SEETHA LAVA KUSHA TEMPLE

Seetha Lava Kusha temple Wayanad is a very famous Hindu temple located at pulpally in Wayanad. This temple is situated adjacent to Sulthan Bathery. Temple is a place dedicated to celestial worship. The Seetha Lava Kusha Temple Wayanad has a distinctive position among the Kerala temples. Seetha Lava Kusha Temple Wayanad is surrounded by abundant green grasses.Seetha Lava Kusha Temple, dedicated to Goddess Seetha serves as a unique evidence of the dedicated faith prevailing in the pure mind. Seetha Lava Kusha Temple is visited by thousands of devotees every day. Seetha Lava Kusha Temple was constructed by Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja who was a great warrior of his period. The pond in this temple is the largest in Kerala.There is an interesting news about this temple that Tippu Sulthan of Mysore planned to demolish this temple. Using her supreme power, Goddess Seetha created darkness in noon and made Tippu sultan to retreat without demolishing the temple. One strange thing about this temple is that leeches that are very common in most areas of Wayanad cannot be seen in these temple surroundings. Lots of ant hills are seen in this temple. Seetha Lava Kusha Temple is an interesting tourist spot and is a must see for Wayanad tourists.

PULIYARMALA JAIN TEMPLE

The Puliyarmala Jain Temple is situated in Kalpetta and is dedicated to Ananthanatha Swami. This temple is just 6 km away from the main town of Kalpetta and is popularly known as Tipu Fort. It was the same place where Tipu Sultan used to store ammunition. This temple was shifted from Kalpetta to Puliyarmala in 1931 by Mandappa Gowder.The temple architecture is influenced by the traditional Dravidian style with beautiful carvings on the entrance doors. It is mainly a 13th century temple that features a raised platform made of granite and carved square pillars that hold the stone slab roof.

THRISSILERY SHIVA TEMPLE

Thrissilery Shiva Temple Wayanad is one of the famous shrines in Kerala. This temple is built in an excellent manner and involves fabulous architecture. Lord Shiva is a Hindu deity worshipped very ardently by Indians and Hindus around the world. Thrissilery Shiva Temple is situated at Thrissilery which is place neighboring to Sulthan Bathery. Wayanad Tourists should visit this Shiva temple and enjoy the excellent architecture and serenity of this temple.The principal deity of this Temple is Lord Shiva. There is an interesting fact about this Thrissilery Shiva Temple Wayanad. Devotees of this temple sternly believe that paying one’s contributions to Thrissilery Shiva Temple Wayanad is comparable to completing the ancestral rites at the Vishnu Temple in Thirunelli. Nearby this temple is another famous temple called Jala Durga temple installed by the mythological creator of Kerala by name Parashuram.

VARAMBETTA MOSQUE

Varambetta Mosque is considered to be the oldest mosque in the district of Wayanad. This mosque is located at about 15 km from the town of Kalpetta and is considered to be over 300 years old. This mosque is also situated close to Maithani Palli and Juma Masjid that are prominent Muslim religious centres in Wayanad.Apart from Muslims all other tourists visiting Wayanad should also visit this mosque. This mosque is a tourist attraction open to all tourists without any restrictions. In Varambetta mosque the annual festival is celebrated grandly on the month of March. If you trip to Wayanad at this time of the year remember to visit the mosque without fail since it will be a treat to your eyes. Inner portion of the mosque is calm and serene and is ideal for delivering prayers and meditating. Let us enjoy the beauty of this excellent mosque without any religious restrictions. Varambetta mosque is one of the significant tourist spot included in the sightseeing itinerary arranged by Upavan.

PALLIKKUNNU CHURCH

Pallikkunnu Church is a famous pilgrim centre of Wayanad. This Latin Catholic church dedicated to Lourdes mother was built by a French priest Fr. Jefraine in 1905 at Meenangadi, about 19 km from Kalpetta.The major festival of the church falls in the month of February. Another peculiarity of the church is that several rituals and practices of the church resemble that of Hindu temples.The church has a romantic green surrounding and the calmness and serenity of the surroundings coupled with its peculiar architecture adds to its charm.

GLASS TEMPLE KOOTTAMUNDU

One of the must visit for Wayanad Kalpetta tourists is Glass temple Koottamundu. This is a traditional Jain temple built attractively. The Glass temple Koottamundu is on the hill side of Vellarimala. Vellarimala is a part of the magnificent Western Ghats. Vellarimala is a high hill range of Camel's Hump Mountains. The majority of Vellarimala hill ranges falls in the Meppady Forest Range. Meppady forest range is of South Wayanad Kalpetta. The main attraction of this place is adventure trekking.This Glass Temple Koottamundu is a Jain temple built to honor the Jain saint, Parshawanatha Swami. Parshawanatha swami is one among the most popular Jain saints. The specialty of the Glass temple is the thousands of mirrors placed on the inner wall of the temple. These glass mirrors reflect the idols placed in the main hall of the temple. The view of idols in the mirrors is splendid. This fabulous piece of architecture attracts many tourists.

                           PLACES TO VISIT IN WAYANAD                       

THAMARASSERY CHURAM

Thamarassery Churam /Wayanad Churam  is the gateway to picturesque  Wayanad district. (header of this blog is a snap of WAYANAD CHURAM) This pass connects Wayanad to Kozhickode district. as wayanad this pass also is picture perfect. There are nine hairpin bends in this 14 km long pass. This great pass is known for it's beauty and dangerous hairpins . This is the main entrance in four or five passes to Wayanad. It starts from Adivaram,a small town in Kozhikode district. The nine hairpin bends are very amazing. The view from the top to the bottom of the pass will give you a small picture of how the vehicles are moving,slowly through the misty mighty and greatest of all ghats in south india.  in the picture you can see the night traffic of wayanad mountain pass.A walk through this mountain pass itself is enough to make you recharged . You can see the monkeys all the way through. In some occasions, some monkeys even get into the vehicles and will take away the visitors bags and suits. feeding them is illegal and try not to do so.

BANASURA SAGAR DAM

Banasura Sagar Dam is approximately 21 km towards the north west of Kalpetta. It is considered to be the largest earth dam in India and the second largest in Asia. The dam extends to a wide area with crystal clear waters. Undisturbed and engulfed amidst the hills, Bansura Sagar Dam is an absolute beauty.It is an ideal place for picnic as it is surrounded by the bounty of nature and the low sound of the clear water gives a feeling of freshness. In fact, when the dam is full, the landscape portrays a picture of upstream formation of the dam and is a mesmerizing sight to visitors. Boating and other water recreational activities are available at the dam.

CHEMBRA PEAK

The hills, rocks and valleys which contribute to the very unique character of Wayanad provide a lot for adventure tourism. Trekking to the Chembra peak is a risky mountaineering endeavour. Chembra peak, the highest hill in Wayanad, is near Meppady town. Trekking to the top of this peak takes almost a day. Tourists can also stay one or two days at the top of the peak in temporary camps. District Tourism Promotion Council provides guides, sleeping bags, canvases, huts and trekking implements on hire. The scenic beauty of Wayanad, which is visible from the top of Chambra, is very exhilerating.Chembra peak is neighboring to the Nilgiri Hills and Vellarimala. From Meppady, Chembra peak can be accessed by walk. Upavan arranges the trekking equipments and other requirements for our guests to access Chembra peak comfortably. Generally, permission from Meppady forest office is essential for carrying out trekking activity to Chembra peak. On the way to the top of Chembra peak, there is a heart shaped lake. This heart shaped lake is a popular tourist attraction for Chembra peak. There is a myth in these areas that this lake has never dried up. At five kilometer distance from Meppadi town is the tourist spot Erumakolli.

WAYANAD WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is made up of two discontinuous pockets – Muthanga and Tholpetty. While Muthanga is situated to the south of Wayanad, about 18 km from Sulthan Bathery, Tholpetty is located towards the north of the district adjacent to Thirunelli. Both these pockets together cover an area of 344.44 sq km and are known for their rugged wild charm. Cocooned in the Nilgiri Biosphere, Muthanga lies adjacent to Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Karnataka and Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu.  It also borders Sulthan Bathery and Kurichiat Ranges within Kerala and is known for its rich biodiversity. Tholpetty also lies adjacent to Nagarhole Range of Karnataka.

EDAKKAL CAVES

A trek up the Ambukuthi hill near Ambalavayal takes you to the neolithic cave site of Edakkal. Etchings found on the walls of these caves have drawn the serious attention of archeologists and historians worldwide.The Edakkal Cave is located about 25km from Kalpetta is a 96ft long, 22ft wide and 30ft high cleft formed by the vertical split of a rocky mountain. The rock wall is etched with carvings depicting human and animal figures and objects of human use. These carvings speak of a highly civilized people of pre-historic age, and have drawn the serious attention of archaeologists and historians worldwide.In 1894 then British Malabar Police superintendent F Foster found out rock tools used in neolithic era, when he was on his way for hunting. He also noticed Edakal caves after having an expedition there. He documented the pictures after having excavations. In 1984, State Archiology departement took over Edakkal caves and proclaimed it as a protected monument. Today it is a hub for many tourists,students and researchers . The hill is 4000 meters above sea level.

SOOCHIPARA WATERFALL

Sentinel Rock falls in Wayanad district, popularly known as Soochipara waterfall has got the plunge and the spray to cool the ambience. Located near Kalpetta in Wayanad, this spectacular waterfall attracts visitors from near and far. The video has for you is the majestic Soochipara waterfall at the peak of its bountiful flow.

POOKOT LAKE

The Pookot Lake is a breathtaking location. The water is clear and the foliage that surrounds it is a beautiful forest. Visitors can enjoy a boat ride against a serene backdrop. An ideal picnic spot, this beautiful lake is the perfect spot to admire mother nature. The area surrounding the lake has an aquarium, children’s park and a small emporium selling handicrafts and spices.

NEELIMALA VIEWPOINT

Neelimala viewpoint is one of the major tourist attractions in the scenic Wayanad. One and half hour journey from Kalpatta you would reach Neelima passing the coffee plantations on both sides of the route Neelimala, adjacent to Vaduvanchal. It is an exceptional venue for trekking and camping and offers lots of exciting trails. From the Neelimala pinnacle you can enjoy an enthralling view of the cascading Meenmutty falls and the gorgeous valley in its forefront. Remember to move carefully since there are pits and slippery rocks.

MEENMUTTY WATER FALL

The waterfalls are at 29 km distance form Kalpetta. It is a three-tiered waterfall with a height of 300 metres.Meenmutty fall, the biggest and magnificent falls in Wayanad is situated at two-kilometre hike through the forest from the Ooty road, in whcih the vehicle would pass only up to one km distance. The rest of the path is needed to be covered by trekking and the path to reach the falls is perilous and tiring. But once you reach the falls you will have great deal of enjoyment in store.

CHETHALAYAM FALLS

About 17 kms into the majestic forest drive towards Pulpally, lies a small off road deviation towards Chethalayam Falls. You need to get a mandatory pass / permission from the Forest Range Office at Chethalayam (is on the roadside & you will not miss it). Try to plan the trip on a Saturday, just to make sure that the office is open and a guide will accompany you. This inconspicuous waterfall is about 4 kilometers  by trek into the woodlands. Mainly of teak, the dense forest looks neatly planned with occasional thorny shrubs. You can drive an off-roader way into the jungle, should you have less time / energy for a trek.

Into the forest, the guide will ask you to park the vehicle on an open area, quite adjacent to a bush land. Less than 10 meters into the bush you will be amazed to see a powerful stream of muddy, red & violent (depends whether there is heavy rainfall inside the jumngle.. which carries silt from the river bed) chunk of water dropping to a deep rocky gorge. The beauty of the falls lie in the absolute camouflage that it renders  to the surroundings. A small trickling sound of water would pretty much mean a small rivulet passing through the plains. Once you get near and transcend to the thick undergrowth, one gets amazed by the rich fauna & a balanced ecosystem of untouched natural splendor. The beauty is not without a fair share of risks. The rocks can get extremely slippery and take extreme care to latch onto some hard outgrowth as you descend deeper into the forest floor.Leeches are a million per square inch! You can literally see thousands of minute ones clogging onto your legs. Either have salt rubbed to your feet, or be extremely quick to manoeuver. Another plan is to use an old footwear and discard it after the experience. Our local guide told us that leech bites are good, it helps you with immune system & purifies the blood. God knows how!Warm summer months would mean that you would be able to spot the occasional elephant en-route. Guides are generally well aware & can direct you out of danger.

PAKSHIPATHALAM

Situated at an altitude of 1740m and accessible only by trekking, Pakshipathalam is home to several species of birds and is an ornithologist's paradise. It is located in the Brahmagiri Hills near Thirunelly. There is a cave here, which according to legend, was used by rishis (saints) for meditation in ancient times, has become a major attraction for tourists.It is a challenging tourist spot for any adventure-seeking tourist. The deep rock caves; formed among the thick blocks of rocks at the northern top end of the Brahmagiri are the abode of various birds and wild beasts. The place is bet knows for the presence of `Edible Nest Swift light' as its nest is made of solidified saliva and is used to make bird's nest soup.

KURUVA ISLAND

The Kuruva islands are a group of three islands located in the middle of one of the tributaries of the east-flowing river Kabani. This 950-acre tract of uninhabited land is rich in flora and fauna. This island is isolated but an array of uncommon species of birds; herbs and orchids are the monarchs of Kuruva Island. It is a must see destination for nature lovers and a popular picnic spot. A perfect destination for those want to have a lazy walk through the shoreline of a river. Its unique geographical characteristics make it a place where not only the leaves but also silence is evergreen being away from cities and thus it has become a place of attraction. Most recently, tourists drawn from all over the globe have identified it as the most visited place in the district. Kuruva comprises of more than 150 small islands and two fresh water ponds.Its group of many islands with a stretch of one hectare to 148 hectares. As many as three hour is needed to cover at least one island. The island surrounded by streams and river can be accessed using rafts or fiber boats run by Kerala Tourism Department. Entrance to the island is restricted and monitored by Vana Samrakshana Samiti, a Dept of Forest of Kerala initiative to protect forest, and at times of heavy rain and frequency of elephants and other animals to the island a pass obtained prior to the visit of spot from Dept of Forest is mandatory. The service of guides is also available. The bridges made of bamboo and rare species of trees make the island unique.

PAZHASSI RAJA TOMB

Pazhassi Tomb is a simple but beautiful tomb built in Mananthavady, Wayanad. Pazhassi tomb is situated 37 kilometers from Sulthan Bathery, 32 kilometers north east from Kalpetta, and just a kilometer away from Mananthavady. Pazhassi tomb is built as a memorial for the Veera Pazhassi Raja. Veera Pazhassi Raja who was famously known as the Lion of Kerala. Pazhassi raja was a key player in the Indian independence revolution against British.Pazhassi Raja, heir of Kottayam royal family, was one among the pioneers in revolt against the East India Company. He carried out guerilla type warfare attacks against British and carried out a long tenure of revolution against British.

There is a cave by name Pulpally cave near Pazhassi tomb. It was in this Pulpally cave that veer Pazhassi raja took refuge till the time British captured him. During the end of 1805, veer Pazhassi raja was killed by British in a ferocious encounter. The point of cremation of Pazhassi raja is where the Pazhassi tomb was constructed as a memorial for him. Nearby Pazhassi tomb is the Pazhassi museum which has a sword that is believed to be from Pazhassi era. Tourists who love to visit places of historical importance should make it a point to visit this place without fail. Multi cultural visitors can also enjoy the beauty of this tomb and visit the museum to know more about the cultural heritage of Kerala.

LAKKIDI

Lakkidi is the gateway of Wayanad district of Kerala state, south India. It gets the second highest degree of rainfall in the world. Lakkidi is one of the highest locations in Wayanad. It is situated 700 m above mean sea level, atop Thamarassery ghat pass. Vythiri is the nearest town, just 5 km from Lakkidi.[1] Chain tree, Pookot Lake, Sight seeing point on ghat road and number of tourist resorts are within 5 km from Lakkidi. It is about 58 km north east of Kozhikode district.The lofty mountain peaks, the gurging (sicsic) stream, luxuriant vegetation and the bird's eye view of the deep valley on the south, with its winding roads, are breath taking. Three km from Lakkidi is the Pookot Lake, the natural fresh water Lake, very wide and deep, one of the rare reservoirs of water in Wayanad. Surrounded on all sides by meadows and hills, it has become a favorite picnic spot.lakkidi has a heavy rainfall with averaging 600 cms to 650 cms annually or beyond . it is one of the richest biodiiversity ghats in western ghats . there are a number of species including - lion tailed macque , rare birds - Indian Shag (Phalacrocorase fuscicollis ). Little Cormorant ( Phalacrocorax niger). Little Green Heron (Ardeola striatus ). Pond Heron ( Ardeola grayii) etc .

CHAIN TREE

This Chain tree is located near Vythiri and is 15 kms from Kalpetta. This is a large Ficus tree bounded by a long chain.Ficus tree is the official tree of Thailand. Under natural conditions this tree will grow upto 98 feet. It has swinging branches, silky leaves and small fruit. This small fruit is a favourite food for many birdsThere is an interesting story behind this Chain tree. It is said that one adivasi youth named Karinthandan helped or guided one British engineer to find the difficult path through the dense forest to Wayanad. But the crooked engineer who wanted to take the full credit of this discovery killed Karinthandan. The angry soul of this adivasi started troubling travelers who used to visit Wayanad. It is said that one priest chained this angry spirit to this tree.To know more about this story you have to visit this fascinating tourists spot. Because of this interesting story this is an attractive location for the tourists who visit Wayanad.

HERITAGE MUSEUM

In a town where you encounter myths, legends and history of humanity at every turn, the Wayanad Heritage Museum brings together the entire story of Wayanad beginning in the Neolithic times to the 17th century under one large roof. Stone weapons, ancient hunting bows and arrows, clay sculptures, farming equipment dating back to different eras can be found in the Museum.There are four blocks in the Museum segregating items quite uniquely. One block displays Veera Kallu translating to Hero stones that are pictorial depictions on rock of wars and tiger hunts lead between 14th to 16th century. A number of them were originally erected on the tombs of the warriors depicted in the edicts. This block is called Veerasmruthi. Gothrasmruthi and Jeevansmruthi blocks tell the story of the tribal life of Wayanad through items like farming equipments, cow bells, hunting traps, jewellery, musical instruments, etc. The fourth block, Devasmruthi, is an anthropological delight showcasing artefacts from the Neolithic times to the 17th century including Neolithic celts, stone idols and a writing stone. Next to the museum is a multi-media theatre that regularly features a 50 minute video on the details of life in Wayanad over the years.

KANTHANPARA WATERFALL

Kanthanpara waterfall is 22 km away from Kalpetta.Surrounded by bamboo forests, the Kanthanparra Waterfall is more noted for the breathtaking beauty of the path leading to it than for the fall itself. At 30m, the fall is relatively smaller than Meenmutty or Sentinel Rock Falls, and perhaps on that account it is less frequented.But its proximity to the main road and the beauty of the surroundings make it a popular picnic spot. The vehicle would reach very near to the falls. The major advantage with Kanthanpara waterfalls is that it is an easy hike away from main road, and even children and trekking novices can reach the waterfalls with minimum effort.

MUNIYARAS

Muniyaras are ancient burial vaults, which throw light on the ancient practices and lifestyle. They are also archaeologists’ and historians’ delight. Archaeologists conducted many excavations at various points around the foot of the Ambukuthi Hill in Wayanad district. They were able to unearth a distinctive series of ancient burial vaults and the remnants of Stone Age tools and pottery found in these cellars are now showcased at Wayanad Heritage Museum.

PHANTOM ROCK

Phantom rock is a skull shaped rock, which has an eerie similarity to the face of Phantom. In the local area it is popularly known as Cheengeri Mala. Those who are adventurous enough can climb to its upper part. The surroundings of this rock have potential scenic locations. The scenic surroundings near the phantom rock make it a potential tourist trekking and camping location. The surroundings have lot of greeneries and rocks.

BOYS TOWN

Boys Town is situated about 15 km from Mananthavady and you can visit a herbal garden, nature care centre, sericulture unit and permaculture centre here. They are run by Wayanad Social Service Society, which was established in 1974 for the development of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Community Health, Co-operative Credit Unions, Women’s Development, Skills Development (vocational) and Housing. The society functions in the villages like Poroor, Cherukattoor, Seethamount and Marakadavu in Wayanad district and works towards the social and economic development of the people there. You can also visit the Gene Park at Boys’ Town, which is an Indo-Danish project for promoting herbal gardening.

URAVU

A Non-profit organization located within Thrikkaipetta village, Uravu works as an economic and social enabler for the tribes that live in the surrounding regions. A unit of the State Bamboo mission, Uravu uses a synergy of indigenous knowledge and modern technology to run a thriving bamboo farm, production and bamboo crafts design centre.

Found in abundance in Wayanad and Uravu, bamboo has long been used by the indigenous tribes to make a number of practical and ornamental items like furniture, bags and handicrafts. Capitalising on a widely available resource, Uravu runs a bamboo processing unit employing the tribal population in addition to a training and design centre. Beneficial on a number of levels to the community and environment, Uravu's bamboo-based economic model has enabled the rural community, particularly women, to regain control over their natural resources and their livelihoods. For visitors the real lure is the shop selling varied bamboo products. You will find here bamboo utensils, CD covers, furniture, bags, masks and other unique handicraft items. You can also catch a glimpse of the people being trained in the nuances of bamboo crafts designing and planting.

REGIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH STATION

Regional Agricultural Research Station for High range zone is located at Ambalavayal Wayanad district. Ambalavayal is located about 25 km east of Kalpetta, the district headquarter. The station was established under Ex Service men Colonisation programme Wayanad, in 1946 by the then Madras Government. It became a part of Department of Agriculture, Government of Kerala in 1956 and was renamed as Central Horticultural Research Station in 1966. It was transferred to kerala Agricultural University in 1972 and elevated as Regional Agricultural Research Station for High Range Zone in 1983.The lead function of the station is to provide research support for agriculture in the High Range zone (Wayanad & Idukki districts and Nelliyampathy area of Palakkad district). Cardamom Research Station, Pampadumpara, Idukki district is a substation of RARS Ambalavayal. Research programmes on crop breeding and management aspects of pepper, ginger, rice, scented rice and cool season vegetables; studies on crop weather relationships, soil fertility management etc are undertaken. Research and infrastructure development programmes are funded by a number of agencies including Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), National Horticulture Mission (NHM), State Horticulture Mission (SHM), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), India Meteorological department (IMD) and Government of Kerala.  At present there are eleven state funded research/development projects and fourteen programmes supported by other agencies.

KOLAGAPPARA

Kolagappara is an elephant shaped rock that dominates the whole of Wayanad landscape. This monolithic rock of about four hundred feet height has a flat place where, about five hundred people can stand at the same time. The sides of the rock resemble an elephant's back can be treacherous. The another facinating view from the top of this rock is the glimmering water level of the Karappuzha dam

KARAPUZHA DAM

One of the biggest Earth Dams in the country, the Karapuzha Dam's reservoir with partially submerged hills & lush green islands is an ideal breeding ground for aquatic birds. The backdrop of the gushing water from the dam against the verdant mountains makes for a picturesque spot. Karapuzha dam is the largest irrigation based dam site is set amidst picturesque surrounding. It is a great place for land scape photography and nature walks. Karapuzha dam in Wayanad. You can see the superb landscape in that place and also it is perfect green and still water. The water body is about 158 feet deep.

KARALAD LAKE

Karalad Lake in Wayanad spreads over 7 acres on the way to Banasura Sagar Dam, with a deviation of 01 Km from the main road. There is option for boating and the place is not very crowded. The destination Can be combined with Banasura Sagar Dam. There are good resorts near Karalad lake such as Wayanad Silver Woods, Banasura Island Retreat, Sharoy Resort, Seagot Banasura, Juggu Island Resort etc.

SUNRISE VALLEY

If one asks which is the must see place while passing through Wayanad, the answer is Sunrise valley. It is most striking viewpoints in Wayanad. From here one can see the Meenmuty waterfalls, then another waterfalls in Attamala. The Chaliyar in which both these falls unite can also be seen. It is situated in Kadassery in Muppainad Panchayath. In Meppadi-Vaduvanchal road go for 4 kms from Kadassery, there is the valley.

BEGUR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Begur wildlife sanctuary is situated 20 Km east of Manathavady in Wayanad district. A trip to Begur wild life sanctuary is an adventurous one. This sanctuary is a home for variety of plants and animals. Its dense forest increases the beauty of this wildlife sanctuary.Begur wildlife sanctuary is a perfect location for nature lovers and animal lovers. Beautiful scenery of this tourist location will be a delight for the camera eyes of photography lovers. Pictures of wild animals will cherish the memories of an adventurous tour to this wildlife sanctuary.Best time to visit this wild life reserve is between the months December and May. Tourists can view various species of animals like elephant, tiger, deer, bear, bison and variety of birds.To reach this wildlife sanctuary nearest railway station is Thalassery which is 80kms from Manathavady. By air nearest airport is Kozhikode International airport.

THOLPETTY WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary is connected to Muthanga and to the Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka, and is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Flanked by towering mountain ranges on all four sides, Tholpetty covers an area of 345 SqKm. The sanctuary's deciduous forest cover, rich in bio-diversity, is home to 900-odd wild elephants, apart from numerous other species of animals. Several species of animals like elephant , bison, spotted deer, tiger, leopard, bear and wild boar are found in this sanctuary , which is just 100 kms from Vythiri.