About Wayanad
Rainforest plateau on Kerala's Western Ghats. Expect spice estates, Apatani-style tribal hamlets, and 344 sq km of sanctuary holding leopards, elephants and Indian gaur. Edakkal's 6,000 BCE petroglyphs sit on the same ridge as the last refuge of the endangered Nilgiri tahr.
History
Wayanad's history runs 6,000 years deep — the Edakkal caves hold the only Stone Age petroglyphs in South India, with an etched human figure called the 'Man of Wayanad' that pre-dates the Indus Valley Civilisation. The region was ruled by the Kottayam Rajas, then ceded to Tipu Sultan of Mysore in the 1790s, and finally annexed by the British East India Company after the Third Anglo-Mysore War. It remained the headquarters of freedom fighter Pazhassi Raja — the 'Lion of Kerala' — who led a 13-year guerrilla war against the British until his death in 1805. His tomb at Mananthavady is a state monument. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1973, is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve — India's first UNESCO-recognised biosphere.
Best Time to Visit
October to May
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Plan your visit
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Travel Tips
- Stay at a plantation homestay (Vythiri, Meppadi, Kalpetta) for authentic Kerala hospitality
- Safari bookings at Muthanga/Tholpetty must be made through Kerala Forest Department online — no last-minute tickets
- Edakkal caves close at 4 p.m.; allow 2 hours including the 1 km uphill climb
- Leeches are serious June–August — wear socks and carry salt
Adventure Activities
Famous Food in Wayanad
Trekking Routes
- Chembra Peak — 14 km return, 6 hrs, forest permit required
- Meenmutty Falls — 4 km trek to 300 m cascade
- Pakshipathalam — for birders, 17 km deep forest trek with permit
How to Reach Wayanad
Wayanad is located in Kerala, India at coordinates 11.6854°N, 76.131°E. You can reach Wayanad by air (nearest airport in Kerala), train, or road. Use YatraJunction's free fare calculator to compare live train, bus and flight prices, and to build an AI-powered itinerary tailored to your budget and travel dates.
How to reach Wayanad from major cities
Wayanad from Bengaluru
~267 km by road- Train (Sleeper Class) ₹190 · 5h 25m
- State Bus (Deluxe) ₹500 · 5h 45m
- Train (3AC) ₹525 · 5h 2m
- Outstation Cab (Sedan) ₹3,775 · 5h 7m
Cheapest: Train (Sleeper Class) (₹190) · Fastest: Train (3AC) (5h 2m).
Wayanad from Chennai
~595 km by road- Train (Sleeper Class) ₹365 · 11h 8m
- Train (3AC) ₹950 · 10h 16m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹1,625 · 11h 13m
- Outstation Cab (Sedan) ₹8,030 · 11h 4m
Cheapest: Train (Sleeper Class) (₹365) · Fastest: Train (3AC) (10h 16m).
Wayanad from Hyderabad
~853 km by road- Train (Sleeper Class) ₹500 · 15h 39m
- Train (3AC) ₹1,285 · 14h 24m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹2,300 · 15h 55m
- Outstation Cab (Sedan) ₹11,390 · 15h 46m
Cheapest: Train (Sleeper Class) (₹500) · Fastest: Train (3AC) (14h 24m).
Wayanad from Pune
~998 km by road- Train (Sleeper Class) ₹575 · 18h 10m
- Train (3AC) ₹1,475 · 16h 43m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹2,675 · 18h 32m
- Outstation Cab (Sedan) ₹13,270 · 18h 23m
Cheapest: Train (Sleeper Class) (₹575) · Fastest: Train (3AC) (16h 43m).
Wayanad from Mumbai
~1116 km by road- Train (3AC) ₹1,625 · 18h 36m
- Train (2AC) ₹2,360 · 18h 36m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹2,980 · 20h 41m
- Flight (Economy) ₹6,215 · 4h 7m
Cheapest: Train (3AC) (₹1,625) · Fastest: Flight (Economy) (4h 7m).
Wayanad from Ahmedabad
~1645 km by road- Train (3AC) ₹2,310 · 27h 4m
- Train (2AC) ₹3,350 · 27h 4m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹4,355 · 30h 18m
- Flight (Economy) ₹8,120 · 4h 54m
Cheapest: Train (3AC) (₹2,310) · Fastest: Flight (Economy) (4h 54m).
Fares are indicative estimates based on distance — verify with the operator before booking.
Planning Your Visit to Wayanad
Wayanad lies in Kerala, India, and ranks among the state’s most-visited wild life destinations. The nearest major city and transport gateway is Coimbatore, roughly 117 km away — most travellers route through Coimbatore by air or rail before continuing on to Wayanad. Time your trip for October to May for the most comfortable weather.
Travelling from within India, Coimbatore connects to every metro by daily domestic flights and the railway network, so Wayanad slots easily into a wider Kerala itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best time to visit Wayanad?
- The best time to visit Wayanad is October to May.
- What are the top travel tips for Wayanad?
- Stay at a plantation homestay (Vythiri, Meppadi, Kalpetta) for authentic Kerala hospitality. Safari bookings at Muthanga/Tholpetty must be made through Kerala Forest Department online — no last-minute tickets. Edakkal caves close at 4 p.m.; allow 2 hours including the 1 km uphill climb. Leeches are serious June–August — wear socks and carry salt.
- What food is famous in Wayanad?
- Famous dishes in Wayanad include: Puttu and kadala curry breakfast at Ancient Wayanad Heritage Resort, Malabar biryani at Hotel Haritha, Bamboo rice payasam — unique to Wayanad tribal kitchens, Filter coffee from Wayanad plantation beans at Green Gates.
- What activities can you do in Wayanad?
- Popular activities in Wayanad include: Jeep safari in Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary (5:30 a.m.), Zip-lining at Wayanad Jungle Camp, Kayaking at Pookot Lake, Trek to Chembra Peak (2,100 m) — heart-shaped lake at the top.
- Where is Wayanad located?
- Wayanad is in Kerala, India, at 11.6854° N, 76.1310° E. The nearest major city and transport hub is Coimbatore, about 117 km away.
- What are the best places to visit near Wayanad?
- Top attractions near Wayanad include Ooty (Udhagamandalam) (about 69 km away), Chamundeshwari Temple, Chamundi Hills (about 88 km away), Mysore Palace (about 89 km away) — all easy to combine on a Kerala trip.
- How to reach Wayanad from Bengaluru?
- Wayanad is about 267 km from Bengaluru. Options include Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹190, 5h 25m), State Bus (Deluxe) (~₹500, 5h 45m), Train (3AC) (~₹525, 5h 2m). The cheapest is usually Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹190) and the fastest is Train (3AC) (5h 2m). Fares are indicative — verify with the operator before booking.
- How to reach Wayanad from Chennai?
- Wayanad is about 595 km from Chennai. Options include Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹365, 11h 8m), Train (3AC) (~₹950, 10h 16m), Volvo AC Bus (~₹1,625, 11h 13m). The cheapest is usually Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹365) and the fastest is Train (3AC) (10h 16m). Fares are indicative — verify with the operator before booking.
- How to reach Wayanad from Hyderabad?
- Wayanad is about 853 km from Hyderabad. Options include Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹500, 15h 39m), Train (3AC) (~₹1,285, 14h 24m), Volvo AC Bus (~₹2,300, 15h 55m). The cheapest is usually Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹500) and the fastest is Train (3AC) (14h 24m). Fares are indicative — verify with the operator before booking.
