When I visited Kerala for the first time; I was so enraptured by its environs that I decided to be back to experience the gigantic mountain ranges, the lush greenery of the tea plantations, the pure aroma of coffee that ignite your senses and of course the misty mornings. To make it an offbeat experience I chose Wayanad and it was an affair I would treasure for the rest of my life for it left me speechless not just because of the spectacular views it offered wherever I went but also because of the people whose sense of hospitality made it even more worthwhile.

Wayanad is a district in north-east Kerala and its glory lies in the precipitous topography of the Western Ghats. Wayanad shares its borders with both neighboring states of Kerala; Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Wayanad is mostly covered with dense forests and plantations of tea, coffee, clove, pepper etc. The major tourist attractions include Lakkidi which recieves second highest rainfall in the world (first being Mawsynram in Meghalaya), Pookot Lake, Chembra Peak, Banasura Sagar Dam, Edakkal Caves, Vythiri for its tree house accommodations, Meenmutthy waterfall etc. Chembra peak is the highest peak in Wayanad and it is 6900 feet above sea level. For trekking, one needs to take permission from the forest office of Meppady (a small village in Wayanad); the office issues a pass along with a guide.

On your way up you get some out of the world views. Half way up (almost two-hour long trek) is a heart shaped lake also known as love lake or ‘hridaya saras’ and it is said to have never dried up. The trekking ends here. The pinnacle was still an hour away but it was not permitted to trek further. The guide said that the trekking sometimes remain closed due to forest fire in the area.

The Banasura Sagar Dam is located 1400 meters from its entry gate and one can either walk the distance or take vehicle for a minimum charge provided by their management. You can do boating or simply laze around in the garden surrounding the dam.

You can opt to stay in Kerala’s famous home-stays, plantation resorts, cozy hotels or luxurious yet nature friendly tree houses; Wayanad accommodates all. Since Wayanad is in close proximity to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, it is becoming a popular weekend destination for tourists from both these states and also attracting travel enthusiasts from around the world. This place is perfect for someone who is looking for a quaint corner to sleep in the lap of nature and to wake up to the chirping of birds feeling rejuvenated. 

So pack your bags and get going and I am sure this place will welcome you with its arms wide open