The short answer
Wayanad is a highland district in northern Kerala with coffee and spice plantations, forest and wildlife sanctuaries. It is quieter than Munnar and suits travellers on a second visit or a longer trip. Plan two to three nights and combine it with the Malabar coast or Karnataka.
What is Wayanad like?
Wayanad sits on a plateau in the Western Ghats bordering Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It feels rural, with coffee, pepper and cardamom plantations, paddy fields and forest. Stays are mostly plantation homes and small resorts.
Things to do in Wayanad
Edakkal Caves
Rock shelters with ancient carvings, reached by a steep walk.
Wildlife
Muthanga and Tholpetty are part of the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, where jeep safaris can bring elephant, deer and bison sightings.
Walks and viewpoints
Chembra Peak and plantation walks, with permits and guides arranged locally.
How to fit Wayanad into a trip
Wayanad is a long drive from Kochi, so it works best on a north Kerala route via Kozhikode (Calicut), or combined with Karnataka. It is less suited to a short first trip.
Local tipPair Wayanad with Kannur in the theyyam season for a north Kerala trip few visitors see.
Who Wayanad suits
Wayanad suits travellers who have seen central Kerala before, or who want quieter hills than Munnar. It has coffee, pepper and tea plantations, forest and wildlife, and fewer tour groups. It also links well with Karnataka, so it fits into trips that include Mysore, Coorg or the national parks across the border.
Where to stay
Many of the best places to stay in Wayanad are on plantations or in forest settings, from simple homestays to treehouse rooms and small resorts. Stays are often spread out, so choosing where to stay depends on what you want to do. We match the stay to your plans so you are not driving long distances every day.
Adding Wayanad to a trip
Wayanad is a few hours by road from Kozhikode airport. A common route is Kozhikode, Wayanad and then Mysore or Coorg in Karnataka. Another is to add Wayanad and the theyyam country around Kannur to a central Kerala trip, for a fuller tour of the state.
From our Cochin officeGive Wayanad three nights if you can. Two nights barely allows for a full day of walking and a wildlife drive.
Why plan Wayanad with us
Wayanad has fewer well known hotels than the south, so local knowledge matters. Our Kerala team has planned north Kerala trips for many years and knows which stays are well run, which roads are slow and how the monsoon affects the area.
Our Kerala expert
Based in Cochin
Our Kerala office has been planning trips from Cochin for 20 years. This guide reflects what we tell travellers who call us.
Ready to plan your Kerala trip?
Ask us about a north Kerala route.
Frequently asked questions
Kozhikode (Calicut) and Kannur are the closest airports.
They are different. Munnar is for tea scenery; Wayanad is wilder and quieter, with more forest and wildlife.
October to May is best. The monsoon brings very heavy rain to the area.
They are different. Munnar is famous for tea and closer to central Kerala. Wayanad is quieter, wilder and better for linking with Karnataka.
Two to three nights is right for most travellers.
Heavy rain can affect roads in the hills. We check local conditions before and during your trip.
