Wayanad – The natural expedition

This holiday season was great natural expedition to “Wayanad” – It’s a spiritual and natural expedition in the lap of “the Brahmagiri” hills, and the historical centers of Northern Kerala. Last year during the same time it was great exploration to South India Tour.

Before I start my journey of my experience let me describe in brief what is Wayanad all about…

Wayanad also known as the Mayakshetra (Maya's land) and evolved into Mayanad and finally to Wayanad. It is located in the north-east of Kerala. The Folk etymology of the word says it is a combination of Vayal (paddy field) and Naad (land), making it 'The Land of Paddy Fields'.

We (Family consisting of my mother, sister, BIL & nephew) started our journey on Dec 26^th - cold early morning and eventually hit the road by our car @ 6 AM. On the way had a delicious idli wrapped with Banana leaf at Kamath Upachar on the Bangalore-Mysore road. Wayanad is well connected with number of major roads from the most of the main towns and tourist centres around in and out of the state. Since we had a homestay booked just few kms from Kalpetta, below is the route we followed to reach Kalpetta.

Bangalore -> Mysore -> Nanjangud -> Gundlupet -> Sultan Bathery -> Kalpetta.

Click here for the Google Route Map.

It was a leisure drive from Bangalore to Kalpetta (around 280 kms from Bangalore) and one is tempted to camp a night fire in the picturesque jungle obiviously with the permission of wild animalsJ. We reached Kalpetta around 12.30 pm and had our lunch by 2 pm. The homestay where we stayed was located in the middle of an estate spreaded across in acres of land (cannot recall the exact figures) with trees surrounding with natural beauty. The homestay was terrific and was newly constructed.

Soon after the lunch we took some rest and headed towards the Pookade Lake (15KM from Kalpetta). This perennial freshwater lake in Vythiri nestles among the wooded hills. It is an ideal picnic spot for all types of tourist, especially for family picnics. There you can take a quick walk around the pond, hire a pedal & row boats and go cruising, fresh water aquarium, children’s park, a handicrafts and spices emporium, restaurants are among the tourist attraction. We spent some time taking some beautiful snaps of freshwater lake and mountains and proceeded towards View point. This is located few kms on the Calicut road from Pookade lake towards Calicut. Here you can see the exotic view of steep curves and sharp mountains that is surrounded by the natural green beauty. After this we returned back to the homestay.

The food at our homestay was really delicious as compared with other restaurants outside, so we decided to have dinner at our homestay and the cooks really prepared excellent food for us with immense hospitality.

Basically, we can classify the tourist locations @ Wayanad into 4 ways.

1. Wildlife Sanctuaries
2. Trekking Destinations
3. Piligrimage and Heritage sites
4. Sight Seeing Holiday Spots
5. Waterfalls

Next day after heavy brunch at our homestay we proceeded our journey towards the waterfalls. Now the journey commenced within the Wayanad district with full of Ghat region with steep curves driving two way in a single road. From Kalpetta, after 10 Kms meppadi is a travel base of many waterfalls. On the Calicut – Ooty road between meppadi and Vadandral if you trek a little you can enjoy many waterfalls. The main water falls are

1. Meenmutty
2. Kanthan para
3. Kadachikunnu
4. Soochipara

On Dec 27^th we decided to explore the waterfalls starting with Soochipara waterfalls meaning "Needle-like Rock), the 15-20 minute drive from Meppadi to Soochippara waterfalls offers scenic views of some of the best tea estates in Wayanad. The water cascades from the top of a mountain through three stages to the bottom and is a spectacular & beautiful sight. It is said to have a total drop of about 800 ft and is naturally divided into three stages and only strong-footed (Youngsters especially) are advised to take the trek to the bottom. We reached there at 11.30 Am and there is a entry fee of Rs. 10 per person. We reached at the bottom of the falls and just stayed there for sometime taking some snaps of the beautiful waterfall and returned back without much delay as we had planned the next visit to Meenmutty waterfalls and we have to reach there before the entry get closed at 4pm.

We reached Meenmutty waterfalls around 3.30 pm and is 5 Kms from Vaduvanchal. Meenmutty is supposed to be the most spectacular waterfall I’ve ever seen and most adventurous lifetime treck that I’ve ever experienced. This experience is something you have to experience to know the experience. Water drops from nearly 1000 ft over three stages presenting a triple decker effect.

Once you reach the Meenmutty, there is signboard indicating right to the Meenmutty waterfalls. The roads are not so good enough to drive down the car. The best alternative advice is to hire a jeep which will drop you to the entrance of the waterfalls and charge you Rs.70 for a group of 7 to 8 people.

The entrance fee for the Meenmutty waterfalls is Rs. 300 for a group of 10 people. A guide (forest official) will escort you to reach the waterfalls and will be there along with you till you safely return back. The path to the waterfalls is quiet dangerous and tiresome but the waterfalls is worth it. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Meenmutty waterfalls is a paradise for trekkers. The path till the waterfalls is very small and should be very careful during the trekking. This is one of my lifetime trekking experiences I ever had.

Before I entered the Meenmutty waterfalls, I never ever have had imagined that this will be such a adventurous trek with small steep, sharp curved paths. Slowly and steady taking care of myself so that I should not get slipped on this mud road. It is best to wear trekking shoes to avoid any slippery. Thanks for our guide (John) who was quite patient in guiding us and tolerating our fear of trekking. By the time we reached back to the entrance it was 6 pm and after this trek we completely forgot our next journey as we were very much tired. We drove 5 kms to Vaduvanchal where we located ‘Santosh Mess” and had some snacks and drove back to the homestay.

Next day (On Dec 28th) was the final day of our trip and we decided, it’s enough of the waterfalls and trekking now and let’s explore some Piligrimage and Heritage sites & Sight Seeing Spots. The people at homestay advised us to visit Thirunelli temple (64Km from Kalpetta towards Mysore) and its way back to Bangalore. Also suggested that on the way we can visit Kurva Island.

We had our breakfast and headed towards the Thirunelli Temple – A spiritual journey in the land of Wayanad the land of spicy hills… Thirunelli is a veritable paradise for piligrims. The main legend behind the Thirunelli is that Lord Brahma established the temple. A land bound with historic and hilarious hallmarks. I was thrilled by the pleasant drive from Kalpetta to Thirunelli temple. The road was awesome connecting the wild life sanctuaries driving within the forests (not dense though). I think people who would love to drive and enjoy the nature, I guess Wayanad is the ultimate destination to enjoy this combination of taste. Surrender to the marvelous beauty of natural and divine hill forts of Wayanad. Endowed with copious natural charisma, the portrait of Thiunelli. It is huge mosaic of mountains, serene backwaters, rare and rich wild life. Unfortunately by the time we reached there it was 1 pm and temple main Gharba Dwara was closed.

Then we proceeded towards Kurva Island located few kilometers from Thiunelli temple way back to banglore. This 950 area uninhabited island on the Kabini River is an ideal picnic spot. The wooded stretch of land is home to rare species of birds, orchids and herbs. During monsoon and upto Nov-Dec rafting is possible here and the island is a suitable place for natural picnic and river bath and swim.

Around 3 pm we headed towards Bangalore via Mysore Rajiv Gandhi wild life sanctuary. The roads are awesome and you can enjoy whole of journey driving. Total to and fro it was around 760 Kms drive.

Things I advice to remember during Wayanad Expedition:

1. You need departmental permission and guide service for all major trekkings.
2. The forest department and tourism department are the authorities.
3. Only active youths and adventure tourists are fit for these kind of trekking and falls visits.
4. Patients, senior citizens, school children , ladies – please don’t try.
5. Atleast a total travelling through the coffee, tea, spice estates, through the forests and hi range roads are advised for all type of visitors.

See the real nature…

Feel the real natural experiences…

Wayanad is waiting for you too…

Feel free to write to me for any queries about this trip. Your comments are welcome.