Best Places to Visit in Wayanad District (2025)

Discover the Hidden Wonders of Wayanad Tourist Places

There’s a place tucked away in the lush green hills of Kerala that smells of fresh cardamom, feels like dew underfoot, and looks like a frame right out of a dream—Wayanad. If you’ve been craving cool air, dense forests, tea plantations, misty mountains, and a sprinkle of wilderness, you’re about to fall in love. This is your ultimate guide to the best places to visit in Wayanad District in 2025.

Whether you’re planning a cozy couple’s getaway, a family trip full of adventure, or a weekend escape with your gang, Wayanad tourist places have something for every kind of traveller.

Let’s dive into the heart of Kerala’s most scenic district.

What Makes Wayanad So Irresistible?

I’ve got a soft spot for the hills. Maybe it’s the way the mist dances around the trees or how the roads curl like sleepy snakes through forests that smell like cardamom and dreams. Wayanad? It’s one of those places you don’t just “visit.” You experience it—like an old folk tale you step into.

In this piece, I’m not just giving you a wayanad tourist places list. Nope. I’m handing you a carefully brewed itinerary—spiced with stories, detours, and a little bit of wanderlust.

Ready?

 1. Edakkal Caves – Ancient Whispers in Stone

First things first—these caves are not like the ones you see on postcards. You hike a bit, yes, and it’s not the easiest thing with flip-flops (learned that the hard way), but when you reach inside and spot prehistoric carvings from thousands of years ago? Goosebumps.

It’s more than a cave. It’s like someone left messages on the wall, hoping we’d still find them one day. And here we are.

Perfect for history lovers, accidental philosophers, or curious kids
Best early morning—less crowd, more echo

 2. Meenmutty Waterfalls – The Wild One

Alright. You know how every region has that one waterfall that makes people say, “Whoa”? That’s Meenmutty for Wayanad.

But listen—this isn’t the type where you roll up in a car, snap a selfie, and leave. You gotta earn the view. A mini jungle trek (muddy if it rained) leads you to a roaring, three-tiered beauty that just… doesn’t care about tourists. And that’s exactly why I loved it.

Go if you want raw nature—not manicured lawns
Bring good shoes. Thank me later.

 3. Chembra Peak – Where the Lake Has a Heart

Some treks are just treks. Others feel like personal quests. This one? The latter.

The trail winds up, and it’s not short. You might pant. But halfway through, you see it—the heart-shaped lake. Yes, it’s real. No Photoshop. It’s called Hridaya Saras, and it sits quietly in the middle of green slopes like a secret someone forgot to hide.

Ideal for couples, poets, and people needing perspective
And yes, your Insta will thank you

 4. Pookode Lake – A Gentle Pause 

You ever just sit by a lake and do nothing? Not scroll, not talk. Just exist?

That’s what Pookode Lake gave me. A chance to float (literally and mentally). Surrounded by forest, the place feels like something Studio Ghibli would animate. Pedal boats glide lazily, and there’s a faint scent of wildflowers in the breeze.

Also, great for families. The ducks agree.

Try going around 4 PM—the golden hour hits different
Fun fact: There’s a fish species here found nowhere else

 5. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary – Into the Silence of the Jungle

One early morning, I hopped on a jeep safari in Muthanga. Ten minutes in—bam! Wild elephants. Like… a lot of them. And they weren’t behind fences. They were just living their best life while we stared, humbled.

Spotted deer, peacocks, and a curious mongoose made appearances too. But mostly, it was the silence of the forest that got to me. It was loud in a beautiful way.

Early morning safaris are your best bet
Part of the larger Nilgiri Biosphere, btw!

 6. Banasura Sagar Dam – Big. Calm. Surreal. 

I didn’t expect to like a dam so much. But this one? It looks like it belongs in a fantasy novel.

Green hills roll out behind, small islands float around, and the water—still and shining—reflects a sky that seems a little kinder here. There’s boating, of course, but even just walking around felt oddly grounding.

Come for the breeze, stay for the peace
India’s largest earthen dam. Impressive, right?

 7. Tholpetty Forest – The Quieter Cousin 

If Muthanga is the popular sibling, Tholpetty is the quiet introvert.

Not as touristy. Fewer people. But oh, the vibe. The forest feels more “untouched” here. Safari guides are chill, and sightings are unpredictable, which somehow makes it more exciting.

I saw a peacock dancing in the rain. Nothing major, but it stuck with me.

Go here if you don’t like crowds
Good pitstop if you’re heading toward Coorg

 8. Phantom Rock – Odd, Eerie & Cool AF

The first time someone said “Phantom Rock,” I thought it was a band. Turns out—it’s a skull-shaped boulder hanging out on a cliff like it’s posing for a gothic photoshoot.

The trek’s short, the air is crisp, and the view is… weirdly dramatic.

Quirky, Instagrammable, oddly peaceful
Near Ambalavayal, not too far from Edakkal

 9. Jain Temple in Sulthan Bathery – Quiet Corners of History 

This place doesn’t scream for attention. It just exists—solid stone, intricate carvings, and stories that most tourists miss.

Built centuries ago, the Jain Temple stands as a quiet nod to the cultural layers of Wayanad. I sat there for a while. No rush. Just silence and stone.

Respect the vibe. It’s sacred.
Used by Tipu Sultan as an armoury once. Wild.

 10. Lakkidi View Point – A Glimpse of Forever 

This is your welcome mat if you’re driving into Wayanad. You’ll know it when you stop and the mist eats half your face.

It’s high, breezy, and on some days, feels like a scene from an indie film. No filters needed. Monkeys might try to steal your snacks, though. Beware.

Quick stop but totally worth it
Feels like flying without leaving the ground

Planning Quick Trips? Here’s What I’d Do: 

Here’s your lazy cheat sheet if you’ve got limited time.

• Places to visit in Wayanad in 1 day? Hit up Pookode Lake, Lakkidi, and Edakkal.
• Top 10 places to visit in Wayanad in 2 days? Add Meenmutty, Phantom Rock, and the Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Places to visit in Wayanad with friends? Trek to Chembra, go wild at Meenmutty, and challenge each other to jungle safaris.
• Places to visit in Wayanad for couples? That heart-shaped lake is literally waiting.
• Top 10 places to visit in Wayanad with family? Banasura Dam, Pookode, and Pookode again. Yes, it’s that good.
• Places to visit in Wayanad in 3 days? Everything above. And more.
  

Trust me—the best places to see in Wayanad are more than just spots on a list. They’re memories in the making. Just a little extra info that if you are looking for places to visit in Wayanad with friends to just hangout and chill then you can check the restaurants which are there and our Kerala guide covers it so go check those out.

Final Thought: Go Before Everyone Else Does 

Wayanad is still kind of a secret. Not completely untouched, but not ruined by over-tourism either. Go now, before the big hotel chains arrive and the selfie-sticks take over. 

Let the mist mess up your hair. Let your shoes get muddy. Let Wayanad surprise you. And when you are done with places to visit in Wayanad then you can check out our Munnar Guide to select as your next travel destination.

And when someone asks you later, “So what’s Wayanad like?”

You’ll smile. Because it’s not something you can just explain.

Best Places to Visit in Wayanad