Relaxing 5-Day Getaway: Wayanad and Ooty

  1. Day 1: Chembra Peak
    1 hour 20 minutes (36 km) from Calicut International Airport

    Enjoy a trek up to the highest peak in Wayanad district, Chembra Peak, which offers stunning views of the heart-shaped Chembra Lake. The trek includes a serene hike through tea plantations, amidst picturesque landscapes and a heart-shaped lake.

  2. Day 2: Banasura Sagar Dam
    2 hours 17 minutes (70 km) from Chembra Peak

    Banasura Sagar Dam is the largest earth dam in India and offers panoramic views of nature’s best landscapes and the Banasura hill range. Hire a pedal boat and paddle your way up the serene lake while admiring the views around you. You can even take an ATV ride around the area

  3. Day 3: Edakkal Caves
    1 hour 50 minutes (45 km) from Banasura Sagar Dam

    Edakkal Caves are natural rock shelters with petroglyphs dating back to the stone age. This attraction is inclusive of a hike up Ambukuthi Hills, an area surrounded by dense forests and exhibits amazing ruins of menhirs, Dolmens and rock-cut caves.

  4. Day 4: Ooty Rose Garden and Botanical Garden
    4 hours 30 minutes (145 km) from Edakkal Caves

    Visit the extensive Rose Garden, with over 20,000 varieties of roses, followed by a walk through the well-maintained Botanical Garden spread over an area of 55 acres. The garden includes plots of ferns, multi-coloured flowers, and includes a Toda Tribal hut with artifacts showcasing their culture and history.

  5. Day 5: Pykara Falls and Boating at Pykara Lake
    30 minutes (11 km) from Ooty Botanical Garden

    The Pykara waterfall is a stunning place for a picnic, the falls cascade down and converge into multiple layers. Head over to the Pykara Lake to get lost in the serene and calm waters on a boat ride.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Chembra Peak Trek (3-6 hours, INR 1,000-2,000)
  • Banasura Sagar Dam Pedal Boating (1 hour, INR 700)
  • Edakkal Caves Hike (2-3 hours, INR 50)
  • Ooty Rose Garden and Botanical Garden (1.5-2 hours, INR 60)
  • Pykara Lake Boat Ride (20-30 minutes, INR 800 per boat)
  • Total Estimated Costs (excl. accommodation and transportation): INR 2,610-3,610

Useful Tips

For those with additional time, consider visiting the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Tea Museum or Needle Dam. If time is tight, consider skipping the Pykara Lake Boat Ride and instead take a smaller visit to Pine Forest, Dolphin's Nose or Avalanche lake.

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