5-Day Wayanad Itinerary in July 2023

1. Day 1: Edakkal Caves
   1 hour 10 minutes (28.2 miles) from Calicut International Airport

   In the morning, explore the ancient Edakkal Caves, known for their prehistoric wall carvings. In the afternoon, visit the Wayanad Heritage Museum to learn about the region's history and culture. In the evening, take a leisurely stroll through the lush greenery of the Soochipara Waterfalls.

2. Day 2: Banasura Sagar Dam
   1 hour 50 minutes (34.2 miles) from Edakkal Caves

   In the morning, head to the Banasura Sagar Dam, the largest earth dam in India. Take a boat ride and enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. In the afternoon, explore the Banasura Hill, the second highest peak in Wayanad. In the evening, visit the Meenmutty Waterfalls, a picturesque three-tier waterfall.

3. Day 3: Thirunelli Temple
   1 hour 30 minutes (31.5 miles) from Banasura Sagar Dam

   In the morning, visit the Thirunelli Temple, an ancient temple located in the Brahmagiri Hills. In the afternoon, head to the Pakshipathalam Bird Sanctuary, known for its diversity of bird species and wildlife. In the evening, unwind with a relaxing Ayurvedic massage at the Vaidyamadham Ayurvedic Centre.

4. Day 4: Chembra Peak
   2 hours 10 minutes (45.5 miles) from Thirunelli Temple

   In the morning, hike to the top of Chembra Peak, the highest peak in Wayanad, and enjoy the breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys and forests. In the afternoon, visit the Edakkal Caves to see the ancient wall carvings. In the evening, take a leisurely walk through the Pookode Lake, a scenic freshwater lake surrounded by lush greenery.

5. Day 5: Kuruva Island
   1 hour 40 minutes (34.6 miles) from Chembra Peak

   In the morning, take a boat ride to Kuruva Island, a beautiful uninhabited island on the Kabini River. In the afternoon, visit the Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary and spot elephants, tigers, and other wildlife in their natural habitat. In the evening, relax and unwind at the Wayanad Tea Museum, where you can taste different varieties of tea and learn about the tea-making process.

Recommendations

If you have time, consider taking a day trip to the nearby cities of Mysore or Ooty. You can also take a guided trekking tour to explore the hidden treasures of Wayanad, or visit the Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary to see more local wildlife.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Edakkal Caves (2 hours, INR 40)
• Wayanad Heritage Museum (1 hour, INR 20)
• Soochipara Waterfalls (1 hour, INR 50)
• Banasura Sagar Dam (2 hours, INR 60)
• Banasura Hill (2 hours, INR 50)
• Meenmutty Waterfalls (1 hour, INR 30)
• Thirunelli Temple (2 hours, Free)
• Pakshipathalam Bird Sanctuary (2 hours, INR 50)
• Vaidyamadham Ayurvedic Centre (1 hour, INR 1000)
• Chembra Peak (3 hours, INR 300)
• Kuruva Island (3 hours, INR 80)
• Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary (2 hours, INR 50)
• Wayanad Tea Museum (1 hour, INR 100)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 1820