Wayanad is a quaint hill station, devoid of the crowded streets and city life, where one can spend time in solace. Tucked away amid the majestic Western Ghats, the place is a gem of pristine beauty and surreal calmness. Its stunning landscapes, exquisite flora, and picturesque views entice travelers from all over India and abroad. Its varied ecosystem, surrounded by lush greenery and peaks covered by the mist in the air, transforms the place into a natural haven. The vast spice plantations and dense green forests attract nature lovers and wildlife admirers. Echoing with history and culture, the idyllic hill station speaks about a tradition of its own. The ancient caves, holy temples, and the local tribal communities seem to intertwine the tradition and heritage across their meandering trails.

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Adventure enthusiasts will love to explore the hidden natural gems in Wayanad while transporting themselves into the serenity of the place. The gushing sounds of the waterfalls cascading from the top are a treat to the ears. Be the sprawling Chembra Peak or the ethereal Edakkal caves, the hill station seems to attract travelers into its core of wonders and treasures. If you are residing in Kozhikode and wondering how to spend your weekend or a vacation, then you must try out a trip from Kozhikode to Wayanad. It will surely be a memorable journey for you, traversing through the breathtaking natural beauty.

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Kozhikode to Wayanad – Routes

If you have your own vehicle, then it is the best way to start your travel from Kozhikode to Wayanad. You can stop at the locations of your choice and have the liberty and independence to choose your preferred eateries. You can even decide in peace how much time you want to spend in the locations. If you are hiring a cab, best to group up with friends and fellow travelers with the same frequency for a better journey experience. The important thing is to enjoy the beauty of nature throughout the travel and immerse yourself in the mystic landscape as much as possible. Ensure to check the road conditions, traffic, and weather conditions, and to carry proper traveling gear and maps for a hassle-free and smooth journey.

Kozhikode to Wayanad- NH 766 Road

The route via NH766 from Kozhikode to Wayanad is the shortest and most preferred one. There are a few exceptions of hairpins and nearby towns, otherwise the route is fairly smooth with less traffic. If you avoid the Monsoons, then there is no chance of any road closure or delay, and hence a safe option for the journey. Yet it is recommended to check the traffic updates, weather forecasts, and the live maps before starting the journey for safety purposes.

Distance: 85 to 90 kilometers

Stoppages:

1. Lakkidi View Point – You can stop here for 5 to 10 minutes, for a break with some snacks and tea or coffee. Along with it, take a moment to appreciate the scenic beauty around you and feel the freshness of the air. It has a wide lane for parking cars and vehicles, making it a perfect area for a quality halt.
2. Honey Museum – If you have sufficient time to spare, then it is recommended to visit the museum. It is just about a hundred meters away from the Vythiri main highway. You can opt for a tour around the museum for some honey tasting and buy some gifts and souvenirs. There is a ticket counter where you need to purchase tickets – Rs 30 for adults and Rs 20 for children above five years of age. Below that, the ticket is free.
3. The White House restaurant at Engapuzha in Puduppadi – The restaurant is quite famous among travelers. The variety of menus offered, belonging to the Local, Chinese, and Indian cuisines, is truly marvellous. Its specialty dishes are rice and meat platters.
4. Wilton restaurant in Lakkidi – The restaurant is particularly known for its South Indian dishes and foods from the Continental cuisine. It is about a distance of 600 meters from the Lakkidi viewpoint. You can park your car or vehicle on the roadside near the restaurant and enjoy the food.
5. India Gate restaurant in Vythiri – If you want to try out some North Indian dishes during your trip from Kozhikode to Wayanad, then you must try out some delectable dishes at the India Gate restaurant. The ambiance in the restaurant is truly soothing and relaxing. The staff are courteous and extremely helpful. They will assist you in selecting the proper dishes as per your taste and choice. Do try out their Biryani, its one of the awesome dishes among the menus they have.

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Kozhikode to Wayanad- Via SH54

This route is an alternative one if the earlier route has any issues. From a traffic point of view, both are similar, but the time and distance are comparatively greater in this route. Hence, not the first recommended route from Kozhikode to Wayanad. Having said this, it is advised to check out the traffic situation, weather forecast, and follow the live map while starting the journey via SH54.

Distance: 109 kilometers

Time taken: 3 hours and 20 minutes

Stoppages:

1. Janaki Forest – The forest reserve is a quaint place to stop and spend a few moments. It is a perfect place for nature admirers. You can sit and relax beside the banks of the river Kuttiady, click some photos, and even go for a dip or swim.

   

2. Pakranthalam Churam View Point – There are two options to explore at this viewpoint. You can either stop here to enjoy the natural beauty, essentially a dense forest with plenty of trees and exquisite flora and fauna. The other option is to go for a trek, which will require a proper fitness level and time to spend during the journey. You will experience the beauty of the forest, the greenery of the hills, the meandering trails, and the shimmering streams.
3. The Srank restaurant in Ulliyeri – The restaurant has an eco-friendly ambiance with the design based on a bamboo structure. The unique architecture of the place attracts many travelers, along with its calm ambiance and delicious food menu.
4. Taj Family restaurant in Thondernad – The restaurant specializes in serving dishes from the Malabar cuisine. Its landmark dishes are “Aattin Thala” and “Pothum Kaal”.
5. Uppum Mulakum restaurant in Korome – If you want to relax in a cozy environment and soak in the beauty of nature, then stop at this restaurant. Sit and relax, and enjoy its sumptuous menu from various cuisines

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Kozhikode to Wayanad- Via Train, Bus, and Flight

You can opt to board a train for traveling from Kozhikode to Wayanad, but it is not economical as Wayanad doesn’t have a dedicated railway station. You have to reach Kozhikode railway station only and hire a cab to travel. It is the same for flight, there is no airport in Wayanad. The other option is to travel by bus. The state government bus KSRTC operates many non-AC buses and some AC buses too. You can book the tickets on the website and then board one of the buses for the journey.

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The Prominent Sightseeing Spots at Wayanad

Once you reach Wayanad, you must explore the prominent sightseeing spots in the place.

1. Meenmutty Falls – The famous destination for tourists. The fall is three-tiered, as it cascades and gushes from a height of about 950 feet, splashing across the rocks. At the bottom, the water accumulates to form a pool where you can swim and take a dip to refresh yourself. To reach each of the tiers of the waterfall, you can walk up and down the steps adjacent to the waterfall.

• Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM daily
• Fees: Rs 30 for adults and Rs 15 for children. You need to pay extra for the camera.

2. Banasura Dam – Said to be the biggest earthen dam in India. It is located at the banks of the river Kabini at the base of the Bansura Hills, and is made of mainly rocks and stones. The dam is one of the happening sightseeing spots in Wayanad, quite popular among tourists.

• . Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM daily
• Fees: Rs 40 for adults and Rs 20 for children.

3. Pookode Lake – Known to be a very scenic spot in Wayanad, frequented by many travelers all throughout the year. Nestled amid the majestic Western Ghats, the lake isa stunning place to spend time. The entire area is filled with different kinds of plants and trees. There is a forest nearby where you can spend time amid the numerous species of animals and birds. You can go boating, visit the park, the aquarium, a gift and handicraft shop, and appreciate the lotus and water lilies blooming in large numbers in the lake.

• . Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM daily
• Fees: none

4. En Ooru village – The best way to learn about the tribal culture and survival habitat of the local tribes is to visit the En Ooru tribal heritage village. You will love to find yourself amid their unique culture and traditions.

• . Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM daily
• Fees: Rs 50 for adults and Rs 20 for children.

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5. Lakkidi ViewPoint – An exclusive place to spend time in peace and calmness. You can feel the essence of nature in every moment. The hills, plateaus, the valleys, the plains, and the streams seem to open up in front of your eyes.

• . Timings: 5 AM to 7 PM daily
• Fees: none

6. Edakkal Caves – If you are a history buff, the caves will surely attract you, as they seem to date back to 6000 BCE to 1000 BCE. It is believed that Luv and Kush, sons of Lord Rama from the epic Ramayana in the Hindu mythology, had constructed the caves.

• . Timings: 9 AM to 4 PM, except on Mondays and Public holidays
• Fees: Rs 50 per person

7. Phantom Rock – Also known as Cheengeru Mala in the local language, it has earned its name from its shape that represents a skull. The place is famous among the trekkers and hikers. It is situated at a height of about 2600 meters above the ground level.

• . Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM daily
• Fees: None

8. Neelimala Viewpoint – The viewpoint is one of the most popular locations in Wayanad, where you can witness the breathtaking splendor of the valleys and hills. You can view the magnificent Meenmutty waterfalls from this place.

• . Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM daily
• Fees: None, but the jeep ride costs Rs 500

9. Kurumbalakotta – It is essentially a rocky hill, perched at a height of about 3220 feet above sea level. The view is breathtaking, with the area encompassed by the lush greenery of the mountains and valleys. It is also a preferred spot for hikers

. Timings: 5 PM to 8 PM daily
Fees: None
10. Kuruva Island – For nature lovers and photographers, Kuruva Island is the ideal destination where you can capture some stunning photos of nature along with its beautiful flora and fauna. For bird watchers, it is an ideal destination since many local and migratory birds fly in the island. You can find many species of animals and birds.

• . Timings: 9 AM to 3:30 PM
• Fees: Rs 110 for entry, and there are additional charges for the camera and parking

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Prominent eateries in Wayanad

1. Mathai’s Restocafe
2. Jubilee restaurant
3. The Bungalow restaurant
4. 1980’s a nostalgic restaurant
5. Beycho Wayanad Restaurant & Cafe
6. FoodBae Restaurant
7. The Coffee Grove restaurant and resorts
8. Udupi restaurant
9. Olan restaurant
10. WMO Qatar Bakery & Restaurant

Popular hotels and resorts in Wayanad

1. Vythiri Village Resort:
2. Taj Wayanad Resort & Spa, Kerala
3. The Windflower Resort & Spa Vythiri
4. Wayanad Wild, CGH Earth
5. Morickap Resort
6. Wayanad Silverwoods Resort
7. Crystal Kuruva Nature Resort & Spa
8. Vythiri Mist Resort
9. GReaT Trails Wayanad by GRT Hotels
10. Kuruva Island Resort and Spa

Best Time for a trip from Kozhikode to Wayanad

November through February is the best time of year to visit Wayanad because of the pleasant and comfortable weather. The weather is perfect for a car journey while enjoying the beauty of nature outside. If you prefer fewer crowds, then opt for the months between October and March. However, the monsoon season, which lasts from June to September, is not the best because of landslides and road blockages, which will hamper the journey to a great extent. The majority of the tourist attractions in Wayanad remain closed because of the rains. Nevertheless, the monsoon season is your best option if you want to see waterfalls because that’s when they are most powerful in their strongest, and you will love to feel the gushing water sounds.