Luxury Wayanad Tours
Kerala's high plateau in the Western Ghats, with a forested wildlife sanctuary, ancient rock carvings at Edakkal and cool air above the coast.
Plan My Wayanad Trip
Overview
Wayanad At A Glance
Wayanad sits high in the Western Ghats, on the southern edge of the Deccan Plateau. A luxury Wayanad tour is a change of pace from the coast. Elevations here run from roughly 700 to 2,100 metres, and the air is cooler than on the plains. The district is the only plateau in Kerala. Much of the region forms part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary covers about 344 square kilometres. It joins protected forest in neighbouring Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, including Nagarhole, Bandipur and Mudumalai. That is why the landscape feels so continuous. At Edakkal, on Ambukutty Mala near Sultan Bathery, a rock shelter holds carvings from the Neolithic period. Some estimates place the oldest of them thousands of years back. Banasura Sagar is a large earth dam, and its reservoir lies among the hills. Your private guide shapes each day around your pace and the season. Then the rhythm stays easy. Green slopes, forest edges, time to sit and look. Stays here are quiet, so plan for slow evenings. Your driver handles the long ghat roads up from the coast, so you can simply watch the hills come closer.
- Best Time
- October to March. The hills are green after the monsoon and the days are generally cooler.
- Getting There
- Kozhikode (Calicut) airport is the usual gateway, roughly three hours by road to Kalpetta. Kannur International Airport is another option.
- Where To Stay
- Taj Wayanad Resort & Spa, Kerala, Vythiri Village Resort, Wayanad
- Continue To
- Alleppey, Kochi, Kovalam
- Coordinates
- 11.63° N, 76.09° E
What To See
What To See In Wayanad
Wayanad's real highlights are what a private guide builds each day around.
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
A 344-square-kilometre forest that joins the Nagarhole and Bandipur reserves across the state line.
Chembra Peak
Wayanad's highest hill at about 2,100 metres, with a small heart-shaped lake on the climb.
Banasura Sagar Dam
The largest earthen dam in India, its reservoir flooding the low hills into a scatter of islands.
Wayanad Jeep Safari
A forest-department jeep run through Muthanga or Tholpetty for elephant, gaur and deer.
Bamboo Rafting at Kuruva Island
A bamboo raft across the Kabini channels onto Kuruva, an uninhabited river island of evergreen forest.
How To Travel
Journeys Through Wayanad
Every journey comes with a private guide and driver for each day on the road. Full details live on each journey's own page.
Where To Stay
Where To Stay In Wayanad
Stays are chosen for the setting and the service, then matched to the pace of your route.
Taj Wayanad Resort & Spa, Kerala
★★★★★
Taj Wayanad opened in 2023 on a small rise above Banasura Lake, near Padinjarathara. It has 270-degree views of the Banasura hills and the water, and it was built to sit lightly on ten acres of hillside. There are sixty-one keys. Forty-three are waterfront cottages stepped down the slope; five are pool villas with plunge pools. The materials and the roof lines borrow from the building tradition of northern Kerala. Wellness is the running theme. The J Wellness Circle spa leads with Ayurveda, and the layout keeps quiet corners and forest edges close to every room. Dining is two restaurants and two bars, with a south-Indian room and a poolside grill. The resort is a two-hour drive from Kozhikode and its airport.
Vythiri Village Resort, Wayanad
★★★★
Vythiri Village sits in thirty acres of rainforest near Vythiri town, at about 2,600 feet. A mountain stream runs through the grounds and more than 150 bird species have been recorded here. Rooms range from garden rooms up to cottages in traditional Kerala style and pool villas with an eight-metre infinity pool. The forest is dense enough that the villas feel well separated. The resort runs an activity list most days: a canopy zip-line, a rope bridge sixty feet up, guided nature walks, cycling, archery and a fish spa. The Nawa spa handles Ayurveda. It markets itself as five-star. We seed it as the premium tier for Wayanad, the value option against Taj Wayanad, and it earns that on setting alone.
16
years crafting private India journeys
30,000+
travellers guided end to end
4.5
from 15 reviews on Trustpilot
Ministry of Tourism
NIDHI Certified Tour Operator
Rajasthan Tourism
Recognized Travel Agency
Travel for LiFE
Sustainable Tourism Pledge
Google Reviews★★★★★
Verified business reviews
Frequently Asked
Questions About Wayanad
How many days do you need in Wayanad?
Three nights suit Wayanad. The hills are spread out and the roads wind, so each outing takes time. That leaves room for the Edakkal rock carvings, a day near the forest, and a slow day at your stay. Shorter trips feel rushed. Your guide can build the route around your pace.
What should I know before visiting Wayanad?
Bring a light jacket, sturdy shoes and rain protection, as the hills can turn wet quickly. Roads are winding, so carry motion-sickness tablets if you need them. Dress modestly at any temple. Access to individual sites can change with the weather and local orders, so your guide will confirm the plan close to your travel dates.
When is the best time of day to visit the Edakkal rock carvings?
Morning is usually the most comfortable. The light is clearer and the day is cooler, which helps if the approach involves steps or a climb. Timings and access can change, so check current timings with your guide. Wear shoes with good grip, and avoid touching the carved surfaces.
Is Wayanad cold?
It is cooler than the coast, because much of the district sits several hundred metres up. Evenings can feel fresh, especially from late autumn into winter. Bring one warm layer. Conditions vary by altitude and season, so your guide can suggest what to pack closer to your dates.
Are your tours in Wayanad private?
Yes. Every journey is private. You travel with your own guide and driver, and the pace is yours to set.
What is the best time to visit Wayanad?
October to March. The hills are green after the monsoon and the days are generally cooler.
How do I get to Wayanad?
Kozhikode (Calicut) airport is the usual gateway, roughly three hours by road to Kalpetta. Kannur International Airport is another option.
Can I combine Wayanad with other cities?
Yes. We can join Wayanad to other cities in Kerala in a single route, with transfers and stays planned around it.
Can you arrange hotels in Wayanad?
Yes. Stays are part of every journey. We match them to your budget and to the pace of your route.
How do I plan a trip to Wayanad?
Share your dates and who is travelling using the form on this page. A specialist replies with a private route for you to review.
Kashmir to Kanyakumari
Get In Touch
Start Planning Your Wayanad Journey
Tell us a little about who's coming and when. A private itinerary comes back built around your answer.