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Showing posts with label TOURIST PLACES IN WAYANAD. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TOURIST PLACES IN WAYANAD. Show all posts

Friday, 19 June 2015

TOURISM ATTRACTIONS IN WAYANAD, TOURIST PLACES IN WAYANAD, PLACES TO SEE IN WAYANAD, ATTRACTIONS IN WAYANAD, WAYANAD TOURISM ATTRACTIONS

TOURISM ATTRACTIONS IN WAYANAD 
One of the beautiful places in Kerala is the district of Wayanad. Wayanad has many attractions among which one is Chembra Peak. It is located in the Southern part of Wayanad near Meppadi and is located at a height of 2100 meters. Best time to visit wayanad and the best place for adventurers, this place is one of the tallest peaks in the region and climbing it is a challenge and an exhilarating experience. As one goes higher, one discovers the great expanse of Wayanad. It could take a full day to go up and down the hill.

Another favorite location for trekking is Neelimala which has different trekking routes. It is located in the South eastern part of Wayanad and is accessible from Kalpetta and Sulthan Bathery. On reaching the top, one is mesmerized by the view of the nearby Meenmutty falls and the valley in the foreground.

Meenmutty is a water fall located near Neelimala and is just 2 km away from the main road between Ootty and Wayanad. The falls drops from about 300 meters and has three stages. It is also one of the largest water falls in the district of Wayanad.Another attractive falls in Wayanad is the Chethalayam which is close to Sultan Bathery in the Northern part of Wayanad. This falls is smaller than Meenmutty but is an ideal locale for trekking.

 IMPORTANT TOURSIT PLACES IN WAYANAD

Chembra Peak: The hills, rocks and valleys which contribute to the very unique character of Wayanad provide a lot for adventure tourism. Trekking to the Chembra peak is a risky mountaineering endeavour. Chembra peak, the highest hill in Wayanad, is near Meppady town. Trekking to the top of this peak takes almost a day. Tourists can also stay one or two days at the top of the peak in temporary camps. District Tourism Promotion Council provides guides, sleeping bags, canvases, huts and trekking implements on hire. The scenic beauty of Wayanad, which is visible from the top of Chambra, is very exhilerating.
   
Edakkal Cave: This location of breathtaking beauty is three kilometres from Ambalavayal which is 25 kilometres from Kalpetta. The Edakkal cave in the Ambukuthy mountain, is not a cave in the real sense. As stated in the India Antiquary (Vol.XXX, page - 410) and quoted in the District Gazette, Kozhikode, it is only'a cleft about 96ft. long and 22ft wide in the rock'. It is a fissure made by a corner of rock splitting off from the main body due to some natural causes. The depth of both the cleft and the fissure is 30 ft. What makes it a cave to the ordinary observer is the fact that in the other portion of the large cleft, an enormous rock, weighing several tonnes, has fallen forming a roof over a large part of it. The rock wall contains some interesting carvings, which represent human and animal figures and objects of human use and symbols. These carvings speak of a highly civilized people of pre-historic age and inspires the archaeologists and historians to rewrite the history of Wayanad and Kerala as a whole.
   
Kuruva Island: The Kuruva island, 950 acres of ever green forest on the tributaries of east flowing river Kabani, is an ideal picnic spot, far away from the disturbances of city life. The island is uninhabited. Rare species of birds, orchids and herbs are the sovereigns of this supernal kingdom. It is 17 Kms. east of Mananthavady and 40 kms. north west of Sulthan Bathery.
   
Lakkidi: One of the highest locations in Wayanad, Lakkidi also commands a picturesque scenery. It is about 58 kms. north east of Kozhikode and five kms. south of Vythiri. Lakkidi, the gate way of Wayanad, lies atop Thamarassery, a ghat pass at an elevation of 700 m. above mean sea level.The lofty mountain peaks, the gurging stream, luxuriant vegetation and the bird's eye view of the deep valley on the south, with its winding roads, are breath taking. The 12 kms.long journey from Adivaram to Lakkidi through ghat road with nine hairpin bends amidst thick forests, is a fascinating experience.
   
Muthanga Wild Life Sanctuary: Muthanga, Which is 16 kms. east of Sulthan Bathery, is located very near to the Karnadaka border. Wild forests covering an area of 345 sq.kms form the Muthanga wild life sanctuary; the biggest abode of wild animals in Malabar. Elephant, spotted deer, bison, tiger, cheeta, wild bear, etc. are found in this sanctuary. The forest Department has facilities for providing elephant rides to tourists, here.

Pakshipathalam: Pakshipathalam in the Brahmagiri hills at Thirunelli, is a challenging tourist spot for any adventure seeking tourist. To reach Pakshipathalam seventeen kilometres have to be covered through wild forest. The deep rock caves, formed among the thick blocks of rocks at the northern top end of the Brahmagiri, are the abode of various birds and wild beasts. Special permission has to be obtained from Forest Department to go to Pakshipathalam. District Tourism Promotion Council arranges vehicle, guides, camping equipments, etc. to the tourists, on hire.   

Pazhassi Raja Tomb: Pazhassi Tourist Resort at Mananthavady is a good picnic centre in north Wayanad. There is a good aquarium here. Coin-operated toys for children and boating facilities for tourists are available here. Pazhassi Raja, the Lion of Kerala, who organised guerilla type warfare against British East India Company, was cremated here in 1805.  

Pookot Lake: It is a natural fresh water lake, brimmed with ever green mountains. The weather here is salacious; the scenic beauty, hypnotising and the nature, unspoiled. Pookot lake tourist resort in Vythiri is the most sought after tourist spot of Wayanad. There is an aquarium and a green house here. Boating facilities are also available. Spices and handicraft items are also arranged for sale at Pookot. The lake has an area of 8.5ha. and the maximum water depth is 6.5mtrs. This lake is three kms.south of Vythiri.  

Sentinel Rock Waterfalls: This waterfall is at Vellarimala village near Chooralmala in Meppadi panchayat. It is a picnic spot as well as a trekking centre. The sentinel rock, a rock of more than 200 m.in height, is ideal for rock climbing.

Kanthanpara Waterfalls:
Relatively smaller than Sentinal Rock Waterfall and rather less frequented, Kanthanpara and its surroundings are nonetheless very pleasant. An easy hike away from the main road, it is perfect for picnic

Soochippara Waterfalls: The waterfalls at Soochippara near Meppadi is really a treasure of nature, yet to be discovered. The stretches of waterfalls ranging at places from 100 to 300 feet height is a treat to the eyes. The pool below, provides for water rafting, swimming, bathing,etc. The tree top huts at Soochippara give an unique view of the valleys of the Western Ghats and the glimmering shallow waters of the surrounding springs.

Banasura sagar Dam: This is the largest earth dam in India. The topography here is such that many islands will be formed in the upstream of the dam when the dam is full. These islands with the background of the Banasura hill will provide a hypnotising sight to tourists.

LAKES AND ISLANDS WAYANAD, LAKES IN WAYANAD,POOKODE LAKE, LAKES AND DAMS IN WAYANAD, TOURIST PLACES IN WAYANAD

LAKES AND ISLANDS WAYANAD 
Pookot Lake, nestled in the lap of mountains, is one of the perfect destinations that any nature-tourist longs to visit. It is vast with an area of 8.5 hectares and with a maximum depth of 6.5 metres. Located at three kilometres from Vythiri, Pookot Lake and the verdant greenery of the rolling hills overlooking the lake, offer a view that is so riveting that it reminds you of a beautiful picture postcard.   

It is a natural freshwater lake and the weather here is exciting. The serenity and the romantic elements of the idyllic setting have made it one of the most sought-after destinations in Wayanad.

Facilities
The tourists can avail boating facilities and glide through the placid waters using pedal or rowboats. There is a pathway constructed around the lake and the visitors can walk through the pathway enjoying the dream-like serenity of the lake and the somnolent hills on its brim.

Horses trot on the pathway and the visitors can have a horse ride, if they wish to, along the pathway. The location also offers the facility to shop for curios. You can select from a wide variety of bamboo and wooden artefacts in the curio shop nearby. The tea, coffee and spices produced in the Wayanad Mountains too can be bought from here. The natural honey, collected by the tribals too is available from the shops here.

A children’s park and an aquarium which displays freshwater ornamental fishes are the other attractions in this location. A hatchery for Mahseer fish can also be seen here.

Karalad Lake
Karalad Lake is situated in Thariode, about 16 km from Kalpetta and it is the second largest freshwater lake in Kerala. It is an ideal location for tourists who are looking for quiet and peaceful destinations. The lake is spread over an area of seven acres and a boating through the calm waters here is worth experiencing.

The place is surrounded by dense bamboo groves and gliding on the small boats enjoying the greenery around will be a delight for any nature lover. The surroundings of Karalad Lake offer great opportunity for trekking and if you are an adventure traveller, you can trek to Pallikkunnu Church from here. One of the famous dams in Kerala, Banasura Sagar Dam too is situated within three kilometres from Karalad Lake.

Recent developments
A Karalad tourism centre has been opened on the banks of the lake recently. A facilitation centre, restaurant, dormitories and a heritage village have been set up here.

Kuruva Dweep (Kuruva Island)
Kuruva Island is located about 17 km from Mananthavady and it is formed amidst the tributaries of Kabani River.

Peculiarities
Kerala’s landscape is blessed with about 44 rivers of which about 40 flow westwards towards Arabian Sea. But three rivers flow eastwards towards the neighbouring states Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. One of them , Kabani river, which flows towards Karnataka, has two tributaries in Wayanad district – Panamaram River which originates from Lakkidi and and Mananthavady River originating from Thondaramudi Peak.

These two rivers wind around a wooded forest area, which is known as Kuruva Island. The island is about 950 acres and the rural surroundings and the green canopy houses myriad of birds, butterflies and rare herbs and orchids.  The bamboo canopy of the island is its another important characteristic and if you walk through it to the far end of the island, you will get a glimpse of the confluence of the rivulets. Begur Wildlife Sanctuary is only a few kilometres from here and you can spot plenty of birds, deer and various animals on your way.

The place is a famous picnic spot in Wayanad and the visitors can have a ride on a bamboo raft across the rivulet from Pulpally. It is a very exciting experience to stand on a raft and glide through the waters. At some places, the river is shallow and your boat will have to glide between rocks. A boat ride is also organised by the District Tourism Promotion Council to the island. The abundant greenery with the sylvan surroundings offers you a tranquil atmosphere, far away from the bustling city life.

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