Wayanad is the kind of place that gives every traveller something to remember. Mist rolling over tea gardens in the morning, elephants crossing forest roads, caves with carvings that go back thousands of years, and a heart shaped lake sitting quietly at the top of a trek.If you are looking into Wayanad tour packages from Kozhikode, this guide covers everything you actually need: the best places to visit, ready to use itineraries, what a well planned Wayanad trip should include, and how to pick the right vehicle for your group. This is written from our experience planning and driving these routes since 2016, so you are getting a working guide, not a brochure.
Why Wayanad Is Worth the Trip
Wayanad sits in the Western Ghats, close enough to Kozhikode for a weekend and far enough to feel like a completely different world. The district is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, home to dense forests, tea and coffee plantations, and wildlife that includes elephants, gaur, and a wide range of birds. Unlike coastal Kerala, Wayanad stays cool through most of the year, which makes it a comfortable trip for families with young children, elderly travellers, and large groups alike. According to Kerala Tourism, the district’s name comes from Vayal Nadu, meaning land of paddy fields, a nod to the green valleys that surround its hill towns.
Best Time to Visit Wayanad
Winter, from October to February, is the most reliable season. Skies are clear, temperatures are pleasant, and every major sight is accessible, making it the best window for sightseeing, camping, and trekking.
Summer, from March to May, is warmer but still cooler than the plains. Wildlife sightings at the sanctuaries tend to be better in this season since animals move closer to water sources, though popular spots get crowded.
Monsoon, from June to September, turns Wayanad into a different kind of beautiful, waterfalls at their fullest and hills at their greenest, but some ghat roads and trekking trails, including the route to Chembra Peak, can close temporarily due to landslide risk. If your trip depends on a specific trek or viewpoint, it is worth checking conditions before you fix your dates.
Places to Visit in Wayanad
Chembra Peak
The highest peak in Wayanad and one of the most popular treks in Kerala. The heart shaped lake partway up the trail is the main draw, and permits are required through the forest department, with entry sometimes restricted in the monsoon.
Edakkal Caves
Rock shelters near Ambukuthi Mala with carvings believed to date back to the Neolithic age. It is a short but steep climb, and one of the few sites in South India where prehistoric art is this accessible to visitors.
Banasura Sagar Dam
The largest earthen dam in India, set against the Banasura hill range. Boating here is a relaxed way to spend an afternoon, and the surrounding hills make it one of the more photographed spots in Wayanad.
Soochipara Falls
Also called Sentinel Rock Waterfalls, this three tiered waterfall near Kalpetta has a natural pool that is popular for a swim, along with a short trek through the forest to reach it.
Meenmutty Falls
The largest waterfall in Wayanad, reached through a hike lined with tea plantations. It is quieter than Soochipara and worth the extra effort if you enjoy a longer walk.
Kuruva Island
A river island on the Kabini, accessible seasonally by bamboo raft, known for its birdlife and dense evergreen forest. It closes during heavy monsoon months when water levels rise.
Pookode Lake
A natural freshwater lake surrounded by forest, with boating and a small aquarium. It is an easy, family friendly stop that fits well into any itinerary.
Lakkidi Viewpoint
The gateway to Wayanad from the Kozhikode side, sitting right at the top of the Thamarassery ghat. It offers wide views over the valley and is usually the first proper stop on any Wayanad trip from Kozhikode.
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
Split across the Muthanga and Tholpetty ranges, this sanctuary is part of a larger protected corridor connecting to Nagarhole and Bandipur. Jeep safaris here are the best way to spot elephants, deer, and, with some luck, big cats.
Thirunelli Temple
An ancient temple in the Brahmagiri hills, considered one of the oldest in Kerala, with the Papanasini river flowing close by. It is a good addition for travellers who want a heritage or pilgrimage stop alongside the nature sights.
Karlad Lake
A lesser known lake that offers boating and light adventure activities, a good option if you want a quieter alternative to Pookode.
Sample Wayanad Itineraries from Kozhikode
These are starting points. Every group is different, and our team adjusts the order, pace, and stops based on your dates, group size, and how much walking everyone is comfortable with.
Two Days, One Night
Day 1: Depart Kozhikode early, cross the Thamarassery ghat, stop at Lakkidi viewpoint, visit Pookode Lake, then Soochipara Falls or the base of Chembra Peak. Check in at a resort around Vythiri or Kalpetta in the evening.
Day 2: Banasura Sagar Dam in the morning, followed by Edakkal Caves. If the season allows, add Kuruva Island before heading back to Kozhikode by evening.
Three Days, Two Nights
Day 1: Same as above, ending with an overnight stay near Kalpetta.
Day 2: An early morning safari at Muthanga or Tholpetty inside the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, followed by Thirunelli Temple and Kuruva Island. Second overnight stay.
Day 3: Meenmutty Falls or Karlad Lake in the morning, some time for local shopping in Kalpetta, then return to Kozhikode by evening.
Four Days, Three Nights
Follows the three day plan above with an added day, commonly used to combine Wayanad with Kannur’s beaches and forts, or to extend into Ooty through the Bandipur route for travellers who want to cover more of the Western Ghats in one trip.
For groups planning a custom route, our full range of ready itineraries is on our packages page.
What We Offer for Your Wayanad Trip
Planning a group trip to Wayanad involves more than picking a few places on a map. This is what our team handles for every booking:
- Destination planning: we work out your route, day wise stops, and timing based on your travel dates and group size, whether it is a quick two day trip or a longer holiday.
- Pickup and drop coordination: we arrange convenient pickup points across Kozhikode and nearby towns so no one in your group has to wait around.
- Vehicle matching: based on how many people are travelling, we recommend the most comfortable option, a car, a Tempo Traveller, an Urbania, or a full sized bus.
- Experienced drivers: our drivers know the Thamarassery ghat and the hill roads inside Wayanad well, which matters on routes with sharp bends and changing weather.
- End to end management: from fuel stops to timing your arrival at each sight, we handle the logistics so your group can focus on the trip itself.
Read more about how we work on our about us page, or reach out directly through our
contact page to start planning.
Choosing the Right Vehicle for Your Wayanad Group
The right vehicle changes how comfortable a hill trip feels, especially on ghat roads. Here is how our fleet typically maps to group sizes for Wayanad trips.
- Couples and small families: an Etios or an Innova works well for up to five or six people who want a quicker, more flexible pace.
- Groups of eight to fourteen: our 14-seater Tempo Traveller gives enough room for a small group trip, ideal for a group of friends or an extended family.
- Groups of around sixteen: the 16-seater Urbania is a step up in comfort, with a more premium cabin that suits corporate outings or family groups who want extra space and a smoother ride on hill roads.
- Groups of seventeen to twenty six: our 17, 20, and 26-seater Tempo Travellers come with pushback seating, a good fit for college groups, office outings, or wedding related travel.
- Large groups of thirty four to forty nine: our AC buses, including 34-seater and 49-seater options, are built for longer trips with bigger groups, complete with music systems and ample luggage space, commonly used for college tours, annual outings, and large family functions.
You can browse our full fleet, with photos of each vehicle, on our vehicles page.
Why Travel With Bros Tours & Travels
We have been organising trips out of Balussery, Kozhikode since 2016, and Wayanad is one of the routes we run most often. A few things that make a difference on a hill trip like this:
- Our drivers know the roads: the Thamarassery ghat and the interior roads around Kalpetta, Sulthan Bathery, and Mananthavady are not the same as driving on the plains, and our drivers handle these routes regularly.
- Every vehicle is inspected before it leaves: since your comfort on a five to six hour round trip to Wayanad depends heavily on the vehicle, we keep our fleet properly maintained and checked before each trip.
- We plan around your group: whether it is a family wanting a relaxed two day trip, a college batch on an annual tour, or a corporate group looking for a day of team bonding away from the city, our approach adjusts to what your group actually needs.
- Support does not stop at drop off: our team is available around the clock for anything that comes up before or during your trip.
Travel Tips Before You Go
- Carry ID: a valid photo ID is often asked for at the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and at Kuruva Island.
- Book permits early: Chembra Peak trekking slots are limited each day through the forest department, and the trail can close temporarily in bad weather.
- Pack a light jacket: even in summer, mornings and evenings at higher elevations like Vythiri and Lakkidi are noticeably cooler than Kozhikode.
- Start early: leaving Kozhikode before 7 AM helps you avoid traffic on the Thamarassery ghat and gives you a full day at the sights.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Wayanad from Kozhikode?
Around 60 to 70 kilometres depending on your exact route, roughly two to two and a half hours by road through the Thamarassery ghat.
How many days do I need for Wayanad?
Two days covers the major sights around Kalpetta and Vythiri comfortably. Three days lets you add a wildlife safari and Kuruva Island without rushing.
What is the best vehicle for a Wayanad group trip?
It depends on your group size. An Innova or Etios works for up to six people, a 14 to 26-seater Tempo Traveller or our 16-seater Urbania suits mid sized groups, and a 34 to 49-seater AC bus is the right fit for larger groups such as college tours or wedding travel.
Is Wayanad safe to visit during the monsoon?
Wayanad is at its greenest during monsoon, but some ghat roads and trekking routes, including Chembra Peak, can be restricted due to landslide risk. Winter and summer are more dependable if you want access to every sight on your list.
Do I need permits for Chembra Peak or the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary?
Yes, both require entry permits through the forest department, and Chembra Peak trekking numbers are limited each day, so it helps to plan ahead.
Can Bros Tours & Travels plan the full itinerary for us?
Yes. Tell us your travel dates, group size, and how many days you have, and our team will put together a route, suggest the right vehicle, and handle pickup and drop across Kozhikode.
Plan Your Wayanad Trip With Us
Wayanad rewards a bit of planning, the right pace, the right stops, and a vehicle that matches your group size make the difference between a rushed trip and one everyone actually enjoys.
Get in touch with Bros Tours & Travels through our contact page to start building your Wayanad itinerary, or explore our
vehicles and
packages pages to see what fits your group.