Wayanad is a hilly district in the northeastern corner of Kerala, set on an elevated plateau in the Western Ghats. It is quieter and less touristy than Munnar, with rolling hills, thick forests, spice plantations and a strong tribal culture that gives it a character of its own.
The landscape is beautiful: coffee and pepper estates, patches of ancient forest, and waterfalls tucked into the hillsides. Chembra Peak, the highest point in the district, is a popular day trek with a heart-shaped lake near the summit. The Edakkal Caves contain prehistoric rock carvings estimated to be thousands of years old. Muthanga and Tholpetty wildlife sanctuaries on the Karnataka border offer elephant and bison sightings.
Kalpetta is the district headquarters and the practical base for exploring the region. Wayanad is accessible from Kozhikode (about 80 km) via a winding ghat road, or from Mysore in Karnataka. The best time to visit is October to May. During the monsoon the roads can be tricky, but the landscape turns an impossibly vivid green.