Nestled among the mountains of Western Ghats, lies Wayanad one of the loveliest hill stations of Kerala. This green paradise located at a distance of 76kms from the seashores of Kozhikode, lies at a height of 700-2100 m, above the sea level on the northeastern part of the State. The name Wayanad is believed to have been derived from the word Vayal nadu, meaning the land of paddy fields. The present district of Wayanad was carved out, from the parts of Kozhikode and Kannur districts and came into being on the first November 1980 as the 12th district of Kerala. The backward district is perhaps, one of the biggest foreign exchange earners of the state, thanks to its cash crops of pepper, cardamom, coffee, tea, spices and other condiments. Most of the reserve forests in the State are in this district. The loamy soil generally show wide variation in depth and texture with a very high content of organic matter. A large percentage of population in this region are Tribals. The native Adivasi mainly consists of various sects like Paniyas, Kurumas, Adiyars, Kurichyars, Ooralis, Kattunaickens, etc.

Places to Visit

• Chembra Peak - The hills, rocks and valleys, which contribute to the very unique character of Wayanad, provide a lot of adventure tourism. Trekking to the Chembra peak is a risky mountaineering endeavor. Chembra peak, the highest hill in Wayanad, is near Meppady town. Trekking to the top of the 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 Chembra, is very exhilarating.

• Kuruvadweep - The Kuruva Island, 950 acres of evergreen forest on the tributaries of east following river Kabani, is an ideal picnic spot, far away from the disturbance of city life. The island is uninhabited. Rare species of birds, orchids and herbs are the sovereigns of this supernal kingdom. It is 17kms. east of Mananthavady and 40kms. north west of Sulthan Bathery

• Vythiri Hill Station -

• 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.

• Edakkal Caves - This location is breath-taking beauty is three kilometers from Ambalavayal which is 25 kms. 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 Gazetteer, Kozhikode, it is only 'a cleft about 96 ft. long and 22 ft. 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 are and inspires the archaeologists and historians to rewrite the history of Wayanad and Kerala as a whole.