Plan your weekend: Curl up close to nature at pristine Wayanad

True to its name, this district in northern part of the state is covered in lush green foliage, a visual treat that makes the district a perfect weekend getaway from the urban hustle-bustle. Located on the border of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the land offers breathtaking hill ranges, wildlife and historic sites to entice every traveller’s appetite.

With its picturesque landscapes, Wayanad makes for a great entryway into the God’s Own Country, Kerala. Its sprawling tea plantations make it a tea heaven, in addition to the aromas from the spice and coffee plantations. Major towns in the district — Kalpetta, Sultan Bathery and Mananthavady — offer a plethora of tourist destinations to visit. With altitudes in the region standing at about 700 meters above the sea level, the temperatures now in Wayanad range between 22 and 30 degrees Celsius. Occasional showers certainly to make the land all the more pristine.

The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, which extends across the district, is one of the largest wildlife abodes in south India. A safari into the sanctuary is sure to get you close to elephants, deer, bears, panthers and tigers. The district is also the home to the only Lava Kusha Temple in Kerala and few Jain temples with striking architecture.

Travellers from Chennai can reach this serene land by flying to Kozhikode, from where one can reach Wayanad by road (50 km). One can also take a flight from Chennaito Ernakulam, which is about 6 hours away from Wayanad by bus.