Wayanad: is a rural district in Kerala state, southwest India. In the east, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is a lush, forested region with areas of high altitude, home to animals including Asiatic elephants, tigers, leopards and egrets. In the Ambukuthi Hills to the south, Edakkal Caves contain ancient petroglyphs, some dating back to the Neolithic age.
The town of Sultan Bathery is named after its nearby ancient Jain Temple, which was used as an ammunition battery, or armory, by Tipu Sultan’s army in the 18th century. Wayanad is also known for its trekking routes. The trail to the its highest peak, Chembra, passes a heart-shaped lake en route to the summit. In the district’s western area, Banasura Sagar Dam, built of huge stones and boulders, has created a massive reservoir. Surrounded by hills, the reservoir is dotted with small islands. Nearby, a jungle trek leads to the powerful Meenmutty Waterfalls, where water cascades over 3 steep tiers of rock.
When to visit : Oct–May is a popular time to visit for trekking, wildlife tours and other outdoor activities. The Wayanad region has a relatively mild climate year-round, though summers (Mar–May) are hot. It has some of the highest rainfall in India, especially during the southwest monsoon (Jun–Sep) and northeast monsoon (Oct–Nov) seasons. The warmer, drier months of Mar–May are known as peak times for viewing animals.
