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 Nestled among the mountains of western ghats, lies Wayanad, [also called as Wynad, Wayanadu, Wyanad, Vayanad, Vayanadu, Vynad etc] one of the most loveliest hill stations of Kerala. This green paradise is located at a distance of 76 kms from the nearest sea-shore of Kozhikode. The hills, rocks and valleys which give shape to the very unique terrain of Wayanad provide for exceptional adventure experiences. Mountains and forests intersperse to create numerous outback trails, trekking routes and opportunities for other adventure sports. With vast areas still unexplored, Wayanad is truly an adventurescape waiting to be discovered.
The name Wayanad is believed to be derived from the word Vayalnadu, which means "the land of paddy fields". The present district of Wayanad was carved out from the parts of Kozhikode and Kannur districts and which came into being on 1st November 1980 as the 12th district of Kerala.This district is perhaps one of the biggest foreign exchange earners of the State, thanks to its cash crops of pepper, cardamom, coffee, tea, vanilla, spices and other condiments.
Wayanad is one of the districts in Kerala that has been able to retain its pristine nature. Wayanad is known for its picturesque mist-clad hill stations, sprawling spice plantations, luxurious forests and rich cultural traditions. The leading tourist centres of South India like Ooty, Mysore, Coorg and Kannur are around this region.
The deciduous forests of Wayanad is famous for woody climbers like Entada scandens, Calycopteries floribunda etc. With 26% forest cover, far greater then any district in Kerala, Wayanad is home to two major wildlife sanctuaries: Muthanga and Tholpetty. Taken together, these two sanctuaries are home to an incredible range of flora and flauna, including several endangered species. A part of the Western Ghats, they constitute an important swathe of the last surviving tracts of an unique ecosystem for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Blessed and gifted by Nature are the various tourist attractions namely Tholpetty, Muthanga, Bandipur, Muthumala (Wildlife Sanctuaries), Kanthanpara, Sentinel Rock (Waterfalls), Edakkal caves, Pookot lake, Chembra peak, Kuruvadweep, Pakshipathalam etc that offer ample scope for water sports and adventure tourism.
For more on water sports in Kerala, click alleppeyboatrace
For Accommodation - Hotels / Resorts / Homestays in Wayanad
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