Wayanad had been on my "list" of places to visit for quite sometime now. Everything I read online and researched portrayed it to be this misty wonderland filled with tea plantations, delicious food and pristine views. The truth is it's all of that, but it's also a lot of things that can make your trip disappointing. Of course if you love the extremely touristy itineraries, then you can do the exact opposite of what I recommend and you'd love it. ;)
So here's an honest review of the place which I love BTW. I only wish I knew beforehand what I discovered while here. Here's my attempt at helping you plan a less disappointing trip to the otherwise gorgeous location.
An Instagram sensation that's skippable
Not sure how this place became popular but it's honestly a result of great marketing in my opinion. The glass bridge is a sham - it involves a steep climb of about a kilometer after a grueling drive up some awful roads which seem to have purposely been left that way. Only 4X4s are allowed here and you're forced to hire a Thar with a driver who seems to have a death wish for you. If you love off-roading though this is a treat and you can take your own car. Some optimistic motorcyclists were also attempting to ride up the hill, but I wonder if they ever made it. If you are insistent about making it here for a silly shot for your newsfeed, then skip breakfast because the drive will make you throw up, literally. It's also not recommended for travelers who experience motion sickness or have back issues. You're in for a medical disaster.
Once you make it there, you pay about INR 250 for an entry fee. The bridge is super short, offers some disappointing views and gets extremely crowded. It's also so narrow there's only one way in and one way out. Even very skinny travelers couldn't make their way out once people starting showing up by the dozens. It's also on a private property that has some options that serve like an amusement park and for the entry fee, you can even try your hand at cricket, climb up a tree for the same view from the glass bridge and overall wonder why this place is a big deal.
Another glamourized tourist destination
The Banasura Dam is alright to spend about an hour at most. While it offers boating and other touristy activities it didn't really catch my fancy. While most guides recommend spending about half a day here, there isn't much to do here. It gets quite hot during the day and you have to climb some stairs to make it to a view of the dam. You can spend about INR 25 instead for a Tempo Traveler that will take you along with other tourists to the top of the dam.
Once you get here, there's very little to do. Food options are none so it's best you plan accordingly. There are no picnic spots so packed lunches aren't a good idea either. It is pretty as the sun begins to set but it's more suited for an evening walk in my opinion than a half day activity.
Waterfalls filled with men in underwear
The Soochipara waterfalls were also not worth it. It took about six kilometers of a hike on slippery rocks and steep inclinations for a waterfall that wasn't all that appealing and as expected has a lot of men in underwear hanging around making it an uncomfortable experience for women who want to soak in the falls.
Once again the food options at this site are next to none with a simple shack-type place serving instant noodles. I'd recommend opting for a meal of local food which is more satisfying and since you won't be able to enter the little puddles of water any way because of the scores of half naked men, you might as well not skip lunch for this. You may lose your appetite after visiting here after all. ;)
Blink and you'll miss this zip line experience
Most organizers and travel experts dub the zip line to be the longest in Kerala. They build up dramatic images of you floating over kilometers of tea plantations with the wind in your hair. The truth is there are several operators that run zip lines here. The length is at most about 350 meters. Yes it is over a tea plantation but with dicey safety harnesses and such a short run, it's really not worth it in my opinion.
I'd recommend trying zip lines with certified organizers such as Flying Fox who offer the right training, support and expertise that will make your first time a memorable one. I gave this one a pass after having tried some great zip lines in Rajasthan. But if you are keen to try, it's best to get there early morning so the weather is cooler. The organizers also sell a limited set of tickets each day so it's best you plan around this.
Limited options for foodies
Foodwise you don't get very many options that serve local Kerala cuisine (which I was craving for). It's mostly restaurants that serve Arabic dishes. I was on a personal mission to locate a Toddy shop because I believe the food here is authentic and should be experienced while in God's Own Country. But I failed at this task and was told Wayanad doesn't have the best Toddy shops apparently.
What I loved about Wayanad
I enjoyed the drive through endless tea gardens, the misty mornings and walks to explore the neighbouring places, the local food, napping under a giant fig tree in the afternoon, lemon Chaya, catching Venus and Jupiter against a pink sky and the cute doggos that come up and ask you for snacks. Do look out for local markets where you can buy some Halwa, snacks and Puttu Makers which can make nice gifts for loved ones back home. I also discovered that Wayanad has electric charging points (super cool initiative by the government!) so you can drive your EV across without worrying about getting stranded.
Overall, Wayanad is a gem of a place provided you follow the right itinerary. It's definitely worth a visit and has some of the most pretty views of plantations you'll ever find in India.
Have you been to Wayanad? What was your experience like? Tell me in the comments below!
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