Tourism in Wayanad District
Wayanad is known as one of the most beautiful retreats of Kerala. It always had a great share of the visitors arriving South India. Wayanad with its natural scenic beauty, rich natural resources, the hills, rocks and valley, unique terrain, climate etc provide a lot for catering to the demands of increasing tourists. Wayanad provides scope for ecotourism tourism (wildlife tourism), Recreational tourism, Adventure tourism, Heritage tourism, Historic tourism, Pilgrim tourism, Monsoon tourism etc.

Muthanga and Tholpetty forests in the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary are the foremost and targeted tourism destinations in Wayanad District. Recreational tourism centres like Kuruva island (Kuruva Dweep), Banasura sagar Dam, Karapuzha Dam, Pookot Lake, Karalad Lake, Neelimala View Point, Sunrise Valley, Sentinal Rock Waterfalls, Kanthan Para Waterfalls, Pazhassi Park, Pazhassi Tourist Resort, Lakkidi Ghat Pass etc attracts a lot of tourists. Chembra peak, Pakshipathalam, Meenmutty Waterfalls etc are known for adventure tourism. Heritage trails include Wayanad Heritage Museum, Muniyara, Chain Tree, Pazhassi Raja’s Tomb, Uravu etc. Historic tourism sites include Edakkal Caves, Pazhassi Memorial, Jain Temples at Panamaram, Sulthan Bathery Jain Temple, etc. A lot of Pilgrims visit Thirunelly Temple, Papanasini at Thirunelli, Thrissilery Shiva Temple, Seetha-Lava-Kusha Temple, Valliyoorkav Temple, Puliyar Mala Jain Temple, Pallikunnu Church, Varambetta Mosque etc.

Muthanga and Tholpetty are the two ecotourism centers in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. Visits to these ecotourism centers provide unforgettable wilderness experience, frequent sightings of free ranging wildlife like herds of elephants, guars, deers, monkeys, tigers, leopards, bears, many species of reptiles, fishes, butterflies, birds including vultures etc, valuable nature education information from interpretation centres etc Medicinal plants’ garden, Birth Star Plants’ (Zodiac Plants) Garden, Muthanga Elephant Camp with 3 tuskers and one female calf, traditional tribal folk lore etc are other attractions in Muthanga.

Ecotourism in Muthanga and Tholpetty is much helpful in creating deep conservation awareness in the minds of visitors. It is much educative and recreational too. It is a main source of livelihood income for local tribes including tourist guides. Ecotourism in these two centers are managed by Muthanga and Tholpetty Eco-Development Committees (EDCs) under supervision of Kerala forest department.

Elephant Camp Visit	Muthanga
Jeep Safari	Muthanga & Tholpetty
Interpretation centre visit	Muthanga & Tholpetty
Accommodation
Ceramby (2 double rooms)	Muthanga & Tholpetty
Dormitory (40 beds)	Muthanga & Tholpetty
Eco-huts (6 Nos)	Muthanga
Forest Rest House (2 double rooms)	Chethalayam
Forest Rest House (Gaja) (2 double rooms)	Sulthan Bathery
Adavi (8 double rooms)	Chethalayam
Jeep Safari Entry Time	Daily - 7.00 to 10.00 am & 3.00 to 5.00 pm
Duration of visit	1.30 hours (maximum)
Best Season	August to February
Closure period	February 11 to April 10

ECO TOURISM FEES (As on 15.06.2017) Tholpetty & Muthanga Eco Centres
		Revenue (₹)	SDF (₹)	Total (₹)
Indians	Adults Children - below 12 years and bonafide students on tour	10.00 5.00	100.00 35.00	110.00 40.00
Foreigners	Per person	150.00	150.00	300.00
Vehicle	Light Vehicle	75.00	-	75.00
Camera	Video/Movie (non professional ) Still Camera	225.00 38.00	-	225.00 38.00

Approved jeep rent	₹ 600/trip