Living in Wayanad means some great short trips are just a drive away. Here are our favourite weekend getaways from Wayanad for two or three days, with practical tips from our Mananthavady team.
Coorg (Kodagu), Karnataka
Why go: Coffee estates, misty hills, Abbey Falls, Raja’s Seat in Madikeri, Dubare elephant camp and the Tibetan settlement at Bylakuppe with its Golden Temple.
Route: From Mananthavady, the usual route is via Tholpetty and Kutta towards Gonikoppal and Madikeri.
Best time: October to March. Monsoon is beautiful but very wet.
Tip: Stay in a homestay or estate resort for the real Coorg experience.
Mysuru, Karnataka
Why go: Mysuru Palace (especially when lit up on Sunday evenings and during Dasara), Chamundi Hills, Brindavan Gardens and the zoo. Good for families and children.
Route: Via Bavali and the forest road, or via Sulthan Bathery and Gundlupet.
Important: The forest roads have night travel restrictions — for example through Bandipur on the Sulthan Bathery–Mysuru highway. Plan to cross the forest in daylight.
Ooty, Tamil Nadu
Why go: The Nilgiri hills, tea gardens, the Botanical Garden, Ooty Lake, Doddabetta peak and the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (book tickets early).
Route: Via Gudalur and the ghat road to Ooty.
Best time: March to June for the classic hill-station break; October to February is colder.
Tip: Ooty gets crowded on long weekends. Book stays early.
Kannur beaches, Kerala
Why go: Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach, Payyambalam Beach, St. Angelo Fort, and Theyyam performances in season (roughly November to May). Excellent Malabar food.
Route: Down the Palchuram ghat via Kottiyoor and Peravoor.
Tip: Check Theyyam schedules locally — performances follow temple calendars.
Kozhikode (Calicut), Kerala
Why go: Kozhikode Beach at sunset, SM Street for shopping, Kappad Beach and the famous Malabar biryani and halwa.
Route: Via Lakkidi and the Thamarassery ghat.
Tip: Avoid the ghat at peak traffic times on Sunday evenings if you can.
Inside Wayanad itself
Sometimes the best getaway is a night somewhere new in your own district — a tree house in Vythiri, a resort near Banasura Sagar, or a plantation stay near Meppadi. Read our guide to places to visit near Mananthavady.
Weekend trip checklist
- Check forest road timings before you leave
- Carry ID for every traveller — hotels and forest checkposts ask for it
- In the monsoon, check for landslide warnings on ghat roads
- Book stays in advance for long weekends
Want us to plan it?
We book stays, cars with drivers and day-by-day plans for short trips as well as long holidays. Message our travel agency in Mananthavady on WhatsApp or see our tour packages.
