Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
At
Muthanga
(
271010; jeep ?450, guide ?300)
, similar
jeep tours
are available in the mornings
and afternoons.
Thirunelly Temple
( dawn-dusk)
Thought to be one of the oldest on the subcontinent, Thirunelly Temple is
10km from Tholpetty. Non-Hindus cannot enter, but it's worth visiting for the other-
worldly cocktail of ancient and intricate pillars. Follow the path behind the temple to the
stream known as
Papanasini
, where Hindus believe you can wash away all your sins.
HINDU TEMPLE
Jain Temple
( 8am-noon & 2-6pm)
The 13th-century Jain temple near Sultanbatheri has splendid stone
carvings and is an important monument to the region's strong historical Jain presence.
JAIN TEMPLE
Edakal Caves
(admission ?40; 9am-5pm)
Close to the Jain temple, near Ambalavayal, these caves have pet-
roglyphs thought to date back over 3000 years and views of Wayanad district.
CAVE
Wayanad Heritage Museum
(Ambalavayal; admission ?15; 9am-5pm)
In the same area as the caves, this museum exhibits
headgear, weapons, pottery, carved stone and other artefacts dating back to the 15th cen-
tury that shed light on Wayanad's significant Adivasi population.
MUSEUM
Uravu
( 04936231400;
www.uravu.net
; Thrikkaippetta; 8.30am-5pm Mon-Sat)
Around 6km southeast
of Kalpetta a collective of workers creates all sorts of artefacts from bamboo. You can vis-
it the artists' workshops, where they work on looms, painting and carving, and support
their work by buying vases, lampshades, bangles and baskets.
HANDICRAFTS CENTRE
Trekking & Rafting
There are some top opportunities for independent
trekking
around the district, including a
climb to the top of
Chembra Peak
(2100m), the area's tallest summit;
Vellarimala
, with great
views and lots of wildlife-spotting opportunities; and
Pakshipathalam
, a seven-hour return
mountain trek that takes you to a formation of large boulders high in the forest. Permits
are necessary and can be arranged at forest offices in South or North Wayanad. The stand-
ard cost for permit and guide is ?1500 for up to five people - try to arrange a group in ad-
OUTDOOR ACTIVITY
