Chembra

Day Trips

Arrive at Wayanad and check into a homestay or resort. Freshen up with filter coffee on a veranda overlooking lush greenery. Get a brief orientation from your host about local customs and the week ahead.

Enjoy a Kerala-style lunch served on a banana leaf with rice, sambar, and payasam. Take a gentle stroll around the property to acclimatize to the humidity and altitude. Chat with locals to learn about Wayanad’s rich history and vibrant culture.

Witness a stunning sunset over paddy fields painted in hues of orange. Sample local snacks like pazhampori (banana fritters) and ripe mango with chili salt. Attend an informal Kalaripayattu demonstration or a traditional music performance by village artists.

Depart early for Chembra village to meet your guide and set off before sunrise. Trek through dense shola forests while listening to the calls of native birds. Pause at a clearing for a cup of chai as mist swirls around you.

Reach the iconic heart-shaped lake and enjoy a packed lunch by its serene waters. Explore higher ridges for sweeping panoramic views of the Wayanad plateau. Rest and capture photographs as clouds drift below you like a sea of white.

Descend the trail during golden hour for glowing valley vistas. Stop by a local tea shop to savor steaming cups of masala chai. Relax at your homestay, swapping trekking stories around a crackling bonfire.

Visit sprawling tea estates in Meppadi at dawn to see dew-kissed tea leaves. Join a local plucker and learn the art of hand-picking tea. Breathe in the fragrant aroma that drifts through the estate.

Savor a light lunch at a plantation bungalow overlooking rolling hills. Wander through nearby tribal villages, meeting artisans who practice traditional weaving and basket-making. Learn about the community’s way of life from elder guides.

Indulge in a tea-tasting session sampling estate blends from robust blacks to malty greens. Watch the sun dip behind verdant hills in a peaceful, fragrant setting. Return to your accommodation for a lavish Kerala thali dinner.

Depart early for the Edakkal Caves trailhead with a packed energizing breakfast. Hike through evergreen forests, observing exotic flora at every turn. Once inside the caves, marvel at prehistoric petroglyphs dating back thousands of years.

Unwind over a riverside picnic lunch near the cave entrance. Listen to your guide explain the significance of each ancient carving and local legends. Photograph the scenic plateau and watch for shy wildlife sightings.

Head back to your homestay for a soothing Ayurvedic massage. Participate in a hands-on cooking demonstration preparing dishes like stew and appam. Share dinner under a canopy of stars, listening to the chirp of crickets.

Arrive at Pookode Lake and glide across the water in a traditional canoe. Spot colorful fish swimming beneath the clear surface as you paddle. Feed ducks and sip fresh tea at a lakeside kiosk.

Enjoy a riverside picnic with locally sourced snacks and fresh fruits. Try pedal boating or rowboat rentals for a leisurely afternoon on the water. Visit the nearby freshwater aquarium showcasing native species.

Stroll through landscaped gardens as lanterns begin to glow around the lake. Browse stalls selling indigenous handicrafts and souvenirs. Return to a lakeside café for an open-air dinner with gentle breezes.

Tour a heritage spice estate where pepper vines and cardamom pods climb trees. Inhale the heady scents while learning spice harvesting techniques. Sip freshly brewed ginger tea on the plantation deck.

Head to a wildlife sanctuary for a thrilling jeep safari. Spot elephants, sambar deer, and exotic birds in their natural habitat. Enjoy a packed lunch picnic in a grassland clearing while listening to the sounds of the forest.

Relax at sunset in a watchtower with binoculars looking for nocturnal creatures. Sample spice-infused snacks back at the plantation resort. Unwind around a lantern-lit courtyard recounting safari highlights.

Drive to Banasura Sagar Dam and board a shikara boat at the reservoir. Paddle around emerald islets fringed by misty hills. Sip coconut water as you drift near bamboo groves.

Disembark for a picnic lunch on a small island with panoramic views of the dam. Trek to nearby ancient rock fort ruins for an offbeat hike. Spot migratory birds flitting across the water’s surface.

Capture the sunset glow reflecting off the reservoir’s surface as boats return. Treat yourself to a fresh fish curry thali at a riverside eatery. Spend a quiet evening by a lakeside firepit sharing stories.

Depart early for Soochipara Falls, trekking through aromatic tea gardens. Swim in the natural pool at the waterfall’s base under filtered sunlight. Enjoy a packed breakfast by the roaring cascade.

Settle on flat rocks to snack on appam and stew in the cool mist. Explore hidden trails leading to smaller cascades and vantage points. Photograph rainbows formed in the fine spray of the falls.

Attend a tribal folk dance performance near the falls’ entrance. Relish spicy grilled snacks from local vendors. Return under moonlight to your homestay for hot chai.

Wander the winding roads of Meppadi hills at dawn while spotting endemic birds. Visit a scenic lookout to watch morning rays illuminate the valleys. Grab a hearty breakfast of idli, vada, and kokum juice.

Explore Sulthan Bathery’s bustling markets selling spices, chocolates, and handicrafts. Indulge in street food like tapioca chips and banana fritters. Shop for organic teas, coffees, and homemade preserves.

Join a home chef to learn preparing traditional Wayanad delicacies. Share a communal meal with market vendors and travelers alike. Relax on a rooftop terrace under a star-filled sky.

Pack your belongings and savor one last breakfast of honey-drizzled pancakes with hilly vistas. Capture the sunrise in photographs as a final memory. Say heartfelt goodbyes to your welcoming hosts.

Enjoy a leisurely drive back, stopping at roadside cafes for filter coffee refills. Reflect on the journey as you pass spice groves and emerald paddy fields. Pick up last-minute souvenirs like aromatic spice blends.

Arrive at the transport hub in time for your evening departure. Relax at a station café recounting your favorite Wayanad moments. Promise yourself to return soon to this serene hill paradise.