Kalpetta– Kerala Travel Guide

A rustic town where the mild aromas of sprawling coffee plantations will take over your senses, where the sky-touching mountains will caress your soul, and nature’s untouched beauty will give you reasons to embrace life, Kalpetta is truly a visitor’s paradise! Located high amidst the captivating hills of Wayanad at an altitude of 780m, this hill town is magnificent place to relax and relinquish oneself into the hands of Mother Nature!

Located on the Kozhikode-Mysore Highway, this quaint town is fringed with picturesque hills and an array of tourist attractions. Whether you are yearning for some leisure moments, planning for your honeymoon, or looking forward for a fun-filled outing with family and friends, you can always visit Kalpetta and make your holidays an exciting affair!

How to Reach Kalpetta

1By Road:

Kalpetta is very well-connected with most of the major towns and cities in Kerala. The hill town is also accessible through the NH-766 that connects Kozhikode and Mysore. Visitors planning to reach Kalpetta by road, can also follow the trials from Ooty (Tamil Nadu) and Madikeri (Karnataka). State run buses and local taxis are always available from most of the places to reach Kalpetta by road.

2By Train:

This hill town do not have its own railway station. Nilambur Road Railway Station at a distance of 41km, serves as the nearest railway station to reach Kalpetta by train. From the station, visitors can hire private cabs or board state-run or private buses to reach their final destination.

3By Air:

Calicut International Airport in Kozhikode is the closest airport to reach Kalpetta by air. The airport is located around 51km from the town, and is well connected to Kalpetta via road networks.

Best Time to Visit Kalpetta:

Winter (December – March) – Best Time: This is the time when Kalpetta experiences the best climatic conditions. Temperature remains low, atmosphere gets filled with mists and magic making it for a heart-warming experience. If you want to explore every nook and corner, winter is definitely the best time to visit Kalpetta and also to explore its miraculous beauty.

Summer (April – June) – Good Time: Summer in this hill town could be a bit humid, but still tolerable as the town is surrounded with hillocks that brings in swaying breezes. Visibility increases during this season, which in turn makes it for a wonderful time for sightseeing and nature tours in Kalpetta.

Monsoon (July – September) – Not So Good Time: Humidityreaches the peak during the monsoon. Adding to this, there are always a chance of heavy showers. Considering all these, monsoon might not qualify as an ideal time to visit Kalpetta.

Places to Visit around Kalpetta

Karapuzha Dam: Situated on both sides of the alluring Karapuzha River, this dam boasts of being one of the largest dams in India. Adorned by the enchanting beauty of swamped hills and lush environs, this is a scenic place to visit while in Kalpetta.
Kanthanpara Waterfalls: The Kanthanpara Waterfalls prove that Mother Nature has her own ways to hold us captive! A gushing cascade, this natural marvel is situated amidst scenic thickets, and is a heaven for nature lovers and shutterbugs.

Meenmutty Falls: Another magnificent place to visit in Kalpetta, the Meenmutty Falls is three tiered waterfall that flows down from a height of 300m. In addition to its magical charm, its exhilarating setting that requires visitors to undertake an enthralling trek, makes it a must-to-visit spot in Kalpetta.

Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary: This is the place where you can spot parades of the gigantic elephants in their most natural habitats. Tucked away amidst Mudumalai, Bandipur, and Nagarhole, this region also comes under the much-acclaimed Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

Chembra Peak: Located only 8km from Kalpetta, this peak is the highest point in Wayanad and also the highest in the Western Ghats. Seated at an elevation of 2,100m, a trek to the peak is quite an adrenaline pumping activity!

Soochipara Falls: Needle Rock Falls or Soochipara Falls is undoubtedly among the most gorgeous places to visit while in Kalpetta. Located within 10km from the town, this 200m cascade also offers rock climbing options to the thrill seekers.

Banasura Sagar Dam: The largest earthen dam in India, Banasura Sagar Dam commands over the gurgling Kabini River. Only 21km away from Kalpetta, is an astounding site to visit for visitors from almost all the walks of life.

Puliyarmala Jain Temple: Only 6km away from Kalpetta, Puliyarmala Jain Temple is a sacred place for the followers of Jainism. Also known as the ‘Tipu Fort’, this pious temple was once used by Tipu Sultan as a battery.

Wayanad Heritage Museum: A visit to this heritage museum will get you acquainted with the rich history of Wayanad and its surrounding areas. Housing numerous number of artefacts and belongings from the past, a visit to this museum is a journey back to time!

Varambetta Mosque: The oldest mosque in Wayanad district, this mosque is believed to be more 300 years old. A testimony to Kerala’s universal peace and brotherhood, Varambetta Mosque is a must visit site while touring around Kalpetta.

Pakshipathalam Bird Sanctuary: Though around 40km away from Kalpetta, a visit to Pakshipathalam Bird Sanctuary rewards the visitors with amazing birdwatching options. Thrill seekers make it to this pristine location to indulge in enthralling treks and pump up their adrenalines.

Things to Do in Kalpetta

Sightseeing: Being adorned by all the natural marvels, Kalpetta serves as a wonderful place to embark on sightseeing tours. Within these tours, visitors would get ample of opportunities to unravel the magical beauty of Kalpetta and its surroundings.

Heritage Tours: These type of tours also serves as ideal ways to know more about the historical richness of Kalpetta. With these tours, visitors get to visit several historical and cultural landmarks in the town.

Waterfall Visits: Dotted with several waterfalls, Kalpetta also offers amazing waterfall tours. Embark on these tours to spend a fun-filled and exciting day out with family and friends.

Birdwatching: If you are a bird lover, visit the Pakshipathalam Bird Sanctuary. Home to a wide range of local and migratory birds, all your prayers will be answered here!