12 Best Things To Do In Kalpetta, India

1. Visit heart-shaped Chembra Peak

If you’re visiting Kalpetta, don’t miss out on Chembra Peak, the highest peak in Wayanad District. With an altitude of 2,100 meters (6,890 feet), a visit to Chembra Peak will fill your heart with its soothing natural beauty and clean air. Chembra is also a good place for trekking, as it’s located just 8 km (5 miles) south of Kalpetta. However, do note that you need to acquire a permit first, from the forest office in Meppadi, before trekking here. There is also no overnight camping allowed here, due to the threat of wild animals.

The major attraction here is the heart-shaped peak, which you can see on the way to top. The lake here almost never dries up and, hence, is a major tourist attraction, year round. Once you reach the top, you’ll get a view of almost the whole of Wayanad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Nilgiri districts. Altogether, the entire natural beauty at Chembra Peak is very enthralling and you will always want to return here, again and again.

Chembra Peak

Address: Located near Meppadi. Chembra Peak is 8 km (5 miles) south of Kalpetta.

2. Soochipara Falls aka Sentinel Rock Waterfalls

Located just around 22 km (13.7 miles) south of Kalpetta and 13 km (8.1 miles) from Meppadi, Soochipara Falls, in Vellarimala, is a mind-blowing place to visit, year round. It is surrounded by montane, deciduous and evergreen forests and features a three-tiered waterfall, gushing from a height of 656 feet (200 meters), from a cliff face that is perfect for rock climbing. You can give your whole heart to enjoying the rushing cascade, as you approach closer and swim in the chilly waterfall pool. We suggest you include this place on your itinerary while traveling in Kalpetta.

Soochipara Falls

Direction: 15-20 minutes drive from Meppadi town. Meppadi is 12 km (7.5 miles) away from Kalpetta.

3. Be mesmerized by the green beauty of the Karapuzha Dam

The Karapuzha Dam is considered one of the biggest earth dams in India. Just situated 16 km (9.9 miles) away from Kalpetta, this dam is made on the Karapuzha River and is completely surrounded by a greenish environment. It is also popular for its picturesque form of construction and skillful architecture. It attracts a huge number of tourists, all around the year, for its captivating design and the natural beauty of the surrounding area.

Karapuzha Dam

Address: Kakkavayal - Karapuzha Road, Kalpetta North, Wayanad, Muttil South, Kerala – 673122

Opening Hours: 9 am to 6 pm

Contact: +91 95441 71133

4. Don’t miss the 7,000 year old petroglyphs inside the Edakkal Caves

During your trip to Kalpetta, you should not miss the two natural caves at Edakkal. These two natural caves lie in the Wayanad District, just 25 km (15.5 miles) away from Kalpetta. You will need to trek up Ambukuthi Mala, a mountain with an altitude of 3,900 feet (1,188.7 meters) to reach the caves. The natural beauty here is simply mystifying and the coffee plantations, along the way, only add to the majesty. The scenic landscape and the cool breeze will make your journey complete.

Check out the various petroglyphs in the caves - some say these were done over 7,000 years ago. But don’t cross the iron railing, as it was built to protect the stone carvings from visitors.

Edakkal Caves

Address: Wayanad, Nenmeni, Kerala – 673595

Opening Hours: 8 am to 4 pm

Contact: +91 94460 52134

5. Wayanad Heritage Museum displays ancient items from the Neolithic age

Visiting Wayanad Heritage Museum, located in Ambalavayal, 21 km (13 miles) from Kalpetta, won’t take more than half-an-hour. The museum houses a varied array of items, from the Neolithic age to the 17th century. It also displays a wide collection of tribal relics and artifacts. You can get a lot of information on the ancient cultures of southern India from this museum.

Wayanad Heritage Museum

Address: Ambalavayal, Kerala – 673593

Opening Hours: 9 am to 5:30 pm

Contact: +91 49362 60127

6. Check out beautiful Meenmutty Falls

Meenmutty Falls is located in Wayanad District and it takes about 30-45 minutes to get here, from Kalpetta. It is a beautiful, three-tiered waterfall, with a height of 984 feet (300 meters). According to local people, this place becomes dangerous, during the rainy season because of the fast flowing water. The greenery here is splendid and entrancing and the place is filled with a lot of opportunities for adventure seekers.

Meenmutty Falls

Direction: 29 km (18 miles) away from Kalpetta, 2 km (1.2 mile) hike through the forest.

7. The 3,000 year old Thirunelli Temple is remarkably beautiful

Thirunelli Temple is just 52 km (32.3 miles) away from Kalpetta. This ancient, 3,000-year-old temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu.The natural beauty here is awe-inspiring, as the temple is located at an altitude of around 900 meters (2,953 feet), surrounded by mountains and beautiful forest. Although there are no proper records of the exact date of its establishment, some documentary proof shows that this place was once an important pilgrimage center and was controlled by the Tamil Chera King, Bhaskara Ravi Varma I (962–1019).

Thirunelli Temple

Address: North Wayanad, Thirunelly Road, Thirunelly, Kerala – 670646

Contact: +91 49352 10201

8. Kuruvadweep exhibits rare types of flora & fauna

Kuruvadweep is a famous group of islands, forming 950 acres (384.5 hectares) of dense, evergreen forest. This uninhabited forest houses rare kinds of flora and fauna and is a beautiful place of attraction for tourists, who come here to experience the vibrant nature. This remarkable place is just 36 km (22.4 miles) away from Kalpetta. Rafts or fiber boats (to navigate the Kabini River) are available through the Kerala Tourism Department. Instead of visiting their head office, it is better to contact them by phone or via their website.

Kuruvadweep Exhibits

Address: Department of Tourism, Govt. of Kerala, Park View, Opp. to Museums Compound Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala – 695033

Contact: +91 471-2321132 / 1-800-425-4747 (Toll free number)

Website: Kuruvadweep - Kerala Tourism

9. Pakshipathalam Bird Sanctuary is must for animal lovers

At around 66 km (41 miles) from Kalpetta and 7 km (4.3 miles) from Thirunelli, Pakshipathalam Bird Sanctuary is a remarkable destination for every trekker. This sanctuary is known for its the richness of its birdlife and, at its densest point, is full wild animals. Hence, please be careful in traveling the deeper parts of the forest.

Pakshipathalam Bird Sanctuary

Address: North Wayanad, near Thirunelli temple, Kerala – 673121

Bus Service: Mananthavady bus stand to Thirunelli

Contact: Thirunelli forest station – Phone: +91 4935- 210377 / Trekking permitting authority, DFO, North Wayanad: Phone: +91 4935- 240233

10. Kanthanpara Waterfalls is a well-known picnic spot

Kanthanpara Waterfalls is situated just 22 km (13.7 miles) from Kalpetta. It is a small waterfall, falling from a height of 30 meters or 98 feet and it has stunning beauty. It is also known as an ideal picnic spot, in Wayanad.

Kanthanpara Waterfalls

Address: Meppadi, Kerala – 673577

Contact: +91 4936 202134

11. Neelimala View Point gives a full view of Meenmutty Falls & Wayanad Forests

Neelimala View Point gives you the wonderful opportunity to set your camera lens on the distant Meenmutty Falls, the surrounding valleys and the dense greenery of the Wayanad forest. This superb sight is something that you will never forget in your life and it is only 26 km (16.2 miles) away from Kalpetta.

Neelimala View Point

Address: Vaduvanchal, Kerala – 673581

12. Lakkidi View Point is a wonderful place to spend a few days

This is another mesmerizing view point, located at the crest of the bending Thamarassery Ghat Pass. You can choose to trek from Adivaram, downhill to Lakkidi, down the steep hills. A journey through these bending curves is worth the experience and the views. Lakkidi is about 700 meters or 2296 feet above sea level. You can book a resort here, as it is a popular hill destination.

Lakkidi View Point

Address: Kozhikode-Mysore-Kollegal Highway, Lakkidi, Kerala – 673576

Kalpetta vows to give you everlasting memories

A trip to Kalpetta will surely gift you with the wonderful experience of India’s culture, history, heritage and natural beauty. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and follow our itinerary. Don’t forget to tell us about your experience, in the comment box below.