Vythiri: the Verdant Beauty

Tucked away in the northern mountains of Kerala, India, is the beautiful village of Vythiri. It is a sleepy little place with no outward signs of a tourist destination. Vythiri is famous for coffee, cardamom, pepper and tea plantations. The wisp of mountain air brings along with it the unmistakable fragrance of spices. The silence is almost spooky. Away from the maddening pace of life in cities, the only sound that would break the silence is that of birds chirping merrily.

How to reach

The nearest airport is Kozhikode, which is approximately 75 kms away. The other, more better option is to drive down from Bangalore, the silicon valley of India. The distance is 300 kms and it would take approximately 6 hours. En route, you would pass by Mysore, the city of palaces. But there is an even more interesting place on the way. About halfway through this journey, you would reach a small town named Gundlupet, where you have to take a right turn towards Vythiri. Once you turn, you see endless tracts of farm land on either side of the road, extending all the way to the horizon. Cabbage, beet root (a red coloured vegetable), carrot, beans and water melon are the main crops. It is indeed a beautiful sight. Depending on which time of the year it is, the crops will be different.

What to see

There are many local attractions to suit any traveler. Pookote lake is a natural fresh water lake, surrounded by hills on all four sides. Boating facility is available here. Tourists can also take the horse carriage ride around the lake. If you are a fitness freak, you are also encouraged to walk the perimeter of the lake, enjoying the pristine atmosphere. There is a children’s park and as well as shops selling local art and craft as well as spices.

Banasura Sagar

This is the largest earthern dam in India. Situated 25kms from Vythiri, this dam offers a picturesque view due to submerged hillocks upstream when the dam is full. The drive to the dam from Vythiri is equally picturesque, with rolling tea plantations on either side of the road.

Edakkal Caves

Located 30 kms from Vythiri, is not really a cave as the name suggests. It is a fissure made by a corner of rock splitting off from the main body due to some natural causes. A gigantic piece of rock has fallen over one portion of the cleft making it look like a roof. This gives the appearance of a cave. The walls of the rocks contain hieroglyphics, which date back to pre-historic era.

There are many waterfalls in the area. Meenmutty falls and Soochippara falls are the most visited. There is also the pristine Kuruva island which is 950 acres of wilderness. You can sight different varieties of flora and fauna in this island. Lakkidi view point is about 5 kms from Vythiri and it gives a beautiful view of the valley, along with the winding roads.

If you love wild animals there is Muthanga wild life sanctuary for you. You can go into the forest in a jeep. If you are lucky, you can sight spotted deers, herds of elephants, monkeys and also bisons.

Time to visit

The best time to visit is October – May. But if you love the rains, you can also visit Vythiri during monsoon, which is June – September. Look out for leeches in rainy season! Though they will purify your blood and it is not painful, it is a gory sight if you are bitten by one. Make sure you wear covered footwear to prevent leech bites.

Accommodation

There is a variety of accommodation available to suit any budget. Resorts, budget hotels, home stays are all available in and around Vythiri. Vythiri is about 10 kms away from Kalpetta, which is the headquarters of Wayanad district. Kalpetta also offers many accommodation choices. The local cuisine is lip smacking.

While in Vythiri, fill your lungs with the fresh, unpolluted mountain air, because it is indeed becoming a rare commodity.