Wayanad Facts & Statistics: 75 Data Points Every Traveller Should Know

Wayanad is one of Kerala’s most data-rich districts — packed with geography, wildlife, climate, agricultural, and tourism statistics that tell a story numbers alone cannot. Whether you are planning a trip, writing about the district, or simply curious, this page compiles 75 verified facts and data points about Wayanad in one place.

Geography and Location

1. Area: 2,131 sq km — about 5.5% of Kerala’s total area
2. Location: 11°27’N to 11°58’N latitude, 75°47’E to 76°26’E longitude
3. Elevation range: 700 m to 2,100 m above sea level
4. Highest point: Chembra Peak at 2,100 m
5. District headquarters: Kalpetta at ~780 m elevation
6. Borders: Karnataka (north and east), Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu (southeast), Kozhikode and Malappuram districts of Kerala (south and west)
7. Part of the Western Ghats — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s eight biodiversity hotspots
8. Wayanad is one of only three plateau districts in Kerala, formed by the Western Ghats’ elevated tableland
9. Major rivers: Kabini (Panamaram), Chaliyar — both originating in the Western Ghats within the district
10. The name “Wayanad” derives from “Vayal Nadu” — Malayalam for “land of paddy fields”

Forest and Biodiversity

11. Forest cover: Approximately 40% of the district (850+ sq km), one of the highest in South India
12. Part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve — the first biosphere reserve in India (established 1986) and largest in South India at 5,520 sq km
13. Two wildlife sanctuaries: Muthanga (345 sq km) and Tholpetty (345 sq km)
14. Wild elephant population: Estimated 400 to 600 elephants move through Wayanad’s forests as part of the Nilgiri elephant corridor
15. Other large mammals: Indian gaur (bison), sambar deer, spotted deer, wild boar, Nilgiri langur, bonnet macaque, sloth bear
16. Tiger and leopard presence: Both are documented in Wayanad’s sanctuaries — part of the Nilgiri-Eastern Ghats tiger corridor
17. Bird species recorded: 250+ species including Malabar grey hornbill, Nilgiri flycatcher, white-bellied treepie, and Malabar parakeet
18. Butterfly species: 150+ species documented in the district
19. The Bamboo Forest near Muthanga functions as a critical wildlife corridor connecting the Wayanad and Bandipur reserves across the Karnataka border
20. Wayanad’s forests contain giant bamboo (Dendrocalamus giganteus) reaching heights of 25 to 35 metres

Climate Data

21. Average annual temperature: 18°C to 29°C
22. Coldest month: January (12°C to 24°C)
23. Warmest month: April (20°C to 32°C)
24. Average annual rainfall: 2,500 to 3,000 mm
25. Wettest month: July (600 to 800 mm)
26. Southwest monsoon (June–September) delivers ~65% of annual rainfall
27. Northeast monsoon (October–November) delivers ~20% of annual rainfall
28. Fog days per year: 40 to 60, concentrated in the morning hours between November and February
29. Humidity during monsoon: 85% to 95%
30. Best weather window for tourism: October to February (15°C to 25°C, minimal rain, clear skies)

Population and Demographics

31. Population: ~8.82 lakh (882,000) per 2011 Census — the least populated district in Kerala
32. Population density: ~383 per sq km (Kerala average: 860)
33. Scheduled Tribe population: ~18% — the highest proportion of any district in Kerala
34. Major tribal communities: Paniya (largest), Kurichiya, Kuruma, Kattunaickan, Adiyan
35. The Kurichiya community are one of the few matrilineal tribal groups in India and historically skilled archers
36. Literacy rate: ~89% — lower than Kerala’s average of 94% but higher than the national average of 74%
37. Three municipal towns: Kalpetta, Sultan Bathery, Mananthavady
38. Languages spoken: Malayalam (primary), Kannada, Tamil, and several tribal languages including Paniya and Kurichiya dialects

Agriculture and Economy

39. Major crops: Coffee, pepper, cardamom, tea, rice, ginger, areca nut, coconut
40. Wayanad produces approximately 70% of Kerala’s total pepper output
41. Coffee production: Wayanad is Kerala’s largest coffee-producing district, contributing ~90% of the state’s output
42. Cardamom: Significant producer — Wayanad’s elevation and rainfall create ideal growing conditions
43. Tea estates: Concentrated around Meppadi and Ambalavayal, covering thousands of hectares
44. Rice varieties: Traditional varieties like Gandhakasala (aromatic rice) and Jeerakasala are cultivated in Wayanad’s paddy fields
45. Honey production: Wild honey collection is a traditional livelihood for tribal communities, with rock bee, stingless bee, and Indian bee varieties

Tourism Data

46. Registered homestays: 500+ as of 2024
47. Annual domestic tourists: Approximately 10 to 12 lakh
48. Annual foreign tourists: Approximately 15,000 to 20,000
49. Peak season: October to May (December–January and Onam season see highest footfall)
50. Number of major waterfalls: 6+ including Soochipara, Meenmutty, Kanthanpara, Chethalayam, and Thusharagiri
51. Number of trekking destinations: 8+ including Chembra Peak, Banasura Hills, Pakshipathalam, and Cheengeri Mala
52. Banasura Sagar Dam: The largest earth dam in India and the second largest in Asia — 685 m long, 37.5 m high

Historical and Archaeological

53. Edakkal Caves petroglyphs: Dating to approximately 6000 BCE — among the oldest human engravings in South India
54. The caves are not actually caves but a natural rock fissure formed when a massive boulder became wedged between two granite hills
55. Edakkal petroglyphs include human figures, animal forms, and geometric symbols from Neolithic and Mesolithic periods
56. Sultan Bathery derives its name from Tipu Sultan, who used the town as a battery (ammunition store) during his campaigns in the late 18th century
57. Jain Temple in Sultan Bathery: Dates to the 13th century, reflecting historical Jain trade settlements in the region
58. Thirunelli Temple: One of the oldest Vishnu temples in Kerala, known as the “Kashi of the South,” at 900 m elevation in the Brahmagiri Hills
59. Wayanad was part of the ancient trade route connecting the Malabar Coast to the Deccan Plateau via the Thamarassery Ghat

Distances and Access

60. Kozhikode (Calicut) to Kalpetta: 78 km (~3 hours via Thamarassery Ghat)
61. Bengaluru to Kalpetta: 280 km (~5.5 hours via Mysore and Sultan Bathery)
62. Mysore to Sultan Bathery: 105 km (~2.5 hours)
63. Ooty to Sultan Bathery: 115 km (~3 hours via Gudalur)
64. Kochi to Kalpetta: 290 km (~5.5 hours)
65. Nearest airport: Kannur International Airport (CCJ), 95 km from Kalpetta
66. Nearest railway station: Kozhikode Railway Station, 75 km from Kalpetta
67. Thamarassery Ghat road: 36 hairpin bends climbing from the coastal plain to the Wayanad plateau
68. Kalpetta to Sultan Bathery: 32 km (~45 minutes)
69. Kalpetta to Mananthavady: 32 km (~50 minutes)

Records and Unique Facts

70. Pookode Lake is one of the few natural freshwater lakes in Kerala, at 770 m elevation, with a distinctive outline often compared to the map of India
71. Kuruva Island is a 950-acre (385 hectare) uninhabited river delta island on the Kabini River — one of the largest river islands in the Western Ghats
72. Wayanad’s Gandhakasala rice received a GI (Geographical Indication) tag, recognising it as a unique product of the region
73. The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (combined Muthanga and Tholpetty) is the second largest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala
74. Meenmutty Waterfalls is the largest waterfall in Wayanad at approximately 300 metres total height across three tiers
75. Lakkidi at 700 m elevation is the southern gateway to Wayanad and receives some of the highest rainfall in the district

Trip Cost Data (2026 Estimates)

Planning your budget? Here are current cost ranges for a Wayanad trip:

Category	Budget	Mid-Range	Luxury
Accommodation (per night)	₹800–1,500	₹2,000–4,000	₹5,000–15,000
Meals (per day)	₹300–500	₹600–1,000	₹1,500–3,000
Transport (per day)	₹400–600	₹1,500–2,500	₹3,000–5,000
Entry fees (typical attraction)	₹20–50	₹20–50	₹20–50
Wildlife safari (per person)	₹300–600	₹300–600	₹300–600

For a detailed budget breakdown, see our Wayanad budget travel guide.

Sources and Notes

These facts are compiled from Kerala Tourism Department records, Forest Department data, Census of India 2011, India Meteorological Department climate records, and local tourism industry sources. Tourism figures are pre-pandemic estimates; post-2023 data suggests recovery to near-2019 levels. Agricultural data is based on Kerala State Planning Board district profiles.

Planning your trip? Start with our 3-day Wayanad itinerary, learn what Wayanad is famous for, or check what’s currently open on our attractions reopening tracker. For evening activities, see our guide to things to do at night, and photographers should check our best photography spots guide.