VEDAGURU PROGRAM TOUR IN WAYANAD – Kerala
Eco-responsible tourism activities in Wayanad
• Spice tours• Craft Shop – Managed by local women’s self-help groups for selling local forest products, souvenirs, local handicrafts etc.
• Uravu NGO, that strives for empowering the marginalized and economically disadvantaged social groups, especially the traditional artisans, women and the Indigenous People. www.uravu.net
• Visit the Kanavu community. Kanavu is an alternative school/commune in Cheengode in Nadavayal village, in Wayanad set up by writer, activist and film director K. J. Baby. The school’s activities include performances of traditional plays and music, as well as martial arts (Kalarippayattu) training.
• Visit to Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary This Sanctuary is a forest garden in the Western Ghat mountains dedicated to conservation and education. It supports a unique and endangered flora, and has been identified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as one of the 25 centers of biodiversity in the world.
Culture Zone
• Edakkal Caves are two natural caves located 1,200 meters above sea level on Ambukutty Male 25 km from Kalpetta. Inside the caves are pictorial writings believed to be dated to at least 5000 BC, from the Neolithic man, indicating the presence of a prehistoric civilization or settlement in this region[1]. The Stone Age carvings of Edakkal are rare and are the only known examples from south India.
• Thirunelli Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu on the side of the Brahmagiri hill in Kerala. The Temple is located at an altitude of about 900m in north Wayanad in a valley surrounded by mountains and beautiful forests. It is situated 32 km away from Manathavady
• Jain Temple is located near Sulthan Bathery constructed in the thirteenth century.
• Heritage museum This is an archeological museum and has a grand collection of rare artifacts dating back to the 2nd century. These artifacts provide evidence the fact that ancient human civilization prevailed here in a structured form.
Natural Activity
Wildlife safari; The two wildlife Sanctuaries of Tholpetty and Muthanga in Wayanad offer excellent wildlife spotting. The animal population of the sanctuary ranges of Asiatic Elephant, Tiger, Panther, Jungle cat, Civet, Nilgiri Langur, Wild dog, Wild gaur, Spotted deer, Sambar, Malabar squirrel and Bear. Reptiles like monitor lizard and a variety of snakes are seen. Peacock, Babblers, Cuckoos, Owl, Wood pecker and Jungle fowl are only a few among the different types of birds seen in the area.
Kuruwa Island; The Kuruva Island, 950 acres of evergreen forest on the tributaries of east following river Kabini. The island is uninhabited. Rare species of birds, orchids and herbs are the sovereigns of this supernal kingdom.
River Rafting Kabini River in Wayanad district flows through the constellation of islands in Kuruwa Dweep. This suit the adventurous one’s as well as the laid back guests. The landscape moves from rural, countryside to wilderness. The rafting route is flexible enough to explore its beauty in your own terms
Kabini River Trails, Walk through the several constellations of islands that form the Kuruwa Dweep. Move from one island to another by foot, climbing over the fallen trees that make natural bridges between islands. During monsoon or post monsoon period, you can trail using a bamboo raft, visiting each island at your own leisure. The air here is filled with legends of Kabini and Wayanad, Origin of these rivers, its tribes, its Gods and the people around. This is probably the best and only way to explore and enjoy the mesmeric beauty of the Kabini River, which is otherwise, accessible only through some small pocket roads in few places.
You will also have the opportunity to dance under the starry sky with the beat of drums in a tribal village, take part in an Indian wedding, be invited into homes to taste different dishes, meet wonderful animals and above all do things outside of any program…
