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Luxuriant plantations of coffee, tea, cardamom, pepper and rubber stretch over the hills of Wayanad as far as the eye can see.

With the fast-flowing rives - Panorama, Mananthavady and Kabini - cutting across the undulating panorama and lending a picture-postcard look to the whole region. The northeastern tip of Kerala.

Its pretty image not with standing, perhaps what the visitor finds most endearing about this quaint little hill station is its large tribal population and either fascinating lifestyles. Including revered monarchs of barely fifty-strong tribes. An in-vogue barter system. And ancient rituals.

Not surprisingly, based on evidences still found on these hills, historians contend that civilization existed in these parts at least a thousand years before Christ.

Sightseeing

Edakkal Cavs : The two rock caves at Ambukuthy Hills, 12 kms south of Sultan's Battery (travel time : 20 min), contain ancient carvings and pictorial writings with human and animal figures in peculiar headdresses along with geometric forms and symbols. They speak of a highly civilized people at an early centre of human habitation. Thornily Adjust 32 kms from Mananthavady (travel time : 1 hour), the eye-catching backdrop of Brahma-giri hills lend an idyllic charm to thornily where the Vishnu Temple, touched by the soothing streams of Papanasini provides etemal bliss to the searching pilgrim.

Pookot Lake : With its own dream-like serenity, this natural fres water lake surrounded by meadows and trees on all sides is a haven for peacemaking travelers. You'll find it on your way from Calicut half an hour ahead of Kalpetta.

Kalpetta: A stronghold of the Janis in the past. Two historic Jain temples-one of which, thorough network of mirrors bedazzle the visitor with a thousand images of the icon - are found here.

Mananthavad : Historically important as the last resting place of Pazhassirajah who fought a guerilla war against the British.