Come for the luxury, stay for the wildlife, and leave with a heart full of memories! Tucked away in the forests of Wayanad, this resort isn’t just a place to stay – it’s an experience. From waking up to jungle sounds to dining under soft lamps, Wayanad Wild by CGH Earth gave us the best of both worlds – wilderness and comfort!

Artful welcome and check-in at Wayanad Wild

The moment we arrived, we got a traditional welcome. While we are used to an array of welcome drinks, and the tropical welcome drink was very cool too, what we recall is the little gift we got – a small terracotta medallion without any dye. It was straight out of the Harappa chapter of our history book.

A special mention to the artful Kerala musician statues at the reception. Made of bamboo possibly and draped in white mund dhotis, the statues provided the perfect Kerala welcome.

And from here we went to check into what we thought was our room, but it turned out to be a cottage. Given that this was actually inside the permitted zones of the forest on a hill, the topography had sharp ups and downs. You could wal,k or a fleet of vehicles would ferry the guests to their rooms and the reception. We were ushered into one of them and dropped at the door of what was going to be our home for the next three days.

Our room at Wayanad Wild

We entered our cottage that was painted a dull shade of green to mix with the surroundings, perhaps. A sloping roof completed the aesthete. But the inside was what one would call understated luxury.

Our spacious room with a Jacuzzi, and a balcony opening straight into the forest had enough space that even after 2 twin beds, one could still fit in another. Moreover there was a full-size dressing mirror made of wood. It was symbolic of the traditional style we have seen in Kerala houses (https://delhi-fun-dos.com/7-types-of-accommodations-in-kerala/).

There was hardly any wall art and no television in the room. We loved the starkness as if the surrounding nature was enough ornamentation for this place.

And about the Food at Wayanad Wild?

Oh, they spoiled us! The breakfast buffet, lunch, and high tea had everything – from fluffy appams, Kerala-style puttu, and spicy Kerala fish to pancakes, pasta, and fresh tropical fruits.

The huge dining hall was all wood with no walls, just beams and a high ceiling made of wood. It looked like a forest rest house. Dinner was served under soft lamp lighting so as not to disturb the surroundings with glaring light. The whole dining hall setup looked magical in the evening.

Activities at Wayanad Wild

But the real magic at Wayanad Wild was in the activities they have curated for the guests! Irrespective of age or gender, there were many goosebump moments for everyone.

Nature walk in the morning – We started the day with a bird watching nature walk up an adjacent hill. It was way more interesting than we thought. The path was through wild bamboo grass and did require a basic level of fitness. The walk up was about 30 minutes, and once at the top, we saw the whole valley around us. The naturalists accompanying us identified many quaint birds and flowers. A great start to our day indeed!

Malabar Kitchen workshop

Kerala, as we all know, is the Spice Capital of India. Every evening, a chef from Wayanad Wild holds a cookery session where they teach a Kerala dish made with aromatic spices. We attended one of these sessions where we got hands-on with the prized Kerala spices. The aroma filled the surrounding area and wafted into the forests around us.

Nature talk sessions

Every evening, they hold presentations and talks relating to the local flora and fauna. We attended a butterfly talk by the award-winning naturalist, Umesh. Through his animated presentation, he gave the colourful butterflies that we saw on the balcony a whole new identity.

Activity room

Some board games like carom and chess, a television set, and many chairs made the ideal relaxing lounge. The items here would engage both the young and the old.

Swimming

We took dips in the swimming pool that is nestled among tall trees. Not only did it help us digest their awesome grub, but also the stylish setting amidst nature was the perfect photo spot.

But the highlight? The night walk at Wayanad Wild – Pitch darkness, jungle sounds, and suddenly, we spot a vine-snake catching and then devouring a frog! It was like watching a Nat Geo documentary in real life!

And yes – we saw many other creatures – some familiar and some like beyond our knowledge. For instance, there were these frogs that looked like small leaves and were superbly camouflaged with their surroundings. There were many other snakes coiled up on branches, and birds that were asleep. The night walk at Wayanad Wild introduced us to a whole new world. This nocturnal expedition had to be the most exciting part of our trip.

Things to do near Wayanad Wild

Kerala is known as God’s own country, and Wayanad is one of the most naturally endowed spots here. Every corner is an interplay of verdant green and pristine water. Tucked inside the forests of this zone, Wayanad Wild is like a haven. Once you are in here, you do not feel like heading out. But the traveller in us wanted to explore more, and we stepped out of the resort and visited these surprisingly interesting spots that are within a 5 to 15 minutes’ drive from Wayanad Wild’s parking.

Honey Museum

We started with the BeeCraft Honey Museum in Vythiri, Kerala. Set amidst Vythiri’s verdant location, the museum provided a captivating insight into the world of honeybees and the art of honey-making. Recognised as India’s first and the world’s second honey museum, it proudly showcased the region’s deep-rooted beekeeping traditions. A guided tour, interactive displays, and honey-tasting at the end, it was indeed a delightful experience.

Vythiri Market

Barely 5 minutes’ drive from the Honey Museum, this market gave us an insight into the lives of the locals here. We also thoroughly enjoyed some banana chips and cookies at Famous Bakery in Vythiri Market. We bought an assortment of spices like bay leaf, cinnamon, aniseed, star anise, black pepper, and cardamom from this market.

Tea Museum

We visited the Tea Museum, about 15 minutes distance from here. It was located in a tea garden and had displays about how history of tea plantations, tea plantations in British times, and so on. The Tea Museum also offered some adventure sports on the side.

En-Ooru

It is a curated tribal village experience perched atop a hill that offers an excellent view of the surroundings. The huts in En-Ooru have the most artistic, almost dreamy structures, and En-Ooru offers a variety of photo-ops. This space is within 10 minutes’ drive time from Wayanad Wild Parking.

How to Reach CGH Wayanad Wild

Reaching CGH Wayanad Wild is quite easy and adds to the charm of the Wayanad trip. The resort is located in the forests of Lakkidi, Wayanad. The nearest airport is Calicut International Airport (Kozhikode), about 75 km away. It takes roughly 2.5 to 3 hours by car, depending on traffic. You can book a taxi from the airport or request a pick-up directly from the resort. If you’re travelling by train, the nearest station is Kozhikode Railway Station. From there, too, the drive takes about 3 hours. For families and groups, hiring a cab or booking a private transfer is the most comfortable option.

Any transport you take would drop you at the parking zone of Wayanad Wild. From here, you would be picked by Wayanad Wild vehicles modified to navigate undulating forest roads. The last stretch was a little bumpy, but it passed through beautiful flora, offering us a refreshing preview of the wilderness that awaited us.

Last but not the least, we must mention the warm yet prompt hospitality of the Wayanad Wild team. The staff was kind and friendly. Every request, be it drinking water or a call for a vehicle to ferry us, was adhered in the shortest time. And they all stood waving at us when we left, it was surprisingly a moment filled with emotions!

If you’re looking for a luxury resort in Wayanad that blends nature, adventure, and comfort, Wayanad Wild should be on your list. Trust us, you’ll leave with stories to tell.