Thirunelly, Wayanad
A Wilderness Escape
Wayanad, Kerala
A traditional cottage nestled in a hilly forest area, Zostel Home Wayanad is your quaint hideaway in Kerala’s wilderness. It features a common room with indoor games, a bonfire area, a restaurant, and a garden for a social holiday. Outside, activities like wildlife safaris, treks, and visits to sightseeing spots will keep you engaged. While at the Home, you can look forward to relaxing in the pool adjacent to the Home, enjoying traditional delicacies, and stargazing well into the night. Those looking for a laid back holiday will appreciate the cosy rooms with a view of the hills, the hammock area apt for afternoon sunbathing, and the many games and books to indulge in.
You will be hosted here by the Sebastians, a local family of three that brings a rich cultural twist to your stay with their traditional lifestyle and home-cooked meals, served alongside delightful local stories.
12 Guests
6 Bedrooms
6 Beds
6 Baths
HIGHLIGHTS AND ACTIVITIES
White water rafting, Kutta (31 km): Close to the Iruppu Falls, one can indulge in the adventure of river rafting, an activity that is functional between May and October. Here, you can also enjoy swimming, river crossing, loop walk, and quake walk.
Iruppu Falls (29 km) Located in the Brahmagiri Hills range near Kutta, these falls mark the beginning of a Cauvery tributary. They are reached by a thoroughly scenic drive, followed by a light 15-minute hike to the falls base, where one can take dips.
Bamboo Rafting in Kuruva Dweep (20 km) The river Kabini is home to many islets, together called the Kuruva Dweep. Here, one can take a boat ride in handmade, locally prepared bamboo rafts. You’ll spot two freshwater lakes and many species of birds such as the hornbill, parrot, and butterfly species on the ride. The area also holds potential hiking trails, a perfect fit for the explorer in you.
Tholpetty and Nagarhole Safari (17 and 23 km) Included in the few remaining protected habitats for endangered wild animal species like the tiger and the elephant, the Nagarhole National Park is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Tholpetty, on the other hand, is a Wildlife Sanctuary with only the outer tourist area permitted for visits. On both safaris, one can spot elephants, guars, tigers, leopards, deers, along with many species of reptiles and birds.
Thirunelli Temple (800 m) A shrine believed to be thousands of years old, the Thirunelli Temple is the only temple in the world where worshippers can perform all kinds of rituals on a daily basis, starting from birth to death and even life after death. It is situated at the foothill with a stream called Papanasini flowing down from the peak. Its waters are said to dissolve sins and serve as the place of worship for one’s forefathers.
Brahmagiri Trek (500 m) he most popular trek in the Wayanad region, the Brahmagiri trek is 14 km long (two way) and usually lasts for five to six hours. The Brahmagiri hill stands at the height of 1608 m, right on the border of Kodagu (Karnataka) and Wayanadu (Kerala). Its hiking trail features a lush green, moist forest with occasional glimpses of the wilderness (elephants, porcupines, birds). From atop the hill, you can see villages of both States submerged in a thick blanket of green.
AMENITIES
Shower
Breakfast (Extra)
Storage Facility
Towels On Rent
Linen Included
Television
Mountain View
Swimming Pool
Pickup
Free Wi-Fi
Parking Facility
Water Dispenser
Common hangout area
Cafe
In-house Activities
Towels Included
Bedside Lamps
HOW TO REACH
By Bus: Take a bus to Mananthavady. From here, buses run to Thirunelly between 6 AM & 7 PM. From the Thirunelly bus stand, Zostel Home Wayanad is at a distance of 450 m. While walking, you can use the KTDC/Agraharam Resort as a landmark. (Regular buses run to Mananthavady from Mysore, Kannur, and Calicut.)
By Air: The closest airports are Kannur (91 km) and Calicut (135 km). You can complete the onward journey to Thirunelly in a taxi, which costs around INR 3000-3300 from Kannur and INR 3500-3800 from Kozhikode (Calicut).
By Train: The nearest railway stations are Kannur (115 km), Calicut (120 km), and Mysore (120 km). Buses to Mananthavady are available from all three stations.
AREA - Wayanad
A village with an old-world charm close to the Karnataka border, Thirunelli is serene, quaint, and green. Surrounded by a moist deciduous forest, the town is known for the holy Thirunelli temple that believers from across South India visit.
LOCATION - Zostel Homes Wayanad (Thirunelly)
Perched high on the Western Ghats of Kerala, the Wayanad district is mostly covered in forests. Brimming with unimaginable greenery and wilderness, Wayanad is also home to eight local tribes, making it rich in culture alongside natural beauty. The remains of the Neolithic age, ancient caves, and a traditional lifestyle all add to the wonders of this verdant land.
House Policies
- The property is not pet-friendly.
- Consumption of alcohol and tobacco is strictly prohibited within the property. Guests are requested to resort to open areas for the same. Furthermore, the usage of any kind of drugs is not permitted inside or around the property.
- The swimming pool and restaurant are located just adjacent to the Home. Guests staying at Zostel Home Wayanad shall have full access to the areas. The pool timings are 10 AM to 7 PM.
- You will be venturing into a protected area surrounded by forests and wildlife. Travellers hence need to respect the culture and surroundings during their stay. The property shall not tolerate acts of littering around the area. Moreover, the Home should be kept noise-free after 10 pm.
- Guests are requested to carry an ID proof and their booking confirmation (online will do) for a hassle-free check-in. Since this is a homestay, we are not entitled to provide any room or luggage services.
- The check-in time is 12 PM, check-out time is 10 AM, and the breakfast time is 8.30 to 10.30 AM. Guests are requested to respect and follow these timings.
- All the food served will be home-cooked. Any special request regarding food or facilities needs to be intimated in advance.
HOSTED By Rahul Sebastian
Zostel Home Wayanad is owned and operated by Rahul Sebastian and his parents, who call Kerala their home. Rahul is an alumnus of NIT Calicut and runs an ed-tech startup in Saudi Arabia. His father is a journalist and author and his mother is a former educator.