Edakkal caves Wayanad are two natural caves (cleft between rocks) on a mountain called Ambukuthy Mala near Ambalavayal Town in Wayanad. It is believed to be an amazing 7000 years old wonder. The cleft is naturally formed out of the disposition of three huge boulders with 96 Feet in length and 22 feet in width and possess a depth of 30 Feet. It has been attracting the attention of historians and archeologists owing to the pre-historic engraving in the Cave from the Neolithic man, indicating a prehistoric civilization or settlement in the region.
Explored by Fred Fawcet, a police official of the erstwhile Malabar state, in 1894, who identified the engravings and pictures as one of the richest and most authentic pictographic galleries of its kind, is surely a feast for historians and other researchers. These Stone-Age carvings of human and animal figures, tools used by humans and symbols (yet to be deciphered) are rare and probably are the only known examples from South India. The oldest Petroglyphs inside the cave may date back to over 7000 years. The other drawings range over the period from 5000 BC to 1000 BC. The youngest group of drawings was in the news for a possible connection to Indus Valley Civilization. It is one of the most visited tourist places in Wayanad for its Historical importance and for trekking possibilities.
Entry Fee at Edakkal Caves:
- Adults: Rs 50
- Children: Rs 30
Edakkal Caves Timings:
- Edakkal Cave opening time is 8 AM.
- Closing time is 4 PM (1600 h)
- *However, entry will be closed after 1920 visitors each day.
Important Points to Remember:
- Closed on all the Monday and national holidays.
- Entry to the caves will be closed after 1920 persons each day.
- Best time to Visit Edakkal Caves Sep to Mar
- Try to visit Edakkal Caves in the morning itself
Places to Visit near Edakkal Caves
Wayanad Heritage Museum (6 km), Cheengeri Hills Trekking (7 km), Sulthan Bathery Jain Temple (12 km), Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary (25 km), Kanthanpara Waterfalls (25 km), Soochipara Waterfalls (40 km) are the tourist places near to Edakkal Caves. You can plan any of the following for a Wayanad Day Trip. You can look at our page Wayanad Tour Packages to know other options to choose from. You can book Packages including Edakkal Caves from Groowynd, the TripAdvisor featured destination expert.
- Edakkal Caves – Soochipara falls – Kanthan para falls – Heritage Museum
- Edakkal Caves – Heritage Museum – Sulthan Bathery Jain Temple – Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary
How to Reach Edakkal Caves?
Calicut to Edakkal caves Route: Calicut-Thamarassery-Vythiri-Kalpetta-Meenagadi-Kolgapara Junction (Take right deviation towards Ambalavayal Road) -Ayiramkolli (Take Left) –Edakkal Caves . Calicut to Edakkal cave distance is 100 km, covered in 2 h 45 min.
Bangalore to Edakkal caves Route: Bangalore-Mysore- Sulthan Bathery- Kolgapara Junction (Take left deviation towards Ambalavayal Road) -Ayiramkolli (Take Left) –Edakkal Caves . Bangalore to Edakkal cave distance is 283 km, covered in 5 h 40 min.
Mysore to Edakkal caves: Mysore- Sulthan Bathery- Kolgapara Junction (Take left deviation towards Ambalavayal Road) -Ayiramkolli (Take Left) –Edakkal Caves .. Mysore to Edakkal cave distance is 127 km, covered in 2 h 45 min.
Ooty to Edakkal caves Route: Ooty-Gudallur- Vaduvanchal(on Calicut road)-Meppadi-Ambalavayal – Edakkal caves. Ooty to Edakkal distance is 104 km, covered in 2 h 55 min.
The nearest Railway Station to Edakkal caves is Kozhikode Railway Station (CLT), known as Calicut (CLT). Calicut Railway Station to Edakkal cave distance is 100 km, covered in 2 h 45 min.
Mysore Railway Station to Edakkal cave is 127 km, covered in 2 h 45 min.
The nearest airport to Edakkal caves is the Kozhikode (Calicut), known as Karipur International Airport (CCJ) at 106 km covered in 3 h 10 min.
Bangalore Airport to Edakkal distance is 320 km, covered in 6 h 30 min. It is presently known as Bengaluru Kempegowda International Airport (BLR).
Best time to visit Edakkal
Best time to visit Edakkal Caves is any time of the year, except Monsoon (June to September).
During the monsoon period, it would be difficult to do trekking to the caves.
Resorts Near Edakkal Caves
Resorts near Edakkal Caves are Hill District Club, Edakkal Hermitage, Edakkal Village Resort, The Waves, Hotel Mount Avenue.
How to Reach Edakkal caves within Wayanad:
From Kalpetta Town- Kalpetta-Meenagadi-Kolgapara Junction (Take right deviation towards Ambalavayal Road) -Ayiramkolli (Take Left) –Edakkal .
From Sulthan Bathery : Bathery – Kolgapara Junction (Take left deviation towards Ambalavayl Road)-Ayiramkolli (Take Left) – Edakkal.
From Manthavadi : Manthavadi-Panamram- Meenagadi-Kolgapara Junction (Take right deviation towards Ambalavayl Road) Ayiramkolli (Take Left) – Edakkal.
Distance to Edakkal Caves
| From Place | Distance (in Km) |
|---|---|
| Bangalore | 285 km |
| Calicut | 100 km |
| Mysore | 130 km |
| Kalpetta | 25 km |
| Sulthan Bathery | 12 km |
You can travel from Kalpetta towards Sulthan Bathery direction on NH766. After Meenangadi town, around 1.5 km, you will find a right turn from 54th mile. You can take the route to Edakkal caves via Kumbleri. Meenangadi to Edakkal caves distance is 11 km. Alternately, you can take a right turn from Kolgapara Junction towards Ambalavayal. after 5 km, you will find a left turn towards Edakkal.
Edakkal caves entry opens at 8 AM. It is better to reach as early as possible, as the trek will be easier in the morning. Also, there is a restriction on the number of persons each day, you might not get entry in the afternoon on peak season and weekends.
Edakkal Caves is located in Wayanad district of Kerala. It is one of the prominent tourist places in Wayanad.
Tourist Places near Edakkal Caves are Heritage Museum, Cheengeri Trek, Sulthan Bathery Jain Temple, Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary and Kanthanpara waterfalls.
Edakkal Caves to Soochipara waterfalls distance is 39 km. You can drive in Ambalavayal – Vaduvanchal – Meppadi route.
Edakkal Caves is located in Wayanad district, Kerala. It is around 12 km from Sulthan Bathery, a major town in Wayanad. Edakkal Caves can be reached in Sulthan Bathery – Ambalavayal route with a little deviation.
It is believed that Fred Fawcet, a police official in 1894 identified the engravings of Edakkal Caves.