Wayanad - Edakkal caves

Its an old age cave First while coming there is a parking fees of Rs 50 and they will assign parking bay and we need to note down the parking number.we need to park on the same parking number.we got as parking 5 and we can find the board of parking 5 and you can park safely as much time you can.if you get parking 1 you are lucky and it is near to cave It will take around 45 minutes up and down depending upon your health and rush and it is advisable to come on week days so that you can avoid rush and from parking we need to walk to entrance and it is too steep and find difficult to walk and it will take around 10 -15 minutes. While walking from parking you can find lot of shops for tea ,snacks,and shopping items like suvaneir You are not allowed to carry plastic.so need to give Rs 20 and they will stick one sticker in bottle and while returning you can show stickers and they will return our money of Rs 20 Entry fees is Rs 50 and carry cash as network issues are there And security will check entry receipts and you can enter and you can find steps and it is easy to go in steps and you can find two caves and the end one is the main cave and you can find encryption and there is an government guide where he will explain everything and You can exit same route where you entered and you can get good views

You have to treck uphill for 20 minutes to reach the booking counter. From there you have to climb rocks through narrow paths for the caves. It will be worth exhausting experience and knee pain people should better avoid.

Hats off to Karala Tourism or the authorities there. The place was very clean, the authorities were very hospitable and good. I was very happy looking at the carvings on the walls. It's very well preserved. I kindly request people not to ruin the place, bit to touch the carvings and to just see and live the place. There was a guide available there who explained everything. It was great to know about the carvings. I wondered how people 2-3k years ago lived and what their lifestyle would have been like. Though the climb seems to be steep, please don't give up. I saw few youngsters in their mid 20s returning assuming the top is too far and also saw people in their 70s or 80s returning happily with their respective families by climbing to the top, completely exploring the place and being very enthusiastic. So, don't listen to your body, let the will power not go down. I am sure one would happy while on the top there. The distance isn't much from parking to the top. Don't listen to what others have to say, just keep going. The view from top is awesome. Nobody is allowed till the top of the mountain so, don't be judgemental just by the size of the mountain. Just go up there and enjoy the entire journey.

Edakkal Caves in Edakkal Caves are absolutely worth visiting. The trek itself is part of the experience — a steep but rewarding climb through the hills with beautiful views of Wayanad’s forests and valleys along the way. Once you reach the top, the panoramic scenery is stunning, especially in the early morning or late afternoon. The caves are the real highlight. They’re not typical limestone caves, but a fascinating natural rock formation created by massive boulders wedged together. Inside, you’ll find ancient petroglyphs believed to date back thousands of years, making the site both historically and visually remarkable. Seeing those carvings up close feels surreal and gives the place a mysterious atmosphere. Between the scenic hike, the viewpoints, and the archaeological significance, Edakkal Caves offer a mix of adventure, nature, and history that makes the trip memorable.

Located in the Wayanad district of Kerala, about 12 km from Sulthan Bathery and 25 km from Kalpetta, the Edakkal Caves rest atop Ambukuthi Mala at an elevation of roughly 1,200 m above sea level . Despite the name, they are natural rock shelters formed by a boulder wedged between two larger rocks—“Edakkal” means “a stone in between” in Malayalam . The site contains Stone Age petroglyphs (rock carvings) dating from approximately 6,000 BC to 1,000 BC, with the oldest estimated at over 7,000–8,000 years old . These include depictions of humans, animals, tools, geometric symbols, and even inscriptions in Brahmi and Tamil—some scholars suggest possible links to the Indus Valley Civilization . The caves were discovered in 1890–1895 by Fred Fawcett, then Superintendent of Police for Malabar, during a hunting expedition, drawing attention from archaeologists worldwide . Local legends associate the fissure with mythological figures “Lava and Kusa” from the Ramayana saga  . • Timings vary slightly by source: around 9:00 AM–4:00 PM or 10:00 AM–4:30 PM. Some note closing after ~1,920 visitors/day and closures on Mondays or national holidays  . • The trek to the caves is a 45-minute uphill hike over ~1–1.5 km of forested terrain with natural rocky pathways—no formal steps, so wear comfortable shoes . • Visitors can explore two chambers: the lower (~18 × 12 ft) and upper (~96 × 22 ft), featuring the rock carvings . • A short jeep shuttle is available to the base of the trail for ₹70 (8-seater), helpful if you’re not up for the full walk  .

Good place for people who like trekking. And it almost 1-1.5km walk will be written on board there. But mostly it will be more.wear good shoes and make sure you carry water you will definitely need it😜 On top of the hill , view is good .

A must visit place in Wayanad. However, I don’t recommend old people as the trek to the cave is steep and difficult for people with knee pain and difficulty to climb up. It may take up to 30 minutes to climb up. You will get a great experience the scenery is wonderful and place is so cool and shaded with full of trees. Avoid visiting the place during rainy days and don’t for get to take a water bottle, if you forget make sure you get one before getting the entry ticket. You will find plenty of snacks and other souvenirs shops there as it is one of the tourist attractions. Paid parking facility is available.

Lot of shopping. Restaurants available. Lot of parking space. Need tickets. Need to climb to the top of hill. The top view is awesome. You will see the old scripts from the stone age. An archaeological study centre. Closes by 4 pm.

Good place to visit if you are interested in history or climbing a hill

Nice location at the top for photos. Takes around 1.5 to 2 hours for round-trip. You will have to climb a path with slope. (older people and who has back pain should avoid going there)

Edakkal Caves Review Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) Location: Ambukutty Mala, Wayanad district, Kerala Type: Prehistoric rock shelter with petroglyphs Historical Significance Home to prehistoric carvings dating back to 6000 BCE, possibly linked to Neolithic and Mesolithic cultures. Some inscriptions are believed to be related to the Indus Valley Civilization, making it an archaeological treasure. Unique Rock Formations Not actually “caves” but a rock fissure created by a split in a huge rock—very unique geologically. Scenic Trek The hike (about 1.5–2 km uphill) is moderately challenging but scenic, with panoramic views of Wayanad. Educational and Cultural Value Offers insights into early human life, art, and communication. Guided tours available for better context and historical interpretation. Edakkal Caves are a fascinating blend of natural beauty, history, and mystery. If you're interested in ancient civilizations, rock art, or just a good trek with a payoff, this is a must-visit in Kerala. Tips for Visitors: Wear comfortable hiking shoes. Carry water, especially on sunny days. Local guides are worth hiring—they explain the carvings well. Visit in the morning for cooler weather and fewer crowds.

Steep climb to reach the caves. Would not recommend to old people with knee and back problems. Need to walk atleast 10-15 mins to reach the cave. The view that we get from the top is mesmerizing. The caves itself is Ok for a regular tourist. People who have an inclination to history and understand the relevance of the caves might find it fascinating . The timing is strict 4 PM and the security personal will pressure you to wrap up your visit by 4:30 even if you have entered the caves.

The Edakkal Caves are located on the Ambukuthi Hills. The oldest among them date back to 6000 B.C, to the age of Stone Age man. It is 33 Kms away from Pepper Valley resort. The entry fee is 50 per person,

It is a good place to watch and learn about early human settlements in kerala.the trek to get here is a bit difficult but i recommend visiting at least once

Please do not visit this place... It's totally not worthy... U need to treck almost 1km and then again u need to climb 330 steps just to see what I have posted. It's total waste of time and energy. Better you visit other places. It's literal waste of 3 hours 🤬

Edakkal cave is a wonderful place to visit, especially during the rainy season. The views are breathtaking and the climate is perfect.

We visited on 27th of January 2024, much crowded..parking has many places 50rs..entry for cave 50rs..steep trekking and end you get some iron steps..I felt very tough while climbing up.. the ticket counter is in the middle..once you reach the counter it will be easier after there won't be any hard to climb..reaching the counter will be hard..there will be many shops here and there until the counter. I wont recommend it for old age ppl with back and knee pain...The cave is somewhat good.. trekkers can enjoy...use shoes for this place. Be careful with monkeys,it will snatch your snacks and mobile too.

Good experience but little bit hard to reached. Nice view from the top of the hill

Edakkal Caves are located 1200 m above the sea level on ambukuttymala the name edakkal.

Trek was awesome.. from parking, 2 km to trek to view the amazing caves.. had a great time with my family.. fantastic weather and nature is amazing 😍..