For the ultimate Southern India road trip, nothing rivals the journey from Hyderabad to the deep Western Ghats of Wayanad in Kerala, passing straight through the Bandipur Tiger Reserve. This 750-kilometer expedition takes you through the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve—the largest protected forest area in India—offering a thrilling mix of roadside wildlife sightings, spice plantations, and cloud-capped mountain peaks.
The Route via Bengaluru & Mysuru
This route uses world-class expressways before transitioning into strict forest preservation corridors.
- The Highway Corridor: Cruise south from Hyderabad on NH44 all the way to Bengaluru. Bypass the city via the NICE Road expressway onto the newly expanded Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway (NH275), which gets you to Mysuru in under two hours. From Mysuru, head south through Gundlupet directly into the Bandipur forest.
- Strict Forest Checkpost Rules: The highway through Bandipur Tiger Reserve and Mudumalai National Park is completely closed to all vehicular traffic from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM every night to protect wildlife. You must time your departure from Hyderabad or stay overnight in Mysuru to ensure you cross the forest gate during daytime hours!
- The Thamarassery Churam: Entering Wayanad from the valley requires climbing the famous mountain pass known as the Churam, featuring 9 sharp hairpin bends offering dizzying views across the Malabar coastline.
Driving through Bandipur offers frequent roadside sightings of wild elephants, deer, and Indian bison.
Traveling to Wayanad?
Don't exhaust yourself navigating highways. Upgrade your trip with a premium, chauffeur-driven SUV.
Wayanad & Bandipur: Must-Experience Highlights
From stone-age mountain caves to India’s largest earth dam, Wayanad is packed with diverse attractions.
| Attraction | The Experience |
|---|---|
| Bandipur Jungle Safari | Before crossing into Kerala, book a government-operated Jeep or Bus safari at the Bandipur reception center for a chance to spot Bengal tigers, leopards, and sloth bears in their natural habitat. |
| Edakkal Caves | Trek up Ambukuthi Mountain in Wayanad to enter these natural rock clefts featuring authentic Stone Age pictorial carvings dating back over 8,000 years (to 6000 BCE). |
| Banasura Sagar Dam & Treehouses | Visit the largest earth dam in India and the second largest in Asia, surrounded by the rolling hills of Banasura. Wayanad is also famous for eco-resorts offering luxurious wooden treehouse stays high in the jungle canopy. |
Because Wayanad is a 750-kilometer drive spanning three states (Telangana, Karnataka, and Kerala), it is best experienced as an extended 5-day or 6-day holiday. Booking a 12-seater or 16-seater Tempo Traveller for your extended family or corporate group keeps everyone together, splits the per-person travel cost significantly, and ensures you have a dedicated, comfortable vehicle for all your sightseeing across the expansive hills.
Plan Your Deep Western Ghats Expedition
Embark on the ultimate wildlife and hill station road trip with complete comfort and safety. Browse our spacious SUVs and Tempo Travellers to lock in your Wayanad and Bandipur itinerary today.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highway passing through Bandipur Tiger Reserve and Mudumalai National Park is strictly closed to all vehicular traffic from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM every night to prevent wildlife disturbance and accidents.
The 750-kilometer journey from Hyderabad to Wayanad via Bengaluru and Mysuru takes approximately 13 to 14 hours by cab. We recommend starting early morning or breaking the journey in Mysuru.
The Edakkal Caves feature authentic Neolithic (Stone Age) pictorial rock carvings and petroglyphs dating back over 8,000 years (to 6000 BCE), making it a rare archaeological treasure in South India.
Did you find this travel guide helpful?
