Edakkal Caves Wayanad Tourist Guide: Neolithic Rock Engravings, 1km Trek & Timings
Prehistoric Heritage & Trek Tourist Snapshot & Quick Facts
Perched 1,200 meters above sea level on Ambukuthi Mala in Wayanad, the Edakkal Caves are not natural caves but a fissure in a rock split by nature, covered by a massive boulder. It is the only place in South India with Stone Age rock engravings dating back to the Neolithic era (4,000 BCE to 1,000 BCE), linking early human civilization with the Indus Valley period.
Distance & Reaching Edakkal Caves
| Starting Point | Distance | Drive Time | Route Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sulthan Bathery | 12 km | 25 mins | Via Ambalavayal Road |
| Kalpetta (District HQ) | 25 km | 45 mins | Via Meenangadi & Ambalavayal |
| Calicut (Kozhikode) | 95 km | 3 hours | Via Thamarassery Ghat & Kalpetta |
| Mysore | 125 km | 3 hours | Via Gundlupet & Sulthan Bathery |
The Trek & Cave Highlights
1. The Ambukuthi Hill Climb
From the vehicle drop-off, you can take a local jeep shuttle (₹20/head) for the first 1 km, followed by climbing roughly 300 well-constructed metal staircase steps to the cave entrance.
2. The Prehistoric Petroglyphs
Inside the cave chamber, explore rock surfaces etched with ancient human figures holding bows, symbols, wheeled carts, and Indus-style motifs discovered in 1890 by Fred Fawcett.
How This Guide Is Prepared
Tripmakes prepares this guide for practical trip planning using local route knowledge, published attraction information, and feedback from itinerary operations. Timings, fees, weather access, and local rules can change, so confirm time-sensitive details before departure.
Reviewed: September 2026 by the Tripmakes travel planning team in Kushalnagar, Kodagu. Read our editorial and correction policy.