A slow dance through the bends as we navigate this section of the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, in Kerala, leading to the Kabini reservoir and wildlife reserve, in Karnataka. The traffic was minimal, the twisties unending, and we went carving through the jungle. Enroute we spotted barking deer, monkeys and the occasional peacock.

This was our second run through Wayanad, after 2017. You can read about the earlier ride here.

We took on this one as a three day ride in February this year, with our company’s offsite and a very pleasant stay at the newly opened Taj Wayanad thrown into the mix. Had the ride not been for our official event, it would have been the perfect recipe for an awesome motorcycle holiday- stay at breathtaking luxury resorts, take slow rides through the beautiful living culture that is Kerala, gorge on sumptuous food and drink and enjoy the all encompassing green scenery.

You’ve heard this before, but life does take its own slow pace in rural Kerala. And it has moments of beauty where time stands still. As we ride through village after village, we see homes with large verandahs, shaded from the morning sun. The menfolk use this space as their daily hangout, reading the morning newspaper, sipping on chai, catching up on gossip with the neighbours and watching the world go by. You can’t rush through scenes like this, and the ride is best enjoyed at the gentle pace that makes you appreciate the culture and character of the place.

Wayanad is the quintessential lazy motorcyclist’s paradise, with winding roads that snake through tea estates, banana plantations and an otherwise endless sea of green. If you are planning on visiting, keep a few days in store- there’s lots of lovely routes in the district which need to be savoured, one day at a time.

A detour on our way home, to one of my favourite places in Karnataka, the enchanting Kabini reservoir and wildlife reserve was rewarding as ever.

Can’t wait to return to this gorgeous motorcycling country at the next opportunity.