Wild Life and Hills
More than a fifth land area of Kerala is blessed with tropical rain forests and semi evergreen forests. The vast biodiversity of forests in the state become the store house of more than 10000 plant species including 900 medicinal plants, besides 102 species of mammals, 476 species of birds, 202 species of freshwater fish, 169 species of reptiles and 89 species of amphibians are found in the jungles of Kerala. Elephants, tigers, leopards, civets, gaur, sambar, chital, wild dogs, fox, wild boar, squirrels, mongooses, otters, lingers, bonnet macaques and lion tailed macaques roam the forest; cobras, vipers, and pythons slither underfoot, a mind-boggling vanity of winged creatures flit overhead. Highly endangered creatures like the Nilgiri Tahr, Indian sloth Bear and many others find a safe haven in Kerala’s forests. Almost all forest lands are protected areas and conservation efforts starts in the pre-date independence. Kerala contain 14 protected areas including two tiger reserves, one biological park and two biosphere reserves, attracting wildlife enthusiasts across the world.
Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve
Located in the ranges of Western Ghats, formed in the way back 1895 by building a dam across river Periyar. The protected area covers an area of 777 Km2. The major attractions at Periyar are Elephants, Tiger, Nilgiritahr, Nilgiri Languor, and birds life includes Darters, Cormorants, Kingfishers, the great Malabar Hornbill and racket tailed Drogues, reptiles include all variety of venomous snake even king Cobra. Though Periyar is a Tiger Reserve, one who visit this place to view the Indian Elephants who wander freely in the sanctuary in a huge group, consisting of old, adult and baby elephants.
The most thrilling and ideal way to move in to the park is by a boat cruiser, which provide you a heart soothing view of the natural surroundings of Periyar sanctuary and you can come across a family of elephants, Wild Boar and Sam bar Deer, Lion-tailed Monkeys by the water edge.
Besides, Periyar will provide elephant ride, and the animal allow you to go to the remotest part of Periyar give picturesque display of vast stock of flora and fauna.
How to reach -
200 Km from Cochin Internal Airport, 114 Km to Kottayam, Nearest town Kumali (4 Km)
Muthanga Wild Life Sanctuary
Is the part of Waynad wild life sanctuary, Muthanga is unique for the colours of the forests changes with seasons in Kerala. Muthanga is almost 350 Km2 spread sanctuary bordering with Madumali sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, Bandhipur and Nagarhole sanctuaries of Karnataka. The dense forest is a lively habitat of Elephant, Sam bar Bear, Birds, reptiles etc.
How to reach – Nearest airport is Karipur International Airport, Kochikode – 120 Km.
Can Lodge at Sultan Bathery, plenty of hotels available.
Parambikulam Wild Life Sanctuary
Located in Palaghat District bordering with Tamilnadu is a spectacular sanctuary for migrating birds, and animals. The river which flowing through the sanctuary is abundant with variety of fishes and avifauna includes birds both water birds and migratory birds. The most important species are Malabar horn bill, grey jungle fowl, jungle myna, parakeet of different species, rose-billed roller, heron etc. Besides animal flora include one of the largest population of gaur (bison) Sam bar, spotted deer, lion tailed macaque, sloth bear etc are frequently encountered during the visit. The river bench is the breeding ground of crocodiles, chameleon and snakes like King Cobra, Spectacled Cobra, Krait, Viper Python etc.
How to reach- The nearest airport is Coimbatore and can travel by road to Palghat (100 km). Boarding and lodging is available including forest rest house at Thunakadavu, Thellikkal and Elathode.
Shenduruny Wild Life Sanctuary
Is located in the eastern part of Kollam District, formed by the construction of Parappar Dam across two rivers named Kulathupuzha and Shenduruny. The artificial lake is phenomenal for cruising and relaxing by the spectacular beauty of forests. The sanctuary is the home of Elephant, Tiger, Leopard, Nilgiri Languor, Giant Squirrel, Sam bar, Barking Dear, Bonnet Macaque…
Besides you can witness the silence of forest in the near by Palaruvi waterfalls in the midst of jungles.
How to reach - 110Km from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, good hotels and motels available in nearest town Kottarakkara, Punalur, Thenmala etc.
Peppara Wild Life Sanctuary
Is located in the eastern hillock of Thiruvananthapuram blessed with eucalyptus plantations. The common flora found there are Elephants, Sam bar, Leopards, Wild Boars, Tigers, King cobras, Python etc become an emerging place for wild life enthusiasts. The Peppara dam and catchments area are rich with 13 tribal settlements.
Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve
Located in the ranges of Western Ghats, formed in the way back 1895 by building a dam across river Periyar. The protected area covers an area of 777 Km2. The major attractions at Periyar are Elephants, Tiger, Nilgiritahr, Nilgiri Languor, and birds life includes Darters, Cormorants, Kingfishers, the great Malabar Hornbill and racket tailed Drogues, reptiles include all variety of venomous snake even king Cobra. Though Periyar is a Tiger Reserve, one who visit this place to view the Indian Elephants who wander freely in the sanctuary in a huge group, consisting of old, adult and baby elephants.
The most thrilling and ideal way to move in to the park is by a boat cruiser, which provide you a heart soothing view of the natural surroundings of Periyar sanctuary and you can come across a family of elephants, Wild Boar and Sam bar Deer, Lion-tailed Monkeys by the water edge.
Besides, Periyar will provide elephant ride, and the animal allow you to go to the remotest part of Periyar give picturesque display of vast stock of flora and fauna.
How to reach -
200 Km from Cochin Internal Airport, 114 Km to Kottayam, Nearest town Kumali (4 Km)
Muthanga Wild Life Sanctuary
Is the part of Waynad wild life sanctuary, Muthanga is unique for the colours of the forests changes with seasons in Kerala. Muthanga is almost 350 Km2 spread sanctuary bordering with Madumali sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, Bandhipur and Nagarhole sanctuaries of Karnataka. The dense forest is a lively habitat of Elephant, Sam bar Bear, Birds, reptiles etc.
How to reach – Nearest airport is Karipur International Airport, Kochikode – 120 Km.
Can Lodge at Sultan Bathery, plenty of hotels available.
Parambikulam Wild Life Sanctuary
Located in Palaghat District bordering with Tamilnadu is a spectacular sanctuary for migrating birds, and animals. The river which flowing through the sanctuary is abundant with variety of fishes and avifauna includes birds both water birds and migratory birds. The most important species are Malabar horn bill, grey jungle fowl, jungle myna, parakeet of different species, rose-billed roller, heron etc. Besides animal flora include one of the largest population of gaur (bison) Sam bar, spotted deer, lion tailed macaque, sloth bear etc are frequently encountered during the visit. The river bench is the breeding ground of crocodiles, chameleon and snakes like King Cobra, Spectacled Cobra, Krait, Viper Python etc.
How to reach- The nearest airport is Coimbatore and can travel by road to Palghat (100 km). Boarding and lodging is available including forest rest house at Thunakadavu, Thellikkal and Elathode.
Shenduruny Wild Life Sanctuary
Is located in the eastern part of Kollam District, formed by the construction of Parappar Dam across two rivers named Kulathupuzha and Shenduruny. The artificial lake is phenomenal for cruising and relaxing by the spectacular beauty of forests. The sanctuary is the home of Elephant, Tiger, Leopard, Nilgiri Languor, Giant Squirrel, Sam bar, Barking Dear, Bonnet Macaque…
Besides you can witness the silence of forest in the near by Palaruvi waterfalls in the midst of jungles.
How to reach - 110Km from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, good hotels and motels available in nearest town Kottarakkara, Punalur, Thenmala etc.
Peppara Wild Life Sanctuary
Is located in the eastern hillock of Thiruvananthapuram blessed with eucalyptus plantations. The common flora found there are Elephants, Sam bar, Leopards, Wild Boars, Tigers, King cobras, Python etc become an emerging place for wild life enthusiasts. The Peppara dam and catchments area are rich with 13 tribal settlements.
Vayuvanthol, near Nedumangadu is a medicinal tribal market (Antichantha) offered rare medicinal plant which are collected from the forests by tribal.
How to reach - 55 Km from Thiruvananthapuram Internal Airport.
Neyyar Wild Life Sanctuary
Is situated in the Agasthyakoodam forest ranges become the highest elevation wild life sanctuary with variety of species includes Nilgiri Tahr, Sloth bear, Elephants, Nilgiri Langur etc. In Neyyar sanctuary, there is a lion safari park and a crocodile rearing centre becomes a centre of attraction for the visitors. The tributaries of Neyyar River, Mulayar and Kallar river gives perfect beauty of wildlife which flow in to the mind and enchant visitors.
How to reach- 32 Km from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.
Wayanad Wild Life Sanctuary
Is situated at an attitude of 1000-2100 m above the sea level with 2100 Sq Km area. Wayanad wild life sanctuary forms a pivot of the Nilgiri system of biodiversity having abundant fauna and flora. The animals include panthers, tigers, bison, civet cat, and elephants which make you thrilled while taking adventurous trekking through dense forests. The management of the park laid emphasis on creating scientific conservation methods that are complementary to the traditional life style of the tribal residing in the forest region.
How to reach- 110 Km to Calicut International Airport.
Eravikulam National Park
Is 97 Km2 areas, situated along the crests of the western Ghats. The park holds the largest viable population of the endangered (IUCN) Nilgiri Tahr (Hermitages hylocrius). Apart, the park provides a healthy habitat for Nilgiri marten, small clawed otter, dusky striped squirrel, ruddy mangos etc.
How to reach - 148 Km from Cochin International Airport.
Munnar
Located at an altitude of 1600m, is one of the most beautiful Hill station in the world. Munnar has the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, become the favored summer destination of European settlers for two decades. Munanr enriched with natures beauty blessed by God providing scenic beauty of lakes, dams, wild life, tea plantations, spice gardens etc.
Munnar is surrounded by three mountain steam which forms water fall leaps down rocky cliff faces. Thus Munnar earmarked as one of the world’s Biodiversity hotspots for its munificence of flora and fauna.
Munnar is an ideal destination for a peaceful vacation since it is co-existed with other hill spots in the Western Ghats. Among them, Devikulam is just 7 Km from Munnar provide you a good picnic spot with calm Sita Devi Lake, green meadows, exotic flora and fauna and the pristine mountains, besides the river will give you ideal sport for trout fishing. Pallivasal, 8 Km away from Munnar give you scenic beauty and a dam site. Chithirapuram, just 10 Km away from Munnar having ancient cottages, bungalows, old play grounds and courts with exotic tea plantations. Attukal, 9 Km from Munnar, become a most favored destination with charming sceneries, waterfalls and rolling hills provide you a life time chance of trekking for along.
Nyayamkad, 10 Km away from Munnar towards Rajamala, enriched with splendid waterfalls even falls from a height of 1600 m. The bewitching play of light and shades can visible at Mattupetty Dam, just 13 Km from Munnar at an attitude of 1700 m from sea level. The place is famous for Indo-Swiss Live Stock project having 100 varieties of high yielding cattle’s. The lake and dam become a popular picnic spot with Kundala Tea Plantations, mystic greenery etc. Eravikulam National Park is just 15 Km from Munnar and the Chinnar Wild Life sanctuary is 10 Km away from Munnar.
How to reach
170 Km from Cochin International Airport.
