Idukki> Chinnar
Chinnar-Whispering woods
The place is regarded as one of the unique protected areas in the whole westerns ghats due to its ecological, floral, geomorphologic and cultural significance. The habitat types arrange from high altitude shola grassland to dry thorny scrub. This is a habitat of the giant grizzled squirrel and white bison. This 90 square km wild life sanctuary situates in the middle of Eravikulam National Park to the south, Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary is to the north and Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary is to the east. The Chinnar River and Pambar rivers are the major perennial water resources in the sanctuary. The spectacular Thoovanam waterfalls lie deep within the Sanctuary on the Pambar River. This breathtaking cascade is a major tourist attraction.
If one is adventure enough they can enjoy the beauty of Vasayappara, which is deep inside in the core area of the Chinnar wildlife sanctuary. Vasayppara can be reached after having a one and half hour trekking after deviating before Chinnarvanam check post. The forest department has been organizing two-day nature camp for students in Chinnar. Free accommodation and food are available. For more information contact: Munnar wild life warden: ph:04865-231587.
Location
18 km north To Marayoor on SH 17 in Marayoor and Kanthaloor panchayathas, Devikulam taluk
How to reach
By road: 60 km from Munnar and Pollachi, two hour drive from Munnar via Marayoor.
Munnar Udumalpet road passes through the sanctuary
115 km southwest to Coimbatore
Contact
Wildlife warden, Forest Information centre Munnar: 04865 231587.
Website: www.chinnar.org
Altitude
Varies from 500- 2300 m above sea level
Best season
Dec to May
Stay
Accommodation is available in three suites at the forest guesthouse for Rs 400 per head
Treetop machans costs Rs 1000 for an overnight stay (including food)
Camping at Vasyappara huts costs Rs 2500 per head (Rs 500 for additional perosn) including food.
Dormitory facilities are available at Chinnar. Rs 110 per head (no food)
Tips
Avoid dark colored dresses
Observe silence
Don't litter
What to do
Trekking: Treks are organized jointly by the forest department and the eco development committees of local tribes
Vasayappara trek takes one night and two days
The lofty Chinnar watchtower gives a panoramic view of the entire sanctuary
A forest guard and tourist guide accompanies visitors
Timing
7 am to 6pm
Entrance fee
Adults Rs 10
Children Rs 5
Sentinel Rock Waterfalls, also known locally as Soochipara, is 23 km away from Kalpetta, located at Vellarimala village in Meppadi panchayat. This is a popular picnic spot and trekking area and the pool at the foot of the falls is ideal for a quick dip. The more restrained can have equally good fun just taking in the scenery.
The Sentinel Rock is also ideal for rock climbing. It is a spectacular waterfall where the water cascades down in three steps from a height of about 200 m in Vellarimala, Wayanad, surrounded by deciduous, wet evergreen and tropical Shola forests. Locally referred to as Soochipara 'Soochi' meaning 'Needle' and 'Para' meaning 'Rock', The 15-20 minute drive from Meppadi to Sentinel Rock Waterfalls offers scenic views of some of the best tea estates in Wayanad.
From Elevayal junction there is only 2 km distance to entrance of the falls.
There is counter of Vanasamrakshana Samithi to give the passes.
Ticket fee is Rs 20 and for students it is Rs 10.
For vehicles parking: two-wheeler Rs 5
Cars Rs 20 and for big vehicles Rs 50.
One has to make a walk for one km from the parking area as to reach the falls. There is a pond in its upper side called Cheenikund. The forest has many wilds animals.
Locations: Near Meppadi Wayanad
Thenmala is a serene village at the foothills of Western Ghats which is primarily a forest area. The well-known Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary is the prime ecotourism resource of Thenmala. The Wildlife Sanctuary is of about 100 sq. km. enriched with large varieties of flora and fauna.
'Thenmala' in English means honey hills. It is located 72 kms from Thiruvananthapuram.
Thenmala Ecotourism Project) has been formulated in and around Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary with the co-operation of departments such as Forest, Irrigation and Tourism. In order to give flexibility in management for the development of this destination, a separate Society, the Thenmala Ecotourism Promotion Society (TEPS) has been constituted.
For more details: Visit www.thenmalaecotourism.com
Climate
The hottest months are March to May and the coldest, December and January. The maximum temperature during daytime in the hottest month is about 39 degree Celsius. The daily temperature varies from 17 degree Celsius to 35 degree Celsius.
Rainfall
Southwest Monsoon: May to August extends up to September
Northeast Monsoon: late September, October and November
Average rainfall 2600 - 3000 mm
Best Season
August to May
How to Reach
By Air: Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram (80kms)
By Rail: Nearest Railhead: Kollam (66kms)
By Road: Two hour journey from Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam. Regular buses are available from Kollam, Kottarakkara and Punalur.
Contact
STD code: 0475
Tourism Information Desk, Thenmala 0475-344800
Thenmala Ecotourism Promotion Society: 0471-2329770
Stay, Lunch and Dine
Tented camping inside adventure zone: 0475-2344800
Hotel Green Valley: 0475-2335134
Treetop Huts at Kattilappara: 0475-2335134
Restaurant: KTDC Restaurant: 0475-2211600
Packages Available
Trekking packages through Eco Development Committee: 0475-2344800
Trained Guides: 0475-2344725
Attractions
Matysafed Aquarium near Adventure Zone. Entry Fee: Rs.5-10 (10am to 7pm)
Deer Rehabilitation Centre. Entry fee: Rs. 5-10 (8am-6pm)
Boating in Wildlife Sanctuary. Rs. 45-75 (9.30am to 4pm)
Leizure zone. Entry fee: Rs.20-30
Musical Dancing Fountain at 7pm (Monday holiday)
Mountain biking. Rs.20
Conducted Tours
From Thiruvananthapuram KTDC (Ph 0471-2330031)
From Kollam DTPC Kollam (Ph 0474-2745625, 1364)
From Pathanamthitta DTPC Pathanamthitta (Ph 0473-2229952/2326409)
From Alapuzha DTPC Alappuzha (Ph: 0477-2251796, 2253308)
From Kottayam DTPC Kottayam (Ph: 0481-2560479)
From Ernakulam DTPC Ernakulam (Ph: 0484-2383988, 2367334)
Local Guides: Ph: 0475 2344725
Tips
Book accomodation early in advance
Plastic freezone
The place is regarded as one of the unique protected areas in the whole westerns ghats due to its ecological, floral, geomorphologic and cultural significance. The habitat types arrange from high altitude shola grassland to dry thorny scrub. This is a habitat of the giant grizzled squirrel and white bison. This 90 square km wild life sanctuary situates in the middle of Eravikulam National Park to the south, Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary is to the north and Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary is to the east. The Chinnar River and Pambar rivers are the major perennial water resources in the sanctuary. The spectacular Thoovanam waterfalls lie deep within the Sanctuary on the Pambar River. This breathtaking cascade is a major tourist attraction.If one is adventure enough they can enjoy the beauty of Vasayappara, which is deep inside in the core area of the Chinnar wildlife sanctuary. Vasayppara can be reached after having a one and half hour trekking after deviating before Chinnarvanam check post. The forest department has been organizing two-day nature camp for students in Chinnar. Free accommodation and food are available. For more information contact: Munnar wild life warden: ph:04865-231587.
Location
18 km north To Marayoor on SH 17 in Marayoor and Kanthaloor panchayathas, Devikulam taluk
How to reach
By road: 60 km from Munnar and Pollachi, two hour drive from Munnar via Marayoor.
Munnar Udumalpet road passes through the sanctuary
115 km southwest to Coimbatore
Contact
Wildlife warden, Forest Information centre Munnar: 04865 231587.
Website: www.chinnar.org
Altitude
Varies from 500- 2300 m above sea level
Best season
Dec to May
Stay
Accommodation is available in three suites at the forest guesthouse for Rs 400 per head
Treetop machans costs Rs 1000 for an overnight stay (including food)
Camping at Vasyappara huts costs Rs 2500 per head (Rs 500 for additional perosn) including food.
Dormitory facilities are available at Chinnar. Rs 110 per head (no food)
Tips
Avoid dark colored dresses
Observe silence
Don't litter
What to do
Trekking: Treks are organized jointly by the forest department and the eco development committees of local tribes
Vasayappara trek takes one night and two days
The lofty Chinnar watchtower gives a panoramic view of the entire sanctuary
A forest guard and tourist guide accompanies visitors
Timing
7 am to 6pm
Entrance fee
Adults Rs 10
Children Rs 5
Wayanad> Soochippara waterfalls
Sentinel Rock Waterfalls, also known locally as Soochipara, is 23 km away from Kalpetta, located at Vellarimala village in Meppadi panchayat. This is a popular picnic spot and trekking area and the pool at the foot of the falls is ideal for a quick dip. The more restrained can have equally good fun just taking in the scenery.The Sentinel Rock is also ideal for rock climbing. It is a spectacular waterfall where the water cascades down in three steps from a height of about 200 m in Vellarimala, Wayanad, surrounded by deciduous, wet evergreen and tropical Shola forests. Locally referred to as Soochipara 'Soochi' meaning 'Needle' and 'Para' meaning 'Rock', The 15-20 minute drive from Meppadi to Sentinel Rock Waterfalls offers scenic views of some of the best tea estates in Wayanad.
From Elevayal junction there is only 2 km distance to entrance of the falls.
There is counter of Vanasamrakshana Samithi to give the passes.
Ticket fee is Rs 20 and for students it is Rs 10.
For vehicles parking: two-wheeler Rs 5
Cars Rs 20 and for big vehicles Rs 50.
One has to make a walk for one km from the parking area as to reach the falls. There is a pond in its upper side called Cheenikund. The forest has many wilds animals.
Locations: Near Meppadi Wayanad
Kollam> Thenmala
Thenmala is a serene village at the foothills of Western Ghats which is primarily a forest area. The well-known Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary is the prime ecotourism resource of Thenmala. The Wildlife Sanctuary is of about 100 sq. km. enriched with large varieties of flora and fauna.
'Thenmala' in English means honey hills. It is located 72 kms from Thiruvananthapuram.
Thenmala Ecotourism Project) has been formulated in and around Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary with the co-operation of departments such as Forest, Irrigation and Tourism. In order to give flexibility in management for the development of this destination, a separate Society, the Thenmala Ecotourism Promotion Society (TEPS) has been constituted.
For more details: Visit www.thenmalaecotourism.com
Climate
The hottest months are March to May and the coldest, December and January. The maximum temperature during daytime in the hottest month is about 39 degree Celsius. The daily temperature varies from 17 degree Celsius to 35 degree Celsius.
Rainfall
Southwest Monsoon: May to August extends up to September
Northeast Monsoon: late September, October and November
Average rainfall 2600 - 3000 mm
Best Season
August to May
How to Reach
By Air: Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram (80kms)
By Rail: Nearest Railhead: Kollam (66kms)
By Road: Two hour journey from Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam. Regular buses are available from Kollam, Kottarakkara and Punalur.
Contact
STD code: 0475
Tourism Information Desk, Thenmala 0475-344800
Thenmala Ecotourism Promotion Society: 0471-2329770
Stay, Lunch and Dine
Tented camping inside adventure zone: 0475-2344800
Hotel Green Valley: 0475-2335134
Treetop Huts at Kattilappara: 0475-2335134
Restaurant: KTDC Restaurant: 0475-2211600
Packages AvailableTrekking packages through Eco Development Committee: 0475-2344800
Trained Guides: 0475-2344725
Attractions
Matysafed Aquarium near Adventure Zone. Entry Fee: Rs.5-10 (10am to 7pm)
Deer Rehabilitation Centre. Entry fee: Rs. 5-10 (8am-6pm)
Boating in Wildlife Sanctuary. Rs. 45-75 (9.30am to 4pm)
Leizure zone. Entry fee: Rs.20-30
Musical Dancing Fountain at 7pm (Monday holiday)
Mountain biking. Rs.20
Conducted Tours
From Thiruvananthapuram KTDC (Ph 0471-2330031)
From Kollam DTPC Kollam (Ph 0474-2745625, 1364)
From Pathanamthitta DTPC Pathanamthitta (Ph 0473-2229952/2326409)
From Alapuzha DTPC Alappuzha (Ph: 0477-2251796, 2253308)
From Kottayam DTPC Kottayam (Ph: 0481-2560479)
From Ernakulam DTPC Ernakulam (Ph: 0484-2383988, 2367334)
Local Guides: Ph: 0475 2344725
Tips
Book accomodation early in advance
Plastic freezone
Tags :Kerala, Tourism, Travel, Kollam, Thenmala, Ecotourism
